Zhang bingqing 683559 Part A + B

STUDIO AIR2016, SEMESTER 1, BRADBINGQING ZHANG

1 Introduction 4

2 Part A

A.1 Design Futuring

A.2 Design Computation

A.3 Composition/Generation

A.4 Conclusion

A.5 Learning Outcomes

A.6 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketchbook

3 Reference

Table of Contents

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4

Bingqing Zhang

Third-year Architecture Student of Melbourne University

For me, the way to express and explore people’s emotions and feelings is fascinat-ing. Design, such as film, photography, advertisement, and especially architecture, is a beautiful path between arts and human emotions. Not only designers join in the pro-cess of experiencing emotions and expressing them, audiences also have their own ide-as on each piece of work which gives the designing product new concept and sense.

The atmosphere spaces created could easily lead visitors to come up with a certain feeling while they are exploring in architectures, which largely decided what visitors feel about each archi-tecture. Thus not only creative design elements and concepts are important, the architectural emotion is also a significant aspect. Before studying architecture, I had one-year experience of learning Psychology. With what I’ve learnt in Psychology, I always try to make the most of site experience as an important part of my designs. The use of light, patterns, dark and narrow space, and large empty space is part of my characters that always appears in my designing.

As time goes on, designing is getting more and more complexed and varied. Dur-ing past studies of architecture, I’ve used plenty of hand drawing and model making skills to finish almost all drawings and models. What I found through my internship experi-ence and others’ design is that digital designing skills and using different kinds of tools is a vital method that I should master. This journal will record what I learned from Studio Air in this semester and how digital tools helped with my designing process and products.

Introduction

Model by Bingqing Zhang, 2015


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1.0 THREE RELATIONSHIPS

Point, line and plane are basic elements that form architecture structure. Frame and infill work together to fill in structure and highlight important parts of a architecture. Finally, mass is a idea that to use daylight, different materials, earth and surrounding natural environments to shape a space, which could produce unique users experiences, rather than creating shapes and artificial light for a architecture to achieve these destinations. These three ideas are linked with each other and need to be considered from the beginning of designing conception to the end of model construction.

Model by Bingqing Zhang, 2015Hand drawing by Bingqing Zhang, 2015

Hand drawing by Bingqing Zhang, 2015 Hand drawing by Bingqing Zhang, 2015

Hand drawing by Bingqing Zhang, 2015



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PROKECT: Redesign of A Boat House in Studley ParkLEARNING FROM MASTERS: Ram Koolhaas

Section AA 1:100

Site Plan1:400N

Building Accessing Methods

Building Site Location and Accessing Methods

User Characteristics Qualities Activities

Passersby People who are doing exercisessuch as running and cycling inStudley Park. This kind of peoplewill not stay here for long.

Weekday - approx. 5/hour

Weekend - approx. 10/hour

1. Buying coffee from cafe in boathouse.2. Having a rest and enjoying the river view.

Students Students who live around this parkand want a quiet space for studying.Students who do site visit here.

Weekday - approx. 5/day

Weekend - approx. 10/day

1. Reading and doing homework.2. Discussing / chatting.3. Rehearsing presentations or drama.4. Eating.5. Playing sports.

Leisure people People who live around this park. Weekday - approx. 10/hour


1. Walking dogs.2. Eating.3. Reading4. Relaxing.5. Sketching sights here.6. Playing sports.

Public activities People who have a boating trainingspending a half-day here.Children taken by teachers to havea natural visit.

Approx. 2/month 1. Selling.2. Appealing for somethings.3. Playing games.4. Recording a drama or TV show or film.5. Conduct propaganda.

families Families with children / couples ofold people Weekday - approx. 2/day


1. Strolling.2. Having a BBQ or a picnic.3. Playing sports.

Lovers Age 15 - 40 Weekday - approx. 2/hour


1. Dating and having supper in boathouse.2. Relaxing / chatting.

User Characteristics Qualities Activities

Passersby People who are doing exercisessuch as running and cycling inStudley Park. This kind of peoplewill not stay here for long.

Weekday - approx. 5/hour


1. Buying coffee from cafe in boathouse.2. Having a rest and enjoying the river view.

Students Students who live around this parkand want a quiet space for studying.Students who do site visit here.

Weekday - approx. 5/day


1. Reading and doing homework.2. Discussing / chatting.3. Rehearsing presentations or drama.4. Eating.5. Playing sports.

Leisure people People who live around this park. Weekday - approx. 10/hour


1. Walking dogs.2. Eating.3. Reading4. Relaxing.5. Sketching sights here.6. Playing sports.

Public activities People who have a boating trainingspending a half-day here.Children taken by teachers to havea natural visit.

