Digital Design - M1 by Sharon Zhou

Digital Design - Module 01 Semester 1, 2019 Sharon Zhou

996349 Kammy Leung & Chun Fok + 24

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)

Objects and symbols hold representational roles for dynamic objects. Diagrams are different in the idea that they can conceptualise more than just the contents of objects and symbols itself. They encourge and inspire viewers to understand more than what is present.

They have spatial correlation and help achieve abstract ideas (unlikes object and symbols). Zeara-polo believes that diagrams are “a tool that describes relationships and perscribes performances in space (p239). Diagrams can also utilise symbols to depict an idea or information about the subjerct. Whereas objects and symbols cannot exceed the quality and function of what they represent.

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Week One

Precedent Analysis

All 3 process images are taken from Rhino with no particular type of view. The bottom process is in isometric format while the rest are in perspectives. This can show the volume of the polysurfaces.

Http://www.mimoa.eu, MIMOA //. “Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011, Peter Zumthor | London | United Kingdom.� Mimoa. Accessed March 17, 2019. https://www.mimoa. eu/projects/United Kingdom/London/Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011/.

Upon starting the task to build this unique yet simple structure in Rhino, I immediately divided the building itself into 3 parts. The overall pavilion itself is relatively closed off. It is a box leaving only a gap at the top for natural sunlight and air to ventilate the building and nurture the plants. Therefore, attempting to illustrate the concept of circulation and thresholds would be somewhat challenging. I divided the pavilion into thirds, so I am able to show the outside structure, a skeleton of the internal walls and a horizontal cross section to show the plan and internal form of the building.

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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 pavilion designed by Peter Zumthor is simple in it’s shape and form, but carries an abstract and artistic concept. It’s overall layout correlates with some of Hertzberger’s ideas as it allows flexibility in its circulation within the structure. There are multiple openings that all lead to the central garden. 3 different spaces are created, each distinct and exclusive to their own yet somewhat connected. From the outside, the individual must enter into darkness, where the outside world is blocked as they enter a different space with a whole different atmosphere. The inner walls of the central space accomodating the garden has small ledges where individuals are able to sit, face and admire the garden. Human interaction is flexible as it is dependent on the person.

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Week Two

Isometric

Zumthor - Serpentine Pavilion Peter Zumthor’s pavilion, upon first glance, can be described as closed-off and excluded from the rest of the world. Hence, in order to grasp a full understanding of its structure, the isometric is broken up into three parts to efficiently illustrate the interior, exterior and the internal structure of the pavilion. Light cellshaded colours are used to add volume to the overall isometric, but not too much to not detract attention from the lineweights.

Internal frames are connected by beams, studs and footings (as shown in the isometric). The building is structually sturdy, with specific materials chosen by Zumthor to eliminate noise and wind and any forms of outside contact that may disrupt the concept of what he is trying to portray with the pavilion.

The thresholds are placed very specifically so that visitors must explore the internal walkways of the pavilion before entering the central garden space. There are a total of 3 different layers for individuals to discover, each very different in atmosphere and separated by the thresholds yet each space seem somewhat connected to each other as a whole. Visitors must circle around the garden in the shape of the pavilion and walk through the dim-lit hallways before reaching the garden. The walkway officially separates the atmosphere between the loud concrete metropolis of London city and the soft tranqulity of the pavilion.

The overall structure blocks everything from the outside world, including noise, wind, and in some areas, the sun. This allow individuals to walk into a whole new world, encouraging them to relax, reflect, and conjure an emotional experience.

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Week Two Diagrams

Threshold Diagram

Circulation Diagram

The diagram shows the separation of different spaces. Firstly the outside world and the interior of the

The diagram not only just depict human movement but also air ventilation and wind direction. Natural

pavillion differentiated by the roof. Next the thresholds of the entrance inviting visitors to pass through

air ventilates through the roof for plants to grow and gather sunlight. The wind direction flows from

to have a look. And lastly, colour is used on the ground plain to separate each space to their own. The

North East and South West (wind flow in London, UK, which is where the pavillion is situated). Arrows are

visitor must essentially peel through the layers to find the central garden.

placed at the entrance and spaces for movement to indicate circulation.

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Appendix

Process

I looked for a plan and cross section image of the building and placed them horizontally and vertically into Rhino as guidelines. I thought it was convenient that the pavilion itself is symmetrical hence I started building the first half of the structure which later on can be mirrored to maximise efficiency. I drew the outline of the walls and extruded them up based on the height gathered from the side elevation view . I then later on created a skeleton of the structure using the cross section given. Because the structure and shape is relatively simple to build, I made multiple versions to test which was able to depict and communicate the most amount of information. I decided to combine and cut the overall pavilion into thirds to show a full version, skeleton structure and horizontal cross section.​

Throughout the process I had difficulties with the roof and the angles at which each side slanted. However, these issues did not show in the final renderings so I was not too troubled by it.

I used the Make2D command to export my lines into Illustrator. I made several versions of the pavilion in full and cross sectional forms, with and without ground plain. I wanted a variety so I am able to layer and experiment with my diagrams.

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Appendix Process

I exported my outline through to Illustrator and changed my lineweights to 0.5 so the details would not overlap each other. I then exported this into Photoshop for rendering.

I rendered my isometric in Photoshop. I am aware that Photoshop can create unnecessary pixels for my renders but I kept my line weights in Illustrator and layered the outline on top of my render to keep the line weights sharp and clean. I also made sure to enlarge the scale of my pavilion in Photoshop to decrease the chance of having low resolution in my final printing. I used the paint bucket tool to increase the speed and efficiency of my time. I added in some shadow to add volume to the isometric but not too much so the focal points will still be the line weights. I made final adjustments to the contrast and brightness of the colours as well as reduced the saturation because I wanted a more simple and subtle effect.

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Appendix

Process

I did my diagrams in Illustrator. I drew arrows and added symbols into my renders in order to portray the circulation and threshold systems. The image shows the progress of this as well as the layers used to separate each level. This helped me organise my images and symbols better as well as speeding up efficiency when selecting what I want and what I want locked in.

This is a screenshot taken from Photoshop showing the shaded areas of the middle section in my circulation diagram above. I export all my renders in PNG format so I get a transparent background.

While drawing out the outlines of the pavilion, I began understanding the onionlayered sort of structure. The thresholds are placed in ways that are somewhat like a maze. This would reduce noise and wind from the outside world and allow individuals who step in to fully immerse themselves in the experience of the garden.

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