Digital Design - Module 01 Semester 1, 2018 Zhen Gu
877248 Joel Collins + 15
Week One
Reading: Zeara Polo, A. 2010. Between Ideas and Matters.
According to Zeara-Polo, the diagram does not play a representational role in the design process but provides an organisational and can have a performative quality depending on how it is deployed. Explain how Diagram is different from Signs and Symbols? (100 words Maximum)
Signs can be classified into icons, indexes and symbols: Icon is a sign which has direct connection with what it signified, it is directly suggesting qualities, functions or properties of itself and irrelevant to its performance. Index suggests the influence of its dynamic object. (ex. footprints on wet sand suggest weight/ height‌ ) Symbol is a formal representation of a dynamic object. It has no connection with what it signified. Diagram is the opposite to them, it plays on material or organisation etc. level, its performance relies on how it is deployed and can suggest space, organisation‌
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Week One
Precedent Analysis
Left: Isometric view Top 1: Plan view Top 2: Front view Bottom: Perspectie view
While modelling, the main structure was modeled first and then poles are ectruded in order to connect elements together. Texture of the floor and glazing were applied later, These 4 imges from different views can show how the pavilion looks from different directions.
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Week Two
Reading: Hertzberger H. 2005. The in-between and The Habitable Space Between Things, from Lessons for Students in Architecture. Herzberger discusses how design should not be extreme in its functionality. Use your precedent study to explain how the pavilion allows for an appropriation of use. (100 words Maximum)
The MPavilion only has three main structural elements which are the timber floor, steel poles and glass roof, so its simple structure allows it to have many opportunities of developing. With openings everywhere, everyone can get engaged. The cรกfe inside allows people to come and have a rest, large number of poles create a playground for children to play, daylight comes in through the glass roof and it also provides shades. It is a place where people can take a break, grab a drink, enjoy sunshine to play. It could be anything according to different needs.
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Week Two
Isometric
Amanda Levete Architects - M Pavilion With boundary lines at the front slightly thicker, panel outlines being doubled, it could be more three-dimensional. The floor texture is made less apparent just to make the view not too confused and show what’s at the front. Glazing texture is made weaker to show main structure clearly. Modelling process: Firstly, tracing the ground boundary and the roof (with every flower-shape traced with pen tools and tiny circles showing locations of poles positioned correctly). Finding out the height of the structure might be the most complicated part, cause each panel has different height and detailed data is not given, the only thing can do is to drag each panel to a suitable height solely on the given section and my own judgement. Then, extruding each pole to each roof panel. Sometimes it’s hard to see whether they are linked or at the same level, so it takes times. Structures supporting the roof is also an essential element that must be shown. Different floor texture is also an important design to this pavilion. Beautiful patterns on the glazing were traced carefully, line-weight and quantity of lines were changed many times just to get the best result for isometric view. Circulation is like an act of moving or flowing. Only poles and cafe tables in this pavilion might be barriers for moving. People are coming from every direction and they linger over coffee for times. Most circulation paths go round the cafe. Circulation informs the design. Threshold is a zone of passage or pause between two spaces, it’s a transition and connection between two and is the point which physical or psychological effect produced. Although there’s a slightly raised ground, there’s no clear boundary of the inside and outside as some of the poles still go over the timber ground. There are openings everywhere that allow everyone to engage in. Activities are mainly around the cafe area. Gradual change of the density of crosses show the activity transition of this area. The in-between area of this pavilion is not fixed, it has blurry boundary. For each triangular panel, three poles are needed, overlaps of panels help reduce the number of poles used. Roof supporting structures are also important for keeping the pavilion safe and stable. Key concept of the precedent study might be thinking about the threshold and circulation. Threshold, as an important part of both life and architecture, needs a lot of consideration based on different use, needs and function. Circulation is also different when threshold changes, they are two complementary aspects.
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Week Two Diagrams
Thresholds
Circulation
Glazing, Structure and ground are seperated into three parts.
Circulation paths come from every directions and mainly around the cafe area. Poeple might simply go
There are openings everywhere and no clear boundary. Gradient of the number of the crosses is about
across or even linger here.
the activity and it shows the transation (most activities are around the cafe area)
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Appendix
Process
Some further researches were done (ex. the glazing patterns,where poles locate and how the structures are connected...) as the given information is not enough.
Putting the same scaled section and plan image in vertical and horizontal way in order to make sure the pavilion is 1 to 1 scale and has correct
Process of using illustrator to trace the roof structure and glazing tecture.
height and surface area.
Important to consider the lineweights and density of lines.
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Appendix Process
Locating all elemts into correct place.
Panels were extruded to have a small thickness.
Many layers were made so it would be easier for later chaning.
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Appendix
Process
Panels were made transparent.
Floor texture/ Slightly raised ground.
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Changing lineweights for the isometric view.
Threshold diagram: adding crosses to show transation.