Gateway Progect
Air Studio
2013
Wei Liu
Contents Part A. EOI I: Case for innovation A.1.Architecture as a Discourse A.2.Computational Architecture A.3.Parametric Modelling A.4.Algorithmic Explorations A.5.Conclusion A.6.Learning outcomes
PART B. Expression of Interest B.1 Design Focus B.2 CaseStudy1.0 B.3 Case Study 2.0 B.4 Technique: Development B.5 Technique: Prototypes B.6 Technique Proposal B.7 Algorithmic Exploration
Part C. Gateway Proposal
C.1 Gateway Project: Design Concept C.2 Gateway Project: Tectonic Elements C.3 Gateway Project: Final Model C.4 Algorithmic Sketch C.5 Learning Objectives and Outcomes
My name is Wei Liu. I’m doing the Bachelor of Environment. My previous digital architecture experience is Virtual Environment in semester 1 of 2011. I’m not good at software, this subject is a big challenge to me. When I started to learn Grsshopper, I realized Grasshopper is a very interesting tool for parametric design. For example, we just need to input data, this program will automatically calculate and update the value in Rhino. It provides a efficient way and a lot of possiblities and flexbilities to architecutre.
Part A Case For Innovation A.1.Architecture as a Discourse A.2.Computational Architecture A.3.Parametric Modelling A.4.Algorithmic Explorations A.5.Conclusion A.6.Learning outcomes
1.1 Week 1 Architecture as a discourse
ARCHITECTRE AS A DISCOURSE “Architecture, then, as discourse, discipline, and form, operates at the intersection of power, relations of production, culture, and representation and is instrumental to thee construction of our identities and our differences, to shaping how we know the world.�1 ----Dutton, Thomas A. and Lian Hurst Mann, eds (1996) Architecture as a public art, it allows everyone participate and use it. It exits in our daily life. According to Richard Williams, architecture needs to be considered as a set of special material products, social practices rather more than art. Architecture is a expression of art, social, cultural discipline material form. In this way, architecture conveyed an idea and thinking.
Georges-Freche School of Hotel Management Architects:Studio Fuksas The school of Hotel Management locate in Montepellier. A portion of the facade is tucked within itself to create an arch and exclusive entrance. This building is wrapped in an elaborate arangement of thousands of anodized alumiinum triangles windows that allow natural light to peetrate the building’s interior. It is interseting that this building contains thousands of anoodized aluminum trangles which can open up for ventilation. Thus, it is quite flexcible in different weather by changing the position of opening window.The facades of the building have been constructed using 17,000 cases of anodized aluminum in triangular shapes. Each aluminum case is unique and bears its own specific bar code in order that it can be identified for its specific situation on the façade. The interaction between the facades reinforces the dynamic tension between the solid materials and the cavities, the light and the shadows, that are an inherent part of the project. The geometric design of the aluminum “skin” is developed further to apply to the 5,000 triangular glass frames that are mounted on metal nets. Each of these is different. The structure of the building is made from reinforced concrete. To reproduce the curves of the volumes, the project has used “shotcrete” technology. Photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roof of the first building (multi-purpose room, exhibition gallery, administrative offices, classrooms, canteen) as well as on the roof of the apartments for the management.
Guggenheim Museum The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao locate in Bibao, along the Nervion River. It has celebrated more than a decade of extraodinary success. With over a hundred exhibitions and more than ten million visitors. The curve of the exterior of the building is random. The architect said, that theses random curves are used to catch the light and view of outside. The internal design is around a large, light atrium. This atrium is the centre of this museum. Meanwhile, andulating form and reflectors are reminiscent of fish scales. The museum has 19 exhibition halls. Ten of them can be distinguished from the external stone walls. The remaining irregularly shaped galleries can be identified from the outside by the organic forms and titanium cladding.
1.2 Week 2 Computational Design
Computational design is a way to analysis and express of the problem, or aesthetic. According to Agkathidis, “It provides digital tools and technologies such as torsion, lofting, triangle, drilling, knotting, and frame, was used to systematically explore the space, structure, and geometric conditions, led to the emergence of abstract prototype� Why the computational design would be mainstream in the contempory architecture? I think the most important reason is the accuracy and high speed of computational design. Kalay disscussed computer’s advantages in his article. Firstly, computers will never tire and make mistakes. Secondly, they can work quickly and repeatedly by a setting program. Lastly, they can provide a ordinary way to help people understand these questions. Such as tables, charts and graphical constructions.
