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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO air

Qu Jiang 364407

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CONTENTS

CASE FOR INNOVATION

• ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE

• COMPUTING IN ARCHITECTURE

• PARAMETRIC DESIGN

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST• CASE STUDY 1.0• CASE STUDY 2.0

• MID-CRIT• REFLECTION2.0

GATEWAY PROJECT• RETHINK AND REDEVELOP• FURTHER DEVELOPMENT• PHYSICAL MODELING

• GATEWAY PRESENTATION• REFLECTION 3.0• REFLECTION 4.0• REFERENCES

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Hi all, I’m Qu (pronounced as “Chu” for those who dont speak mandarin). I’m 3rd year student major in architecture. I have done designing environments, studio earth and water. Having previously tried on autoCAD and sketch-up, I dont consider myself as a big fan of computation programs. But parametric as the new fashion of architectural design, is absolutely useful for creating something mind-blowing though they sometimes appears to me is too much focusing on the look instead of function.

About Me

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THE CASE FOR INNOVATIONI.

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“Architecture as a kind of reality reserve, a place wheremancanstillfindmaterial and spiritual response; a kind of enclave capable of resisting as other the destructive onslaught of technological modernisation.”

-Sola Morales

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1.1 ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE

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SEED CATHEDRAL -UK PAVILION

Seed cathedral is a breath-taking building designed by Thomas Heatherwick studio for the 2011 Shanghai Expo. Expo’s slogan advocates city brings a better future.To take inspiration, the architect traced back in history, how the british integrate nature in city in modern times. And analyze the relationship between city and nature. Then, what really interested is Heatherwick came up with the idea of seed cathedral after he recalled the dinosaur DNA trapped in amber. A building displaying seeds and dominated by seed is something nobody has been done before. Another inspiration (dolls which can grow hair)helped Heatherwicktofinalisethemainstructure of the pavilion.The really it fascinates me since this building demonstrates an innovation in structure and unprecedented idea.Heputtheseedinfibretubewhichallows light to travel through to illuminate the interior. Tens thousands of holes are punched on the structure in order to penetrate the rods. This wasthefirstbuildingusedpenetratestheskinwithsomanyfibrerodsandlightupthespacewiththosefibres.Interestingly, the building is a moving box which gives a sense of the wind.

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Shanghai | Heatherwick Studio

11img: http://www.heatherwick.com/uk-pavilion/

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img: http://www.heatherwick.com/uk-pavilion/

We expect architecture to be an unique expression of a creative mind. --Jonathan Glance

According to Williams, architectural discourse can be analysised as three main categories: art, sign and urban experience. This innovation and unique design of this building made contribution to the realm of architecture as art. Architecture as individual work of art, is expected to be a innovated product of a single creative mind. It disregard of the site, but presents their own integrity. As a modern building, it ought to be revolutionary or challenging existent condition in thearchitecturalfield.(Williams,

2005)This building, as we discussed, is unique and unprecidented in terms of facade. It add a new possibility in the architectural realm.

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METROPOL PARASOLSevilla | Spain | J Mayer H

Img: http://actu-architecture.com/2011/04/28/metropol-parasol-a-seville-par-j-mayer-h-architects/

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This was claimed as the largest wood structure built in world at the time it was completed. The stunning mushroom-like structure located in Sevilla, Spain, is designed by German based architect J Mayer H. The multi-functional developments is divided into 3 levels, lower, ground and upper which serves as commercial, public and skyline sightseeing purpose. The roof was aimed to provide shading in summer. The concept of this shape comes from the vault in the grand cathedral.

The unusual aspect this project impresses me is that, the structure of this design. It is among the few projects built in such a scale with wood as its dominant material. As the largest timber built timber strucutre at the time, the main challenge is how to fabricate all the component precisely at such a large scale. In addition, this building has a breath-taking aesthetic effect for the entire building is constructed with countless of unique wood pieces and the structural joints are exposed are part of its feature.Built in the heart of a historical city, the project is full of debates the date it was launched. The locals hold negative opinionsonthisprojectfornotfittingthecity whilst praises are giving by people from elsewhere.From my point of view, as a visitor, I think it provides a great platform for capturing the splendid panaroma view of the city. The ground level provides space for interaction and leisure for the public or events.

