Architecture Design Journal
STUDIO
AIR A D e s i g n Jo u r n a l b y He n d y Yu d h i s t i r a Student ID: 551486
Part 2
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
2 . 1 T E S S E L AT IO N In this project, we aim to create a gateway, which is not merely a gateway, but also a structural landmark, which embodies the message of development and moving forward in Wyndham City. Using the latest cutting edge designing and fabrication technology, it will become an icon of modernity of Wyndham City, as well as challenging fellow architects and designers to explore the possibilities offered in today’s world of architecture. In the previous part of this journal, I showed my interest in architecture projects that utilises method called tesselation. So what is tesselation? The dictionary definition of tesselation is arrangement of shapes losely fitted together, especially of polygons in a repeated pattern without gaps or overlapping. In this design project, instead of simply applying tesselated pattern on a form, we are trying to find the root concept of tesselation by examining a number of precedents, not only the modern ones, but also architectural landmarks with historical values. This kind of approach was undertaken because we feel somehow limited by the range of design choices offered by the tesselation approach. Before we start our design explorations, we started to write a number of preliminary arguments based on our current knowledge of tesselation. In terms of aesthetics, we believe that by applying tesselated pattern on a form, we will be able to emphasise and further define a form, so that it stands out in a bold way. Creating a form that stands out is one of the aims of the gateway project, but we believe that tesselation does much more than that. The repetitive nature of tesselation creates a dynamic form, which aesthetic is in its entirety, not the single elements. Therefore, it is perfect for viewing from vehicles travelling at high speed, because viewers would not have time to look at every single detail to read the aesthetic of the object, instead, they will read the sculpture as a bold, holistic form. In addition to repetition, we also considered a number of architectural effect that would make our structure unique and has a distinct characteristics. With a structure that reacts to the changing environments, the users can experience different experience in different times and perspectives.
FORM The overall form will be the first component of the structure that the users will experience when approaching the gateway. By creating a dynamic form, the users will experience two different experiences upon leaving or entering Wyndham City. Light The interaction between the structure and natural light will give different shapes of shadows depending on the position of the sun, which therefore, will enhance the aesthetics of the structure. This effect will be achieved by creating openings Structure and material The form finding process will involve finding the most efficient structure. What I found really interesting in contemporary architecture is how the design paradigm has shifted from ornamental into structural. In contemprary structures, instead of adding ornamental elements as an enhancement to the structures, aesthetic is expressed using the structural elements of the building. By doing so, we will be able to create a structure with minimum material requirements, which would be economical, yet elegant. This is one of the considerations of our design process in order to create an effective structure, without decreasing its aesthetic value.
c a s e st u dy 1.0 One of the methodologies applied in this design project is by reverse-engineering a preexisting grasshopper definition. This was done in order to get a further knowledge of how a professional design was created on Grasshopper and explore the possible outcomes by applying the definitions on different types of pattern and also by changing the values of the parameters to get various unique results. The project that we chose was the VoltaDom by Skylar Tibbits. VoltaDom is a modern take on the vaulted ceilings built in historical cathedrals.
c a s e st u dy 2.0 This is a good example of how rigid shapes can create an undulating dynamic form when combined. Designed by Peter Eisenmann to commemorate the victims of the holocaust, the Berlin Holocaust Memorial shows how an arrangement of concrete stelae creates a forest of columns that form undulate in a wave-like pattern when it is viewed from a certain perspective. It can be seen from this architectural project that combining similar objects of different heights could result in a dynamic form, even though as a singular object, it is actually rigid and seemed lifeless. Therefore, the main emphasis of repetition is in the object as a holistic form, not the single elements. In regards to the Wyndham City project, the art installation is to be placed on a freeway, which will be mainly viewed by motorists. Our group believes that this approach tackles this issue, as motorists will not be able to look on the details of the installation, rather to translate it as a holistic form. Another element to look at is how the stelae help to define space through the interval and arrangement of them as well as the shadows that they cast. One interesting aspect of this project is how it tells stories and how it can stimulate thinking, as well as starting architectural conversations. This is a piece that is not merely a creative expression of the architect, but an architectural piece. In our Grasshopper exploration, we tried to imitate this shape by creating points on X and Y plane. Then, squares are applied on those points and extruded to an appropriate height. In order to apply the undulating effect of the objects, curve is used as an attractor, so an object nearest to the curve will have the lowest height.
t h e e s s e nc e
Undulating / Dynamic surface
+
Repetition of geometry
1.a
1.b
1.c
2.a
2.b
2.c
3.a
3.b
3.c
4.a
4.b
4.c
5.a
5.b
5.c
1.d
2.d
3.d
4.d
5.d
1.e
2.e
3.e
4.e
5.e
t h e m at r i x The essence of tesselation that we found in the two case studies became our parameters in our Grasshopper exploration, which is documented in this matrix. We tried to make as many outcomes as possible by applying different patterns on various shapes. This was done in order to see the different architectural effect created by applying different methods. Some of the outcomes are quite interesting. As seen in the first batch of outcomes, using curve attractors create rippled effect on a collection of circles on a 2D plane. Due to the different sizes of circles, the two dimensional objects look three dimensional when put together. I suppose this is one of the main features of the repetition of pattern. In the second and the third one, similar method was used. However, the objects are extruded, which creates a series of same sized 3 dimensional shape that resemble Peter Eisenmann’s Berlin Holocaust Memorial. The objects create a dynamic undulating forms when it is seen from a certain perspective. I personally like the fifth outcome where a dynamic undulating surface is formed by a collection of strips, connected by notches. The odd protrusion and assymmetricality create a dynamic form, which would deliver different experiences according to the point of views of the users.
PRELIMINARY model Rather than being a representation of our final design, the model is intended as an exploration towards the most efficient technique to create the gateway. For us, creating a tangible paper model draws inspiration, which later can be applied on Grasshopper when the final model is being created. We tried to create a model that follows the essence of tesselation that we found in the precedent project: curved / undulating surface + repetition of geometry. Thus, we tried to create a curved form using rigid geometry, in this case, a square. The one pictured follows the same logic as the Dragon Skin Pavillion. A piece of paper with adequate thickness is cut into small square parts. Then, four notches are cut to work as joints that links one part to the other. The difference between out model and the dragon skin pavillion is, instead of bending the material, we created a score line, which divide the square into two triangles. The result is a sharper looking object. What I personally like in this model is how it can support itself, without adding any extra structural elements. This model represents one of our aims to create an efficient model, that is stripped down to its core material requirements, but still retains the aesthetic values. At this point, we believe that notches are our solution to create an effective self supporting structure.