Computation has become necessary in achitecture practice not only in presenting and solving problems, but in management of the built building.Morever, computational designs are more than just 3D models. They intergrate many other aspects of design. They create a new way of thinking and logical understanding about architecture and environment. Computation can draw complex model and update the changes efficiently. It provides a conceptutual performance for those models. In this way, computational design become a method of architecture design.
This complex morphology is a closed and digital information loop. With the control of comouter, the project’s structure and finite element simulations are closely interlinked. To analyze and modify the critical points of this complex model, designers create an optimized data exchange scheme . Meanwhile, the glued and bolted joints were texted in the structural calculations.
Architects: ICD / ITKE University of Stuttgart Location: Stuttgart, Germany Project Team: Institute for Computational Design Project Year: August 2011
The project explores the architectural transfer of biological principles of the sea urchin’s plate skeleton morphology by means of novel computer-based design and simulation methods, along with computer-controlled manufacturing methods for its building implementation. A particular innovation consists in the possibility of effectively extending the recognized bionic principles and related performance to a range of different geometries through computational processes, which is demonstrated by the fact that the complex morphology of the pavilion could be built exclusively with extremely thin sheets of plywood (6.5 mm).The research pavilion offered the opportunity to investigate methods of modular bionic construction using freeform surfaces representing different geometric characteristics while developing two distinct spatial entities: one large interior space with a porous inner layer and a big opening, facing the public square between the University’s buildings, and a smaller interstitial space enveloped between the two layers that exhibits the constructive logic of the double layer shell.
London Farm Tower
Like many other green building design, London farm tower collect rain and sun energy to sustain the survival vertical farm space which supply the energy and food needs. People can get fresh agricultural products in any season and natural conditions. Since there is no need to transport products,. Hence, it is a good way to reeduce the emissions of carbon dioxide. More importantly, the Tower of London get crops by the vertical axis turbine surrounding the building. Its hydroponic floor using a continuous loop system which consists of ETFE pillow . This systerm use gravity pull the water through the water frame to collect condensate recovery greenhouse gases . It also has all-weather ultraviolet light which allow s production grow efficiently. This tower can grow one million cubic feet agricultural productivity that can meet 20% the food needs of London.
1.3 Week 3 Parametric Design
Chaoyangmen SOHO III Chaoyangmen SOHO III was designed by Zaha Hadid, located in Beijing’s Chaoyang District. It is surrounded by different facilities, including outdoor space, offices and residential buildings. The project will be used as office and retail apply. This is the largest commercial project in Beijing so far. The project is based on the traditional Chinese courtyard design. China’s traditional residential building called Siheyuan which is contians a coutyard and its surrounded four houses. The project is also a series of continuous bridge creating an overall structure. It is very interesting that, unlike single-level courtyard house, this desin is a 360-degree architecture, the architecture expand to the bottom, top and layers in all directions. Its transition is unblocked by those artrium.
The entire building is fluidic and without any straight line. The dynamic curved flow line completely broke along the East Second Ring boring rigid architectural layout and create an exciting and spectacular image. This project is conspicuous cpmpared with the simple design of other structures in the vicinity thereof. In the words of the designer’s buildings reflects the architectural form of the 21st century, this form is also the world a new understanding of the new century, Beijing, China.
The stadium is designed by Zaha Hadid and it will be used as the venues of 2019 Rugby Wold Cup and 2020 Summer Olympic Game as well. As an Olympic venues, this building needs some specific criteria to meet competition requirements, particularly the use of adjustable seats and a retractable roof. Thus, the design should be flexible. At the same time, it has to harmony with its surrounding physical environment, especially the Meiji Shrine.
Tokyo Stadium Design Contest Japanese famous architect Tadao Ando said that he was appreciate the flow lines of the design and the way it riches geographical and cultural landscape of Tokyo’s crowded enviroment. According to Ando, dynamic and futuristic design of the project reflects the message that Japanese want to convey to the world. The stadium’s retractable roof makes it very easy to deformate sports venues to the concert venue. Morever, this design is light and cohesion. It connect different parts of the stadium seamlessly to form an urban integration landscape.
