Air Studio | Part A

AIR AIR 2016 SEM2 YOUJIA HUANG

A.0

INTRODUCTION

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ello, my name is Youjia Huang, I was born in China, and came to Australia when I was 11 years old. I am currently in second year of architecture.Bo How architecture is representative of city’s living environment, culture, and history evokes my interest in the subject at the beginning. When I was travelling and exploring other city’s architecture I often wonder how does these building fit into people everyday life?

How does this structure fit into its landscape? And how are the space within being organized for people to use? With these in mind, I wish to creates beautiful but comfortable, elegant but appropriate architecture that meets our needs and contains fascinating spaces to explore.

In the past, I have explored some digital designing method, such as Photoshop, InDesign, AutoCAD and a little Rhino in my studio subject including Digital Design and Fabrication and Studio Earth. These subjects have opened up my horizon in design, how fabrication process can be made more effective and how more design opportunities can be explored with digital designing. Hopefully, Studio Air will help me to open another window to designing, which I seek to develop a more critical state of mind and improve in digital designing by mastering Grasshopper.

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TOP: Secret pavilion from Earth studio Bottom: Sleeping pod from digital desgin and fabrication

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CONTENTS A.0 INTRODUCTION 2 A.1 DESIGN FUTURING 7

1.1 ECO POD

1.2 79 & PARK

A.2 COMPUTATION 15

2.1 THE TWIST

2.2 AS AUTUMN LEAVES

A.3 COMPOSITION/GENERATION 25

2.1 NEW KEELUNG HARBOUR TERMINAL BUILDING

2.2 THINK TANK & THE LIFE AQUATECH

A.4 CONCLUSION 25 A.5 LEARNING OUTCOME 25 A.6 APPENDIX 25

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“

We could design a much sweeter ending for ourselves, and think responsibly of the species will survive the human race.

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- Paola Atonelli

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A.1

DESIGN

FUTURING

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n nowadays, our egocentrism expand with the development of science and technology and result in treating our home as unlimited resource for consumption. Most people hold an indifferent attitude toward sustaining the future; yet understand the potential to the destruction of our environment. Immedate and direct consequences are needed to alarm us to take action.

State of the world and the state of design are closely linked, that change can only be brought by design.

Design is there to bring revolution of present to future into real life. Throughout the process crucial judgments about actions is important, collective of knowledge from different practice is required and its opens up to different sort of possibilities1. In the end, design has a key role in elevating humanity and redefining ideology. Eventually, design leads people to a more sustainable practice, helps people to become an active citizenand increase the chance of having a more desirable future. Furthermore, design gives us hope, but it may also lead us to destruction. However, design will creates a more graceful ending to our extinction2.

PRECEDENT STUDY: 1.1 Eco Pod 1.2 79 & Park

1 Fry, Tony, Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice, (Oxford: Berg), pp. 1–16 2 Chris, Luebkeman, “Designing a Graceful Ending: A Conversation with Design Luminary Paola Antonelli”, Architectual Design, 85,4, (2015), pages 20–25

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ECO-POD Boston Massachusetts,2009 Hรถweler + Yoon Architecture/Square Design

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This is anticipatory pre cycled architecture, capable of generating a new micro-urbanism that is local, agile and carbon net-positive - Hรถweler + Yoon 9

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oston global asks architects to envision the site with complete new project that use the existing structure to improve the urban space. HÜweler + Yoon and Square Design Lab envisioned a prefab, biofule producting building that can adapt, change and grow over time. The structure proposes to encourage the economy and ecology of downtown Boston. The pod will be used as bio-fuel sources and as micro-incubators for flexible research and development programs, as an open and reconfigurable structure. The robotic arm that is attached to the building would move the pods around to optimize growing conditions. Void are created when the pods are reconfigured, leaving behind space for public park or botanical garden3.

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It is an instant architecture where the armature enables the structure to reconstruct to meet the changing programmatic and economic needs, while the ongoing construction on the site will broadcast a subtle semaphore of constructional activity and economic recovery4.

I believe that this project is foresees one of the future architectures and creating resilient city, that it has adaptable structure, reusable, durable and reduces waste.

The algae garden improves biodiversity around the urban space and allows the public to experience vitality and energy production process, such that, the space can function as a driver for ecological awareness.

