Tan Yee YinStudent Number 560654 Sem 2/2012 Group13

IDEATION

NATURAL PROCESS-BIOMIMICRY

The Moon Evolution

From epic asteroid bombardment and lava flow to theformation of craters, the Moon has a rich and violent history.

Nature has taught me, the only constant is the change.

“Evolution of the Moon” explains why the moon did not always look like it does now. It likely started a giant ball of magma. As time passed, its surface underwent changes due to the cooling of magma as well as particles bombardment. I understood that this concept can be applied in our designing process. As changes never have limitations, it can happen due to the object itself or the environments. Continual changes will alter the original look of the object. From the begining of a giant ball, the Moon’s surface had altered during its evolution from ancient time until now. Abundant craters formed on the surface as the Moon continued to be battered by smaller impact.

I noticed there is a constant change of the Moon’s phase. The phases of the Moon are caused by the Moon moving in orbit around the Earth, being lit by the Sun from different angles.

Brainstorming for few hours just to figure out how to involve both the moon evolution and phases of moon in my lantern design.

Finally, at the end, I managed to come out with the brief idea of use the moon’s phases to shape my lantern and the moon evolution concept on the panelling part.

Precedents

With the ambitions of civil engineers flying high andhigh, Korean Heerim Architects has tried to reinvent

the Moon Shape Skyscraper with their two projects

in central Asian republic of Azerbaijan. They haveproposed a skyscraper to be built in Baku, capital ofAzerbaijan with a view on the Caspian sea. The first

picture is the Full Moon Bay, while the second picture isthe Crescent and Caspian Plus. However, The shape pattern of skyscap-er is too literal, thus, in my design, I should explore in a more abstract way. The second figure with the Crescent shape, can be used at the

part of my design, which can hang over the neck.

Figured maple, jarrah, wenge, glass crystalIt is an art piece for sell by the

Alan Carter Studio.It’s using the concept of half

moon as its main idea. The transition of colour from dark brown at the centre to the light brown at the outer curve shows the change flow. I can apply this concept as part of design, which

make a continually transition flow of Moon’s phases.

Experiments

I conducted an experiment to see

how the positions betweenthe Sun, the Earth and the Moon

will relate to the formation of moon’s phase.

The red ball represents the Earth, while the clayball represents the Moon. The

light ray is where the sunlight is.

The New Moon Phase is whenthe Moon locates in between theSun and the Earth in a straightline. Otherwise, it forms a fullmoon when the Earth is in betweenthe Sun and the Moon.

For the Quarter Moon and theCrescent Moon, three of themare not alighed in a straight line.

Proposal 1

I want to involve both moon revolution andmoon’s phase in my design. Thus, for thecrescent moon, I will use simple panelling withcardboard. Beginning from the quarter moon,I will make some small holes to let the lightemerged from the internal space, just like theparticles bombardment on the surface of theMoon. Next, I will use black cardboardto make the lava fluid shape. Thus, that partwould be darker when lights on. Lastly, whilefabricating the surface of the full moon, therewill be certain parts which slightly concaveinwardly, these symbolise the moon craters.

A further development by includingboth the Earth orbit and Moon orbit axes,which the angle between the ecliptic andthe lunar equator is always 1.543°. Insteadof putting the lantern at the right shoulder,I change it to the left side, so that the fullmoon will lay on the heart. There will be thelargest crater at the South pole, which is theAitken Basin.

Design: “Moon in the Heart”

Further DevelopmentI attempted to

overlap the four moon’s phases, from the Crescent to the Quarter tothe Gibbous and Lastly Full Moon.

The overlapping of four of them forms 6 separated parts.I was numbering them in a sequence starting from the Crescent to the Full Moon.

My design will surround the shoulder from leftto the right, like the Moon orbitting the Earth. Iwill still include the moon evolution in my finaldesign. As this will be potential for my futureexploration on fabrication.

Part of the Full Moon (6),the surface has manycraters.