1.4 Week 4 Conceptual Design Taichung Metropolitan Opera
In terms of fabrication of this design, engineers would use a reasonable and effective way to achieve the free surface geometry. The most suitable surface is steel work so far. Free concrete surface shotcrete support the shotcrete. It is usually for tunnel construction and suitable surfaces. It can be shot horizontal or vertical direction with temporary structure created in the void.The main structure is several connecting curved walls, mosaic floors. Curved wall structure composed of a curved portion 58. It is the first building construction technology in the world.However, this project is only a conceptual desgn. Engineering had been considered that it is impossible to construct “Threedimensional curved walls�
1.4 Algorithmic Explorations
1.5 Conclusion
Parametric modeling as a new way of mordern achitecture design brings us a lot of oppurtunaties to explore our design. After these weeks excercise, I think computational design is not just a “pen” any more, you would not know what you will get before you draw it. Parametric design is more like a matrix of flexible and potential outcomes . It is a very efficient way which can save a lot of time of designers. Designers just need to change to input data to update the model. Morever, It gives us more possibilities to explore our design in perticular point, curve or surface. Thus, the design will be more relevant to the specific requiments. Computational tecnologies such as parametric tools extend the ability for designers to explore new form, new thinking and generate innovation and new designs. In another words, computational design is not just a “pen”. It helps designers generate another way to think, to explore their designs. In conclusion, parametric modeling as a new tool. not only expands the way of drawing but aslo develop the whole range of design itself. For the Gateway Project, the parametric techniques as a tool to explore and guide the design. It will be a innovation. I believe that parametric design will inspire our design and generate a new discourse.
1.6 Learning oucomes
Computational architecture bring us possibility to create new forms. With the developing of the blob, we recognize the possibility of creating complex geometry. It changes “upright� building mode. We can not just use the CAD program. It will take several years to draw millions of individual objects on same surface.What we need is a more open and abstract way: A Computational Approach. Parametric design control geometric deformation by parameters. That’s why I think computational architecture benefits our design. Apart from theory of computing architecture, I have had some prctice in parametric modeling. Through the study about Grasshopper these weeks, my understanding of computational design has been extended. Firstly, I started to learn Grasshopper by watching the vedios which explaning some basic tools. Such as Vector, Sets, Maths. Then, I learned how to apply different geometries to a surface or polygon. So far, I use one of the supplied vedios assigned to my design stream and produce a matrix of outcomes. For example, if I want to change the shape of my model, I used to change the loft by moving the points. However, Grasshopper make it possible to update the model by changeing the parameters. For my future design, Grasshopper makes it easier to modify model and I can focus on the design process.
Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guggenheim_Museum_Bilbao http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/11/15/u-k-architect-zaha-hadid-wins-major-tokyo-stadium-design-contest/ http://www.designboom.com/architecture/zaha-hadid-architects-chaoyangmensoho-iii/ http://www.awrcompetitions.com/competition/2/loft-london-farm-tower Icd Pavilion of University of Stuttgart http://www.dezeen.com Beth Broome, 2009, Architectural Record. http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/bts/archives/restaurants/09_BanQ/ Woodbury, Robert (2010). Elements of Parametric Design Kolarevic, Branko, Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing (New York; London: Spon Press, 2003)
PART B. Express Of Interest
B. 1. 0 DESIGN FOCUS SECTIONING Group Argument With the further exploratiom of design topic, we throught sectioning is the best choice for the project because it can provide special visual experience of movement. The dynamic visual experience leads to the continuality of the structure that emphasizes the concept of speed. On the other hand, the sectioning also allows the flexibility to respond to the surrounding environment. And under the sectioning approach, the structure is easy fabricated which is more eďŹƒcient and economic.
Why section is valid and interesting to the Wynhdam Watergate Project? 1 Section can create dramatic visual effects, hence encourages ongoing interests towards the municipality 2 Section can be flexible, therefore easy to adapt and respond to the existing landscape 3 Section as a whole can stand by itself without other support, and present a sculpcture-like appearance, thus can create an icon that conveys the local art culpture 4 Section is easy to be prefabricated and assembled on site. The whole design process can be done digitally, contributing to the new architectural discourse, digital morphosis
B.1.1 PRECEDENT PROJECT
BanQ Restaurant
Work from our team member Formal name of project: BanQ Location: Boston, Massachusetts Completion Date: February 2008 Owner: Mark Raab and Hemant Chowdhry of SOWA Restaurant Group, LLC Architect: Office dA, Inc.
The restaurant is located at an old bank hall building, and in order to hide building infrastructures the striated wood-slatted system is developed. The system occupies the ceiling area and “drips� to the dining spaces as well. The mass is cut into section and using the rib-like fragments. This sectioning strategy provides flexibility to the space, and every piece of sections can be generated separately. According to Beth Broome, there is no two pieces are alike. And even the location of each piece is unique. Those unique parameters formulate the continuous member, and the continuous members respond to the ceiling topography as well. This ceiling project is definitely eye-catching and interesting, and the continuous member also provides a visual effect of movement. For the Wyndham City Gateway project, the arrival experience is highlighted. In this case, the movement effect can make the experience interesting. And the sense of dynamic and motion can also be interpreted with the design. From this precedent, some characteristics of sectioning are explored. And those characters such as movement, continuality and flexibility make sectioning to be the right approach for the Wyndham City Gateway project.
