Module 4 Final Submission Amaya de Silva 583889 Semester 1/2012 Virtual Environments
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P h a s e 1 Ideation
Below: Three forms of a splash. A
bomb,
a
belly
flop
and
dive, each which gives a distinct pattern and individuality.
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A splash begins with a single object. It ends with an explosion of energy and liquid. This
process
plored
using
of the
ejaculation geometry
from of
a a
point splash.
of The
stillness idea
is that
what a
defines single
this
idea
explosion
of
can
a
splash.
create
And
thousands
thus of
was
ex-
geometry.
From a single moment of an object entering the still liquid, whether it be a bomb, a belly flop or a clean dive, the
geometry
of
the
splash
both
above
and
below
the
water
is
spectacular.
Above
the
water
is
an
the
crea-
tion of a new dimension of the body of existing still water. And looking below the water is an extension of the initial dive.
Below: The relationship between both the splash and the idea of an explosion. As the object hits the liquid, there is
an
outward
explosion
from
a
single
point
of
origin.
Â
Left: The action of a splash above and
below
etry
of
the
the
liquid.
splash
as
The it
geom-
explodes.
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From the literal idea of a splash (right)
To an explosion (left), and the above and below idea of a splash (below) Â
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From the first few stages of modelling, there was a an ambiguous discussion as to literal nature of the natural process. After this was defined to more extent, a circumscription as to what the tutors were looking for was found. This enabled a more specific but subtle illustration of the natural process. When this was not defined it was difficult to specify the concept of being above and below the water. Through this definition of the context of the natural process, it was possible to model the splash easily.
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Reflection Module 1 is the most crucial module in the entire project as it provides the basis as well as the means to continue on with the chosen natural process. With my chosen natural process of a splash, I wanted to explore this idea further as a geometry. Below, in the design of a structure inspired by a splash, shows the unnatural geometry of a splash. Through this module, I was able to learn that there is more to the idea of a form
In the reading, Ball says that “a pattern is a form in which particular
feature occurs recognisably and regularly.” and I found this extremely interesting as it addresses the idea that there is a functionality to each object and what we expect from each form. For example, a chair is used to sit on, but it can also be used a form of art and display.
than what is first thought. It is harder to
Ball
think of an idea, than to pursue it. From
also
ryday
Module 1 I was taught that without a un-
life,
looked and
at
the
how
idea if
of
mathematics
everything
is
in
eve-
mathematical-
ly defined, how do we create or design anything at all.
derstanding of the idea behind a natu-
As shown in the diagram below, there is a mathematical relation-
ral process is difficult to understand the
ship to each form, with a shell for example being so perfectly ma-
geometries of it. The lectures in the first
terialised as a logarithmic spiral as a naturally occurring process.
2 weeks of this subject were the fundamental spores of information to get us on our way to creating a lantern from a natural process. Bharat’s advice about keeping your eyes wide open and your imagination wild, helped me immensely to explore the process of a splash.
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P h a s e 2 Design
Refinement of an idea is predominantly a characteristic of the tools used to model the form. By using tools within Rhino, the model was refined to the extent that it was possible to model
the
Inquiring el
this
natural
process
the
relationship
natural
process
easily
while
between allows
us
still
keeping
the
different
the
individually
define
to
the
authenticity forms the
of
of
the
media
purpose
for
natural
process.
used
to
mod-
each
of
them. Above: Modelling the clay model on Rhino. It was a lot smoother than anticipated.
2D panelling was prefered over 3D panelling
Panelling experimentation - 2D
Creation of a design always has to come back to the underlying idea that there is always a context and purpose to the form.
The idea behind using the above 2D panelling for fabrication was because of it’s triangular geometry and
the effect of the little triangles trough the centre , and thus towards the ends of the model. It was basically an easy was to portray the idea that a splash extends outwards form a single origin point. Using offset borders, I was able to manipulate the sizes of each of the triangular holes to make the splash appear as if it was extending. This idea was however changed later once advice from Loren suggesting that there should be more “oomph� in the design, as it is about a splash, and not a stationary object.
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Panelling experimentation - 3D
Many attempts were made at creating and designing a panelling system that would be related to the natural process of a splash. In many of the attempts, there were times, where the design may have looked aesthetically pleasing but did not satisfy my efforts at relating the explosion theme to the model. From the simple 3D panels that were given by Rhino to some 3D custom panelling, there were many options that I had in choosing a 3D panelling system for me to fabricate. However, there was an issue with the idea that my concept of “splash� would not give off the effect I anticipated. And therefore, I decided to keep it to just 2D panelling and play with the effects of lighting instead. This was however later rejected as being too soft, and changed in Modules 3 and 4 .
