G8 Anna(756583), Kenneth(859292), Kai(692035) Part C Journal by KAI XU

Studio Air Wild Architecture

Josh Russo-Batterham & Julian Rutten Semester One, 2017

Project: Hexechidna by: Anna Tsataliou, Kai Xu & Kenneth Cheng

Contents C.1

INTRODUCTION REFLECTION PROPOSAL TECHNIQUE

C.2

INTRODUCTION DESIGN PROPOSAL CUTTING TECHNIQUE FORM-FINDING

C.3

4 6 7 10

12 13 14 15

INTRODUCTION FABRICATION PROCESS RENDERS GALLERY DRONE VIDEO

24 25 30 35 52

C.4

LEARNING OUTCOMES

C.5

REFERENCES

C.1 DESIGN CONCEPT

We began our design studio by studying Design Futuring- of how as Designers, we should now strive to be thinking beyond man’s needs and habitation. From the reading; Fry Tony 2008, Design Futuring, Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg), it is only our responsibility not to worsen the current situation of global destruction, but try to “give back” where possible. With that in mind, we studied the House of Hungarian Music, that seeks to deliver this notion of conservation, invoking a sense of interaction of man and nature, and ultimately set a new practice of Sustainable Architecture.

Figure 1: House of Hungarian Music by Sou Fujimoto

The Architect, Sou Fujimoto took advantage of the site which is rich in nature. He made a clear ecological statement by preserving as many trees already located at the site by designing the form of the building around the crown of the trees. He used a lightweight perforated roof structure, allowing rainwater and sunlight to reach down to the trees. The perforation act as light wells, naturally letting up the habitual spaces within. This beautiful project is the foundation and catalyst for our Echidna Hotel project.

C.1 - Design Concept - Introduction

Intro

foam block: like peeling an orange. We initially did each cut manually, rotating the mount instead of the algorithmically adjusting the robot on Taco. Eventually we learnt to algorithmically generate the tunnel surfaces with one cut, which reduced our manual labor. After creating the foam cuts. We were left to consider how to create at least 2 “log shelter” using this single shaved foam block. We went to try out silicone as a mould for mass production. The silicone mould worked well and we managed to cast 4 plaster logs, each with an assorted colour to test how can colour affect the outlook and its potential application on site.

C.1 - Design Concept - Introduction

Another precedent study that was particularly helpful was the Philips Pavilion by Le Corbusier (pictured below). Trying to recreate this geometry allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of how the robot works and assisted us with the development of our prototypes. Through experimenting with a series of Matrices, we could explore and identify iterations that was particularly interesting and can further play with each form and its patterning. Our design of the connectivity network is determined by the burrows, trees, logs, bushes, etc, and connecting these elements together to form a protective route for the Echidnas. Thus, we designed the modules of each segments through variations of testing and form finding through Kangaroo. We tried 2 cuts using a new method- shaving to achieve a curve cut that was only possible with at least 20 cuts around the

Reflective thoughts by Anna

During Part B, my previous group From the Interim feedback, we and I realised that we do not work concluded that our tunneling proj- well together and therefore decidect conflicted the project intent ed to go our separate ways. Joinbecause we cannot accurately as- ing this group I aimed to be resume the migration of Echidnas. spectful of their past work but also They travel great distances every incorporate some of the work I had year, but they do not take a consis- done independently in our design tent path where we can investigate concept. Since the new group has and design accordingly. The insuf- been advised to drift away from ficient play with the geometries tunnels we all agreed upon deand patterning made the overall signing a form of a shelter for proproject uninteresting. Hence the tection for the echidnas, which is overall design of the Echidna hotel relevant to the knowledge I had has to be reworked to better suit previously accumulated through my own research and could use its function as protective habitat. to assist in the creation of a strong design idea.

Figure 1: Part B outcome

C.1 - Design Concept - Reflection

Reflective thoughts by Kai and Kenneth

Preview

Site Specifications

We decided to create a safe spot where echidnas can protect themselves from possible threats, specifically dogs, in the Merri Creek. The space can be also used for rest or hibernation. We want a structure that is strong and durable, while respectful to the environment and the echidnas. We want it to feel safe yet not isolated. Natural sunlight is one of the factors we are taking into consideration as we want the shelter to be comfortable for echidnas.

The site for this structure is flexible as it should be able to be placed on various locations along the Merri Creek, however it must however follow certain rules: • Ground must be relatively flat in order for the structure to balance properly and prevent predators from flipping it. • Medium vegetation is required in order for the structure to “blend” in its surroundings. The point is not to look natural but to be surrounded by bushes so it does not stand out. • Sticks, leaves, tree trunks and medium sized vegetation is ideal as it is an environment where echidnas would normally inhabit.

C.1 - Design Concept - Proposal

Proposal

C.1 - Design Concept - Site Proposal

Figure 2: Flat ground, branches, bushes

Figure 3: Flat ground, medium height vegetation

Figure 4: Proposed Sites

Figure 1: Tree trunks, medium grass, branches

Figure 2: Wallaby in our selected site in Fawkner, indicates existence of native wildlife, potentially echidnas

Figure 3: Dense vegetation and branches; ideal location for echidnas

Using the ABB robots allows us to mass produce a variety of geometries efficiently and accurately. We want to create a structure that consists of multiple repetitive elements therefore the robot will be useful in order to doing so. Our Method is to initially cut all repetitive shapes at the same size. Then we create joints between each element. This will assist us when combining the overall geometry. After we create the joints we will be altering each element to ensure the structureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface flows smoothly and creates our desired form. After this is completed we want to repeat the process but with having offset the initial form. This will allow us to use both structures as form work in order to cast the void between them with concrete. In terms of materiality we will be using cement mixed with perlite and cement coated foam in order to make the structure light weight so it is easy to carry but not too

light so predators could flip it This casting will be our final model.

Figure 1: Connection between two forward facing forms

Figure 2: Connection between two geometries sideways

C.1 - Design Concept - Technique

Fabrication Technique

C.2 Tectonic Elements & Prototypes

After various explorations, we concluded that our desired shape is a domed surface consisting of hexagonal geometries that have holes in the middle. Hexagons will allow to create a strong structure without compromising lighting and interaction with the surroundings.

Design Specifications Since there are no strict rules to our design concept, we created variations of it based on some simple rules: • The surface must be a combination of equally sized hexagons. • The overall shape of the structure must be based on an “elongated dome” which will allow the echidnas to inhabit the space and prevent the predators from entering. • The width of each structure must be at least 600mm in order to

allow all echidnas to fit through • It should be maximum 400mm tall in order to block access to larger animals. • It should be at least 700mm long for the echidnas to inhabit it comfortably and move at ease.

C.2 - Tectonic Elements & Prototypes - Introduction

Intro

C.2 - Tectonic Elements & Prototypes - Design Proposal

Figure 1: Geometry Construction, ascending.

C.2 - Tectonic Elements & Prototypes - Cutting Technique

As discussed previously we were aiming to have a repetitive geometry over a surface. At this stage we agreed that geometry is a hexagon and hence started to fabricate it. We initially cut the overall hexagon shape; all hexagons are of the same dimension, hence this is a repetitive part. Then we cut a variation of holes in the hexagons. The size of the holes depends on where the hexagon is on the surface. Then we cut each geometry in half in an interlocking pattern to ensure they will all fit accordingly. Similarly, we cut an interlocking geometry on the exterior of each hexagon in order for them to lock together. Lastly, we cut each half according to the pre assigned angles in order for them to form the dome shape of the geometry. At this stage we were unsure of the overall shape therefore we trailed the geometry on a variation of surfaces.