Rhino & Grasshopper Image
ICD + ITKE Research Pavilion 2011 Reference Beth Broome, 2009, Architectural Record. http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/bts/archives/restaurants/09_BanQ/ BanQ/ Office dA, Archi Daily http://www.archdaily.com/42581/banq-office-da/#
This pavilion is inspired by the natural structure of sea urchin.The pavilion hall embodies characteristics such as hign efficiency, strong adaptability, light weight, large capacity and flexcibility, which attrctive studets and vistors sitting and enjoy it. Design and digital model are beased on relevant materials in parameters principles. Design calculation process is generated by a FEM simulation and measurement of the geometry. The material calculation in the field shows the feasibility of computational design and materialization. It suggested a good way to future desgn, insteading traditional physical modeling design. What we learn from this project is how to connec each pieces of plywood. It provides a good way for our later construction
3D model showing the computer-generated position
The entire structure consists of 80 radial wood strips that form a pair of segmental arch multi-dimensional systerm. More than 500 wood elements with its own inpidual geometry were based on a complex computational design . This kind of sectioning structure is very convenient to manufacture.After a numbers of experiments on bending capacity of wood, designers found a way that connect these separated section with tension and bending function and close it into a torus structure with 3.5 meters span and 10 meters. This structure use simple socket and bolt connection rather than common meticulously steel nodes.The inherent stress of whole system is greatly increased its loading capacity. What we learn fron this project is how to connect those pieces with joints. It quiet useful in plywood connection.
Reference http://www.achimmenges.net/?p=4443 http://www.detail-online.com/architecture/topics/teaching-by-doing-a-research-pavilion-in-stuttgart-007367.html
Driftwood AA Summer Pavilion 2009 Concept Author - Danecia Sibingo joined by Design Team - Lyn Hayek, Yoo Jin Kim and Taeyoung Lee Unit Tutors - Martin Self and Charles Walker
Driftwood AA Summer Pavilion 2009 Work from our team member
The driftwood AA Summer Pavilion was a full design proposal for a summer pavilion to be situated in the corner of Bedford Square in the center of London. The design ideas were established by a digital-generated script which manipulated the lines in a parallel and continuous fashion, creating line drawings which shaped the plan basis. The design is playing the concept between art and architecture. It is neither ecological adventure nor science but a sculpture. It embraces the idea of invention, dynamic movement, new materials and aesthetic intelligence. In this structure all panels are different and it consists of 28 layers. The panels are made of plywood which is easy to prefabricate in the manufacture with low costs. The project is intended to achieve less than fifteen percent material wastage therefore the plywood used hides an overall internal ‘Kerto’ structural system which is a renewable resource. This dynamic sculpture standing in the center of a wide and open square with classical buildings around is definitely attractive and interesting. Its shape is indelible and eye-catching. Visitors would like to have a look what is going on here. However, the project is not only remarkable for its dynamic shape, its surface and details are full of stories as well. It is constructed under the concept of sectioning. All panels are added layer by layer. The thick structure consists of serried panel members. The serried effect is quite amusing since it looks hard to make. It is also the characteristic of sectioning. The driftwood AA Summer Pavilion was a full design proposal for a summer pavilion to be situated in the corner of Bedford Square in the center of London. The design ideas were established by a digital-generated script which manipulated the lines in a parallel and continuous fashion, creating line drawings which shaped the plan basis. The design is playing the concept between art and architecture. It is neither ecological adventure nor science but a sculpture. It embraces the idea of invention, dynamic movement, new materials and aesthetic intelligence.
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/london/driftwood_pavilion_design.htm http://www.dezeen.com/2009/06/25/driftwood-by-danecia-sibingo/
B. 2. CASE STUDY 1.0 Group work In the Grasshopper definition of this project, the ceiling topography is proved as the basic surface, and section lines are created by a separated curve. This curve determines the direction of the section lings. After extrude from the section lines, each individual piece of “ribs� that formed the ceiling in the restaurant is created.