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1.16 Panorama terrace on the upper level of the parasols

1.15 Detail of joint

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Sevilla is a historical town dominanted by medieval cathedrals and other buildings. The proposal of this project raised a strong debate among the citizens. Obviously, it look so ‘alien‘ to the local historical context. Which in this case, can be regarded asWilliams’definitionofarchitectureasartwithsuchagrandscaleanduniqueexpression. In terms of style, its mushroom shape disregards the site. However, I think, this building also pays contribution to the urban experience realm. Aim to build for shading in summer, the buliding does more than that. It provides a sight-seeing platform for the visitors and cultural hub for citizens. And this ‘alien’ style will evoke people’s curiosity. It forms a different atmoshpere combines modern and dynamic.

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1.2 COMPUTING IN ARCHITECTURE

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MyZeil Shopping Mall | FrankfurtArchitect: Studio FuksasYear: 2009

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The benefits of computational design

“Problem analysis is significant to the design process and it relies on rational problem analyzing abilities. Unlike human, computer is profound analytical engines which follows a logical track.” (Kalay, 2004)

Computation technologies changed the traditional way of design and construction, it opens up new possibilities in the design environments. New geometries that could not be

Paradigms of design can be generally analyzed as two kinds: problem solving and puzzle making. Traditional design process is said tend to be problem solving and parametric design belongs to puzzle making method.

The major distinction between these two is that, for problem solving there is a known end or goal for the paradigm. Whereas, puzzle making, design is a process of discovery for the goal is unclear. It’s about generating new and unique solution instead of searching for one.

In this case, computational approach shaped the way designer approach their project and broadens the possibilities. But meanwhile, it may be challenging since its something unprecedented and controversial due to the same reason.

achieved before can now be created with the digital-based tools based on concepts such as topological space, isomorphic surfaces, dynamic system, parametric design. (Kolarevic, 2003) Not only it enables us to build shapes that we couldnt imagined before but also with the help of computation technology, it solves engineering issues. Besides the new fancy geometry it offers, meanwhile it saves costs. Instead of building a physical mock-up and re-do it over and over again, models could be generated in 3D digital environments and tested in that platform before it get further built into physical mock-up. Saves time and costs during the design process.

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THE ROLE COMPUTATION PLAYS IN GEOMETRY

This is an example of what computation could offer at the innovational geometry aspect. This is a commercial project located in Frankerfurt in 2009 by Italian architects the Fuksas partners. The fascinating feature of this building is its wavering and fuild facade made of steel and glass. The roof is mainly dominated by glass and steel, with a central vortex-like structure flows from roof to the ground level. The fluid and vortex shape is something hard to achieve by traditional approach but with 3D programming, it could be generated and break down into small pieces in order to construct. The Fuksas loves to create fluid form with glass and steel, another example is the Trade Fair in Milan. The vortex brings natural lighting in each floor together with skylight celing, is beneficial for energy saving.

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MyZeil Shopping Mall | FrankfurtArchitect: Studio FuksasYear: 2009

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COMPUTATION DESIGNnonLin/Lin Pavilion | FRAC Centre (permanent collection) |Orleans, France.

http://www.yatzer.com/nonLin-Lin-pavilion-by-Marc-Fornes-THEVERYMANY

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nonLin/Lin Pavilion is a prototype which explores different experiments as morphologies. The parameters arebasedonformfinding,form description, information modeling, generational hierarchy, and digital fabrication.Computational design allows designers to break the conventional limits and approach from a different way. Unique and distinguishing forms can be achieved. It couldnt be done by traditional method.

“The use of digital modeling(three-dimentional) andanimation (four-dimension)software has opened newterritories of formal explorationin architecture, in whichdigitally-generated forms arenot designed in conventionalways.”----Kolarevic, Branko, 2003

“New shapes and forms are created by generative based on concepts such as topological space, isomorphic surfaces, dynamic systems, keyshape animation, parametric design and genetic algorithms.”

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1.3 PARAMETRIC DESIGN

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PARAMETRICISM -GOOD OR BAD ?Is parametricism the next architectural style or just a momental phenomenon?