Approx. 2/month 1. Selling.2. Appealing for somethings.3. Playing games.4. Recording a drama or TV show or film.5. Conduct propaganda.

families Families with children / couples ofold people Weekday - approx. 2/day


1. Strolling.2. Having a BBQ or a picnic.3. Playing sports.

Lovers Age 15 - 40 Weekday - approx. 2/hour


1. Dating and having supper in boathouse.2. Relaxing / chatting.

Users Analysis

1) View of staircases from a ramp2) A triangle glass sec-tion on floor with it dark atmosphere below can lead visitors to move for-ward. (So that visitors will not go into the office at ledt turn.)3) View of the Kiosk

STUDENT NAME: Bingqing Zhang (Vini)STUDENT NUMBER: 683559DATE: 18/10/2015

Section BB 1:100

Section CC 1:100

Floor Plan: Level 3 / Level 4Cafe / Restaurant, Kitchen, Bathroom1:100N

Floor Plan: Ground FloorHire Counter, Boat Storage, Kiosk / Workshop1:100N

Floor Plan: Level 1 / Level 2Office, Resting Zone / Cafe, Bathroom, Shower1:100N

Roof Plan1:100N

North-East Elevation1:100

North-West Elevation1:100

Central Staircases

Function and Space

(a)

(b) (c)

(d)

(e)

(i)

(a)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(iv)

(a) Boat Storage(b) Hire Counter(c) Workshop(d) Office(e) Kitchen

(i) Kiosk(ii) Resting Zone(iii) Cafe(iv) Bathroom(v) Shower Room(vi) Restaurant

(iii)

Section BB 1:100

Section CC 1:100

Floor Plan: Level 3 / Level 4Cafe / Restaurant, Kitchen, Bathroom1:100N

Floor Plan: Ground FloorHire Counter, Boat Storage, Kiosk / Workshop1:100N

Floor Plan: Level 1 / Level 2Office, Resting Zone / Cafe, Bathroom, Shower1:100N

Roof Plan1:100N

North-East Elevation1:100

North-West Elevation1:100

Central Staircases

Function and Space

(a)

(b) (c)

(d)

(e)

(i)

(a)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(iv)

(a) Boat Storage(b) Hire Counter(c) Workshop(d) Office(e) Kitchen

(i) Kiosk(ii) Resting Zone(iii) Cafe(iv) Bathroom(v) Shower Room(vi) Restaurant

(iii)

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Part A

A.1 Design Futuring

As Dunne and Raby1 pointed out, design is questioning things that may have been accepted as the way it is and exploring new forms of things that can be strived through time. We use design to find a way out of current situation and provide people with a new thinking. And Fry2 also in-dicated that future is sustainability. But sustainability dose not have a specific range of definition. Sustainability is varied between disciplines and standards that it bases on. Therefore, future is not a destination, it is more like a state that those who mention it give a description ac-cording to their own judgement of value and expect.

Thus design futuring is not with settled methods and target, it is more like a process that different designers are leading people to go to a new stage. The impor-tant change design brings to us is shown in technology, thinking ways and culture which are different from the past and whether design gives positive influence to us or not is very flexible to discuss. Design gives people a new world that people never knew it. Once people accept the idea design expresses, they will naturally act in the same way later. But these change are tested by time and sometimes they are negative and people get to know this after suffering from its result years later.

For me, design is a tool to lead people to consider new angles and millions of experiences that could influence many small things which may eventual-ly influence on the whole process of social progress. Architecture design also dose this by using its lan-guage, concept, improving technology and so on to.

1 Dunne, A. and Raby, F. 2013. ‘Beyond Radical Design?.’ Speculative Every-thing: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press) , pp 2-32 Fry, T. 2008. Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg), pp. 1-163 Floater. 2008. Wave Garden, Yusuke Obuchi interviewed by Chrysostomos Tsimourdagkas (http://floatermagazine.com/issue01/pdfs/Wave_Garden.pdf)

Good architecture dose contribute ideas to the on-going disciplinary discourse and culture at stage as a design practice. Constant progress of architecture de-sign practice are often introducing people with new forms and what developing direction of technology should achieve to hold it up. Architecture was part of technology. What’s the relationship between infor-mation and architecture, how you materialize infor-mation. This process will radically change the way in which we understand materials, how to manage ma-terials, how to use material in different ways so we can actually generate highly intelligent environments.3

Moreover, people value architecture designs not only focusing on what they exactly felt but also fol-lowing the way of thinking that design tells them. Compared architectures this days with past works, I found the strong visual effect produced by com-puter and a huge range of different forms become a significant judgement standard that people now try to value architecture. Here are two examples.

