STUDIO AIR2015, SEMESTER 1, TUTOR SONYAYUXIANG ZHOU

Contents

INTRODUCTION 4

PART A CONCEPTUALISATION

DESIGN FUTURING 7-9

A.1. DESIGN COMPUTATION 10-14

A.2. COMPOSITION / GENERATION 15-17

A.3. CONCLUSION 18

A. 4. LEARNING OUTCOME 18

A. 5. APPENDIX - ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES 19

PART B. CRITERIA DESIGN

B.1. RESEARCH FIELD 22-23

B.2. CASE STUDY 1.0 24-28

B.3. CASE STUDY 2.0 29-33

B.4. TECHNIQUE: DEVELOPMENT 34-40

B.5. TECHNIQUE: PROTOTYPES 41

B.6. TECHNIQUE: PROPOSAL 42

B.7. LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES 43

B.8. APPENDIX - ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES 43

PART C. DETAILED DESIGN

C.1. DESIGN CONCEPT 44-54

C.2 TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES 55-56

C.3. FINAL DETAIL MODEL 57-59

C.4. LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES 60

REFERENCES

4 INTRODUCTION

ABOUT ME

My name is Yuxiang Zhou and I was born in China. After graduated from high school, I got a chance to come to Melbourne for international education. Choosing Architecture is purely because of my interests of designing and building. All the concepts and knowledge have given me wonderful but challenging experience since I stepped into the

INTRODUCTION

FIG.1: DIGITAL MODEL OF THE LANTERN

FIG.2: PHYSICAL MODEL OF THE LANTERN

PAST WORK

The task of subject ‘Virtual Environments’ is aim to digitalize design our concept of natural element into an actual form of paper lantern. The process of the transferring the ideas into the forms on Rhinoceros is the most memorable time in my study. Both the 3D modelling software learning and the technique of fabrication by laser cutter are fresh tools in my designing study. The final form of my lantern is not the same as my initial design. Because the original structure of my model failed to keep stable

and too complicated to stick up. During the process, I changed the structure of the model several times on Rhinoceros and even further modified my ideas to adjust the new models. The experience reminds me of the importance that the design should be efficient in real life or fitting into the physical environments. That also makes me realize using software and modern printing methods have the potential force to change the outcome of designers.

area of architectural design as a totally fresh man. For two years, I have studied architecture and environments undergraduate subjects in University of Melbourne. During this time I have gained some experience about digital design by Rhino from the subject ‘Virtual Environments’. The experience in that subject makes me aware the convenience of form design using software and the importance of the balance between idea digitization and own idea control.

Studio Air is an ideal chance for me to approach parametric design and gain the skills of visual communication. I hope the study of digital architectural design could contribute a lot to my future design and career.

FIG.2: PHYSICAL MODEL OF THE LANTERN

PART A : CONCEPTUALISATION

6 CONCEPTUALISATION

CONCEPTUALISATION 7

DESIGN FUTURING“Answering the ‘design futuring’ question actually requires having a clear sense of what design needs to be mobilized for or against. Even more significantly, it means changing our thinking, then how and what we design...Whenever we bring something into being we also destroy something - the omelette at the cost of the egg, the table at the cost of the tree, through to fossil fuel generated energy at the cost of the planet’s atmosphere.”1

As Fry pointed out, the development of technology in late years has driven the modern design into a defuturing condition of unsusitainability. The modern designing tools such as the rapid prototyping in industrial design; rendering programs in architecture; photographic retouching programs in graphic design and fashion to the full-blown design “democratic” software might have been abusing on an unhealthy level.

In order to work against the backdrop of increasing instability of environments condition, we need to put the environmental impact on the top awareness of design consideration and try to minimize it as possible as we can. That is, the designers should keep a balance between what we can create and what we will break on the targeting site. Furthermore, it is important to understand then achieve the true value of the computational approach to the futuring design challenge we facing today.

Generally knowing what materials we use and what energy we consume for our design is a straight way to a sustainable design. By using parametric design we architects can deal with the precise calculation and complicated modelling related to our sustainable design more visually and simply . It is time to apply a more green and constructive design on future architectural projects rather than a “fast food” artefact under industrial design.

1. Fry Tony, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford Berg), retrieved from LMS, 7 Mar 2015.

PRECEDENT STUDY: SWAYWAY

DESIGNER: LISE MANSFELDT FAURBJERG, STINE REDDER PEDERSEN, CHRISTIAN NYGAARD SØRENSEN

LOCATION: NEW YORK

8 CONCEPTUALISATION

The name “SWAYWAY” is the vision of addressing energy literacy in a phenomenological way: By embracing both the energy potential, the structural challenges and the local habitat of Freshkills Park SWAYWAY conveys a spontaneous understanding of renewable energy production. “

This project locates at the Freshkills Park on the Staten Island in New York. Staten Island is the junction of several of the migration routes of the Atlantic flyways: The vast habitat of this park offers the perfect place for the birds resting, breeding and finding food. Most idea of this project is inspired from this flyway.

FIG.3

As stated above, although the materials use and functions of SWAYWAY are not revolutionary on the current level of techonology, its reasonable and logical design carefully composed with regards to weight, aesthetics and life cycle. The renewable wind and solar energy it produced alternately are very efficient on this flat windy area and these clean power sources really contribute a lot to to the birds and vegetations.

Another method to produce energy is converting the controlled structural vibrations into electricity through piezoelectric components. The “vane” of the feather consists of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) that convert solar power into electricity. The AC from the wind power and solar power is converted into DC by the inverter1. The renewable energy has been converted to electricity by lighting the installation, serving the grid and later storage.

1. SWAYWAY, http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/aN5513ae/#, retrieved from LMS, 7 Mar 2015.

The aesthetics and properties of the feather structure define the structural narrative. Its wireframe structure is inspired by the anatomy of the feather with shaft, barbs and barbules. This design fit into the topography properly that the lightweight foundations suitably land “feathery” on the landfill cap.