Part of the Gibbous Moon(5), there is lava on it.

Part of the Quarter Moon(4), particles bombardment ocurs on it.

Parts of the CrescentMoon (1, 2, & 3), whichtheir surfaces will beonly smooth.

Right Side View Left Side View

Proposal 2

A Basic 3-Part Venn Dia-gram - The Computer Desktop EncyclopediaCreated by British Philosopher John Venn in 1881, Venn diagrams have made theirway into almost every facet of set-based thought, well beyond mathematics.

Each of the circles in a Venn diagram represents a specific set. In mathematics,perhaps one circle is the set of all integers between 50 and 100, while a second isthe set of all integers between 90 and 150. As one can plainly see, there are severalnumbers (90-100) which fall into both sets. Because of this, a Venn diagram wouldshow these two sets overlapping, and this overlap would represent these numberswhich adhere to the limita-tions posed by both sets at once.This overlap, in set theory, is known as the “intersection” between the two sets.

I apply this concept with the different moon’s phases. The

Crescent, Quarter andGibbous Moon are the

“sub-set” of the full moon. There are some common

pointsamong three of them, with

shown in the intersections between them.

Design: “Moon in Intersection”

My Very First Design

This is the prototype of my first lantern design.

scale 1:5

DESIGN

MODEL DIGITALISATIONFailed Contouring Methods (Proposal 2 Design)

I tried to use this method in the begining. However, this alternative is not suitable for my design.This is due to the irregular shape of my design. It requires us to draw the InterpCurve from thefront view’s picture. With my design, from the front view, it has uniform depth between 2 layersbut irregular shape if viewed from top.

I divided the slices into two pieces. This solved the problem of contouring the irregular surface from the top view. Mymodel is following the scale of 1:5.(1)I pierced the slices with a stick make reference points so the slices can be aligned .(2)I placed the model on a piece of paper that has a set of parallel lines ruled on it. These lines are at 5mm intervals.(3)I used the lined paper as a guide etch a series of parallel lines over the surface of the model and cut the model into section rings.(4)I laid the slides in order onto a sheet of gridded paper.Traced the first slice and photographed the model with the front and top views.This photo acts as my reference.(5) Lastly, I “Picture Frame” the photos into Rhino and started contouring with Rhino.

Method 1: Tracing Contour

Method 2 : Tracing Sectional Slices

Model Creation with Own Method (Proposal 1 Design)

I duplicated the trimmed surface of the combined pieces until it

reached a height of roughly 5cm, which is the width of my arm.

I used the line segments to create the continuous rectangular-shaped

loops and loft them at the end.I further adjusted the lofted

lantern model by using the PointsOn key.

Trimming and lofting

Experiments

(1) Shapes

At first, I tried lofting with rectangular-shaped loops.Later on, I experimented it by replacing it with the circularmodel with the use of Cross Sectional Profiles tool.

Between these two options, I prefered the second loft-ing result. As the tube-shaped lantern has a smoother surface compared to the rectangular-shaped cross surface.

Morever, it will be uncomfortable to wear on body whencontact with the sharp edges of the rectangular-shapedlantern. In contrast, the smooth surface of tube-shapedlantern will be much better and easy to wear on a body.Others than that, since my theme is based on the Moon,the rectangular-shaped design does not gives any magination relating to the Moon, as the Moon is a sphere.Furthermore, it is harder to do fabrication with the existenceof sharp edges.

I adjusted the lofted surface with the Points On key in order to improve the surface of digitalisedmodel and make it fittable with the panelling patterns.

(2) Panelling

2D PanellingIn the begining, I explored t he 2 D panelling.

I made the triangle panel since it is the only polygon with three edges and thus it will always aligned on the surface.