3 Suckerpunch daily, â&#x20AC;&#x153;eco-podâ&#x20AC;?, SuckerPUNCH <http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2010/03/10/eco-pod/> [11 August 2016] 4 Suckerpunch daily

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79&PARK Stockholm, 2015 Bjarke Ingels, Jakob

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his block of terraced apartments located on the edge on a national park, the property proposes to harmonize with the surrounding green space, and provide a sensitive, respectful form while enable occupancy with broad view. Terrace with abundant vegetation that connects to the units aims to blur the boundary between the park and the building5. Rooftop will also be covered in plants, this way the biodiversity in the landscape can be maintained. Residences ecological awareness can be heighten through interacting with the surrounding environment, redirecting residences to a more sustainable life style. The use of natural material for construction also creates a sense of harmony to the park, where the building is not too incompatible.

Massing is visually reduced to allow more organic expression, reflecting the surround landscape and accomplish the building in an appropriated way that it is inexpensive and controlled. The units are arranged around central void, which maximize daylight and ventilation into the residence6.

5 Dezeen, â&#x20AC;&#x153;IG designs stepped 79 & Park residential development for Stockholmâ&#x20AC;?, dezeen (revised October 2015) < http://www.dezeen.com/2015/10/06/bjarke-ingels-group-big-79-parkresidential-development-architecture-stockholm-sweden-cedar-wood/> [11 August 2016] 6 Dezeen

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Architecture is currently experiencing a shift from the drawing to the algorithm as the method of capturing and communicating designs. The computational way of working arguments the designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intellect and allows us to capture no only the complexity of how to build a project, but also the multitude of parameters that are instrumental in a building formation.

-Peters, Brady

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A.2

COMPUTATION

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ecently, an interactive relationship has been established between digital design software and designs to produce more satisfactory outcome. However, the growth of digital design has lead people to question the necessity of using computer software in architecture design and whether digital process manipulates creativity. Some believes that its manifest creativity, while the other considers the contrary7. Two case studies “The Twist” and “As Autumn Leaves” will demonstrates that computation facilitates design process and architect’s creativity.

Architecture is unlike other design, such as industrial design or fashion design. Architect need to face many constraints, including climate, site condition, functionality, cost, building code and so forth as well as internally drawn inspiration8. In this case, architecture cannot be solved by merely creativity; it requires both analytical aspect and creative.

[CREATING OPPORTUNITY IN FORMS] Before 20th century, the hanging model of Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi provisions the possibility of parametric design in architecture and its advantages9. In the past, drawings and and models has been an suitable communication tool to the client and to construction workers, but design choice has to be altered to allow clear communication. In this case, effective modeling or drawing tool is required.

The emergence of digital design software such as rhino and grasshopper, provides more accurate calculation and modeling ability and replacing the time costly hand drawing or making method10.

Furthermore, digital design is an effective tool for analyzing environment conditions, program such as Honeybee and Ladybug, produces analytical data that is essential in integrating environmental factor into design.

PRECEDENT STUDY: 2.1 The Twist 1.2 As Autumn Leaves

7 Kalay, Yehuda E, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 5-25 8 Kalay, Yehuda E, Architecture’s New Media, pp. 5-25 9 Kalay, Yehuda E, Architecture’s New Media, pp. 5-25 10 Kalay, Yehuda E, Architecture’s New Media, pp. 5-25

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THE TWIST London UNITED KINGDOM, 2015 AA EM TECH

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he twist contains a system that mainly consist of two plywood element: the “rid” and the “wing”. A subsystem defined by two major elements referred to as “combs” and “perpendiculars,” or “perps,” runs along the free edges of the articulated surface. This system serves to lock the geometry in place locate the rib elements during the assembly process. The ‘combs’ assemble as a linear strip which bends to conform to the overall geometry, constraining the movement of rib elements. This works in conjunction with the ‘perps’ geometry, running normal to the comb elements which are milled specifically to define the angle at which a rib strikes a comb.11 DESIGN PROCESS WITH COMPUTATION Architect uses design process that assure that their creation met the design goal, abide by its limitation, and reduced the likelihood of error.

In design futuring argues impractical design method and alarms the future designers to be sustainable, which computation comes into the role of that. Computer naturally is an analytical tool. When they programmed, they follow a set of logic and repeats the searching, storing process quickly. However, both rational and creative abilities are

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required to use computer in the process of design and computer does have the instinct in coming up of new creativity.12 We as human though have the capability to own both skills, mistakes and bore will hinder us from perfecting the solution. Nevertheless, with computer and human working together, best of the both world can be made; computer’s rational ability, human’s creativity and instinct. Thus, effective design process can be achieved.