Wind force can be absorbed into lightweight structure, where the piezoelectric components convert it to electricity. As the installation is aeroelastic it sways in the wind, thus constituting a controlled structural vibration that utilizes the natural frequency of the installation to convert wind power to electricity.

FIG.4

PRECEDENT STUDY: CALORIE PARK

DESIGNER: MORTEZA KARIMI

LOCATION: COLUMBUS

CONCEPTUALISATION 9

Compared to SWAYWAY, the project is more focused on the interaction between the design and users. Calorie Park aim to not only collect the solar energy, also mechanical energy gathered from people. The scheme is consisted of clusters of interconnected pods that house different fitness equipment. Built-in equipment collect the mechanical energy produced by users and converts it to electricity which later will be connected to city’s infrastructure1.

The most inspirable element of this design is the combination of each pod. Pods are approximately 15 feet in diameter and are juxtaposed in a three dimensional manner. Series of these pods will create a habitrail-like maze of which the activities inside will be visible from the outside and the clusters themselves are large enough to be seen from surrounding highways.

1.Calorie Park, http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/6713KE13/#, retrieved from LMS, 8 Mar 2015.

The openings of the pods play several functions we can observe: the visual connection, the natural lighting and the shades inside. The maze made of the pods provides great experience of the users and allow the form continue being appreciated. Also the methods of collecting energy is suggesting that not the solar power, wind power or hydroenergy can stand for the most clean energy buildings can produced. Man power can be one of leading sustainable energy that can be considered.

As Fry stated 2, the political, social and economic changes, also the technologies, ones design should be sustained to fit the humans and environments need in a longer-term perspective. The design of Calorie Park reminds us to think more about the relationship between the users and architectural design in order to keep the balance over aesthetics and pragmatism.

2. Fry Tony, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford Berg), retrieved from LMS, 8 Mar 2015.

FIG.5

FIG.6

10 CONCEPTUALISATION

A.1. DESIGN COMPUTATION

Nowday computers and techonology offer our designers more options and possibilities in expressing our creative designs. Computerisation has gradually replaced some of the traditonal architctural practices such as sketching and physical modelling. With the help of computers, initial ideas can be generated into forms quickly. Then the results are easy to modify by different softwares, convenient to present or communicate with others through different media and got precise data for references. In the other hand, computerisation provides various levels of simulation for design specification, verification and evaluation. With the adequate programming tools, a designer who can quickly generate working models of his ideas can get the feedback necessary for real design improvements.

Some would argue that the computational design is the result of dependent of designers on computerization. But it actually moves as a new and contemporay design method to meet the requirement of modern and future architecture. Becasue architects today will not be just satisfied in practicability and aesthetics of the buildings. Every designer would be like to challenge the innovation on materials use and visual communication.

The reason why computational design has gradually taken over the traditional design is that like the parametric design, it allow the geometries of the building strictly following the structural principles of load bearing. The risk of traditional performance-oriented design process such as calculation error or complex moulding limitation has been avoided. So I think parametric design is like a evidenced- oriented design. It is pre-conceptualized. It can collect as much as possible data, like the temperature, the humidity and the indoors illumination and so on from the environments and modify its outcome.

On this point, I agree with the Peters’ idea that parametric design has the potential advantages to simulate and predict the actual experience and feeling from people than the traditional designing methods1. And later there are several works becoming evidences.

1. Peters, Brady. ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 13.

PRECEDENT STUDY: HANGZHOU TENNIS CENTRE

DESIGNER: NBBJ AND CCDI

LOCATION: HANG ZHOU, CHINA

CONCEPTUALISATION 11

Geometry Design

The process of parametrically defining and controlling the exterior geometry can be divided into several steps. According to Miller1, the modular system was defined parametrically by establishing a point cloud system which would serve as control points to define the edge curves of the surface. A ruled surface is then spans between the edge curves. Thie method allow the designers to evaluate the overall appearance while the computational performance can be improvde as well.

Form Variations

Under the control of written parametric system script, variations of the form are available for the designers to rapidly refine of the building form and testing out the most satisifed result of the exterior geometry.

1. Pablo C. Herrera, THE HANGZHOU TENNIS CENTER by Nathan Miller, NBBJ, 2011, http://issuu.com/pabloherrera/docs/28122011_hz_tennis_issuu_original_2011?e=1550707/2627663, retrieved from LMS, 9 Mar 2015.

FIG.8

The Hangzhou Tennis Center is completed in 2013 in China. The design of project mainly consist of the main stadium and the tennis finals court on the site. The exteriors of both facilities got the clever petal shape out forms which enclosed the stadium bowl. The design of the stadium envelope is based on a modular system of sculptural steel trusses which provide shade and house the arena’s technical systems.

An integrated parametric system has been created in Grasshopper to conceptualize, simulate, and document the complex geometric systems. The system was set up to explicitly define the control surface geometry and study formal variations as the step of computational conceptualization .

FIG.7

12 CONCEPTUALISATION

FIG.9

Structural Collaboration

Structural Collaboration is the systems for producing analysis-ready structural models has been used in this project. In order to offer the engineers a structural centerline model to use for analysis. The Grasshopper algorithm would automate the generation of a wireframe structure which was compatible with the tolerances of the engineer’s analysis software. This save a lot of time for the team to rebuild an engineering-specific model.1

1. Pablo C. Herrera, THE HANGZHOU TENNIS CENTER by Nathan Miller, NBBJ, 2011, http://issuu.com/pabloherrera/docs/28122011_hz_tennis_issuu_original

_2011?e=1550707/2627663, retrieved from LMS, 9 Mar 2015.