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Panelling Experimentation - 3D Custom
Above: Other 3D panelling ideas were also taken into account, but as discussed earlier, dismissed for not having the effect I was looking for.
Ribbing
Left: Ribbing was also attempted but it seemed too weak to fabricate, and did not satisfy my criteria of being a splash.
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The second reading for this module was the most in-
Right: Skyhook Design
teresting, Dahan-Dalmedico was able to draw together the concept of mathematics and creation in one. From the lectures, we were able to draw conclusions as to how much of the world we actually crease and how much is mathematically created. What is human, and what is made by a computer. Space was also discussed and this relates to the Module 1 readings of how to define context and
Left: British Museum, graph of spatial ratio of people
form, and their relationship. Geometrically, there are thousands of possibilities to each design but practically there is more to the design as it must somehow fit the context and purpose of the form. I attempted to use this in my design, but it ended up being just more organised than messy at all. This was a large flaw in my plan to create a natural pro-
In the lectures of Module 2, we were able to see the design in
cess of a splash lantern, and if doe again, would be
the real world. We were able to witness design of a lighting sys-
changed completely to incorporate the idea of “un-
tem by Earl Pinto being fabricated, modified, and eventually sold.
organised beauty”. Skyhook design’s explosion, on
It gave quite a lot of inspiration to me to understand that for some-
the right, shows the messiness of a form, but show’s it
one learning architecture, there is potential to move into various fields.
regularity and order in an extremely abstract way.
From the second lecture we were shown the idea of patterns and spa-
I
tial dimensions in the real world and how to model them. Using multiple a
ed to explore this same concept in my model.
particularly
weather map, or the plan of a house, a model can be created that re-
found
this
interesting
as
I
want-
Messy and irregular with a hint of order
lates to human activity, cloud cover etc. This was inspiring as it let me realise that there is more than just finding a literal interpretation of a natural process. The Eureka pavilion was just amazing in it design, construction and Paul and his team’s ability to work around the problems they faced.
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Reflection Module 2 was the beginning of the extension of the design that we begun in Module 1. Through the skills that we learnt in being able to analyse thoroughly in Module 1 we were able to create a model in Rhino that would be symbolic and representative of our natural process. In this module I was taught to keep experimenting and persisting at searching for what you are looking for as you will not be happy with something you don’t want. I also realised that I should have done something more risky early on (in this Module) and used more experimental 3D custom panelling, to create a more “splash� like look. It would help the final model to become a more vibrant model and actually get up to the standards of others in the tutorial and in Virtual Environments. Due to the very safe playing of my model, it seemed very plain and boring in Module 4 even after 3D panelling was added to the model. When deciding which panelling to use, it difficult to understand what the tutors were looking for. From what angle did they want us to approach this, an abstract, risky way, or a logical, safe way. It was this that made my decision about 3D panelling go to waste, and why I used only 2D panelling for the first prototype. If I has more of an idea about what I should be doing, there would more high of a chance that it would have experimented with more abstract designs. If we had also given more direction in the use of Rhino and the way to make more complicated designs , with out having to spend hours attempting to discover Rhino tools for ourselves, I know that I personally would be more likely to have a larger, more complicated panelling system.
P h a s e 3 Fabrication
Left: Model after being morphed Below: First prototype model on Rhino
Modelling a splash, both in the digital and real worlds Going back to Module 2 after elaborative advice on the purpose of the initial model, iterations were undertaken to change the deign of the model on Rhino. Cage edits and control points were used to individually control area of the model. After the advice, more conceptual elements of the model were decided upon. For example, ing to move away from the natural process,
more care was taken in the modelling of
as I was tend-
the splash the second time
around. Thus, the model was turned upright to imitate the idea that there is a splash both below and above the water.
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The fabrication of this model, firstly comes from the digitalization of the model on Rhino. Using a colour coding system to divide up each of the groups of elements of the model enabled me to assemble the model from card easily. Starting from the bottom of the model a systematical method of colour coding was used to go up the model and use one strip at a time until the middle was reached, at which point a different method was used. For the top half of the model, a completely different method was used; a “clump� of panels were connected together, as there were three of the same shape that went around the whole model.
Grasshopper was used to make the tabs for the model after it was unrolled. This made it a lot quicker and easier, instead of individually creating each of the tabs. The program was easy to use and very efficient. Once nested it was also easy to remove unwanted tabs.