This is my first panel, hence I wanted to use the simplest panels to ensure thatthe surface and the point grids are correct and to see the differenceof my design before and af-ter the panelling. By referingto the this basic panel, it helped my to further eplore variety ofpanels that matched with my design.I added borders to the triangu-lar panelling so that enable thelight from LED can emerge out of the holes from the lantern. I usethe interval of 0,5cm as my borders’width to allow maximum lightintensity with limiting use of LEDs.

At the both ends, there were sharp with vertexes. Or else, I can add faces to fill up the gaps between the triangular faces at both ends.

3D Panelling

I experimented with the 3D custom variable option. I used three differentmodules as my panels on the surface.

The irregular-hole-shape panelsymbolises the craters on the Moon’s surface, while the circular holesrepresents the impact of particles bombardment on the Moon’ssurface.

In my design, I wanted the light of LEDs emerged from these holes, justlike the hot lava flow out of the Moon’s surface after hit by the highspeedpartices. On the other hand, the ‘crater’ panel will be an enclosedpanel, which no light will emerged from that parts. I also createdan angled-plane of the panel in order to cover the inclined sides of thesurface.

Precedents

Lightmos Tonglor by ArchitectkiddArchitectkidd is an architecture & design practice based in Bangkok, Thailand and is coordinated by Udomsak Komovilas, Jariyawadee Lekawatana & Luke Yeung. The building project began as a transformation of an existing shophouse into a show-room and office for lighting products.

This wall pattern matched with my idea of particle bombardment as the panel.

The wall surface of this building inspire me to use ir-regular holes that allows the LED light emerges out of the lantern,and hence form a variety sizes or circular shadows.This can be done by using the 2D Custom Variable from the Panelling Tools. I can use many al-ternatives to form different sizes of the circular holes, such as the Point Attractor, Curve Attractor, Gaussian Curvature and etc.

Graypants Moon Scrap LightsThese gorgeous lighting creations are based on the planets, particularly moons. The lights are really effective and look stunning used on their own or hung in multiples to create a lighting spectacle on ceiling.This idea inspired me on how to use panels to produce an imaginative lighting effect of the lantern.

A well-design lantern is not only judged by its physi-cal shape. The focus should be on the moment when the light ons.

The power of producing attractive shadow effects and the useof lightbulb are the main attraction of a lantern. Since in this subject we are fixed to only use LEDbulbs, we can make an improvement through the use of panels to form unique shadow effects.

FABRICATION

PHYSICAL MODELPanelling Trials and Reasoning

The natural process for my design is the moon revolution. At the begining, I divided my design into six smaller parts, which derived from the concept of moon phases. Later on, I added inthe overlapping idea of Venn Diagram into my design, which I planned to make different panelling at the overlapping parts.

I explored various 3D patterns in order to find the bestsuitedfor my design.

A method of producing circular model with polygons.

Hexagon is the onlypolygon which canconnect every sides of itwith no gaps in between.

Explore the beautifullight shadowsformed due to thedesign itself.

Use differentsizes of the holesformed.

Triedto build a star as my‘crater’ design at the overlapping sections.

A method of producing circular model with polygons.

Trials and Developments(1) Panels Fit on the Model

I tried various 3 D panelling patterns . However, most of them could not connect to each others. There are gaps in between. As shown in the figure at the left and below, they both disconnected to the repeating pat-tern next to them.

Later on, I found out that the severe twisting of my design can be one of the factor that led to the disconnection of panels on the sur-face. Hence, I reduced this effect by using the Points On and Points Off keys, as well as the Gumball function.

In the end, I decided to use hexagon, rath-er than the octagon and pentagon shapes. This is inspired by the concept of bee hives, which only haxegons can connected to every edges of the next hexagon.

(2) Panellling Grids and Scaling

At first, I was using the ration of 20:10 for the panelling grids. Hence, the panels fromed were small and packed together.

I felt it was to hard for me to fabricate since it was too detail. Moreover, I realised the dimension of single panel is less than 0.1mm, which is impossible to fold and stick them together.

Hence, I decided to reduce the num-ber of grids to only 10:5. This time, the panels were much bigger and looked less complex.