Conceptual Simulation

The structural centerline model is tested to simulate gravity loading on the steel truss structure using Kangaroo physics engine. The engine was used to provide an intuitive display for how forces moved through the structure. Tensile and compressive forces could be visualized to areas of maximum stress. Having this capability embedded into the design model at a conceptual level allowed the design team to make more informed decisions and engage in a more nuanced dialogue with the structural engineering team.

FIG.10

PRECEDENT STUDY:ICD-ITKE RESEARCH PAVILION 2013-14DESIGNER: ICD-ITKE UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART

LOCATION: UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART, GERMANY

CONCEPTUALISATION 13

FIG.11

Compare to the Hangzhou Tennis Centre, the scale of this project is smaller but got a much more complicated design process. The focus of the project is a parallel bottom-up design strategy for the biomimetic investigation of natural fiber composite shells and the development of novel robotic fabrication methods for fiber reinforced polymer structures. The aim was the development of a winding technique for modular, double layered fiber composite structures, which reduces the required formwork to a minimum while maintaining a large degree of geometric freedom.1

In this project, the Elytron, a protective shell for beetles’ wings and abdomen, has been used as reference model. The performance of these lightweight structures relies on the geometric morphology of a double layered system and the mechanical properties of the natural fiber composite. The designer team spent a lot time on the analysis of the intricate internal structures of the beetle shell. Then the glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymers were chosen as building material, due to their high performance qualities (high strength to weight ratio) and the potential to generate differentiated material properties through fiber placement variation. In order to fabricate the extensive and complex formwork, both the computational design and simulation tools are needed to integrate the robotic fabrication characteristics and the abstracted biomimetic principles into the design process.

1.Archdairy, http://www.archdaily.com/522408/icd-itke-research-pavilion-2015-icd-itke-university-of-stuttgart/, retrieved from LMS, 14 Mar 2015.

FIG.12

FIG.13

FIG.14

14 CONCEPTUALISATION

The fabrication is achieved by using two collaborating 6-axis industrial robots to wind fiber in a coreless winding way. The specific robotic fabrication process includes the winding of 6 individual layers of glass and carbon fibers.The generated winding syntax is transferred to the robots and allows the automatic winding of the 6 fiber layers. And the order in which the resin impregnated fiber bundles are wound onto the effectors is decisive for this process and is described through the winding syntax. The specific sequence of fiber winding allows to control the layout of every individual fiber leading to a material driven design process. Even in computational design, these reciprocities between material, form, structure and fabrication defined through the winding syntax is preceding the architectural theory.

Parametric design allow the geometries strictly following the structural principles abstracted from the beetle elytra. The computation method enable designers to individually control the data of each fiber layout in order to keep an efficient load-bearing system during the designing process.

The whole project shows how the computational synthesis of biological structural principles and the complex reciprocities between material, form and robotic fabrication can lead to the generation of innovative fiber composite construction methods. And the project itself is some point that traditional architectural designing can not reach on the technology and concept level. As an evidence-oriented designing, computational design contributes a lot to the current sustainable architectural projects.

CONCEPTUALISATION 15

A.2. COMPOSITION / GENERATION

Why compositional architectural design has been taken as the main part of the history of Architecture? Because the essence of compositional architectural design is just like the nature progess of traditonal building method: As long ago as we have got knowledge how to build a shelter, we are understanding and applying the planned arrangement of parts to form a whole. Although different building styles and building materials keep showing as a building evolution, architects still physically or intellectually apply the compositional architectural design in different way for their ideal final forms.

But the computation bring the designers a brand-new design method, algorithmic design. The stage of final form beomes no longer decisive to the design process. The order of designing has been overturned , that is, more focused on the relationship between the parameters during calculation. Architects using algorithmic design, is more like a mathematician, trying to understand the results of the generating code, knowing how to modify the code to explore new options, and speculating on further design potentials in parametric design.

But the cheap access to complicated and magnificent form by softewares is not actually a good designing circumstance. Having a sufficient understanding of algorithmic concepts is necessary to master the computation design method. Otherwise it is just a modern tool to increase efficiency in generating the empty outcome of the forms with no meaning inside.

PRECEDENT STUDY: SHELLSTAR PAVILIONDESIGNER: ANDREW KUDLESS AND RIYAD JOUCK

LOCATION: HONG KONG

FIG.15

16 CONCEPTUALISATION

The Shell Star pavilion designed by Mastys in Hong Kong can be easily identifed as parametric design by its unregular and faired appearance. The design concept is use the spatial vortex shape to maximizes its spatial performance while minimizing structure and material. The designer use Grasshopper and the physics engine Kangaroo to let the form self-organizes into the catenary-like thrust surfaces that are aligned with the structural vectors and allow for minimal structural depths.1

The outcome of the structure is composed of nearly 1500 individual cells that are all slightly non-planar. In reality, the cells must bend slightly to take on the global curvature of the form. However, the cells cannot be too non-planar as this would make it difficult to cut them from flat sheet materials. That tells us whether the computer worked out is the best option or not,

1. MATSYS, http://matsysdesign.com/category/projects/shell-star-pavilion/, retrieved from LMS, 14 Mar 2015.

designers still need to judge the result to see if is appropriate to take. Beause there’s still a great chance that the way designer itself think or simply just the scripts designer wrote down is the the source of the problem.

Return to the project, the designer us a custom Python script to enable each cell optimized so as to eliminate any interior seams and make them as planar as possible, greatly simplifying fabrication. And more custom python scripts have been used, for fabrication. The cell flanges and labels were automatically added and the cell orientation was analyzed and then rotated to align the flutes of the Coroplast material with the principal bending direction of the surface. From here we can find that the possible problems such as over complicated form by parametric design can be solved by parametric design itself.