Greenland’s National Museum of Art is now opened to public. The architecture itself holds new struc-tural approach and ability to adapt to ocean-ic environments. Technology today supports it. Today, people appreciate it because its pure and simple, but visually strong sense of form, which is with many possibilities. The courtyard connected sea view and closed interior space express the sense of connec-tion between nature and human. This concept will be appreciated as time goes by since the relationship be-tween human and nature is existing for millions of year.

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Figure A.1.1 - Greenland’s National Museum of Art

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Figure A.1.2.1 - Lilypad City Design

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Lilypad City is designed by Vincent Callebaut for facing global warming and designing a suitable habitat for living lives. The main motto behind making this is to create a pleasant environment, a harmonious society which would help to sustain and maintain a friendly human nature bond.1 Commonly, when we design a city, we think of how to expand it in one plane. Lilypad City offers us a new way of thinking which is to consider all the systems as a whole in both vertical and horizontal dimension. As technology developed, people become easily imaginable about underwater space. Thus when we see this kind of four di-mensional design, we feel familiar with the idea it want to express and also are attracted by its achieving methods.

Social conditions and cultural change at a typical time influences design. The water-based site and mixture of nature and humans in one closed space is based on the situation that people have more awareness about nature and there is decreasing habitat land on earth. But his design is abstract and has not been built. It is limited by technology and also gives the society challenges and motivation to improve material, technology and con-structing approaches at different levels. Just as Lilypad City faced, today we are troubled with waterproof material, structure that suit plants root to grow inside as well. Archi-tecture design that are not be able to be built now also give us some new angle of how the world could like and how we can translate the dimensional relationship between human and surrounding environments into a new form.

1 Amarnath. 2010. Lilypad City Design is the City Of Future (http://walyou.com/lilypad-city-design/)

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Figure A. 2.1 - Adaptive Respiration, Facade Addition on Apartment Building

In lecture, Elias stated that “the second that we get to know outcomes and the character when we use computer to test is the start of computation works”. When we are creating things, we get to know what is needed and seek help from computer. This is like what Alberti used grid as a tool to accurate drawings. Computation offers possibilities to designers when complicated and heavy information are needed in one project, and when repeating actions are required to be done. It does not only means people use computer, but the process of analysis, acting immediately and offering accuracy that computer can make.

To make buildings sustainable, designers try to use scientific principles to design facade, ventilation system, even the whole form. Besides, the pattern and form when natural principles are expressed by visual ways can also be used as agenda of designs. However, these designing methods can be very complicated. In this case, computation gives designers an easy way to translate abstract theory into objective forms.

For instance, the design at left, which is to add a facade to an apartment building, greatly relied on computation design. Creating irregular shapes and form them together without disconnection needs a huge amount of calculation and accurate drawing. While by using computer, designers quickly set each pattern at right position and see the whole structure. It is also convenient to test stability which only needs setting physical principle routes into computer in advance.

A.2 Design Computation

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Like most architectures do, Beijing International Airport was designed to have a shading system on roof that allows direct light inside during winter and blocks direct light during summer without any moving parts. Using computer to analysis the radiant rate and path and to calculate the angle and size of shadings is a common process now appearing in architectural design. Other computation designs settled for common need during design processes are also invented and become parts of architecture design. For instance, natural ventilation through facade as shown in figure A.2.3. Computation offers us speed and convenience computation. Not only in architecture design, computation also plays an important part in industrial design, aircraft design and more, by helping with four stages of design, namely problem analysis, synthesis, evaluation and communication.1

1 Kalay. 2004. Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), 10

Figure A. 2.2 - Beijing International Airport Figure A. 2.3 - Shark Skin Smart Skin

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Although computation makes plenty of advantages to architecture design, it could mislead the core meaning of design. Wave Garden by Yusuke Obuchi is a designed city which use the principle of hydrodynamics to produce electricity from ocean and underground water’s wave. Using renewable energy is good. But for the aim of it, computation is used to design a form for the city that connects land with energy. The form computation design calculate and set leaves little space for the designer to have his own thinking of urban planning. Everything is settled. Computation takes place of human design.

People invented various software to help with different parts in design process. Design is not only a physical subject, it also obtains feelings and emotions. Computation cannot join in this part. Sometimes it is easy for us to forget the significance that emotions work in designs. We try crazy forms and make dramatic models by computation design, and then we try to give them a concept or a sense.

How deep should computation be involved in design?

Figure A. 2.4 - Wave Garden

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A.3 Composition/Generation

that empowers designers to take control of their tools at the intersection of design and programming. This new form of culture technology arrives at new and unexpected results by employing variations of algorithms or rules to generate innovative outputs. Generation architecture design combined algorithmic thinking, parametric modelling and scripting cultures together to achieve digital architectural design.

