Rationale for Component Selection

Rational for component selection

The reason for selecting the component is so I am able to further explore the how connections can be formed with the help of nodes. There are different ways of connecting a component and I want to explore them in with assignment.

Additionally, the research will help me understand the different ways of forming a connection which will later help with the appropriate DfMA strategy.

THEORETRICAL EXPLORATION

Analogue Parametric Gaudi - (1852- 1926)

Gaudi was well known for his parametric designs in the 20th century. He experimented with using nature as his main inspiration. Referring back to his earliest projects called the ‘hanging chain 1886’ where he created a 3D model of a cathedral using string and sacks filled with pellets which helped add dimension to the model by making it look heavier in certain parts. The image below illustrates Gaudi’s ideas when he was developing the prototype before making the final model. Gaudi experimented with the weights as this represented where the columns would be placed. He was able to manipulate the shape simply by pulling the string or adding more weight to the model. This would change the shape of the arches. Contrastingly, due to modern technology these experimentations and development of the prototype would be done using 3D software as this saves time and allows the designers to work freely.

Connections that help the 3D model stay intact. Gaudi used string and nails to achieve this.

Sacks with the pellets inside that helped the 3D model stand.

Upside-down church drawing (Live journal, 2007)

The diagrams above show the different design stages the model went through before Gaudi was satisfied with the final result. He experimented with adding and removing weights in certain areas of the model. This helped Gaudi figure out where to place the columns later on in the design process.

equence drawing (Alven, Makert, 2016) Gaudi produced several 3D models which helped him develop the prototype before the final project. He did this through sketches, photography, and model making. The image on the left is one of Gaudi’s sketches he turned upside down to represent the model of the church shown in the images belwo. Many architects, Gaudi included used the finding form technique to develop the shape of the buildings and as a result this created complex shapes.

Sketch of the model (Live journal, 2007) Upside-down sketch (Live journal, 2007)

This is the final model of the upside-down church and it was show cased in different countries for exhibition o show how parametric design in architecture has changed over time.

Hanging model of the church (Alven, Makert, 2016)

The render of the model is shown image above in the 20th century, it was difficult for designers and architects to show renders, this was done by a series of sketches and drawings. Whereas now with the help of architectural software designers are able to communicate their ideas visually through the use of these softwares. It is also very easy to make changes to the 3D model where as back then it was difficult to make changes once the model was made.

Gaudi’s model and render (Alven, Makert, 2016)

Withal, Gaudi’s approach for the final model was similar to analogue computing where he took into account how the model would look from all angles. In 2015, Woodbury, Williamson, and Beesley recreated the model on scripting software such as rhino with grasshopper. By doing this they were able to understand the scale of the model and were able to understand how well the structure connected. If designers want to take the project further they can by experimenting with different scales as this gives them the freedom to change certain variables if needed in order to achieve similar results.

3D model scripting (Alven, Makert, 2016)

Parti Diagrams 08

These diagrams show the design process of the hanging church. Gaudi first made the model upside down and then flipped it for the final design. These quick sketches illustrate the parametric design.

Stadium model- Luigi Moretti (1907- 1973)

It is arguably believed that Moretti’s architecture model for the N stadium was one of the earliest examples of parametric architecture in 1960 when it was exhibited at the twelfth Milan Triennial. Moretti was an Italian architect who arguably was the first architect to explore what ‘Parametric Design’ actually means. He did this by exploring the design of stadium M. The model was made using concrete whereas with the architectural software available to us now we are able to 3D print the model. Nevertheless, the M stadium was recreated using AutoCAD which helped the designers understand the model’s geometry better.

Stadium M model (Bianconi, 2019)

When thinking about the tectonics of the model, Moretti took into consideration the use of shape, views, and angles as well as the economic cost of the material which was concrete. This is important as it shows the architect is making a sculpture or a building to fit the context. The image below shows the plan for stadiums M and N. As you can see the plan for stadium N is rather narrow and doe not have enough space for the events to take place whereas model M has much wider space and is designed to accommodate for more people. The parametric architecture looks simple yet it is not. Moretti thought about creating a beautiful balance by choosing a shape that allows him to achieve that. Moreover, with the help of newly developed 3D software, designers have been able to re-create their stadiums using plug-in software such as grasshopper. The image shows the 3D model of the stadium from different angles, designers did this so they could have a better understanding of the shape and the space. Due to advanced technology, designers are able to experiment freely with their designs using the software were in the 20th century ago this was not the case. Designers had to make physical models and make changes to them which is more difficult and time-consuming.

Stadium M and N plans (Davis, 2013)

Re-creation of stadium M (Bianconi, 2019)