As computer technology developes at a accelerated rate, parametric design seems to come to a more and more dominant role in architecture field. The meanwhile its growing,it also raises debates among the researchers and architects.Parametric shift the fundamental geometrical figures of traditionalarchitecture (rectangles, cubes, cylinders, pyramids and spheres) into new primitives, animate geometrical entities such as splines, nurbs and subdivs. These then create dynamical systems like ‘hair‘, ‘cloth’, ‘blobs’ and ‘metaballs’ which respond to ‘attractors’. The advanced aspect is that they can be adjust by parameters in the script set up. (Schumacher, 2010) For the critics of parametric design, it seems that parametric can only focus on the aesthetics of architecture by creating fancy patterns or structures. However, with the help of parametric tools, rather than build a building in traditional sense; walls, ceilings, openings, parametric can put them all-in-one. A single building stystem that would make it more convenient

to build and operate.(eg. Bao’an Airport T3 Terminal) It also ease to pain to solve structural engineering problem or recovery problem. (eg. San Grada Familia)

Patrik Schumacher praised parametricsm as a style which ‘finallyoffersacredible,sustainableanswer to the drawn-out crisis of modernism that resulted in 25 years of stylistic searching.‘ (Schumacher, 2010) And further claimed that parametricism “aims to organize and articulate the increasing diversity and complexity of social institutions and life processes withini the most advanced centre of post-Fordist network society.“ (Schumacher, 2010) This brings opposing opinion by Mayer, he states that network society caused the situation of unsympathetic that architectural form being rendered meaningless since people are digitally connected. The parametric design is better suited for virtual worlds rather than the physical contexts. The reason being that principles of parametricism tend to be anti-contextual and disregarding the classic architecture in terms of scale and proportion. (Mayer, 2010)

29Living bridge | David Eaton | http://www.daveaton.com/#Living-Bridge

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II. Expression of Interest

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2.1

CASE STUDY 1.0

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BIOMIMICRY

Naturehasselectedthefittesttosurvive.Hence,afterbillionsyearsofevolution, the surviving organisms are the best models to learn from. Biomimicry is to take forms from nature, to imitate nature in order to solve human challenges. It is a science to study nature and then emulate the forms, process, stystems or strategies from nature. It can help human to solve problems and achieve sustainability.Architects from long ago started to borrow inspiration from nature in order to construct a better design. Johnson Wax Tower designed by the reknown architect Frank Lloyd Wright is among the precidents. The main structure of the tower is mimicing the structure of tree in order to achieve stability. In contemporary design works, we can see The ‘Bird’s Nest’ staduim, and ‘Water Cube’ which applied structure from bird’s nest and soap bubble respectively.Hence, in this project, we have chosen biomimicry as our approach for the gateway project.

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WHY Biomimicry ?

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Voronoi is a special kind of diagram decomposition of a metricspace,determinedbythedistancestoaspecifiedfamily of objects (subsets) in the space.Wyndham City is the located in Werribe where wetland and eco-parks as well as zoo are located. It also has a history of light industry development. It is a place where technology and nature co-exist. Hence, I think biomimicry is the best way to promote this city’s image as a gateway project. Using new technology (grasshopper) to design and construct but presents in organic form.

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replace the sample image with a different image.the contrast of the pattern is not strong at the beginning, so rather than import a color image, i chose a black n white version.

Cut Case study 1.0

Alexander McQueen an 2D image sampler 2.20

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extrusion of the 2D image

select the group of base unit to be extruded. Since image sampler will read the source image as black, white and grey areas. So in order to highlight the darken area of the portrait, I chose to extrude the blacken units.

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2.2CUT CASE STUDY 2.0

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Biomimicry Voronoi - Airspace Tokyo

Tokyo | Japan | Faulders Studio

images: http://faulders-studio.com/proj_airspace.html

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This is a multi-unit residential building together with a photographic studio. The skin is uniquely presented in Voronoi shape. The multiple layers skin not only gives aesthetics demonstration, but also provides privacy to the residences. Additionally, it helps to channel the rainwater away from the walk way and allows sunlight refreacted into the interior. This multi-functional skin therefore is chosen as our starting point of this project.

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Steps of the creation of voronoi facade

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a demonstratio of how the facade of Airspace Tokyo was created from grasshopperscripttofinalproduct.The attractor points are mainly selecting at where the opennings are located. Thus, after voronoi created, the holes can allows lights to penetrate through and light up the interior space. Meanwhile the mulitple laypers protect the residents’ privacy.

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CUT CASE STUDY 2.0Reverse Engineering

1. Create points randomly in Rhino and reference them in grasshopper as attractor points

2. then attach to voronoi component-after that, insert number slide to control raduisthis could cause fails when the radius is not set at proper value

3. insert bounding box to bound all the cells created- add boolean toogle, and set it to TRUE

4. use Brep to extract box egdes-and join box edges

5. Create offset curve, using a slider to set offset difstance.

Process

Some failed attempts

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fause could happen here due to inappropriate value.