Algorithmic thinking is to use mathematics principles and computation functions to consider the link between natural rules and design concepts. When there is no separation between design intent and computational technique, and computation is used in a natural or unconscious way, designers can do parametric modelling and use it for advancing design but not control the core of design.

The parametric model made by 3dMatrica is a good example of how architecture design has developed till now at a generation stage. Physiochemical form of crystal is stable and with naturally good form. The triangle shape on crystal of each piece that form the structure is also known in architecture structure as most stable structure. Thus to analysis the forming process of crystal and produce a outcome in computer software, designers can get a model that follow the rule of crystal. The Boulder Pavilion also referenced the rules from nature, which is the structure of plant stem.

We discussed whether all architectures are “architecture“ in studio this week. As Brad mentioned, architects originally means the master of work. This reminded me of how we call designers in architecture company in China. Rather than architect, most of them are called engineer. Those who are called engineer design buildings but not architectures. They use computer software to draw and model similar forms for every projects, because it is easy to copy from the previous work and draw similar lines. This is not computation design but kind of computerization. Real architects use computation design as tool to explore things over self expression skill. At this digital century, computational designers are more than just creators of complex 3-D models or the developers of digital tools – they distil the underlying logic of architecture and create new environments in which to explore designs and simulate performance, both physical and experiential.1 Computation augments the intellect of the designer and increases capability to solve complex problems.2

Architecture developed from composition design to generative design with bringing in digital routes, which are referenced to natural rules, and programming. Referencing the nature is returning back to the original meaning of life. As my personal opinion, I like generative design, since it makes architecture link with nature. Generative design is an incredibly versatile and productive method of enhancing the design process

1 Peter, B. 2013. ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithimc Thought.’, Architecture Design, 152 Engelbart, DC. 1962. Augmenting Human Intellect: A Conceptual Frame-work, Summary Report, Stanford Research Institute (Menlo Park, CA)., 1

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Figure A. 3.1 - Parametric Architecture Modelling

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Figure A. 3.2 - Boulder Pavilion

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Figure A. 3.3 - Loophole

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A.4 Conclusion

A.5 Learning outcomes

What makes revolution and development is the change of ways of thinking. Design as an externalization of concepts and a way of thinking influences various aspects around the whole world and go with large time scale. Architecture can be in different ways to approach and what happens today is the progress of computational application which brings architectural design into a new stage of communication and transformation. The transformation of nature, sustainable principle, and cultural brief is a big concentrating point on architecture that never happen before.

I intend to express a communication with nature on my design. I will firstly use computational techniques to link the idea I seek from nature with modelling outcome. Through adjusting each data and remaking model, I will then find the final model that convinces

Before studying Studio Air, I mainly focus on using handwork for both drawing and model making. Without knowing grasshopper and V-ray, I found it is very hard to use software. However, the practice I did in past weeks gives me much confidence and shows me that computational design is beginning to play an important role in solving phase of problems with BIM and scripting tools for analysis. By using computational tool as main design approaches this semester, I am sure I will go into a new level of design thinking and expression.

The four stage of process of design as introduced by Kalay gives a specific leading of how to run the whole design system. As for me, it could be flexible that the order of each stage can be swapped and sometimes some of them happen together. I learnt design process in Design Workshop as well, and it is quite similar theory and gives me a good reminding when I was doing design and got mess in mind.

me with its sense and balance of structure. And I will also take sustainability as an important part.

Unlike previous design approach, by exploring artificial concept and making most of it, I can create the final concept, which starts from practice. The benefits of it include getting to know new direction and possibilities easily, getting to know problems and make different tries quickly, and offering a way to explore natural rules.

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A.6 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

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ReferenceAmarnath, ‘Lilypad City Design is the City Of Future’ <htt p://walyou.com/lilypad-city-design/>[accessed 17 March 2016]

Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby, ‘Beyond Radical Design?’ in Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Drea ming. MIT Press, 2013.

