case for innovation

STUDIO: AIR

SIYU LI

2013

CONTENTS

PART A. EOI I: CASE FOR INNOVATIONA.0.0 INTRODUCTION

A.1.1 ARCHITECTURE AS DISCOURSE

A.2.1 COMPUTATIONAL ARCHITECTURE

A.3.1 PARAMETRIC MOLDELING

A.4 ALGORITHMIC EXPLORATION

A.5 CONCLUSTION

A.6 LEARNING OUTCOMES

PART A. CASE FOR INNOVATION

A.0.0 INTRODUCTION

This is my third year in university, but second year of studying architecture major subjects. I was born in China, and this is my fifth year in Melbourne. I like drawing since I was young, and it is the initial push for me choosing architecture as my major. However, architecture is more complex than just drawing some pretty things and it is difficult to learn.

My experience with digital tool is few. I leaned Rhino from a subject named Visual Communication. And some experience with AutoCAD as well. The digital tools did not help much in my past “architecture learning experiences”. And I believe after I go through Studio Air, they will become the very important part of my architecture learning process.

A.1.1 ARCHITECTURE AS DISCOURSE

Before I really get into this course, I am just like one of the people that Richard Williams talked about in his article (Richard, 2005), who regard architecture as art. But when I learn more about architecture, I realized that it is not just about art, but multi-discipline. By using Williams’ words again, ARCHITECTURE IS DISCOURSE (Richard, 2005).

Architecture is never simply one thing, but crosses many different fields to become to something. Back to the ancient time, architecture is just a thing with 4 basic elements: HEARTH, ROOF, ENCLOSURE and ROOF. As our civilization developed, architecture starts to relate to many other aspects such as arts, politics, social and culture. If we look close to today, architecture is significantly related to our urban development, for example the urban sprawl issue in Melbourne. Architecture is not just about the building or design concept, but it is shaped by many other factors. As Richard Williams suggests in his article that architecture is something in which all can participate (Richard, 2005, pp108).

A.1.2 PRECEDENT PROJECT

Church of Light is one of my favorite architectures. It is located in a residential suburb in Ibaraki, Osaka, which is a typical Japanese urban environment. Ando uses simple rectangular boxes and some panels (fig. 1.1) to play with light and shadow to create a space with special atmosphere. The fundamental layout of the church responses to architecture as discourse, as it contributes to the external environment and uses the natural light to divide and emphasis the space. As a Christian church, it also shows its original intention through its structure and layout. The cross-shaped opening is the best explanation of its function and character (as a church). The light and shadow that created by the overlaying and positions of concrete panels are powerful (fig. 1.2). The sense of lightness and darkness purely shows in the church. Architecture transmits information, and creates feelings as well. And it also shows the special Japanese architecture characters such as minimalism, connected with nature and ZEN spirit.

Minimalism crosses many fields, and in Architecture field, Tadao Ando is one of the critically acclaimed minimalist architects. The materials that used in the church emphasize the minimalism character. Concrete panel with no ornament and the only decoration comes from the natural light. It looks simple, but all the aesthetic aspects all hidden in the details as Andrew Kroll says in his article, “ As a modern, minimalist structure the Church of the Light emits an architectural purity that is found in the details” (Andrew Kroll, 2011).

Nature is always a part of Japanese architecture. Tadao Ando as well has concerns with connecting nature to the church. He put green in the detail (fig. 1.3). Everything within the church seems to be meticulous and organized. This kind of attitude may belong to the ZEN spirit.

CHURCH OF LIGHTArchitect: Tadao Ando Location: Ibaraki, Osaka, JapanProject Year: 1989 (second phase 1999)

FIG. 1.2 cross-shaped opening

Church of Light is one of Tadao Ando’s signature architectural works, and it is also the example of architecture as discourse. It shows how different characters, parameters and elements can mix together to form an architecture which is not only an architecture but a representation of architect, environment, and culture.