6. extrude curve, cap holes

7. offset-set offset distance, distance cant be negative nor too largefalse

8.extract polygon control points

-create curve with extracted ctrl points-add toggle

9. add slider control curve degree

10.offset-extrude curves

11. cap extrusion-boonlean the extrusions

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Get one layer done, and change the attractor points a bit, then bake another layer, followed by overlapping the layers.A voronoi facade is created.

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Get one layer done, and change the attractor points a bit, then bake another layer, followed by overlapping the layers.A voronoi facade is created.

CUT CASE STUDY 2.0Reverse Engineering

After recreating the voronoi in grasshopper, we started to think how this technique can be applied to the Wyndham Project. In this case study project the voronoi is only used for aesthetics function and shading, is not perfoming any structural functions. So we realized that the use of Voronoi 2D may not be as effective as other biomimicry forms to solve architectural problems, since voronoi are mostly applied to optimise movement paths and space planning in urban design.

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2.3 MATRIX

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MATRIX 1.0

We start off our matrix by simply manipulating with definitionsprovided,andseewhat inspired us for further development.

The combination of curve attractorandmaybenefitthelinear situation of the site.

However, there is a pool of options out there. According to Kalay’s design methods, in ordertogettofinaloutcomewe must cut down the possibilities. Hence, we will choose useful combinations regarding to our expectation for project proposals.

a 2D voronoi based on arbitary points

extrusion would be helpful when we use to give depth of the structure

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Matrix 2.0

phase 1 phase 2

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1.firstlywetrieddifferent grids (rectangle, hexagon), anddifferentprofile(rectangle, hexagon, circles), to test out the pattern we like. Finally we decide to pick up voronoi as a more interesting attempt.

2. then we start applying curve attractor and attractor point to see how it turns out. Then we go for voronoi with a curve attractor

3. after that, we start to manipulate it with extrusion.

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Evolution

phase 4 phase 5

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evaluation + integration

4. Tryingarbitarypointdefinitionontop of voronoi patterns

5. Tryingarbitarypointdefinitionontop of voronoi patterns. And lift up the surface using curve attractor.

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Evolution continues...

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In this stage, we explores which different shape of 3D surface voronoi, altering curve degree to gain a different height/ smoothness of the curve.There is a collection of sharp edge cut voronoi not chosen for further consideration since smooth cut would be a better choice for our ‘flexible’and‘freeform’feature of the design.

We use curve attractor to control the desity of the voronoi as well as the peak of the structure.

Final chosen option is believed to have most of the feature we want for our proposal. A free form structure, cells allows for birds nesting and ‘roots’ for gaining extra support from the ground.

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Preliminary Model

Made from arbitary poiwnts, using curve attractor and extrusion, this thefinalchosenversionof3Dsurface voronoi. As proposed to build on the freeway, this voronoi is to have a unique design, with free form and flexiblestructure.Webelievethisissuitablefornextstagedevelopment.

perspective view

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Camera view

elevation view

top view

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MODELLING - 3D PRINT

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Reflections For modelling, we chosen 3D print as the contoured surface with cells is hard to carry out with laser cut fabrication. However, as it is shown on the photograph, there is cracks on our model and the texture does not look as satisfactory as we expected. Altough the cracks happened due to our maintainance mistake and lack of time to dry out. This 3D print is too time consuming and meanwhile, it does not show the buildability and limit the our exploaration with materialelity.

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2.4 Expression of Interest Presentation

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2.4 Expression of Interest Presentation

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Arguements

Wyndham City Gateway Biomimicry

6 PointsTo make an impactTo innovateTo make an entry statementTo create arrival experienceTo be of iconic scaleTo generate a new discourse

Precedents

After familiarized with the design brief, our group listed 6 points as main criteria for this project. Our interest of focus is biomimicry, accompanied with the promotion of urban forestry stratety. This stratety has been applied by City of Melbourne in order to build a more sustanaible future and reduce the harm of potential loss of trees, and is also included in Wyndham City’s 2011-2015 plan. (Wynham City, 2012)

Nature has evolved for billions years and selected the most stuitable organisms to survive. The strategies in nature can is optimised for sustainability. Hence, human sometimes borrow ideas from nature in order to solve design issues. Natural inspired architecture has took place from long ago and proved its contribution. Thus, we chose biomimicry as our approach for this gateway project.