PRECEDENT STUDY: DRAGON SKIN PAVILIONDESIGNER: EMMI KESKISARJA, PEKKA TYNKKYNEN, KRISTOF CROLLA (LEAD) AND SEBASTIEN DELAGRANGE (LEAD)

LOCATION: HONG KONG

CONCEPTUALISATION 17

FIG.16

FIG.17 FIG.18

The idea shown above that from grid to curve is a very typical evidence that parametric design are capable to transfer the 2D pattern into a meaningful 3D form short process. But the most notable thing in this project I would like to discuss is the material use. The team use mould to cut out pieces of wood board . Then the algorithmic procedures were scripted to give every rectangular component their precisely calculated slots for the sliding joints, all in gradually shifting positions and angles to give the final assembled pavilion its curved form.1

Though it looks familiar with the former project that designers use the algorithmic designs to solve the problems again the design itself created. But rather than using plywood as a hard materials to form curving shape, plastics or steels are more easier choices for designers.

1.ArchDaily, http://www.archdaily.com/215249/dragon-skin-pavilion-emmi-keskisarja-pekka-tynkkynen-lead/, retrieved from LMS, 14 Mar 2015.

Why? I would argue that it is the computation designing changed the designers’ way of thinking. Peters in his article2 argued that computation is not simply a designing tool but somehow improve the designers intelligence and increases our capability to solve complex problems, even go beyond the intellect of the designer and got potential to provide inspiration by unexpected results.

With the help of technology, architects are able to dig out more properties from the materials once we thought we were familiar with. The outcome is encouraging, the highly expressive and porous skin of Dragonskin Pavilion questions the notion of boundary: as light and views are filtered, softened and dampened towards the interior, the interior is slowly and more hesitantly revealed outwards.

2. Peters, Brady. ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 10.

18 CONCEPTUALISATION

A.3. CONCLUSTIONAs an architectural designer, our circumstance for practices are always changing. The current needs for designing is always related to environmental sustainable development. As the technology grows, we have no excuse to lose focus on the possible impact of the buildings on nature environments. Now we have all countered the digital revolution that algorithmic design thinking has integrated into the process of our design deeply. It either can be a convenient tools for designing, or become an high wall in front of computation design. Thus it is important for us to take a fully understanding of ‘algorithm driving form’ as an evident-oriented design.

The SWAYWAY project and the ICD-ITKE Research Pavilion is really very useful example for my design intention. Considering the biomimetic design as my research field, I will try to figure out what living organism I can observe and study from in Merri Creek. And using it to create a sustainable resource or habitat structure there to achieve the value of architecture at some point.

A.4. LEARNING OUTCOMEParametric design is very different from the concepts I learned in other subjects. Designing something in Grasshopper always encourage algorithmic thinking through your design logically.But the experience of parametric design is wonderful. Because the ideas keep coming out of your thought when you are trying different options to modify your object. By learning though this subject, I think I can generate my ideas about the concept on my previous work in Virtual Environment and design a lantern that can define itself by the methods the strips joined.

CONCEPTUALISATION 19

A.5. APPENDIX - ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES

FIG.19

FIG.20

The tutorial task is making a 3D model to mimic the sea sponge. From the sponge image I have got, it is generally a series of pipes. Thus my initial idea is to create an uneven surface and build pipes on it. Then I have learnt to use “Random” component to adjust their lengths and “Graft Tree” to distribute the data.

During the process, I have learned that something is different in Grasshopper. Unlike normal Rhino surface, the shape you want to create need several basic elements to support it, points, coordinates also the ranges. It’s important to arrange the data tree into a proper manner and make sure the inputs are logic and reasonable, otherwise the outputs will become a mess. The process of these algorithmic sketches really demonstrates that parametric design is reliable on the script programming. Concept will not achieve if you do not have an idea how to build the structure. When discovering and generating the objects, the designer need not only abstract thought and precise reasoning, but also abundant imagination and strong esthetic judgment.

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PART B : CRITERIA DESIGN

CRITERIA DESIGN 21

22 CRITERIA DESIGN

B.1. RESEARCH FIELD Biomimicry can be a driven force to generate new architecture under parametric design. Especially the passive design will be the most innovative part because what we concern about is the dynamic performance passive design could play. By researching on the behaviors of living creatures allow us to learn more how these existing successful examples survival in nature in their fittest way.

In following stage I will try to link my study in parametric design to the project in Merri Creek. From the observation of the site, I think there got many natural resources to learn from. The one I am most concerned is the native sensitive plant I found on the site. It got the main ability which passive design should have, being able to react from the environment and adjust its leaves for on its on purpose. The compound leaves of the sensitive plant could fold inward and droop when touched or shaken, to defend themselves from harm, and re-open a few minutes later. It also fold when the temperature is high during the dry weather to reduce the water loss from the leaves. I want my design could be as flexible as the sensitive plant to be able to interact with the local environment in Merri Creek.

Another interesting target which I concern about is the performance of fins using fluid dynamics. Fluid dynamics offers a systematic structure—which underlies these practical disciplines—that embraces empirical and semi-empirical laws derived from flow measurement and used to solve practical problems. And if it works under the water, it also might contribute to the winds in air.

And there is instance about designer using biomimicry to build relationship between fin and wind power. Frank Fish, the West Chester University biology professor, found Humpback Whales have mall bumps known as tubercles along the leading edge of their fins. These tubercles to the edge of a turbine blade can provide the needed improvement in the angle of attack by delaying stall1. By doing that can avoid causing a severe increase in drag. It helps whales to improve swimming efficiency. And Fish find it also help wind turbines to improve its working efficiency. He has developed this tubercle technology and applied it on industrial ventilation fans.1. Dave, http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/wind/biology-inspires-better-wind-powerretrieved from 29 Apr 2015.