Brady Peters, ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algori thimc Thought’ in Architecture Design. 2013

Douglas C Engelbart, Augmenting Human Intellect: A Conceptual Framework, Summary Report, Stanford Research Institute (Menlo Park, CA, 1962) p1

Floater, ‘Wave Garden, Yusuke Obuchi interviewed by Chrysostomos Tsimourdagkas’ <http://floatermaga zine.com/issue01/pdfs/Wave_Garden.pdf>[accesse d 17 March 2016]

Tony Fry, Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg, 2008), pp. 1-16

Yuhuda E Kalay, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2004), pp 5-25

List of figures

Bjarke Ingels Group, Greenland National Gallery, <http://ww w.big.dk/#projects-nuuk>[accessed 17 March 2016]

Davide Speranza, Evelina Micono, Kate Lisi, and Kateri Knap p, Shark Skin Smart Skin, <http://winterlab.wikidot.com/g rasshopper-workshops:2011>[accessed 17 March 2016]

R&Sie(n), Loophole, <http://theverymany.com/2008/09/05/08 0905_colab-rsie-theverymany-003/>[accessed 17 Marc h 2016]

Ted Ngai, Cesare Griffa and Graziella Roccella, Adaptive Re spiration, <http://www.tedngai.net/?p=618>[accessed 1 7 March 2016]

Teh Kan Wee Wagen and AIA, Boulder Pavilion, <http://pra w-architects.com/projects/boulder-pavilion-2/>[ac cessed 17 March 2016]

Unknown, Beijing International Airport, <http://www.travel theworldfans.com/an-introduction-to-the-beijing-ca pital-international-airport/>[accessed 17 March 2016]

Vincent Callebaut, Lilypad, A Floating Ecopolis for Climate R efugees, <http://vincent.callebaut.org/page1-img-lilyp ad.html>[accessed 17 March 2016]

Yusuke Obuchi, Wave Garden, <http://pruned.blogspot.com .au/2005/06/wave-garden-by-yusuke-obuchi.html>[ac cessed 17 March 2016]

3dMetrica, Parametric Architecture, <http://www.cgarchitec t.com/content/portfolioitems/2012/03/48254c07_large.j pg>[accessed 17 March 2016]

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4 Part B

B.1 Research Field

B.2 Case Study 1.0

B.3 Case Study 2.0

B.4 Technique: Development

B.5 Technique: Prototypes

B.6 Technique: Proposal

B.7 Learning Objective and Outcomes

B.8 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

5 Reference

Table of Contents24

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B.1 Research Field

TESSELLATIONTessellation is a technique that uses repetitive geometry units to divide a plane into a group of smaller planes which achieve the forming of curving planes. A curve without extra supporting elements like columns and bars is structurally depending on the tension and force provided by each line of the geometry units. And what Grasshopper can largely help with is to adjust the number and direction of unary forces that the connection points of each unit offer, length of each line that offers tension or force, the scale of each geometry unit and the distance between them. After each change, the form will fit in a new forcing balance which results in a new form. Moreover, the reacting result of each step of adjudication is quickly and visibly shown by program as well. Kangaroo plug-in is the main computation tool this process depends on, which reflects physical laws and engineering theories.

Tessellation originally comes from nature, which can be seen in honeycomb, foams, needle-like crystals, the formation of mudcracks, and similar structures. It is an aspect that is closely linked with science theories and disciplinary areas which need a proper merge to support its application. Material, structure and joints are main factors that could be discussed in this field.

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Figure B.1.4 Voussoir Cloud

Voussoir Cloud by IwamotoScott is a clear example of how tessellation technique uses tension and force that vaults provide hold up the structure. The installation is constructed using paper-thin wood laminates, scored with a laser and folded along the curved seam into wedges. The fold-up edges are bound together with strings.

Physics idea of passing forces and decomposing forces is relied on similar shaped units that formed the whole structure. As we can see from Figure B.1.3 which explained the consist of tessellation units, fold-up edges are in different degree of curving and this helped with the stability if offered by tessellation technique. Material and prefabrication is another area that supports this project to present the idea of tessellation in architecture. As Moussavi, Farshid and Michael Kubo1 stated, architecture’s materiality includes visible as well as invisible forces. The manipulation of material responses to these structures as the ornament.

1 Moussavi, Farshid and Michael Kubo, eds (2006). The Function of Ornament (Barcelona: Actar), pp. 5-14

Figure B.1.1 Joints of units Figure B.1.2 Top View Figure B.1.3 Curve Edges

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Another project called VoltaDom is also structured by tessellation technique. In this case, the physical support comes from edges of rectangular units and in the same time the edge of openings at the centre of each circle shape opening.

Figure B.1.5 VoltaDom by Skylar Tibbits Digital Model

Tessellation technique in this project offers effect of transparency and clean structure. With mutual forces that produced by material at edge which is of more hardness and which offers tension, the whole structure can be stood up without exterior structural support.

Figure B.1.6 VoltaDom by Skylar Tibbits Physical Model

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Computation and Prefabrication is an efficient tool that helps with producing repetitive units in the process of tessellation construction both digitally and physically.

We could explore mathematical tangency and offsets to explore the level of curvature we can produce, on top of tessellation composition which we will use.