Birds nest inspired Dutch architects to design a bird nest structured staduim.Natural ventilation in the structure of termite mound inspired the Eastgate Centre to build their thermal chimney.

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Biomimicry

Precedents

Urban Forest

Urban Forest StrategyShading and coolingCarbon sequestrationMental health and well-beingBiodiversity and habitat provisionPollution reduction

Nature has evolved for billions years and selected the most stuitable organisms to survive. The strategies in nature can is optimised for sustainability. Hence, human sometimes borrow ideas from nature in order to solve design issues. Natural inspired architecture has took place from long ago and proved its contribution. Thus, we chose biomimicry as our approach for this gateway project.

Birds nest inspired Dutch architects to design a bird nest structured staduim.Natural ventilation in the structure of termite mound inspired the Eastgate Centre to build their thermal chimney.

This is a sustanaible strategy which City of Mlebourne is taking action now. Population growth in urban area will caused nearly 44% tree loss in 20 yeas time in Melbourne. (City ofMelbourne,2011)Treesaresignificanttoair quality, biodiversity and human health. As a growing city, Wyndham is also planning to take action. Hence, we propose this project in order to raise pubic awareness of urban forest and sustainability.

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Inspiration

Stability OutreachButtress root Branches

Tree is our main inspiration for this project. As a base unit for forest, it is the key element for urban forestry strategy. What we really interested, is all the components of tree and how they function to inspire us.Root gains support for stability, branches, leaves and veins, all provides different function to achieve sustanaibility as a whole.

In our proposal, we chose voronoi since it has a free form and it’s more related to nature. On the right demonstrates a comparison between grid like structure and more smooth voronoi. It can be linked back the cells.Itfindsthemid-points,andconnects the lines to create space. This is important for us to address the density for the project, the points cannot be randomly joined together like the grid form.

Resourcing

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Branches Resourcing DistributionLeaves Veins

voronoi grid structure web

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Tree

HeightSince our design serves as a patch for birds to travel. So height and branches are designed for birds nesting.

Densityof the branches (in our case, the structure of our model) is trying to visualize the density different from Melbourne and Werribee.

Thicknessof the root and branches aim to gain support and provide stability.

Formof the design inspired from cell of leaf, the non-linear voronoi distribution is what we want to achieve in our project.

Attractor Photosynthesis needs the plants to attract sunlight in order to take place. In our case, its the route we are addressing. People are going to Melbourne, Geelong or Werribee (attractors).

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Model

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Rendered imagery of our proposal

Our proposal is designed to bring in greenry in urban space in order to raise awareness of urban forestry and sustainability. This giant ‘tree’ is a patch for birds, to travel by and to habitat. Webs like openings gives a sense of density different when travel from dark to bright, symbolizing the transition of opening suburb space into densed metropolitan space.

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Our proposal is designed to bring in greenry in urban space in order to raise awareness of urban forestry and sustainability. This giant ‘tree’ is a patch for birds, to travel by and to habitat. Webs like openings gives a sense of density different when travel from dark to bright, symbolizing the transition of opening suburb space into densed metropolitan space.

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Reflection

- Need to fabricate the model without 3D print- Think about materiality- Think more about surface and structure, and buildability- Reduce the scale - Try not to attract wildlift to the road- Why voronoi?- Focus on optimization with techniques- How to the structure with road users

Our presentation did not go as well as what we expected. The reason being: we did not have strong arguements on why choosing voronoi; we did not have a good model coming out (the model was in parts), and other points mentioned which seemed to be inappropriate to the context. There are many things we need to improve.

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III. Gateway Project

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3.1

We have tried out the biomophic and twisting effect for the trasition, with the Wyndham end more static and Melbourne end more dynamic. However, this is too generic for it is not addressing specificallytoMelbourneorWyndham.Hence,westartlookingbacktothedefiningfeaturesofthesetwocities.

This time, instead of creating a path for the wildlife, we went back to the brief and started from begining. The idea of building huge structure spans over the road and provides habitats for birds sounds a bit naive when we dont have strong arguements and solutions to back up our proposal. A gateway, essentially is a structure symboling coming to the different place. It is more adequate to have a piece of installation or art work which does not necessarily have to address the ecosystem and wildlife. Hence, we started over with a proposal to present the experience of trasition of space to the stakeholders.