FIG.21 sensitive plant which commonly seen in beside the bicycle path

FIG.22

FIG.23

CRITERIA DESIGN 23

Parametric design is an evident-driven design method which emphasis the process of how the data can inform and control the overall design practice. And it often tend to input specific data to create several possibilities. Most of the precedent projects listed are using this technique to play with lights and shades. But since I am focused on biomimetic design. It is important to research the precedent that has been applied biological nature. And Silk Pavilion will be an ideal and inspirable project as a start entry for me.

Silk Pavilion got two features which inspired me. The first one is the way it goes through during its design process. Designers have a research how the silkworms weave delicate cocoons from a single strand of silk. And they made a bold decision, to create the primary structure by using 6500 live silkworms. Then they built a robot-woven threads wrapping a steel frame to support it.

After this they continue to research into the way silkworms interact with their environment; from testing out different 3D spaces under different ambient conditions, and to using minuscule motion tracking equipment to examine the cocoon construction process1. They used the data result to analyze and find a balance between a scaled-up version of the insects’ own cocoons and a functional space for humans to design the pavilion’s skin. As a conclude, their research and construction has been never separated and always continued. I believe it is also what we should do in current and later stages in this subject.

The second part about Silk Pavilion for me to learn from is that it provides a chance to get a close look how these parametric designs have been fabricated. The key to apply the biomimicry to the design is how to translate the language of biology into information technology. The research of Silk Pavilion was tracing the behaviors of silkworms and using them like “live-machine”. Its fabrication CNC machine perfectly mirrors the ability of the silkworms on how they“compute” material organization based on external performance criteria. Although our task now is not up to this complex stage, the basic purpose of our design are same, to explore the potential relationship between architecture and biology.1. Rory, http://www.archdaily.com/384271/silk-pavilion-mit-media-lab/, retrieved from 18 Mar 2015.

Silk Pavilion

FIG.24

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FIG.26

SEROUSSI PAVILION

B.2. CASE STUDY 1.0

For case study one I choose the Biothing - Seroussi Pavilion. The self-modifying patterns of vector fields behave under the logic of distribution in electro-magnetic fields1. It use computational design to follow the logics of attention/repulsion. The pattern will be generated and got lifted into number of structural arches. Those arches are lifted section through different frequencies of the sine function. The proposal of the project is to insert itself as a “ground implant”. It is claimed to have the ability to “grow” around the existing large trees or adjust its orientation allows for finer nesting into particular host conditions of the site. Extended radius of influence can weave the fabric of new implanted ground into existing landscape pathways.

1. BIOTHING , http://www.biothing.org/?cat=5, retrived from 23 Mar 2015.

For the scripts in grasshopper, strips and folding technique is used to transform the curves to mimic the behavior of electromagnetic fields. Curves are folded as strips following the parameters that the graph mapper component given to form into complex shapes. The rich details of the facade elaborate the thoroughly thought of the designers. And I think it is a very powerful precedent to fuse an unusual form with practical function. From this project and other precedents. I realise strip and folding not only can make complex variation, also have the great potential ability to be functional and practical. And the matrix below shows how I got different forms by changing the basic shapes and the parameters for field line and graph mapper.

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Fig.27 Fig.28

MATRIX

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BEST FOUR OUTCOME

By changing enough numbers of strips to the structure, the form becomes shell-like or cocoons closely piled up. This out outcome reminds me the Silk Pavilion in B.1. It got the potential to be designed into a organic corridor which can bring the visitor great experience.

Lowering the scales of each pattern can make them individual. This one got the potential to be arranged in a better manner. And these cells can be made of very light materials such as plywood or plastic. They can be scattered around in most of the landscape and be applied some interesting functions.

Based on a ring shape, I shrink the strips so that it can be a tent-like structure. This iteration is rather normal but it will be very practical to be assembled with energy efficient methods to enrich its function inside, And with its gathering centre structure. The scale of it can be very large and got the potential to be a gallery or any exhibition space.

This iteration itself is like an organic community. Unlike the other ones, it is rather designed into a sculpture than an activity space. I am thinking to make it glow in the dark when nights come. And it will be also a good approach to challenge the traditonal structure by its unique connection.

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B.3. CASE STUDY 2.0

In order to get more understanding of the fabricating technique in parametric design from different aspects, the precedent for Reverse-Engineering is quite different from the case 1.0. It is part of a project called Hyperbody MSc2 hold by the Evolutionary patterns deepFormations studio at the Faculty of Architecture at the Delft University of Technology.1

According to its description, the project focused on a form finding strategies based on the topics growth, time, mutation, evolution, branching. Although I am not sure if they were using grasshopper as the simulation software to generate this architectural form. But this lightweight volumetric components is similar to the pattern which I want to create in later stages. Especially the triangle patterns has been generated into a very vital form which is very admirable. In the other hand, the interior of this project from the image shown below is also thoughtful. Efficient day lighting has been provided with those gaps between patterns. And the gaps also land elegant shades on the path inside. That are the two points I want to achieve

1. Matthijslaroi, http://www.matthijslaroi.nl/cnc-manufacturing/evolutionary-patterns-deepformations-part-2/, retrived from 30 Mar 2015

in my later design, vital appearance and great light and shade performance inside.

FIG.29

FIG.31 FIG.32

FIG.30

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REVERSE ENGINEERING

From the details in the pictures shown below the overall streamlined shape consist of triangle patterns along the curving strips. So I decide to using curves as a start point to

produce this form.

1. Create two parallel basic curves.

2. Create points along the curves and use

Shift List to change the order of points. In

order to control the points, Graph Mapper

has been used to adjust the parameter of the

curve. Then use the points to create triangular

patterns.

3. Add more curves in order to change the

shapes of patterns by Graph Mapper.

4. Adjust the shapes of patterns so that it can

be close to what the patterns like in Hyperbody

Msc2.

CRITERIA DESIGN 31

5. By now the patterns are similar to what those

like in the project. So next step is to arrange them

into a similar order.