Fitness Criteria Movement & Dynamic Flexibility Integrity Sculpture - like
B. 3. CASE STUDY 2.0
One Main Street
dECOi Architects 2011
Brief Analysis dECOi Architects’ project OneMain Street is a very important precedent. The entire interior including ceilings, walls, floors and furniture, was designed by computer and made from sustainably forested plywood. This kind of design offers all components of late-industrial manufacture, as well as the computational design/build process even it is complex. The design creates a continuous surface with wave-like shape to response to the internal space. It also provides a fluid and movement visual effect of the space. Secondly, in this design, the whole project is made from plywood. Plywood can create an environmentally friendly and natural feeling to people. Unlike other modern materials, plywood look is natural and soft with flowing lines. This makes the curve of the ceiling very smooth and dynamic. This project is a good example of section design, which means that this design can be achieved by pre-fabrication quickly and convenient. Our project amis to create a gateway for Wyndham City. It is a place where you can enjoy the beautiful natural environment and participate outdoor activities. Thus, the plywood may be the material we are going to use. It provides people a natural and comfortable feeling. In addition, the curve section can create the visual effect of a changing and flowing. Reference http://tomorrowawards.com/showcase/555/ http://www.decoi-architects.org/2011/10/onemain/
After re-engineered case study 2, we found that there are quiet similarities with our previous outcome. But we change our metrix according to our criteria. We are going to explore the defination on next stage and create a model which can represent our design idea: changing, flowing and movement. In this stage , our model is just a few pieces of segments but not a 3D objects. We will further explore it.
B. 4 Technique: Development This week we keep testing in Grasshopper.And we want to create a repeating section leading attention the movement of people towards the centre at the other end. And we drive a new defination which can imitate the sunpath in different time. So we did some test on shadow. And we also did ssome testing model.
Matrix
Shadow Analysis
Test model
B. 5 Technique: Prototypes
We would use plywood as our major material. Firstly because the timber is light than other material. It is easy to fabricate and set up into site. Secondly, timber has own texture on it which respond to the natural environment. Our site is an open area, we would like make the model adjust and respond the landscape and environment. We need to do some research on the material select. In our design, we use plywood as the major part, and use concrete to connect timber strips and ground and use nails to join them. We will work out how to connect them together in real world. The reson we think plywoodwoulg be the best choice because it is light than other materials. So that it is not easy to collapse. Wyndham City Gateway Project is looking for an eye-catching, exciting installation at the western gateway as a prominent indicator for an entry statement into the municipality. By the introduction of such an iconic visual arts component, the project should enrich the local culture, form a new identifier for the area, thus encourage ongoing interest in the municipality and the sense of pride in the local community. Ultimately, this design should propose innovative, inspiring ideas for the generation of a new discourse. Hence in our design proposal, the major focus is to evoke an exciting spatial experience for the arrivals on the highway by creating a sense of procession along the high way with the installation of a series of sectional planes. After te discussion, we throught our previous model can not represent the “wave� idea, we began to
Model making process
In tis process, we found our origin digital model can not be fabricate because those pieces are overlapping in different direction. It can not stand up without frame or any other supporting structure. we found it is difficult to fabricate in reality. So we change the definition to
make each piece in same direction.
B. 6 Technique Proposal We develop the definition further, finally we decide our proposal . We got three sets of section. Two main sections go along the road and meet together in the end. The other is just hanging in the air. And the direction of these pieces are exactly the same with the shadow on 6 of October, which is the founding date of Wyndham city.
Sun Position Seletion - Summer and Winter Solstices - 7 am on 6th Oct
Model Display
B. 7 Algorithmic Sketches For section, I found the principle in grasshopper is to find the segment on the surface then extrude those curves. With our design idea, we create a wave shape and incorporate it in the site. Vehicles and people go through the tunnel under the wave shape will get a sence of flowing and changing.
B. 8 Learning Objectives and Outcomes After
the
presentation
we
got
some
arguement
according
to
the
feedback
1.Why we use plywood in real project is because the timber is light than other material. It is easy to fabricate and set up into site. Secondly, timber has own texture on it which respond to the natural environment. Our site is a open area, we would like make the model adjust and respond the landscape and environment. After research, I found “Playwood is a manufactured wood panel made from thin sheets of wood veneer. It is one of the most widely used wood products. It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, and re-usable, and usually can be manufactured locally. Plywood is used instead of plain wood because of plywood’s resistance to cracking, shrinkage, splitting, and twisting/warping, and because of its generally high strength”. In our design, we use plywood as the major part, and use concrete to connect timber strips and ground and use nails to join them. We will work out how to connect them together in real world. Connection detail is the image below.
2. Our group is doing sectioning. But our model is more about the flow of shape which offset several times. We need to develop the whole design in definition to make it into 3D objects. We want to create a object which represent the movement and flow of the landscape. That means we need to consider about the contrust between flat and undulate of landscape and represent it in our model. 3.I started to do more research on the art culture. Wyndham city encourage the local art work thus we want to create a sculpture like model. One program they called “ Bubble Up” is a giant bubble wand. They tested the idea by going out and blowing bubbles in a variety of public spaces to see what people thought. Most of them said “Growth, Diversity and Change” is just the way of Wyndham city. Moreover, we aims to make our design represent the local culture and become a landmark of Wyndham city. I found a good example of the gateway design “ Seeds of Change ”. It is located the first turn-off to Werribee from Melbourne on the Princes Highway, not far from our site. This design features a series of open leaf shape frames and creates a Wyndham icon that symbolizes the prospect for the future. It use modern materials such as galvanised steel and the local materail basalt rock .