Editting Faces and Flapping

Flapping was done by using the command-”Unify all fac-es”. This is a must in order to ensure correct face diirections when unrolling.

Before

After

Before Before

After After

Precedents

I was inspired by the design of Hexagon 3 by JohannSchorr. It is a house that is made of a structure of cardboard.

Its hexagonal design is flexible and durable together.

The furniture in this architecture is made out of the cardboard it is built with. The main hassle for my design duringthe panelling process is the twisting. I tried many differentpanelling patterns but always disconnect at the twistedparts. Hence, due to the flexibility of hexagons , I tried tomake it as my panelling surfaces. This finally can be workout!

This staggered hexagonal mirrors act as a lighting source and as shelves i n the Moon Nightclub at Palms Las Vegas.

The hexagons at the ceilings give an illusions of combination of 2D and 3D hexagons, with the white colour faces at the internal.

This links me to thinking of the uneven surface of the Moon. Ihence improved my design by using combination of both 2Dand 3D hexagons.

Final Model

One end enclosedonly, so that the light willonly out from theother end

Star-shaped patternsenclosed, representsthe crater on the moon,with irregular shapes.

Combination of 2Dand 3D hexagons,as the surface of theMoon are uneven.

Unroll FacesMethod 1 At first I faced the problems that the unrolled

faces are overlapping one another. I tried to sloved it by dividing all of them into smaller piec-es asshown at the picture. I used different colour layers to group them. However, this will going to be a mission IMPOSSIBLE to make model by combining all this small pieces whithin few days. Furthemore, it will be very messy with the glue, stains and etc on these small pieces. Hence, I spent another day just to find out the best method of unrolling faces.

At the end, I managed to make a long stripe of the unrolled face.

Method 2

First Unrolled Row(Star-shaped crater)

Second Unrolled Row(3D and 2D hexagons)

Ready Files for FABLAB

At the begining, I planned to use both black and white cards in order to show the intersection parts are dfferent from the rest. However, later on I found out the glue stains would be obvious at the black card. Hence, in the end, I choose to use only ivory card.

PrototypesGlue stain can be seen obviously on a black card

The tabs needed to be cut off so that the hexagon shapes can be seen clearl.

It was very hard to stick the two different rows. Gaps can be noticed from far

The star-crater panel can be seen the gaps in between different unrolled faces after combined them.

At first, I made my prototype with theblack card. As shown in figure 1 at theleft, the folding lines are very clearand the stains are obvious. Hence, I usedthe ivory card for my final model.

I also made my tabs bigger for the next model making so that it can able to stick to the next row more firmly with the larger surface area.

I used clips to clip on the different parts of the ‘crater’ so that the glue able to stick the two parts close with no gap in betwee.

Light Testing

I used the parallel circuit to connect allthe LEDs. This is because the voltagefor every LED of a parallel circuit will beconstant. As shown in these series ofphoto, the lightness of all LEDs are thesame.

Model Production ready with Lighting Effects

There were hexagon-shaped lighting effect pro-duce through the holes. I placed five LEDs at every star-shapped crater row. So that it seemed like the star-shaped crater is glowing.

One end remained open while another was close.

This is to allow the light emerges from one side but not the other. So when I wear it on my shoulder, the light only will emerge through one side while the other will only slightly penetrate through the thin ivory card.

Final Model

Front view Left-hand side Right-hand side

Back view

REFLECTIONS

Throughout this semester, I had learnt how to develop a design. Biomimicry is the current trend nowadays. For instance, the glecko tape is an imitation of the liz-ard’s feet. I practiced to apply this alternative in my design. However, my de-sign was to literal, as it look exactly the moon shape with no further ideation de-velopment in my first design. Later on, by referring to the past reading-Material Behaviour by Fleischman, I realised that designs in these days are incorporating with the computer software. Design computation provides the possibilities of inte-grating physical properties and material behaviour as generative drivers in thearchitectural design process. Thus, I further refine and devel-ope my design while using Rhino and hence, it became for abstract.