6, From the observation, the strips in Hyperbody

Msc2 behave like sea waves. So I recreate

the curves by adjusting their control points in

Rhinoceros.

7. Test the effect by applying the definition.

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8. The final step is to make these curves in

three dimensional maner.

9. Refine the final shape.

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B.4. Technique: Development

BASIC INTERATION

the first group of iteration is based on the original outcome of B3. I play with the RANGE and GRAPH MAPPER component in Grasshopper to seek for the variation between the number of patterns and their arrangement order.

CRITERIA DESIGN 35

36 CRITERIA DESIGN

SCULPTURE THEME

Iteration by changing the curve in order to create several inspirable sculpture forms

CRITERIA DESIGN 37

38 CRITERIA DESIGN

SQUARE PATTERN THEME

Iteration by changing the pattern to find the potential value of different pattern of the script

CRITERIA DESIGN 39

STRUCTURE THEME

Starting considering the constructive form in order to work out the prototype by using LOFT, EXTRUDE component in Grasshopper

40 CRITERIA DESIGN

FOUR INTERESTED OUTCOMES

This form has the potential to be designed into a multi-layers passage to apply serveral values on it. What I can think by now is to provide thermal insulation function without disturbing the ventilation inside.

I just like its appearance. It is simple and nice to be built into a shelter fits beside the river.

It is potential to function as a light-weight shelter to adust its panel to play with light and shade. Also it can be further developed to a energy generater to collect solar power for serveral usage. e.g. lighting

The idea of the model to to mimic the shark skin in order to allow winds to be collected into further use.

CRITERIA DESIGN 41

B.5. Technique: Development The main idea of my design is to us the flexible joints and panels to mimic the sensentive plant found in the site to create a structure which could react from the environment to adjust its performance.

The panels will function as a cover to prevent direct sun light and rains.In the meantime, they can adjust their direction according to the sun angle in the daytime in order to absorb the solar energy by solar panel s attached on them.

The solar energy collected will be converted into electricity power for the mechanical movement consumption and lighting during evening.

Fig.33

Fig.34

Fig.35

Fig.36

After getting feedbacks from the interim presentation I re-plan my research and look into the project of improving the water condition at my site of Merri Creek. Based on my observation, the aquatic plants have over grown in the river at my site. They had increased the turbidity of the water and cause eutrophication there . In order to solve the problem and to maintain the water clean and stable, consistent oxygen have to be imported by air. My idea is to build a passage for cyclists which can passively collect the air when they pass by and import them into the nearby river through the structure of the passage.

42 CRITERIA DESIGN

B.6. Technique: Proposal

Site Location: Bicycle Path near Merri Creek Primary School

Main User: Most are Cyclists, water birds

Existing Problems: Exposed under the sunlight; Noise from the busy traffic flow over the bridge; No resting points throughout the whole path. No lighting during evening time; There is not much space to place a building and the construction of the project has to be constructed quickly without enterrupting the users. Design Approach: To provide a noise SHELTER where cyclists can park their bikes and have a rest; To design a passage could collect winds to import into river in order to reduce the degree of water eutrophication.

FIG.38 the water polluton in Merri Creek FIG.39 points where can be placed a cover

FIG.37

CRITERIA DESIGN 43

B.7. Learning Objectives and Outcomes During this section, I start to use parametric tool to do our design. Editing the existing scripts and try to put it to the limit is a really thoughtful period during this design process. he hardest part will be try to figure out how the existing project can be produced by parametric design. It is a way to figure out the logic for constructing those projects.

Although after the presentation I found my prototype has gone quite far from our original aim, but it is still very useful results for preparing Part C’s tasks. I will change my research content and redesign the prototype to catch up with the later stage, which is to fabricate the model and start considering how to achieve the techniques on sustainable design in Merri Creek.

B.8. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

During the learning of grasshopper, I was interested in the research field of strips and folding. And this is also the technique which I am focused on in this stage. The precedent Hyperbody MSc2 inspired me a lot . Its skillful performance of lights and shades on both exterior and interior shows me the potential which twisted strips can do. Based on exploring its form, I have learned many component of grasshopper and be able to produce more interesting shape and form in this section. But rather than creating complex form, I think it is essential to fullly understand the script and understand what data can be converted into. I always play with the points, curves and surfaces. Seeking for a balance between shapes and meaning is always my aim.

44 DETAILED DESIGN

PART C : DETAILED DESIGN

DETAILED DESIGN 45

C. 1 Design Concept

Throughout the part B, my approach is to build a shelter where cyclists could park their bikes and have a rest. The project is generally a series of individual small covers installed with solar panel. It can collect the solar energy and use it to move its panel to dynamically adjust itself for the raining and sun shine. And it also can provide lighting in night time. After presentation, I got a lot of important feedbacks which contributes a lot to my current design. I recorded down and here is the advice list:

1. The project does not address the architectural characteristics. It is more like a industry product rather than architectural project.

2.Do not try to attach too many functions which the design is unable to achieve. Instead, make clarity on solving one or two problems that the site really existed in a more specific way.

3. Aim for something the project can passively achieve instead of abusing so-called “renewable energy generator” like solar panel or wind turbine.

4. Site selection should be more clear on a certain location with a map indicated.

So I went back to the site and take a more careful research. The trial is really popular, every time I go there, there are always many cyclists riding along the path. I asked two of them about the ideas what can be changed in this site. And they all complained about the harsh sunlight which makes them dazzling during riding under the way without trees. The sun light is so harsh that they have to wear the sun glasses.

DESIGN PROPOSAL

In this situation I decided to place a barrier wall on the section of the trial which suffered most of the harsh sun light. Because it is the most unbearable part the cyclists would have been through. Another reason I choose this place is there is a stinky drain hole nearby. The west winds will blow the stink to the path. So put a barrier here would not interrupt the view here and also can help to isolate the smell.