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With everything set out and organised, a clear goal and plan was set to put the model together. The nesting tutorials and exercises were crucial to the development of the project as it provided the necessary skills to submit the file to Fab Lab. With the Fab lab, there were some issues relating to the rips in some of he model and also the time-frame at which we had to
submit the file. There were some limitations that were found once commencing the construction of the model. The materials used for the back of the panels included acetate, plastic, tracing paper and a paper bag. While the initial idea of putting a panel on the back of each hole was good, once materialised it was very difficult to fabricate. It was very fiddly when attempting to cut each of the very small panels and sticking each of them onto the already thin cardboard. Due to the heaviness of the plastic, it was difficult to stick on the cardboard and produced sagging in the panels.
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Material limitations- Card cutter tear Design limitations - Being able to see elements of model meant to be hidden
Material limitations - weakness in joints
The first photo on the left, illustrates the fact that there was an issue seeing elements of the model that was
Each material has a limitation, a barrier that makes you question it’s purpose.
supposed to be concealed from sight. This created issues as it was not aesthetically pleasing, and was very difficult to conceal anyway, while still leaving enough room for the lighting. The lighting in this first prototype was also very unjustified and messy. It didn’t provide the effect I was looking for and was held back even further by the fact that the see-through paper on the back of the panels did not let enough light through. On the photo above to the right,it is evident that there is a weakness in the joints at the point where the two halves meet together. This is due to the thin cardboard layer that is very loosely stuck to the single panel. Overall the first design needed a lot of changing before the final model was presented.
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Vesak lanterns The C4 facade is a design that is supposed to spread from a single point of origin to become less obvious. I attempted to use this idea of transparent lighting. This building shows that through the use of lights a gradual decrease in the effect of the lighting from the origin. Vesak lanterns are used in the Buddhist religion as a sacred referral to Buddha’s birthday. Each of these lights use very thin tracing paper, to allow light to pass through it easily and effectively. The use of the material in my lantern, the tracing paper bag, acetate and plastic were all used to somehow allow different amounts of light out. By allowing different amounts of lights out that differ from one area of the lantern to another allows a story to be told. It essentially gives rise to the idea that it is not just the materials used to create the lantern, but what is used to supplement it, the lighting and the backs of panels, also provides some design perspectives.
While this
idea was almost completely removed for the final model, there was some elements of this that was kept. This idea that there is a gradual change from the middle of the model to the ends, was kept, by the use of the gradually expanding triangles, which meant the lighting gave very different angles to each of the triangles. The 3D panels were also larger towards the top and bottom of the model.
Right: C4 facade by Niento Sobejano
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Reflection Throughout this particular module, there were a few decisions that had to be made, that would basically make or break the Final model. The first decision was whether or not the model will be held by hand,
Fabrication of our model was dependant on
worn or kept on the ground. With this decided it was easier to decide
the limitations and constraints that we had. We
on the panelling again and confirm that. It also made it possible to de-
were only allowed to use Ivory, black or mount
cide what kind of card you wanted to use. I used Ivory card because it
board card, and this meant that we had to
seemed the most practical. I didn’t want to use black card as I do not
think about the overall impact of the lantern.
believe that a splash is a particularly dark process. In hindsight, I now real-
The construction of the model was impacted
ise that I should have experimented with using both white and black card
by the ability for certain card to fold well, or
to emphasize the irregularity of a splash and to give it more excitement.
not leave burnt marks by the fab lab laser cut-
The second design decision that had to be made was organising
ter. When we are given the opportunity to take
fab lab submission, which caused dilemmas for many people in re-
risks and experiment with the supplies of fabri-
gard to getting it back, and machine issues. However, once sent in,
cation techniques we have available, the most
it was finished. To get it into the fab lab, the weight of the card also
should be made to try to use each one and
had to be decided and for the first prototype, I went with the given
find the flaws and qualities of each material.
weight of 220gsm. For the final model, 300gsm Ivory card was used.
Using different weights of card also enables
For the submission, to test out the thickness of Mount board, I also sent in a
less light to get through, but provides more
file using mount board. Once receiving it I realised how thick and dens it was
stability and strength to the model. All of these
and that it would not provide the flexibility to mould the model to the way
technologies can either restrict or allow us to
I wanted and thus was discarded. The lighting was the final crucial deci-
continue the design as planned or change it
sion. The use of the lighting was obviously due to the context of the lantern.
to fit the criteria. For example, the card was
The individual’s use of the lantern however, varied from project to project as it
kept white, because the black would not al-
depended on the effect that the person was looking for. Using the inspiration
low as much light through. Two light were
I received from the precedent of the C4 facade, I was fond of the idea of light
used in my model to provide the amount of
dispersing from a point, just as a splash does both above and below the water.
light I wanted to get. If needed I would have used more than one, but there was need to as this would be too bright, and the dispersion of the light would not be as significant.