FIG.1.1 simple box forms a special space


NINGBO HISTORICAL MUSEUMArchitect: Wang Shu Location: Ibaraki, Osaka, JapanProject Year: 1989 (second phase 1999)

Ningbo Historic Museum is another favorite project of mine, and I am also proud of Wang Shu who is the first Chinese Pritzker price winner. The overview of Ningbo Historic Museum is like a segment of a mountain that sits on a rectangular box. This simple shape is stately and powerful. The south façade of the museum is totally a 2D vision (fig.1.4), which is like a picture of abstract Chinese mountain. This is the first cultural element that Wang Shu endued to the building. With the consideration of people’s responses, he lowered the height of each corner (Wang Shu, 2009). He treats the whole architecture as a picture, and concerns the view from each site. In Wang Shu’s own words, he wants to differ the meaning of “form” in Western and Eastern culture. Western architects usually emphasize the shape of architecture, but he likes to emphasize the meaning of the form. He also referred to many Chinese classical landscape drawing and classical poem,

FIG.1.4 south facade of the museum

FIG.1.5 claasical landscape picture sense

FIG.1.6 lacally salvaged materials

and this is the second cultural elements that Wang Shu added into the museum (Wang Shu, 2009). The material of this building is special. Both Ningbo Historic Museum and Ningbo Museum of Art are constructed of locally salvaged materials. Those salvaged material represents the change of a city. The impressive façade emphasizes the “the new regional style” (Karissa Rosenfield, 2012). That is the third thing that Wang Shu gave to the Museum. Wang Shu’s architecture is really an explanation of Architecture as Discourse, and it successfully incorporates multi-social, cultural, aesthetic, and also local elements in one piece of work.

Andrew, Kroll (2011). ‘AD Classics: Church of the Light / Tadao Ando’, in Archi Daily. Viewed 28th March, 2012, < http://www.archdaily.com/101260/ad-classics-church-of-the-light-tadao-ando/>

Carlos, Zeballos (2010). ‘Tadao Ando: Church of Light’, in My Architectural Moleskine. Viewed 28th March,2012. http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/tadao-ando-church-of-light.html

Karissa, Rosenfield (2012), WSJ names Wang Shu “Innovator of the year 2012”, in Archi Daliy. Viewed 29th March http://www.archdaily.com/286944/wsj-names-wang-shu-innovator-of-the-year-2012/

Wang, Shu (2009), Zi ran xing tai de xu shi yu jihe, Nibong bo wu guan zhuang zuo bi ji (xia). Time+ Architecture Magazine, 2009, vol.3.

Williams, Richard (2005). ‘Architecture and Visual Culture’, in Exploring Visual Culture: Definitions, Concepts, Contexts, ed. by Matthew Rampley (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press), pp. 102-116.

Yan (2012), Ningbo Historical Museum/ Wang Shu, in ikuku.cn, viewed 29th March 2012 http://www.ikuku.cn/697/%E5%AE%81%E6%B3%A2%E5%8D%9A%E7%89%A9%E9%A6%86%E7%8E%8B%E6%BE%8D.html

REFERENCE

FIG.1.3 natural aspect of church of light in detial

A.2.1 COMPUTATIONAL ARCHITECTURE

Designing process is like a problem solving process. The innovation of computation aid tool is helping the designer solve the problem efficiently.

Firstly, the computation design process provides us a “design space” (R.F. Woodbury & A. L. Burrow, 2005). It is like a piece of blank paper, but it has unlimited boundary and it allows design actions happen inside the space. Design actions occur base on the past experiences of the designer, therefore, the senior design always have a wider breadth think than learners. The difference between a digital design space and traditional pencil and paper is that the digital tools allow people to see as many as possible possibilities of the solution or outcomes of a problem. Such as in Grasshopper, you just simply slid the slider, different possibilities of a shape show just right in front of your eyes (fig 2.1).

Secondly, the difference between “computerization” and “computation” is explained by architects Brady Peters and Xavier De Kestelier. Computerization is using computer aid tool as an editor or virtual drafting board, but Computation “means the use of the computer to process information through an understood model which can be expressed as an algorithm” (B.Peter & X. D. Kestelier, 2013, pp10). Designers should represent their idea through algorithm thinking, which means that they should understand the processes that lead to a final result, and can change one element to achieve another possibility.

Finally, computation makes designers create something that even beyond their imagination. When people are tired about the box-like skyscraper, computation brings some brand new things to the architectural world.