Bubble Up
Seeds of Change
That strong cultre concept in Bubble Up and Seeds of Change is what we will explore for next stage. We will develop the definition by texting the data we have researched. And make the whole design more meaningful. In our design proposal, the major focus is to evoke an exciting spatial experience of movement for the arrivals on the highway. With a sculptural installation that responds to the local art culture, we are to create a dynamic space which would encourages people to explore the space and consequently the ongoing interests in the area. Setion with its formal flexibility and dramatic visual effect is the ideal approach for this task. So what we are interested in is to create an exciting and dynamic spatial experience for exploration with sculptural section installation
Wyndham City Design Proposal
4. Our design aims to create a movement effect through its surface, curve in section. Parametric design is a tool to illustrate and explore a 3D object in a certain way, which is my previrous discourse topic. The theoretical research tasks have really affected my knowledge of architecture. After research, I know how does my design work with design theme and brief. Then I can focus the cretier to refine the model and select which one is right way to further develop. I realized that architecture is not about a shelter or art but a exploration. And the roles of computation in the design process is a tool to achieve it or optimize it. For example, in B 4, I did some test on Case Study 2.0 technique, and use the definitions and explore interchanging inputs, outputs and associations. One of them shows a defination of shadow, it inspires us to explore the concept by shadow. In terms of our group topic : Setioning, we find that parametric design is really helpful to create section from the definition of the relations they keep with each other. It is about the use of algorithms and variables to generate a hierarchy of mathematical relations that produce a certain design, but the initial parameters may enable the variability. It push us to explore the whole range of possible solutions.
Reference http://cobagonzo.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/temporary-pavillion-structures-2.html http://www.experiencewyndham.com.au/artsculture/art/seedsofchange http://www.experiencewyndham.com.au/artsculture/popups/bubble_up http://www.parametriccamp.com/en/what-is-parametric-design/
C.1 Gateway Project: Design Concept
C.1. Design Concept Feedback and development Last approach of our design was not completely 3D objects and each part of it is repeated last pieces. So that in this stage, we were considering about the feedback from last presentation and trying to change the volume of the model. We did some research on Wyndham city. Wyndham is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia. At the same time, as a newly developed area, Wyndham city connect two major cities, Melbourne and Geelong. Most people driving on Princess Highway which is a highway crossing the city state just cross this city. Thus, Wyndham is less wellknown even local people in Melbourne. In terms its background, we think Wyndham city need a identity to keep develop as a fast growing city. Wyndham city encourages people doing outdoor activities and community life because they have wonderful natural features of cultivated Werribee River and second longest coastal line in Australia. Historically, Aboriginal communities also nourish the coastal line and Werribee River, in this respect, therefore won the grandeur of nature and live in harmony with the local environment. Werribee, Aboriginal word meaning “backbone” refers to the shape of the Werribee River. Today, Werribee is the most attractive and fast developing area of Wyndham City. Soon, Werribee River will witness a new birth and growth of a harmonious community. With “masterplanned coastal development,” which is to be completed in 2014, a new “togetherness, good neighborliness and harmonious community blueprint” for drawing.
Wyndham water system is undoubtedly the source of the spirit of community culture. Therefore, we chose to imitate the function of water in the local geographical characteristics of the people of the city and to remind people that evoke a sense of community. So that we decided that our proposal should give a impression that showing transition and harmony between communaties and nature environment. Meanwhile, it should be a eye-catching sculpture in order to give a new identity to people.
Desin definition We decided use wave to represent the main environmental elements foring the geographic features of Wyndham city. Its dynamic and changing form can also confront people with an image of a fast-growing community with diverse culture that lives in harmony with the nature. Our group is working on this project by sectioning. Section can form the sense of movement which evokes the sense of continuous change and as a whole provokes the feeling of harmony. Finally we thought that Mobius strip is the rightb way to illustrate the “homony� by its structural skin and spatial relationship exploration. To response the site of this project, we create three Mobius trip with different materails showing the transition from nature to urban.
Site Analysis Our design concept aims to create a gateway which expresses transition. The effect is achieved by three distinct volume of Mobius strip.
The basic form is Mobius trip, we did some test on that form and create a more complex form with three twists.