Computation system facilitates human de- signers by assisting major or minor part of the design process, which the analytical systems provide rational evaluation of human designer’s solution. For example, in “the twist” project, computational techniques used to generate forms were calibrated and tuned based on the results of physical experiments on plywood strips. These tests, which observed the possible twisting angles which could be achieved with different end rotations and rib radii, identified the effective range of geometries, and served as the bridge between the physical and digital realms. The twisting geometry chosen for the material exploration was designed to accommodate for the specific ability of the system to achieve synclastic surfaces.13

11 Suckerpunch daily, “The Twist”, SuckerPUNCH <http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2015/10/29/the-twist/> [11 August 2016] 12 Kalay, Yehuda E, Architecture’s New Media, pp. 5-25 13 Suckerpunch daily

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AS AUTUMN LEAVES Beijing CHINA, 2013 Laboratory for Computational Design

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FABRICATION’S RELATION TO DIGITAL DESIGN Digital architecture design process updates architect’s conventional role, through understanding and skill to digitally produce in the material realm; architect no longer need to be professional builder.14 Computation has brought a significant development into production of architecture. Digital design information speeds up the fabrication and stimulates the trend of rapid prototyping. “The twist” project has plywood element CNC milled to obtain desirable profile, Wing elements are connected to the rib elements at specific angles and distances in order to obtain both bending and twisting. The rib elements are essentially working as a means to trigger the inherent physical properties of the thin wings, creating characteristic sinusoidal curves on the surface.

The digital production allows more accurate cutting which enable every piece of the plywood to be fitted together as designed.15 In addition, the project “As autumn leaves” has individual components digitally fabricated using laser cut acrylic and pre-assembled into ‘families’, then aggregated on site.16 Students only took minimal of 6 hours to assemble the structure, that the rapid assemblage is only possible through digital fabrication. Moreover, tensioning of the acrylic ‘Leaves’ through bending, natural to the material, solidified structural integrity. Designers used physics based modelling programs to generate and evaluate wind and gravitational forces in their installations. In this case, the analytical data enables digital materiality and allows the structure to have higher performance.17 Therefore, materiality and fabrication in design leads the evolution of digital design.

14 Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10 15 Suckerpunch daily 16 Suckerpunch daily, “as autumn leaves”, SuckerPUNCH < http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2013/12/12/%E7%A7%8B%E5%8F%B6-as-autumn-leaves/> [11 August 2016] 17 Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, Theories of the Digital in Architecture, pp. 1–10

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;

When architects have a sufficient understanding of algorithmic concepts, when we no longer need to discuss the digtl as something different, then computation can become a true method of design for archiecture.

-Peters, Brady

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A.3

COMPOSITION/GENERATION

Computation’s ability of creating opportunities in architecture enhances its importance in the design process. However, computation differs to computerization that the concept of computation relates to extending designer’s ability when encountering highly complex situation. In Sean Ahluist and Achim Menges word, computation is “the processing of information and interaction between elements which constitute a specific environment; it provides a framework for negotiating and influencing the interrelation of data set of information, with the capacity to generate complex order, form and structure.”18 Such that, computation is comprehend as an algorithm, which it inspires architect to stimulate new ideas and aids the designer’s to make design decisions. In this case, scripting programs such as RhinoScript allows algorithmic thinking and enhances our knowledge in code generation, thus provides opportunities to explore new options and speculating on further design potentials.

[EFFICIENT AND PERFORMATIVE DESIGN] Appropriate and performative building becomes an essential design choice when comes in to sustaining our future. Using computer as a tool to produce building performance analysis is a fundamental parameter in creation of architectural form. By providing material, structural and environmental performance detail assists architect to make appropriate architectural choice and creates more responsive design. In addition, choice of tool utilized for communication between architecture and public is important. Compares to drawing, computational tool

generates more sophisticated and accurate sketches or diagrams that allow more effective representation of architecture language to public.Thus, with its increasing simulation capabilities, computation achieves not only the simulation and communication of constructional aspects of a building, but also the experience and the creating of definition. 19 Computational designer’s creates complex 3D models of invents digital tool, most importantly they refine the underlying logic of architecture and creates new environment in which to explore design and simulate performance, both physical and experiential.20 Algorithmic method in computation is replacing the traditional drawing method. It ability to construct complex models of building and give performance feedback on these models may elevates computation as an intuitive and natural way to design. Having computation as a true method of design can only made possible when architect is knowledgeable of algorithmic concepts and when digital design is seen as ordinary. However, as discussed by Hugh Whitehead, there is this risk of degeneration of digital design method that it may be seem as craft skill rather then integrated art form.21 Thus, parametric modeling is an effective design tool and it is still in the development to acceptance as ultimate method to design or architecture.

