4 HEXAFORM
10 11 13 15
I II III IV
22 BENDING 28 RIVULET
PLY
Natural Form Studies
Parameters
Synthesized Architectural Project
Site Analysis
Structural Performance
Situations at The Envelope Bending Surface
Materials
Material Manipulation
Program Requirements
Sheet Material
Casted Material
Material Composition Hand Processes
Fabrication
Woven Material
Material Prototyping Digital Processes
During the course of the studio, we investigated “how computational design and fabrication methods can significantly transform the design process to advance architectural design that questions traditional assumptions of space, program and notions of inhabitation.” “Through the exploration of design as a synthetic exercise and will utilize prototyping to establish a form finding feedback loop to interrogate the performative capacity of architecture and its relationship to the body, geometric and material systems were developed through algorithmic processes that seek to instrumentalize material behavior and exploit digital fabrication processes. The prototype serves as an active model in the understanding of form, material, structure and environment as complex and interrelated.”
HEXAFORM DIFFICULT SYNTHESIS EUGENE WONG & ALEX FISCHER
Hexaform began with the study of natural forms and the systems that they emerge from. From our initial explorations, we decided the shell of a tortoise contained many interesting properties that could inform a castable surface. The size and number of plates, extrusion height, and number of concentric rings are all variables that affect the shell’s performance. As the plates get higher on the shell, their ridges grow in height, creating a spiking effect. In addition, the hexagon shaped plates get deformed as they move down towards the edge of the shell. The concentric rings on each plate are much like rings of a tree. The rings grow out from the center each year, allowing a reading of the tortoise’s age from sight alone. Hexaform attempts to recreate this structure, with corresponding variables, with apertures to regulate light.
ITERATION1 SURFACE 1 Perspective
Elevation
attractor planes
Plan View
ITERATION2
ITERATION3
BOOLEAN
SURFACE
ITERATION4
PREFINAL
ITERATION
Tortoise Shell - Sections
1/8”
1/2”
1/8”
1/2”
1” = 1
PRINT 1”
3D
Paneling System
CAST
2
Additional Parameters: Disturbance Force in the form of attractor point Hexagonal variations Increased Material Depth
FORM
HEXA
PROCESS
CASTED
SURFACES
BENDING PLY
DIFFICULT SYNTHESIS EUGENE WONG & ALEX FISCHER
This project explores the ways and means by which plywood bends. Simple tests were devised to explore how the depth and width of a kerf affects the flexibility and strength of plywood. The first test was a gradient of depths and widths, expanding from the center of the sheet, with the deepest and widest cuts occurring at the center. The second test was the opposite, with the deepest and widest cuts at the ends. From these two tests, it was determined that shallow-wide kerfs offered little flexibility but great stability. The deep-wide kerfs tore easily. Deep-thin kerfs caused the wood to snap at those points, and shallow-thin kerfs restricted bending too much. The sweet spot seemed to be kerf with a 1/16th inch “skin” with a width of around half-an-inch. A third test was devised to determine whether the depth of the cut could dampen the effect of creating the kerfs against the grain of the bottom layer of plywood. As the kerfs go more-and-more against the grain, the depth is increased. This test was successful in that the plywood was able to twist in a consistent way not possible with straight kerfs or even-depth kerfs. These tests were leading to determine if kerfs could be made so that the plywood bent in a predetermined, predictable way. To this end, the zip-shape method of bending wood, innovated by Schindler Salmeron was explored. His method allows the creator to mill a flat sheet of plywood into two sides, and when the sides are pressed together, will form a given curve. The method essentially works by spacing the teeth such that the only way the two sides will ever fit back together is if they are in the predetermined curve shape. A script was written in grasshopper and revised throughout the course of the project. The zip-shape method’s real value is in its ability to bend plywood without the need for mold around which to bend the wood, as is used in steam bending. This allows custom bent wood pieces to vary, without any additional material or labor. In addition, the final result is a curved piece of plywood that is stronger than could be created using steam bending.
width to distance ratio with straight lines
width to distance ratio
1/8th inch
Bending Surface through interlocking grooves
2 inches
contour toolpath operation
z depth of lines varies with the grain of the material
1/16 inch
Vertical lines (going across grain) starts from 1/16th inch skin (material left over) 1/32 inch
Horizontal lines (going with grain) starts from 1/32th inch skin (material left over)
1
2
3
interweaving bent ply
groove milling process 1
groove milling process 2
weave 3d print
weave 3d print 2
bent ply
final prototype
RIVULET STUDIO: DIFFICULT SYNTHESIS EUGENE WONG & ALEX FISCHER
The boathouse is located along an active running and biking path across the Allegheny river from the vibrant Strip District in Pittsburgh. The active path influenced a flowing design, carved between the two dirt streams of running paths. An existing outlook to a great view of the river is adjacent to the boathouse, reinforcing the notion to take a break from biking. The site is sixteen feet above the river’s water level, on a hundred-year flood plane. The ramp to the water dips underneath one of the existing running paths, forming a tunnel with a view of the only water’s surface. The unconditioned boat house serves as a rental shop for kayaks. The boat house’s real beauty is in the roof. Bent wood beams flow overhead the users, directing them to the water. The need for distracting cross bracing is mitigated by secondary beams which bounce back and forth between beams. Fiberglass channels run down the length of each pair of beams, guiding rain water down the ramp and away from the dirt paths. The kayaks are stored vertically, leaning against the thick southern wall which acts as a thermal mass to help cool the boathouse. As kayaks are rented and removed, a slit of southern light is revealed.
SITE plans Bo
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1. 1. BOAT STORAGE 2. TRAINING AREA
2.
3. OUTLOOK 3. a
4. DECK
4.
SITEdiagrams EXISTING PARKING LOT
02. EXISTING PEDESTRIAN & BIKE PATH
01. EXISTING SITE CONDITION
BEAM 3
BEAM 3 SIDE A BEAM 2
BEAM 2 SIDE A BEAM 1
BEAM 1 SIDE A
BEAM 3 SIDE B
BEAM 2 SIDE B
BEAM 1 SIDE B
1 WOOD BEAM MILLING PROCESS
2 WOOD BEAMS LAMINATING PROCESS
CONTINUOUS ACCESSIBILITY
VIEWS TO RIVER
04. BUILDING ON SITE
PONENT
03. PROPOSED SITE LOCATION
3 FIBERGLASSING PROCESS
4 FINAL ASSEMBLY PROCESS
COM
ENVIRONMENTAL performance autumn wind frequency
spring wind frequency
summer wind frequency
Mesh allows heat to escape
water drainage
CHANNELING RAINWATER
Concrete wall for thermal mass
FIBERGLASS PANEL
6
CROSS BRACING BEAMS
5
WOOD BEAMS
4
KNITWIRE CLEAR MESH SCREEN
3
TUBULAR STEEL COLUMN
2
REINFORCED CONCRETE WALL
1
prototypes
vaccum form mold
fiberglass test 1
final model
sectional perspective across outlook
sectional perspective across ramp
INTERIORmodel