The flow chart above showed my design development processes through-out the semester. I made adjustment to my desig due to the extra research-es as well as exploring the functions of Rhino. I came out with two totally dif-ferent ideations, which one wears on shoulder while the other acts as hat.

To decide which design to be my final, I take the materiality of the cards used into my consideration. As mentioned by Fleischman, design material elements cn be defined by behaviour rather the shape. This made me awareof the shape of my lantern design should not be the main focus , instead of the hardness of cardboard as the materialsneeded to be at the first place to consider. Hence, I chose the design which put on shoulder instead of hat. This is be-cause the panel on my hat is less stable due to the large surface area on the top, as the card I used is not hard enough.

Next, I spent most of my times to explore my panelling choices. This is because my main focus is to create uniques panels that illustrate the Moon evolution. I discovered numerous problems with the connections. As shown in the picture below, it had the problem with the rectangular faces. Thus, the upcoming panels I converted them to triangulate meshes to ensure all the faces are triangles. As it was hightlighted in the past lectures, triangle is the only polygon with three vertexes aligned on the surface.

Besides, I applied the knowledge from the reading about how to form repeating patterns in my panel design as well. I used repeating regular hexagon shapes as parts of my panel for my final model. I was inspired from the build of the bee hives. Before that, I made few trials with other polygons but they all ended up with gaps in between.

The previous module definitely the most challenging part in this subject. Somehow, it was interesting for me tofurther explorein my design physically instead of in the virtual world. I only able to find out some errorsin my design when I made the model. For instance, the black card does not show the light effectthat I want. In addition, my design is very fragile at the mass centre because the panel at thatlocation is only the thin layer of hexagons. The wires used to connect all the LEDs are visible throughthe big holes of the hexagons. Plus, it is very hard to insert the circuit into the lantern. All these issueswould not be detected by referring to the virtual model in Rhino. Fabrication of the model thereforemust undergo few experimental stages before producing the final. This module made me understoodthat to be a good designer, trials and failures are unavoidable. Only those who with strongwillpower and always learn from mistakes can be success.

The lecture by the guest lecturer, Stanislav Roudavski heightened the concept of sustainability thatshould be applied by the contemporary architects. The LEDs that I bought from the fablab do notsustainable as they will light up all the time if I tape them with their battery and attach to my lantern.Thus, I connect the LEDs in a circuit with a switch controller. This enables me to control the LEDs whento turn on and off to prevent energy waste. From the reading “Making Ideas” by MacFarlane, B.(2005) As a designer, other than thinking what we want for our design, we have to incorporate withthe aspects of its surrounding. For the Maison H house design, the designers have to think of the naturalfeatures at the island such as its topography and the beach direction. I realise that this is importantfor my design as well. As I only concern about my shoulder dimension in order to best-matchedto its size, but do not take account of the curvature of my shoulder. Thus, I further twisted the designby using gumball so that it can be positioned perfectly on my shoulder. Furthermore, materials chosenalso paramount in order to produce the best light emission of my lantern, as this was highlightedfor the design of the Restaurant Georges. Thus, at first I used both ivory card and black card for mylantern, where the overlapping parts would be black in colour, to show the contrast. However, thefirst prototype of my design does not give a desirable effect on it. The black card is thicker thanivory card. Hence, it causes the folding lines to be very obvious. Besides, the glue stains also visiblefrom far on the black card. Therefore, I decided to use only ivory card for my design. Its illuminationis much better due to its transparency. I put the LEDs on the overlapping parts, and the effect wasgreat! As the light seems to be emerging from the ‘star-shaped crater’.

Overall, after the fabrication of model broadens the perspectives of my design. I learned to not only focus onmy model itself as in the previous module, but also its connectivity to the real world aspects. This is useful for my future study in Architecture field, as building is closely related to its environments.