INFINITY TOWER

Infinity Tower is a great example of a new type skyscraper which only can achieve with computation method. The major design concept of the tower is shape twisting to sky, and each floor is rotated 1.2 degree to create a full 90 degree twist from bottom to top (Lisa Wronski, 2013) (fig 2.1). Each individual column is the finite element (B.Peter & X. D. Kestelier, 2013, pp14), and many of them form the unique twisting structure. Each of the columns has its individual parameter, and they can be altered easily with the computation process.

Moreover, the success of Infinity Tower is the collaboration of architects and engineers. The powerful twisting structure is made of cast-in-place reinforced concrete and the concrete is clad with metal to protect the inside part. And it is designed to bear any external load that applied on the tower. The twisting shape also creates shades for sunshine. It is the tallest twisting tower in the world.

In addition, the expression of structure as architecture exterior skin is another unique character of this tower (SOM, 2013). Traditional buildings are more like to hide its structure under its skin, but as technology developed, new types of material and construction method appeared. Those developments are parallel or even further than the development of computation design, and they allow the structure and frame of the building to be exposure, and still matins the aesthetic aspect. For example, the 3D print technology is widely used recently (fig 2.4), and it shows the future attempt of computation design will become more and more popular and piratical.

Project Completion Year: 2013Design Completion Year: 2006Site Area: 3,026.50 m2Project Area: 1,200,000 ft2Number of Stories: 73Building Height: 307 m

FIG.2.1 twisting of the tower

FIG.2.2 structure & material

Project Awards

2011 • Architect Magazine • R + D Award2008 • Chicago Athenaeum • International Architecture Award2008 • Chicago Athenaeum • American Architecture Award2007 • Arabian Property Awards • Best High Rise Architecture2007 • International Property Awards • Best International High Rise Architecture2006 • Arabian Property Awards • Architecture, Multiple Units


SERPENTINE CALLERY PAVILION 2002

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion that designed by Toyo Ito, Cecil Balmond and Arup is another example of computation design in a relatively small scale. The random like and complex patterns are actually generated by an algorithm of a cube (Sebastian, 2013) (fig2.3). They start with a square plan volume, and Balmond proposed an algorithm called “dancing columns” that can alter the shape of the volume. It is really a combination work of architect and engineer. The different background of them makes more possibilities of shape and space. And when Toyo Ito ask Balmond about algorithm, Balmond said: “He told me that randomness human beings are able to conceive is limited, and that things we had not imagined are more likely to occur using algorithms.” That is also an explanation of computation design. Balmond’s well design algorithm makes the structure, shape and skin into one thing for the pavilion.

“ randomness human beings are able to conceive is limited, and that things we had not imagined are more likely to occur using algorithms” Cecil Balmond

Architects: Toyo Ito, Cecil Balmond, ArupLocation: Kensington Gardens, London, UKArea: 309.76 sqmYear: 2002

FIG.2.3 algorthmic of a cube

REFERENCE

Brady, Peters (2013) ‘The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, Volume 83, Issue 2, p.2-15.

SOM homepage, Infi nity Tower,Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Viewed 29th March.https://www.som.com/project/infi nity-tower

Sebastian Jordana, ‘Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2002/ Toyo Ito + Cecil Balmond + Arup’, Arch Daily. Viewed 29th March.http://www.archdaily.com/344319/serpentine-gallery-pavilion-2002-toyo-ito-cecil-balmond-arup/

Woodbury, Robert F. and Andrew L. Burrow (2006). ‘Whither design space?’, Artifi cial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing, 20, 2, pp. 63-82

FIG.2.4 3D print objects

A.3.1 PARAMETRIC MODLELING

“Parametric Modeling”, is another undefined term after “Architecture as Discourse”. The mathematical explanation of parametric that introduced by Daniel Davis is straight forward and most objective. Two major advantages I learned from the lecture are: firstly parametric modeling is about controlling, and it is about controlling in very detail. Secondly, it improves the efficiency of changing a design.