To do this, we attempted to create a structure which shows the trasition from Wydnham and Melbourne. We have considered topography, density and other factors which represents the two places.

Re-Think and Re-Develop

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82 | 3.1 Re-think and Re-develop

Inspiration 1 Inspiration 2byjosephSarafian

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SURFACE MORPHING OVER PANELS

Inspired by the swarm intellegence systematic group movements such as flock or birds or school offish. The seemly random collectivemovement is driven by sophisticated inter-relationships between all the adjacent individual units.

Inspiration 2 is the structure of billions genetic algorithms.This surface morphing was too simple and generic. It didnot address to Wyndham or Melbourne although we intended to represent the topography trasition . And also when it came to physical modeling, we encoutered the issue of joints andhowtoholdthefloatingpiecestogether.

Inspiration 2byjosephSarafian

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Panel | Tomasz Starczewski | 2009

| 3.1 Re-think and Re-develop

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TWISTING OF PANELS

This prototype focus on the flowing contours. Thelayering panels are inspired by the Panel design by Tomasz Starczewski. again did not represent the ‘trasitional space’ as we expected it to be, and the overall structure tend to be too simple.

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Wyndham

A foto collage for the most representational captures of Wyndham and Melbourne, aims to help us grasp the essence of the two places and get inspired. Obviously, Wyndham is dominated by natural landscapes whist Melbourne is occupied by multi-dimentional culture and chaos.

| 3.1 Re-think and Re-develop

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Melbourne

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NaturallandscapesandgrafittiswereselectedasmostrepresentativeelementsforWyndham and Melbourne respectively. We considered them as most ideal choices as they contrast with each other in many ways. The calm contours of grasslands and

| 3.1 Re-think and Re-develop

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wetlandcontrastwiththevibranceofthegraffitis.Wetransformthemintosimplifiedandabtractedvectorlineworkforfurtherarchitectural

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combination

rigid

dynamic

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plan view

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DEVELOPEMENTWe tried to combined the two different prototypes as they carried the characteristics for each end. The joining was easy and sucessful. The issue was the the support for the structure since the stripes required frame to support from below. Our concern was whether the supporting frame would affect the continuity of the overall design. We decided to keep developing on this model. To make it more interesting, we mixed up the paths across the axis creating more groups which would interweave through each other like how contours landscape can intersect paths according to weathering and how arrows weave

Random path of both axes

Creating a few groups

plan view

throughthewordsingraffiti.But again as we pushed the interconnectedness, the complication of fabrication became more and more evident.

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However, the issue was that, the strips were too formalandflat,wehadtodosomeadjustmentsto the surface. The idea of freedom as a similarity between the two places occurred to us, which was shown in wildlife(birds) and the graffiti arrowsadding dynamism to the words. So there was still a form of similarity which binded the two places together. So in an architectural abstraction we looked at their forms and arrived at a very simple yet advantageous shade of a triangle.

FURTHERDEVELOPEMENT

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Experiments on colors to give sense of the vibrant and dynamic.

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SURFACE MANIPULATION

SIMILARITIES

The sense of freedom

BINDING ELEMENT

Birds + Arrows = Triangles

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Taking the triangles as a literal representation, we started to cut through the beams as it ascended towards the melbourne area and at the same time it was making the structure lighter literally (which was very helpful from a construction point of view judging by all these cantilevers) and visually - which all summed up our image of freedom and free-forming.

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DEVELOPMENT

Problem solving: Structure

Taking the triangles as a literal representation, we started to cut through the beams as it ascended towards the melbourne area and at the same time it was making the structure lighter literally (which was very helpful from a construction point of view judging by all these cantilevers) and visually - which all summed up our image of freedom and free-forming.However, we were still having the issue of groups overlapping and weaving through each other, with the random paths of both axes, our original idea of wafflegriddingcouldn’tbefeasibleanymore-wehad to introduce some other ways to connect the beams (strips). As a result, we took the triangles further and joined a surface across the beams like a triangular grid. This grid was very helpful to our surprise as it was READY to adapt to the curves and random directions of our structure. Consequently, we reduced it back to only ONE group as we felt the effect was there and strong enough.