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P h a s e 4 Reflection
After even more elaboration from Loren’s advice about the material limitations of my first prototype, a completely new model was made. This incorporated Loren’s criticism that there needs to be 3D panelling to really give the model the effect of being a “splash”. And due to this, 3D panelling was added to the top and bottom of the model, to show that there is a slight difference in the
Through this last module, I learnt what I should
splash both below and above the water, but it is all
have learnt at the beginning of Module 3. And
generally defined in the same geometric design.
this was that I should have taken more risks in the
The construction of this final model was a lot easier
design of my panelling, while still relating back
than the prototype as it was less fiddly and I used
to the natural process of a splash. By the end of
300gsm ivory card. This was a clearly a lot strong-
the Module I found that my final model design
er, and while it was sometimes difficult to fold,
was very simple compared to that of other, and
provided the perfect stability for the final model.
it was due to the worry that I had about mak-
The lights were installed using a simple circuit
ing my model overly complicated. While Loren
of two LED’s, two batteries, a switch (that con-
had previously asked me at the end of Module 3
nected to the outside) and was all hidden and
(for my prototype) to make it more complicated
taped to the inside of the model (the centre
with some 3D panelling, I did not follow her ad-
area, which was designed for this purpose).
vice as well as I now realise I should have. I should have elaborated on the splash idea on my model, making it more vibrant and sophisticated. The
final
readings
for
Virtual
environments
consisted of one reading that addressed the virtual world,and this cam back to the rea-
The geometry of a splash was defined vaguely
son why we are studying virtual environment. It used the idea of avatars and
media to
show that there is just as much importance in the virtual world as there is to the real world.
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Reflection: Module 4 is the final module. It is the module in which all out lessons have been learnt and the final submission must be submitted. It is the time of the semester where all our work is complete and all we have learnt has to be reflected upon. But in this Module, we must also analyse each of our actions as an outcome of the final model, the lantern. It is how we have represented out final model, with it’s and how the world perceive it that we must be vary of when presenting our lantern. From the idea and creations that we have pursues over the course of Virtual environments we take this into the real world. To be mutually dependent is to be constantly in need of the other half. In this case, how we have represented our form, and how it has turned out after fabrication and construction is what makes the lantern so difficult. The question is raised for each project, did your idea turn out the way you wanted? For me, It did not. I initially anticipated a more vibrant form that would be a more literal shape of a splash, that would somehow replicate its messy and irregular structure. In the end however, the final model, was quite tame and unjustified. These two processes must work together to ensure that there is an contrast in the nature of representations and insights and allow the human to create and design something in the virtual world that can be translated into the material world without any limitations.
From this entire semester of work, I have learnt what could not have been learnt or taught in any other subject. It is such a unique subject that without the freedom that we had in all our decisions, this would be just another subject. The fact that we were new to Rhino meant that we had to try very hard to dodge the learning curve and go straight to what we needed to know to get the job done. I am thinking of studying architecture in the future, as I had been since I was about 10, but after this subject, I began to judge my decisions as a ten-year-old. I began to worry that if this is what architecture is, I will struggle with the abstractness for my whole career. And in the first tutorial, when Lyle asked everyone what we wanted to major in, a majority of us said architecture and he said don’t be too sure, because a lot of people end up changing. So in regards to further study in this subject, yea there may be areas where I may struggle in, but I now understand what this subject is about. With more guidance in this subject through the lectures and tutorials, I may have been able to grasp this concept earlier on in the course. Without this understanding, it is difficult to say the extent of relevance of this subject to my studies in the future. The programs that we were able to learn, Rhino, grasshopper, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, were crucial to the outcome of the final model. And this will be eternally invaluable no matter what career we choose to pursue. I know for a fact that all of these programs will be necessary in the future, if wanting to continue with architecture as a major. The other reason that there may have been an issue with my learning cure in this subject is because this was veery new and a sudden jump into a very complicated subject from no experience with design previously. From my school, we had no design subjects, the closest being Art or Textiles. And this meant that I couldn’t perform in this subject to my true potential, possibly. I hope that if given this subject again I would be able to do exactly what I wanted, with a natural process that I would was sure of, and a Rhino model that would correctly model my natural process, with 3D or 2D panelling that could be compared with to others. While I am proud of my efforts in this semester of work, I am certain that with persistence, I would be able to produce more formidable work, Throughout the learning of this subject, I have learnt more than I learn tin any other subject and I am grateful for this experience.
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