PRECEDENT STUDY: 3.1 New Keelung Harbour Terminal Building 3.2 Think Tank & The Life Aquatech

18 Peters, Brady, ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15 19 Peters, Brady, pp. 08-15 20 Peters, Brady, pp. 08-15 21 Peters, Brady, pp. 08-15

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New Keelung Harbour Term Keelung, TAIWAN Synthesis Design + Architecture

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minal Build-

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he proposal of the New Keelung Harbor Terminal Building emphasis on the combination of coherent, elegant, and iconic solution which signifies the creation of a new identity for Keelung Harbor. The new identity seeks to provide a local landmark and portal for Keelung that acknowledges its context and legacy, while simultaneously project to its future through forming a portal condition with the opposing tower on the opposite side of the bay, referencing the historical legacy of Keelung’s Chinese name “the hen cage” and capitalizing on the local industry of yatch manufacturing to explore the formal, material and structural language of the composite industry as both inspiration and resource.22 In this case, the design sustains local’s economy, which is a key concept to future architecture.

Moreover, the architect utilizes generative concept rather than additive design solution, which the concept is demonstrated through Integrate visual, structural, and environmental performance. The idea is achieved by optimizing building orientation and massing for passive environmental design and control, harvesting wind, rain, and sun through

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geometric configuration, plugging in to district heating/cooling and waste disposal systems, integrating structure and skin through geometric and material composition. Thus, what appears to be formal expression is actually “informed form” which responds to the integration of weather, urban context, program, circulation, and sustainability through integrated design responses that inform the building orientation, spatial layout, façade design, and choice of material and structural system.23 In this case, more responsive design is achieved through computation.

Architect may lose the quality of handcrafting when trapped in the digital world. However, new form or design choice can be stimulated with computation fabrication. For example, the New Keelung Harbour Building is inspired by the geometric patterns of Taiwanese Hen Cages and the structural shells of luxury racing yachts, the building takes shape in a dynamic gradient form that transitions from exo-skin to exo-skeleton in response to programmatic content as well as performative requirements.24 In other words, digital design helps the architect to deal with complicated form and performance choice.

22 Suckerpunch daily, “New Keelung Harbor Terminal Building”, SuckerPUNCH <http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2012/08/14/new-keelung-harbor-terminal-building/> [11 August 2016] 23 Suckerpunch daily, 24 Suckerpunch daily,

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THINK TAND &THE LIFE AQUA London UNITED KINGDOM, 2015 Architectural Association, Design Research Laboratory (DRL)

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ATECH

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

By focusing on the behaviour of fluid of our generative design methodology, Aquatech proposes a building system given the same tectonic prevalence as

as part the Life that is structure.

- AA 31

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The Life Aquatech investigates the relationship between the building systems that mediate between interior and exterior and architectural design by shifting from air-based systems to a water-based system. Human comfort is one of the main drivers of the investigation, seeking an ideal relationship between the user’s comfort in relation to temperature and how the building can self-regulate in order to provide it.25 Formally the project takes shape from its requirement to collect water while at the same time being structurally viable when made out of fiberglass. Selfregulating thermal properties are achieved through the facility’s ability to hold and distribute water within the structure.

By contouring the surface of the project, the surface enhances its ability to carry water while at the same time making it more structurally sound.26 In this case, through the aid of computer, the designer is able to achieve performance as well as aesthetic quality of the building.

Through the collection of water from a contoured fiberglass shell and the storage and distribution of water in a soft expandable silicone membrane, the building prototype aims to create a cohesive architectural environment through the interaction of different water-based building systems resulting in a fusion of design aesthetic and building performance.27

25 Suckerpunch daily, “thinkTANK & the Life Aquatech”, SuckerPUNCH <http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2013/09/09/thinktank-the-life-aquatech/> [11 August 2016] 26 Suckerpunch daily, 27 Suckerpunch daily,

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I THINK...