46 DETAILED DESIGN

DESIGN PROCESS

PART B RESULT

SITE REANALYZE

BIOMIMICRY RESEARCH REFINEMENT

PRECEDENT STUDY

DESIGN REGENERATION

RE-DEFINEDESIGN PROPOSAL

FEEDBACKS SUMMARY

STRIPALGORITHMS

DESIGNEVALUATION

C2 TECTONIC

DETAILED DESIGN 47

BIOMIMICRY RESEARCH REFINEMENT

My biomimicry target at current stage has be cho-sen as the gill slit. It is a very unique organ which only sharks and whales got. They are individual openings to gills that but lie in a row behind the head. Although these gill slits are not covered, but the structure allows it passively filter the water flow without reverse flow. While the shark or whale is moving, water passes through the mouth and over the gills in a process known as “ram ventila-tion”.

Its characteristic like ventilation effectiveness as a filter system and “strait power” have already been studied and developed into some biomimicry de-sign like the water distribution systems design and hydroelectric turbine design it showed below.

water distribution systems design

hydroelectric turbine design

FIG.41

FIG.42

FIG.40

48 DETAILED DESIGN

PRECEDENT STUDY

Thematic Pavilion Expo 2012

Client: The Organizing Committee for EXPO 2012 Yeosu - KRArchitect: SOMACountry: Korea City: YeosuCompletion: 2012-04

And this is the most influential precedent to me about the gill slit design in architecture. The Thematic Pavilion Expo 2012 has an very unique facade which has the slit appearance according to bionic principle. This innovative design by SOMA team is successfully built with the contribution of engineering consultants Knippers-Helbig of Stuttgart1.

The key point which attracts me from the project is the part of the moveable lamellas individually controlled. During the daytime, the lamellas will adjust themselves to control the entry of light into the foyer. And when the night comes, the visual effect of the opening movements is enhanced by LEDs installed behind the lamellas. 1. DETAIL hhttp://www.detail-online.com/architecture/topics/one-ocean-thematic-pavilion-for-expo-2012-018911.html, retrived from 22 May 2015

FIG.43

FIG.44

FIG.45

DETAILED DESIGN 49

PROBLEM AIMING 1: HARSH SUNLIGHT

SITE REANALYSE

Local Sunrise Time......: 04 : 52 hrsSunrise Azimuth.........: 119.66°Local Sunset Time.......: 11 : 26 hrsSunset Azimuth..........: 240.34°Total Sun Hours.........: 14 hours and 34 minutesAltitude................: -8.46°Azimuth Angle...........: 231.99°Wall azimuth angle......: 0°Horizontal shadow angle.: 232°, * Wall in Shade *Vertical shadow angle...: 13.59°Angle of incidence......: 127.52°

LOCAL SOLAR CALCULATION

As it mentioned in the previous page, the harsh sunlight is one of the main problem exists in my target site. The part of trial is completely exposed under the direct sunlight without tree shades covering. Wearing sun glasses might be the best choice but it will interrupt enjoying the nice views during the bicycle trip. According my research of the local solar calculation, the most serious period

would be between 11:00 - 15:00. The sun angle will head north to the part of the trial and the radiation reaches to the peak. The situation could be aided by a 2.5 metres- tall continuous barrier placed face against the river. The barrier could block most of the direct sunlight and leave a appropriate scale of shades to the path.

The result is calculated by the SOLAR CALCULATER programming by Asheshwor Man Shreshta, provided by AUSDESIGN (Residential Design & Detailing)

WEBSITE: http://www.ausdesign.com.au/articles/calc.html

FIG.46

50 DETAILED DESIGN

SITE MAP

DETAILED DESIGN 51

THE DRAIN

THE PROJECT LOCATION

52 DETAILED DESIGN

PROBLEM AIMING 2: STINK FROM THE DRAIN

SITE REANALYSE

LOCAL WIND ROSE The stink from the drain located nearby is another problem of the site. The east wind of the site will blow the stink from the river to the path. But based on my research, it is not continous and powerful. So the barrier will contribute to the smell isolation from the river and also help to keep the view though the trial nice and clean.

FIG.47

FIG.48

DETAILED DESIGN 53

STRIP ALGORITHMS

In order to create my own gill slit pattern in Grasshopper, my idea is to twist the strips lining in a frame. The most difficult part is to separate them into individual surfaces and to twist them in different way. During this process, the SHIFT LIST and CULL pattern I learned in part B are very useful component for me to achieve this outcome.

1. Create the basic curve tracing along the path on the map

2. Use SHIFT LIST in grasshopper to generate a series of lines to set the basic frame

3. Create mid points on the curves to generate a reference for the strips to ‘twist‘ along them, then use CULL pattern and other parameters to control the distinction of each strips, so that they can perform individually but still continuously

4. loft and offset the surface to the whole component into one polysurface in order to meshthe model in Rhino to fabrication level

FIG.49

FIG.50 FIG.51

FIG.52 FIG.53

54 DETAILED DESIGN

DESIGN EVALUATION - PARAMETRIC MODELING

In order to parametric modeling the design, I build a system of the solar angle in grasshop-per and link it to the component which influ-enced the twisted strip surface . So now each of the louvers will move in a different angle in order to block the sunlight in a parametric way. And then by using ladybug plug-in in grasshop-per, I add panels to react from the results of the solar radiation. So the model can perfectly simulate the performance in realy life.

So by analyzing the sun angle of the site in Mer-ri Creek, it is possible to gain the solar angle of a particular time which allow precise control of the rotation of the louvers. The dynamic con-trol of the louvers is the key feature of this pro-ject. The angle will be achieve to automatically set to capture most of sun light only allowing smoothed light through the slit barrier.