Intellectual Context

Figure B.1.7 3D Printing

Materiality can be explored widely when using tessellation technique. Different materials act differently in ability of hardness, stretching and bending. The possibility of achieving final outcomes is largely depended on the use of material. And this could be tested by computation.

Transparency is an effect that tessellation technique can produce. It is an important outcome that architecture will then have links with natural light and ventilation.

Figure B.1.8 Materiality Figure B.1.8 Transparency offered by tessellation

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B.2 Case Study 1.0

Voussoir Cloud by IwamotoScott

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ITERATIONS Species 1 Pressure

0

-100 -200

400 530

-60

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ITERATIONS Species 2 Unary Force

-200

500 1000

1700 2000

200

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ITERATIONS

-0.5

2 3

3.8 4

0.05

Line LengthSpecies 3

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ITERATIONS Species 4 Unary Force

Triangular surface, deconstruct brep & Fillet distance

0

-500

2000

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ITERATIONS Species 5 Shape & Shift

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ITERATIONS

The site is located on river side which contains cycling trails and sight viewing spot - Dights Falls. Bats flying pass the site is an interesting point of the site experience. Therefore the project I will create will mainly focus on expressing the relationship between humans on the site and bats in sky through a basic form with the sense of expanding upward. In addition, to achieve view of nature, transparency and clean structure is required. Moreover, the pavilion will be like a bridge linking humans and animals at two sides of the river. The project should have tunnels or lanes in it. The relation between human and non-human objects could also be presented through the use of material, and materiality is another factor that should be considered.

Grasshopper of Rhino with Kangaroo plug-in provides plenty of opportunities of forms and structure and is used while exploring iterations above. The following page presents 4 selected iterations which are best fitting to the criteria.

Selection Criteria & Speculate

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This form has openings in different directions and with a clear structure that is held up with units in triangle shape. In this case, transparency is delivered in a natural sense. It is can be tested by several materials as well.

This iteration comes from the use of Kangaroo to change the magnitude and direction of unary force which is offered by the connection points of each triangle. Openings and connective structure is in comfortable form and the expanding effect of each part offers a shape of the bridge and various pathes between spaces.

4 Most Successful Outcomes

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A relatively random layout of triangle patterns at facade by using the Domain and Populate. Deconstruction Surface into units of new shape and fillet distance between units. This moves the original form into new shape and gives a good expression of new approaches of movement inside the architecture.

This iteration changes the original vault form into a round shape pavilion in sense of smooth and incoherent. Structural elements is minimal and provides good transparency effect. The shape is going upward and expresses the sense of connection with sky.

4 Most Successful Outcomes

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B.3 Case Study 2.0

Hyposurface by dECOi

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Hyposurface is a changeable surface which is supported by flexible panels. And soundwave is the controlling factor of forces provided by these panels at behind. When people walk closer or use larger voice to talk, the closet area will be sunken because the change of sound is shown in the change of soundwave curve and it will be a data to adjust the force offered by panels at back.

The concept of this project is to show how physical theories of structure can be visible by representing with instant changing outcome produced by computation, specifically speaking by grasshopper technique. This project uses Firefly to import exterior information such as sound, light, colour changes and so on. The import is connected to the output of physical data and then influences on shape, structure and shading of production.

The use of Firefly and later the further development of this project with Kangaroo and Weaverbird is working by reflecting physical laws. Computation can quickly show how elements react and help with imaging what the result can be when play with a structure. The transform of structure of this hyposurface to some extent is also a starting point which considers new architecture form (not fixed but with much opportunities) for future development of urban civilization.

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Reverse-engineer #1 Sound & Process

Firefly plug-in of Grasshopper working with weaverbird provides opportunities of linking form change with the movement of soundwaves

Create amesh plane

Set faces with centre points on the mesh

Create a nurb curve by importing

sound capture

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Set point(s) which export(s)

the soundwave

Link these pointsto distance and

change values of domain to

remap

Use Weaverbird’sStellate to produce

outcomes

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Reverse-engineer #2 Dynamic Image & ProcessFirefly plug-in of Grasshopper also provides opportunities of linking form change with

properties of dynamic images

Create amesh plane

Set faces with centre points on the mesh

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Create dynamicimages by inserting

Video Stream / Pictures

Use Weaverbird’sStellate to produce

outcomes

Use Bitmap to receive values of opints on mesh and adjusted images , and then export properties of images, such as colour, saturation,

brightness...