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A.4

CONCLUSION

Most people believe that idea of saving the world only lives in the fantasy. However, with architect, idea of saving our planet cannot be something to fantasise, this should be something that is happening.

Our future will be at destruction if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stand up to protect it. One of the ideas in defuturing relates to modern architecture that nearly no design consideration is taken into sustaining our limited resources, instead more of appropriate architecture design should be construct. In this case, appropriate refers to effective design process that produces performative buildings. In order to achieve this, moving architecture design to computation era is important and it is one of the answers to the state of current society.

Computation and algorithmic thinking can assist architects or designers to create building with higher efficiency and performance. In many ways, digital design creates opportunities in productivity and creativity of design. This is portrayed through material system and structural complexity, such as thinking

and designing in 3 dimensional manners with complicated geometry or labyrinthine pattern. The current practice of architecture not only has to consider the functionality and aesthetic, notion of sustainability is also essential. In this case, analytical thinking has become a fundamental skill in architecture design.

This enhances the significance of computer-aided design, as computer is a natural analytical generator. Moreover, the movement of composition to generation is the result of accepting computation as one of the method in architectural design. The concept of generation has heightened architecture design to a new level.

Technology or computers triggers the evolution of architecture, and reflects the status of our society.

Architect should be aware that digital design will improve the standard of architecture design in the modern society and it may be the future of architecture design, but not necessarily all design, since traditional handcraft may be preserved.

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THEREFORE...

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A.5

LEARNING

OUTCOME

Through completion of conceptualization stage, it has broadened and refreshed my understanding in computer program as well as it role to future architecture design. Before this course, my understanding of digital design is very limited and narrow, which in some case not realising it importance and believe that it will hinder us from finding more creativity, since everything is all digital it not natural. Now, I believe that computer aid design is a powerful tool in enhancing our design quality, and allows effective fabrication. In addition, digital design allows designers to come together as community, where we all share our ideas, finding other perspective to design or solution through other practice and these enriches out designâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significance.

After exploring parametric design through practicing grasshopper, I recognise and appreciate the ability of digital design, that it not only it speeds up the design process and enhance our understanding of the structural system, that solutions to design can be find through various parameter. Looking back to my previous works, with understanding and have the skill of digital design would communicates my design in a more accurate or desirable manner, and will assist to find more suitable, finer or creative solution to our design problems.

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A.5

APPENDIX-

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ALGORITHIMIC

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ETCHES

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Chris, Luebkeman, “Designing a Graceful Ending: A Conversation with Design Luminary Paola Antonelli”, Architectual Design, 85,4, (2015), pages 20–25 Dunne, Anthony & Raby, Fiona, Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press) pp. 1-9, 33-45 Dezeen, “IG designs stepped 79 & Park residential development for Stockholm”, dezeen (revised October 2015) < http://www.dezeen.com/2015/10/06/bjarke-ingels-group-big-79-park-residential-development-architecture-stockholm-sweden-cedar-wood/> [11 August 2016] Fry, Tony, Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice, (Oxford: Berg), pp. 1–16 Howler+Yoon, “Fliene’s Eco Pods”, Howler+Yoon(Revised 2015) <http://www.suckerpunchdaily. com/2010/03/10/eco-pod/> [11 August 2016] Kalay, Yehuda E, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 5-25 Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10 Peters, Brady, ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15 Schumacher, Patrik, The Autopoiesis of Architecture: A New Framework for Architecture (Chichester: Wiley), pp. 1-28 Suckerpunch daily, “as autumn leaves”, SuckerPUNCH < http://www.suckerpunchdaily. com/2013/12/12/%E7%A7%8B%E5%8F%B6-as-autumn-leaves/> [11 August 2016] Suckerpunch daily, “eco-pod”, SuckerPUNCH <http://www.suckerpunchdaily. com/2010/03/10/eco-pod/> [11 August 2016] Suckerpunch daily, “New Keelung Harbor Terminal Building”, SuckerPUNCH <http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2012/08/14/new-keelung-harbor-terminal-building/> [11 August 2016] Suckerpunch daily, “The Twist”, SuckerPUNCH <http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2015/10/29/ the-twist/> [11 August 2016] Suckerpunch daily, “thinkTANK & the Life Aquatech”, SuckerPUNCH <http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2013/09/09/thinktank-the-life-aquatech/> [11 August 2016]

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