General Form
Form Changing
Further Development
C.2 Gateway Project: Tectonic Elements
C.2. Tectonic Elements
Material Our design concept aims to create a gateway which expresses transition. The effect is achieved by three distinct volume of Mobius strip. So that we choose plywood represents nature and steel represents urban. Why we use plywood is because timber has own texture on it which respond to the natural environment. Our site is an open area, we would like make the model adjust and respond the landscape and environment. Meanwhile, we choose steel as modern section is because it is substantial modern architecture materials and used largely in urban concept design. One of the strips on the way to city is made of modern material stainless steel, and the other one on the way to Wyndham city is made of natural material plywood. The middle one contains two layers. This strip is transition from nature to urban. In terms of the connection between the road and the gateway structure, we are going to use shadow to create an optical effect on ground.
Our model is based on Mobius strip which is continues twisted strip, which would use a large numbers of changing curvature. Thus the material has to be plasticity. Plasticity� is not about plastics. However, it is about what plastics in a sense can do. As used by architects, plasticity is a term used to describe a rich, three-dimensional or sculptural presence of a building. Moreover, plywood and stainless steel are lightweight materials, so that is will be easy to prefabricate. Our proposal provides a flexible configuration to solve the structural limitation for the complex geometry system.
Double skin The middle one is Double skin. This strip is transition from nature to urban. In terms of the connection between the road and the gateway structure, we are going to use shadow to create an optical effect on ground.It is a threedimensional Mobius strip including of plywood and steel elements. The wooden lattice work swoops create a view frame in the middle. As one approaches the gateway, the eye is instantly drawn to the lattice’s mind-bending visual effect. The viewer is subconsciously drawn to the structure, eager to know more about what’s going on inside.
Plywood
. High quality . Strong, excellent bending strength . Easy machining andsurface treatment . The flexibility of the material is 1.5mm thick .Can be bent through 180 degree, this extends the range of design possibilities.
Precedent This project is inspired by bad hair. It aims to create a similar visual effect of bad hair turned upside down. made of glue-laminated strands that crisscross over a sphere and sweep to the floor to enclose the passer-by in a shadowy tangle, The whole structure is 4.3m-tall by 17m-wide which made by plywood. It is interesting to explore the performance of plywood in such a large scale project. “To achieve this complex geometry, two different types of wood supplied by Finn forest have been used. Kerto-engineered spruce was used in the radial part of the pavilion, while standard 8 x 4ft (1.2 x 2.4m) birch plywood sheets were used in the moulded, freer part.� Each arc section is 39mm thick and glued together with other four arcs in a group, which creating a curved beams. These curved beams are slightly different and the largest one is 300mm in width and depth. The 6.5mm-thick plywood has been cut into a curved shape using a CNC machine. This large structure contains 48 pieces beams in total. And they are glued together and placed into a steel mould. It is a good example of connection of double curved twisting plywood model, which we can use in our design.
Stainless steel Stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion and staining, low maintenance and familiar lustre make it an ideal material for many applications. The one on the way to city will use stainless steel. Stainless steel in a lustrous angel-hair finish that softly reflects light and accentuates its dynamic aspect, the Ribbon is a sculpted form that changes as it wraps around the building.
Flying sculputre
The Mobius strip is mounted in the midst of a circular pool atop Ramsey Auditorium. It is made of 3 x 5 inch (1 inch = 2.45m) pieces of stainless steel which were welded on a tubular form eight feet in diameter.
Construction Precedent “The structure itself is comprised of 140 planar plywood ribs joined together with another 140 sheet metal node assemblies which are triangulated into a space frame by 266 metal tubes. The entire structure is clad with 302 moiré strips fixed to the ribs by 1208 trapezoidal plywood joints. In total, there are 2056 discrete assemblies that comprise the pavilion and more than 3000 individually unique pieces of plywood, sheet metal and tubing”. This Pavilion is made of separated small size lightweight plywood ribs run along the Morbius strips which supported by steel tubes. These ribs are made of 50mm thick BC fir plywood and steel tubes are connected by two different joints. Due to the anisotropy of wood material, it is important to overcome the bending limitation of plywood in real construction. This pavilion provides a feasible way to connect the plywood panels in a large scale. Our proposal is inspired by this design and we are going to ….