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Rectangular Mesh PlaneFace Normals

Point(Sound Input)

Distance (between Points)

SoundCapture List Length

Multiplication

SeriesConstruct Point Nurb Curve

Construct Domain

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Number

Construct DomainRemap Numbers

Multiplication

Weaverbird’s Stellate

Outcome Mesh

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==== From Original Project to Final Outcome ====

FINAL OUTCOMES differing from each other is based on different import of sound’s magnitude & direction, number of origin points. They also come from various series of lightness, colour contrast and saturation. These two final outcomes I choose here are clearly showing how the shape of soundwave curve directly influences on the form and structure of outcomes. Importantly, they fit my selection criteria which is expressing the sense of expanding towards sky and with several paths and bridges.

SIMILARITIES between original projects and final outcomes are shown in key techniques that produce form by importing data of exterior objects, shape of each tessellation unit, and changing invisible physical laws and objects into a visible form.

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==== From Original Project to Final Outcome ====

DIFFERENCES are represented on thickness of each unit, the property of possible materials that use for each form, some new importing factors that influence the outcome. These factors include the combination of dynamic images and voice volume, locations of sound import points.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT can refer to the use of other grasshopper tools such as Kangaroo to test physical change of basement plate when it is holding the above units. Besides, according to my criteria, I will also try to explore how this form could show transparency.

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B.4 Technique: Development

AFTER ANALYSIS OF CASE STUDIES & ITERATION DEVELOPMENT FROM THEM...

Besides of the concept of connect human and nature with a architecture that leads visitors to make movement upwards and to pay attention to sky, the various shapes that are achieved by critical use of physical laws through KANGAROO panels in Grasshopper makes me to think more about challenging the structure is also an architectural way to connect us to nature. Because the physical laws and materiality which supports the exploration of structural possibility are all coming from nature.

And the Hyposurface case gives me a hint that I could consider movable structure as part of design which follows up with continuous developing architectural thinking.

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ITERATIONS

1. Use POPULATE to set a series of unit forms and connect them with FIREFLY SOUND CAPTURE in different groups, which then will change density and height with the volume change of sound.

2. In the same influencing way, change sound import point into a point settled in Rhino and run CIRCLE CNR and EXTRUDE to create the similar changeable process.

1. Change the hyposurface into a new shape and still focus on exploring triangle units. And use WEAVERBIRD to add openings and thickness to the original form.

2. This series tries to have a connection with Kangaroo panels to see further change.

1. Introduce LUNCHBOX into further development which is used to form a basic form. This is a different approach to create a series of tessellation patterns.

2. In this stage, after the forming of new forms which come from using KANGAROO SPRINGS, I will connect the outcome units to CIRCLE CNR and EXTRUDE to change their size and density.

The following iterations will try to connect the forming of surface with image (contrast of light, colour...)

These steps of expanding Hyposurface development is to see how digital value of image could form surface and solid. And in this way, try to build up an early form of final project design.

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ITERATIONS

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The brief of the final project is interaction between human and non-human perspectives. What I set for criteria are hanging / raising up form for attracting visitors to enjoy time ‘in air’ which decreases the distance between human and nature; multiple circulation approaches; bridge function; and transparency in clear structure. What I was trying to pushing forward in 50 matrix iterations are naturally concerning these aspects and most of them have visible sense of expressing criteria. Among all of them, I choose 6 which are shown on the right to tell my early idea of the final project.

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2

3

1. - Fluent shape and transparent openings - The size and arrangement of pattern can be adjusted by exterior import data - Easy constructing2. - Futher development from #1 selected iteration - Overlapping plates whose radiant and height are controlled by location of import point3. - Making openings on opening units makes it more interesting in appearance of form. - This form has a good visual effect when working with light4. - The shape is like a bridge and the openings are very close located near each other with a strong sense of compression. While huge tension is hidden behind the visual sense of compression. - The shape is quite physically logical5. - Typical KANGAROO outcome form and is in shape a traditional pavilion - Clear and Clean6. - Overlapping plates build up the whole form and image import is exported at the surface of this pavilion.

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4

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6

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B.5 Technique: Prototypes

HYPOSURFACEHyposurface is a moveable surface because of separated small planes, which are supported by shared panels under them providing changing value of forces, that form an overall surface. The challenge I will do here is to find out how to make a relatively flexible system that can hold the structure of unit panels.

I decide to use 0.1mm thin transparent board as basement because its property of softness and with tension. In the same time, it will be easy for us to see how the basement’s changing influences on each unary force point. I use pins as joints between flexible basement and supporting columns. Since it is easy to assemble and easy to change location.

Before making physical trying of constructing this surface, I tried in Grasshopper to see how it works and how panels will move while change the shape of basement surface. And this physical outcome

works quite similar to what happened in Grasshopper.

I also use hoops as another kind of connection between panels and set the surfaces in same space with two different kinds of joint to see how tension between hoops and panels are working on forming the shape, and in the same time panels with single direction of forces will freely move to next balancing point. However, because I did not choose fabricated production, the time that was spent on calculating and cutting panels is quite long.