Modernism of architecture is about reducing elements from traditional architecture. Geometric shapes, skyscrapers and speed appear on the modern architecture. Parametric modeling differs from them, and it tends to focus on micro-scale. One millimeter movement of the window structure in Sagrada Familia means whole movement of the structure. Everything relates to each other in a very close way. In this case, parametric modeling allows us change things in detail efficiently, but it also has the limitation with too detail to tell for people who are not the model maker. But it is still benefits, and it truly turns some impossible structure or new structure into reality. Parametric modeling allows designer to change the design without starting again with some draft sketch. That is important as people these day are really busy and everything tends to move faster.

Patrik Schumacher claims Parametricism as a style. This statement is still argued by many people, and my understanding is that parametric architecture is definitely something new. When I look at the picture of Zaha Hadid’s work, the feeling is different with looking at other contemporary architecture. They are attractive, and they look like “future”. The lines of the building are flowing, and the softness that created by the flowing is comforting. And flowing shape represents speed, as I said before, the parametric architecture looks “faster” than modern architecture. And they also represent efficiency, as the structure also creates the skin. A seamless aspect is created by such big size structure, this fact is amazing.

I believe in the future, parametric modeling will be widely used. It was used mostly in commercial projects recently, but in the future (5 years?) it will be used in residential buildings as well. Because more and more architects and studios adopt parametric modeling in their design process, it means that parametric model will become more practical. Urbanization and mega-city are the factors that push residential building use parametric modeling. High-rise apartment or multi-function (both residential and commercial) buildings are suitable for using parametric modeling.


YAS HOTEL

Yas Hotel is chosen as my first example of parametric modeling, because it has the spirit of speed and movement which are the central idea of my understanding of parametric architecture. The two separated hotel tower are like two accelerating sport cars that toward in different directions, and the steel structure, and glass panel are stressed by both of them to create a curvilinear form that passing above the Formula 1 track (fig. 3.1). The grid shell is the most representative part of parametric architecture. The glass panel creates the diamond shape pattern which comes from the ancient Islamic art and craft traditions. This re-creation gives another meaning to parametric modeling, which says that parametric modeling is not only about future, but also a way to reflect the culture. Without parametric modeling, the diamond pattern may not be created in this way. The grid shell

dose gives the building more aesthetic feeling, and it creates some connection with the surrounding environment. However, if the grid shell is removed, what the building would look like? Is the shell really necessary in the functional aspect of the building?

It is more like the traditional architecture with the separate structure and skin, which the skin normally makes the building a whole. But in some other parametric architecture, for example the work of Zaha Hadid, the structure and skin become to one thing. The seamless composition allows the parametric architecture represents speed, flow and future

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAEArchitect: Asymptote - Hani Rashid + Lise Anne CoutureClient: Aldar Properties PJSCSize: 85,000 sqmStart: November 2007 Completion: October 2009


GALAXY SOHO

Zaha Hadid’s work mostly represents parametric architecture, and they are all in the eye-catching forms. Galaxy Soho is a good example of having architecture discourse in the parametric architecture. This project is firstly inspired by the Chinese courtyard form. Especially it locates in Beijing where is famous with the traditional courtyard. However, when I look at the model of the building, I do not associate with courtyard. The complexity that made by the curved shape distributes me of seeing its originality. And the traditional courtyard is square and in order, but Galaxy Soho is totally in the opposite way which is curve and free from. But the plan actually tells some of the courtyard story. It has 6 courtyards inside, and the structure is continues which is similar with the traditional courtyard. On the other hand, the plan of Galaxy Soho reminds me another character of parametric modeling.

Parametric modeling focus on the micro-scale and the plan of Galaxy Soho is like an animal cell, which is flowing, and dynamic. It look like shaped by both internal and external environment. This kind of flowing lines can only generated by parametric modeling, because every point is look like flowing and moving. Only parametric model that controls in detail could make this shape.

Another inspiration comes from Chinese terrace. This is easy to identify as the terrace forms the skin of the structure. And the distances between each layer of the terrace are only controlled by parametric modeling as well. The great natural phenomenal is recreated by parametric modeling, which can be considered as architecture discourse.