FIG.54 FIG.55

FIG.56

DETAILED DESIGN 55

C. 2 Tectonic Elements & Prototypes

detail of the actuator

Forty-two 2-meters tall moveable lamellas will be set to respond to changing sun light conditions. The lamellas are made of fiber reinforced polymer, which is both strong and flexible. They are controlled by the poles placed at middle part with the actuators, they are capable of asymmetrical bending to allow light to radiate in and out of the as well as avoiding the stink from the drain hole.

detail of pipe joint

fiber reinforced polymer

List of other material used in design:

Poles in 150mm diameter x 60Each panel is 45x200The joint is 200mm long and the ball is 300mm diameter.Aluminum foil that cover the base and top

FIG.57

FIG.58

FIG.59

56 DETAILED DESIGN

ENERGY RESOURCE - PIEZOELECTRICITY

FIG.60

FIG.61

C.3. Final Detail Model

FRONT

BACK

DETAILED DESIGN 57

58 DETAILED DESIGN

CLOSED

OPEN

DETAILED DESIGN 59

PROJECT LOCATION

DETAILED DESIGN 60

DETAILED DESIGN 61

62 DETAILED DESIGN

C. 4 Learning Objectives and Outcomes

During the final presentation I have received a lot of inspirable feedbacks. Some gave advices on how to improve the structure of the barrier and some argued if it is necessary to place a barrier onto the site. I would have asked myself whether my design should fit into the certain site or not, and the answer could be no. Comparing to some of my classmates’ design, my design lack of consideration of Merri Creek but would rather to show what I’ve learnt so far in this subject Air. This is the mistake area of a designer and I need to pay attention in my further study.

But the studio is really focus on the exploration of the use of parametric tools. And by experiencing the jobs we need to finish every week in this semester in air studio. I do realise that my way of thinking on design is changing unlike before. The parametric design we have learnt so far was not just a modern tool to reinforce our design abilities, but a opposite way of thinking during designing. We have to find out what we want to create before we got the methods to achieve our aim. It is a challenging way of design because I had to try several practices before I have gained satisfying result .

Although I have learnt most is in the iteration part and reverse engineering part, what I feel most exciting is the process I tried to parametric modeling my design. It feels like giving vitality to my design and suddenly the structure got ability to react from the environment. And that is what traditional architecture is not able to bring us. And it also taught me that parametric design is not simply about efficiency or complexity which I initially think of, but the potential of buildings built under reasonable needs and controls. Passive design is another aim of this Merri Creek project. I am not satisfied of what I have designed because it still got the potential to be a more complex form but also with logic behind it. I will continue to learn the Grasshopper and parametric design and hope one day I can discover a better solution to evolve my current design in this subject into mature, innovative work.

Archdaily, http://www.archdaily.com/215249/dragon-skin-pavilion-emmi-keskisarja-pekka-tynkkynen-lead/, retrieved from LMS, 14 Mar 2015

Archdaily, http://www.archdaily.com/384271/silk-pavilion-mit-media-lab/, retrieved from LMS, 18 Mar 2015

Archdaily, http://www.archdaily.com/522408/icd-itke-research-pavilion-2015-icd-itke-university-of-stuttgart/, retrieved from 14 Mar 2015

BIOTHING, http://www.biothing.org/?cat=5, retrived from 13 Mar 2015.

Calorie Park, http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/6713KE13/#, retrieved from LMS, 8 Mar 2015.

Dave Levitan , http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/wind/biology-inspires-better-wind-powerretrieved from 29 Apr 2015

DETAIL, hhttp://www.detail-online.com/architecture/topics/one-ocean-thematic-pavilion-for-expo-2012-018911.html, retrived from 22 May 2015

Fry Tony, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford Berg), retrieved from LMS, 7 Mar 2015.

Matthijslaroi, http://www.matthijslaroi.nl/cnc-manufacturing/evolutionary-patterns-deepformations-part-2/, retrived from 30 Mar 2015.

MATSYS, http://matsysdesign.com/category/projects/shell-star-pavilion/, , retrieved from LMS, 14 Mar 2015

Pablo C. Herrera, THE HANGZHOU TENNIS CENTER by Nathan Miller, NBBJ, 2011, http://issuu.com/pabloherrera/docs/28122011_hz_tennis_issuu_original_2011?e=1550707/2627663, retrieved from LMS, 17 Mar 2015.

Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15

SWAYWAY, http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/aN5513ae/#, retrieved from LMS, 7 Mar 2015.

REFERENCES

IMAGE CREDITS

FIG.1-2: own imageFIG.3-4: http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/aN5513ae/#FIG.5-6: http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/6713KE13/#FIG.7-10: http://issuu.com/pabloherrera/docs/28122011_hz_tennis_issuu_original_2011?e=1550707/2627663FIG.11-14: http://www.archdaily.com/522408/icd-itke-research-pavilion-2015-icd-itke-university-of-stutt-gart/FIG.15: http://matsysdesign.com/category/projects/shell-star-pavilion/FIG.16-18: http://dragonskinproject.com/FIG.19: own imageFIG.20: from Google Image Search EngineFIG.21: own imageFIG.22-23: http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/wind/biology-inspires-better-wind-powerFIG.24-26: http://www.archdaily.com/384271/silk-pavilion-mit-media-lab/FIG.27-28: http://www.biothing.org/?cat=5FIG. 29-32: http://www.matthijslaroi.nl/cnc-manufacturing/evolutionary-patterns-deepformations-part-2/FIG. 33: from Google Image Search EngineFIG. 34-39: own imageFIG. 40-42 from Google Image Search EngineFIG. 43-45 http://www.detail-online.com/architecture/topics/one-ocean-thematic-pavilion-for-ex-po-2012-018911.htmlFIG. 46-47 own imageFIG. 48 http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/windrose_selector.cgiFIG. 49-56 own imageFIG. 57-61 From Google Image Search Engine