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SITE SELECTION

Geelong

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Melbourne CBD

Wyndham City

CRITERIA - CLOSENESS to the viewers - HEIGHT of our structure should be visible from at least 500m away.- ORIENTATION on site should be ar-ranged that our structure is presented at the right sides- LANDSCAPE condition is elevated so that our structure is more visible and easier to ap-preciate

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SITE RESPONSE

1. Adjusting Curves2. Adjusting Height2. Rotation on site3. Shifting contour

In response, we pushed the curves in 3 major waves for 3 seconds of ‘close up ap-preciation’. Given the speed of cars travel-ling at 100kmph, we calculated we need-ed 75m of structure at length enough to give the feeling of transition. The height is showed here for the relation to cars so its visible, and we rotated it so the sharper end leaned towards the road coming in from Melbourne (GREEN) and vice versa, so the impact was strongest, putting it dead in the middle meant too big or too little effect. Last but not least we realised the ground was sunken in, so we propose to shit the land to raise our area alittle so that our structure is easily visible.

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Effect testing

From WYNDHAM to MELBOURNE CBD

From MELBOURNE CBD to WYNDHAM

START TRANSITION

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From WYNDHAM to MELBOURNE CBD

From MELBOURNE CBD to WYNDHAM

TRANSITION END

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CONSTRUCTION DETAILS & MATERIALITY

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This is detailing of construction. In order to support the entire structure,thepartswhichtouchthegoundwillbefixedandjoined to the concrete foundation using L bracket. we proposed using galvanised steel as they are light and can be in many forms of colour, and we would suggest a chrom-ish effect, good toreflectcolour,andthejointdetailswechosewereselectedin points to stabilize the overall structure, the layer covering from beam to beam is suggested to be in aluminum as it is a relatively light material.

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Modeling Process

The whole process went well except for one issue occurred to us: the minimum distance of cutting line should be no less than 3mm due to the tolerance and consequently structure stability. Since we had many triangles cut throught the ribbons, if the inner side of triangle and the edge of the ribbon is less than 3mm, the piece might break. So we re-arranged the area of triangles make sure it can be fabricated without any unexcpected errors.

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Reflection 3.0

Panel: It was overall well presented, in terms of the whole language of gradual change, density of the size of triangles and treatment of triangles. Much progressed since the mid-semester presentation. The cantilevers at the end were unrealistic. The whole model is too large.The animation/video was effective as it really shows the sense of transition, dynamism, as the images itself did not really communicate the ideas effectively and convince the audience.

Panel: Think of how you would redesign the project if you have another month to work on the project?

Team: Trying to make the structure more closely related to the drivers/road users. The gateway is seen as monolithic structure. Breaking down to see more holes in transition would be more effective. Panel: How would you improve further on the project?Team: More contrasts, the façade between the two ends do not have enough contrast to show the transition. The other end would be much closer to the countryside and more open.The triangular cavity in the beam could be morphed into different shapes and sizes. Panel: How does one feel the spatial effects when one passes through the structure?Team: One can feel the difference of chaotic and openness when one drives through the freeway along the structure. Topographymodifiedtobemoreconvex,higherthantheroadleveltoensure the structure is elevated which changes the way the drivers view the structure.

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Further Development

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Feedback 4.0

Studio air offers me an insight view and experience with parametric design. Before this studio, Parametricism to me, was something creating a mind-blowing visual effect but nothing beyond that. Then I learned how to look at it with an unbiased perspective, critically analysising it. However, the intro into parametric programs seems a hurdletome.Personally,Grasshopperisdefinitelythehardest and most boring program to me. Meanwhile, adopting this new way of thinking: bottom up instead of top down, I admit that our group has learned a lesson. Without any design issues, we lost our way of getting started. Since the solution is open ended, any design could be appropriate. We struggled for the shift from top-down to bottom-up scheme. However, the advantage for this open ended design method is we coulddesignastructurewhichcouldfitanysite.Thendevelop further or modify according to the site. Parametricism seems to become the new fashion for arhictecturaldesignorinstallation,itisbenificialtogetto experience it in this studio. Group work is also a new experience for studio subject. It’s all about coorporation and compromise. It offers a good opportunity to learn from each other and explore our own potential meanwhile.Lastly I’d like to thank all my groupmates for your efforts and contribution to our projects.

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Boonkwan TungJoseph ChuaQu JiangSharon Fan

to my groupmates, all my tutors and lecturerFinnian WarnockHaness McNamara DanielAlison Fairley

Team

Special Thanks

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REFERENCE

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Kolarevic, Branko, Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing (New York; London: Spon Press, 2003), pp. 3 - 28

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

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