In this case, the parametric architecture does not show fast speed, and it is more like a loop (because the circle shape). Everything slows down, and starts to interact with each other. The interconnection of the whole structure is humanization and functional.

plan of Galaxy Soho: Courtyard Associtation

terraces & fl ow

Architects: Zaha Hadid ArchitectsLocation: Soho, Beijing, ChinaArchitects In Charge: Zaha Hadid & Patrik SchumacheArea: 332857.0 sqmYear: 2012

REFERENCE

Patrik Schumacher, “Patrik Schumacher on parametricism-‘let the style wars begin’”. Viewed 29th March. http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/the-critics/patrik-schumacher-on-parametricism-let-the-style-wars-begin/5217211.article

“The Yas Hotel by Asymptote”, de zeen magazine, viewed 29th March.http://www.dezeen.com/2009/05/14/the-yas-hotel-by-asymptote/

The Yas Hotel/ Asymptote, Arch Daily, viewed 29th March.http://www.archdaily.com/43336/the-yas-hotel-asymptote/

“Yas Hotel”, arc space, viewed 29th March.http://www.arcspace.com/features/asymptote-architecture/yas-hotel/

Galaxy Soho, China web site, viewed 29th March 29http://galaxysoho.sohochina.com/design

Zaha Hadid Architects, viewed 29th Marchhttp://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/galaxy-soho/

GALAXY SOHOZAHA HADID

A.4 ALGORITHMIC EXPLORATION

According to the last few weeks study and research, computation architecture tends to be the most important type of architecture in the future. Therefore, computer software such as Grasshopper and Rhino are significant for contemporary architects. My exploration of Grasshopper and Rhino is still shallow, and the examples of my algorithmic sketches showed on left are some attempt in the architectural sense.

The first one shows how grasshopper can offset multi-curves. Although it looks simple, but some of the buildings may have structure panels like them. And Grasshopper can easily offset all of them in few simple steps. Without Grasshopper, we can only use Rhino offset them one by one which is very inefficient. Each of the panels is controlled by individual grid planer, which can be easily changed as well.

The second one shows a surface. This kind of surface could appear in any structures or skins of structure. It was made of curves, and a grid control planer is applied to those curves by Grasshopper. Then, we can evaluate each point on the curves and loft the curves to form a surface. The direction of the formation can change by changing the direction of the control points as well.

From the algorithmic practice with Grasshopper and Rhino, the structure (curves) and skin (surface) are formed together. Therefore, the future computation architectures should have

First Sketch

Second Sketch

the structure and skin as one thing, not two separated parts.

Some other sketches

A.5 CONCLUSION

After study and research of computation architecture, and algorithmic exploration, I will argue that structure is the new skin of architecture. The modernism movement made architects abandoned the complex ornamentation of a building, and they chose to use glass and steel to represent speed of the new age. For now, people tend to move faster, therefore, our architecture is representing faster and efficient. Combining structure and skin as one thing can achieve the fluid and seamless view of architecture. And it is more natural to reveal the structure of a building. Hiding the structure by some extra constructing and material is wasting time and money, and it is the 1990s method to make architecture. Having the structure as the skin is sustainable, efficient and natural. It will benefits the investor and our natural environment, but it will be a challenge for architect to have aesthetic within the structure, not relying a beautiful skin to cover the inside framework. However, the computation design is very helpful with this challenge. Improvement of both technology and concept is the core of the future development of architecture.

GEOtube Building Grows Its Own Structure and Skin from Sea SaltFaulders Studio’s work, GEO tubeIt uses local materil (sea water & salt) to grow its skin on the structure.

A.6 LEARNING OUTCOMES

Computation design is the tendency for future. The design process has always been considered as a problem solving process; therefore computation design is a very useful tool for helping designer solves complex problems. Architecture is not only about the building itself, but it is discourse. In this case, computation design also helps designers to explore more possibilities, hence to have a comprehensive design outcome.

My understanding of architectural computing developed a lot from last few weeks. I understand the difference between computation design and computerization design. Before this subject, I can only use few computerization skills in my design process. And learning computation design and algorithmic thinking are interesting and helpful. Studying the precedent projects are helpful as well, it provides the opportunity to learn from the masters.

If I could use computation design last year with my Water Studio, the organic shape of the boathouse could be more flexible and fluid. When I studied some of Kazuyo Sejima’s work last year, I was wondering how could she come to such organic and irregular shapes; and how could this “random-like” shape been built. This year with Air studio, the solution appears with computation design.

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case for innovation