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LEED Architect & Urban Planner, Parametric Design Structure

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B.6 Technique: Proposal

MERRI CREEK is a stream that flows into main section of Yarra River in North-East Melbourne, which is surrounded with hills and in the same time linked closely with main traffic roads. Most part of land near Merri Creek can be easily reached because of the convenience of approaches by either public transportation or private transportation. Animals are distributing in sky, forest and water. Every day Bats fly from hills in Yarra Bend Park to reach somewhere for sleep at sunset, which could be an interesting site experience. In addition, There are a great number of water bird such as gulls and swamphens, especially where water is running fast. And in night, it is easy to come across with possums. Thus I started to think it will offer an abundant experience for visitors to explore nature in multiple angles if I could make the project to be a bridge between space in air, water and land. And Along the river, there are cycling trails and walking paths. When I did site visit, I found visitors there doing exercises like cycling, running and some walking dogs. There are also people who playing kayaking. And Most visitors appear in the area of Yarra Bend Park and the children farm. So I choose the exposed land which is very closed to Dights Falls as my site. Since it is a historical spot that visitors will spend some time here doing sightseeing and rest. Also Because the whole trail is very long and there are many sections without shading in middle which become an uncomfortable issue for visitors, which is also an issue for Dights falls, I’ll make some shading from my project. These all reflect to my selection criteria directly.

TECHNICALLY I would like to use the sound from flying bat and their flying route curves to produce reflecting surfaces which then could come into the form like what is shown in digital model figure below. This will depend on the mixing use of tools in Grasshopper such as LUNCHBOX, KANGAROO, FIREFLY, PANELLING TOOLS ... And what is already explored up to this stage is the use of KANGAROO SPRING created the tensioning shape that contains several valleys. These valleys are able to be walking paths which satisfies the criteria - multiple circulation approaches. FIREFLY plug-in of Grasshopper should be taken advantages from in different ways. I am looking forward to see firefly works out the connection between natural side (bat) and human side (pavilion on site). But challenge exists as whether the shape formed by data from soundwave and route curves can be in suitable scale to the site.

Site Location ▲N

1: 5000 ▲NLocate at the End of Merri Creek

Digital Model on Site

1: 2500 ◄NSite Plan

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View of Site Client: Bat Client: Swamphen Client: Gull

Dights Falls Near Site Client: Common Visitor Client: Cyclist Client: Kayaking Player

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B.7 Learning Objectives and Outcomes

B.8 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

In second part of this semester’s study, I was focusing on exploring a wider area of Grasshopper’s tools and how computation works with physical world laws and objects. The process of searching cases and learning from masters’ projects is a direct way to see how a specific technique is used and expanded into new field. And it is my first time to know how deep computation has been part of our design world. The process people use computation to produce and see unimaginable outcomes is very interesting. And I am rethinking of whether my previous works could be produced again

with technique skills I learnt this semester in a more dynamic way.

After learning technique introduction, a large number of iterations are asked to created and it is a very tough task. But the more time I put into this part, the more I get to know the endless possibilities that Grasshopper could provide, which is attractive. It is also the first time I start to take computation at the beginning of design. Along the development of models, considerations of form, structure, material, and even the whole concept are changing.

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ReferenceMoussavi, Farshid and Michael Kubo, eds (2006). The Function of Ornament (Barcelona: Actar), pp. 5-14

List of figures

Fortune, Freeform Printer, <https://fortunedotcom.files.wordpr ess.com/2015/07/freeformprinter.png?w=840&h=485&cr op=1>[accessed 25 April 2016]

LEED Architect & Urban Planner, Parametric Design, <http:// m.c.lnkd.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/8/005/06f/28e/278a48b. jpg>[accessed 25 April 2016]

Plataforma Arquitectura, Voussoir Cloud / IwamotoScotto Ar chitecture + Buro Happold, <http://www.plateformaarq uitectura.cl/cl/750345/voussoir-cloud-iwamotoscott-arc hitecture-buro-happold>[accessed 16 April 2016]

SJET, Mit Voltadom, <http://sjet.us/MIT_VOLTADOM.html>[acc essed 16 April 2016]

Tophdimgs, Honeycomb 393877, <http://tophdimgs.com/398 77-honeycomb.html>[accessed 25 April 2016]

Wolfgang Leeb, Aegis Hyposurface-Kinetic Mediafassade, < http://www.mediaarchitecture.org/aegis-hyposurface-k inetic-mediafassade/>[accessed 25 April 2016]

Documents

Zhang bingqing 683559 Part A + B