Construction Drawing
C.3 Gateway Project: Final Model
C.3 Gateway Project: Final Model Detail model
View From Princess Highway
Scale Model 1:50
Daytime View
Night view
Test Model Making
C.4 Algorithmic Sketches
C.4 Algorithmic Sketches
C.5. learning Ojectives and Outcomes
C.5. learning Ojectives and Outcomes Review of Learning Objectives Objective 1. “interrogat[ing] a brief” Our group did research and analysis about the project by considering the process of brief formation. Objective 2. developing “an ability to generate a variety of design possibilities for a given situation” Each of our group member create 30 metrics after learning from vedio tutorials Objective 3. developing “skills in various three-dimensional media” Grasshopper can directly change the model parameter to adjust form. Objective 4. developing “an understanding of relationships between architecture and air” Our design proposal created a structure which can response the site, and our physical models is 1:50. Objective 5. developing “the ability to make a case for proposals” Our group discourse topic is Architecture is a new exploration and the parametric design is a way to achieve it. Objective 6. The design analyses of precedent projects provide us new idea of tecniqure and concept. Objective 7. Understandings of computational geometry, data structures I think Grasshopper is based on data flow to record modeling process. To change the final form, we can achieve it by simply changing the starting model or the relevant variables. Objective 8. Computational techniques
I reviewed our discourse topic after this semster. Parametric design help us create 3D model with innovation. In this design process, I learned some computational tecniques and a new way to think in future design. parametric design as a tool in contemporary architecture, extend the ability for designers to explore new form, new thinking and
generate innovation and new designs. Computational design is not just a “pen� any more. It helps designers generate new idear in exploration of architecture.
We did a lot of test model during this process. At first , we use different materials, such as paper board and polypropylene . Paper board was failed because it cannot twist in such a long strip. And before the presentation we use the polypropylene to make another model.This is the most hard process in our design. It also failed because it cannot stand up by itself due to the stiffness limitation. We started to consider 3D printer. The first one crushed because its wrong scale. After these testing modeling, we realized the materials we want to use in real construction have to be very strict. During this semester, we changed our design concept many times to make it more correspond to the brief. So that we didi not have enough time to make the final model in time. This is because the lack of group work experience and architectural thinking. However, its a good experience for me to work with my team memebers. I started to know we have to do enough research before design anything. Division as well as cooperation is the basic premise of a group work.
In terms of material and construction of our design, we got same feedback with last presentation. It is necessary to explore the flexing of plywood. Our model is based on Mobius strip which is continues twisted strip, which would use a large numbers of changing curvature. Thus the material has to be plasticity. Plasticity� is not about plastics. However, it is about what plastics in a sense can do. As used by architects, plasticity is a term used to describe a rich, three-dimensional or sculptural presence of a building. Moreover, plywood and stainless steel are lightweight materials, so that is will be easy to prefabricate. Our proposal provides a flexible configuration to solve the structural limitation for the complex geometry system.
In this project, the grand natural features and harmonious community culture in Wyndham city encourage interactions within community members and between human and nature. New architectural developing trend also encourages interactions between people and people, and also interactions between human and nature. This new quest urges for a new relationship between internal and external space. And parametric design suggests the possibility of the blurred boundary between internal space and external space. As Jameson argued in his article that Architecture design process has been revolutioned by computational design which has played an important role in past years. In our case, gateway project, this design method provides us a dynamic ways to develop our design and results in a dramatic change as well.The computational design techniques allow us explore a large range of options and compress the design process.
Reference Woodbury, Robert (2010). Elements of Parametric Design (London: Routledge) pp. 7-48 Yehuda E. Kalay, Architecture’s New Media : Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design Tyrnauer, Matt. “Architecture in the Age of Gehry”. Vanity Fair. Retrieved 22 July 2010. http://www.arch2o.com Icd Pavilion of University of Stuttgart http://www.dezeen.com Beth Broome, 2009, Architectural Record. http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/bts/archives/restaurants/09_BanQ/ BanQ/ Office dA, Archi Daily http://www.archdaily.com/42581/banq-office-da/# Re-engineering the design process :The role of computational methods A, Jameson, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey Mc Gill ContemPLAY Pavillion, viewd from http://web.farmmresearch.com/pavilion/ ContemPLAY Pavillion,viewed from http://www.archdaily.com/258929/the-contemplay-pavilion-drsfarmm/ AA Design& Make, viewed from http://designandmake.aaschool.ac.uk/?page_id=300 Bad hair Pavillion, viewed from http://www.bdonline.co.uk/buildings/technical/shampoo-andset/3090347.article Flying Sculouture, viewed from http://www.m-tec.uk.com/project-flying-sculpture-portishead.html Fermilab History and Archives Project, viewed from http://history.fnal.gov/sculpture.html Handbook of Finnish plywood, Finnish Forest Industries Federation, 2002, ISBN 952-9506-63-5 Stainless Steels and Alloys: Why They Resist Corrosion and How They Fail”. Corrosionclinic.com. Retrieved on 2012-06-29. Wyndham City Council, http://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au