Digital Design M2 Zonglei Mao

Digital Design - Module 02 Semester 1, 2020 Zonglei Mao

(1067767) Dylan Li + Studio Number

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Critical Reading: Kolerevic B. 2003. Architecture in the Digital Age | Chapter 3: Digital Production a) What is the significance of Frank Gehry’s project in relation to Digital Fabrication? Use an example to explain your point. (no more than 100 words) The significance of Frank Gehry’s project lies on he’s view on digital fabrication, He see it as a tool to transfer his prefered way of exploring, modeling, into the digital form and edit it from there. Thi can be seen from his project Guggenheim musuem in bilbao.

b) What is the three dominant forms of fabrication technique outline in Kolerevic’s text? Choose one of the technique and expand on how this could be useful in design? (no more than 200 words) The subtraction, additive and formative fabication are the three fabrication techinque that Frank mentioned.

CNC (Computer Numeric Controlled fabrication and parametric modeling are a good combination as the two programs can not only modelling the complex geometries but also connect it to the structure through parametric modelling. This makes it easier for the archtect to exmplore more complicated buildable structuresi

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Critical Reading: Essential Algorithms and Data Structure, Rajaa Issa, 2020 a) When designing an algorithm, what is the 4-steps process? (no more than 50 words) Identify the desired outcome; identify key processes; exam teh initial data and parameter; define intermediate steps for missing information

b) Why is it necessary to organise your definition using clear labelling, groups and colour coding? (no more than 200 words)

Because orgnizaing is esstial to the digital design. By orgnising definations, labaling, groups and colouring code, teh process of how to achieve the final outcome is clear. Moreover, by adopting colour coding and groups, the input, output, and operator is clear thus if problem occurs, its easiler to allocate the issue and solvei it more time efficiently.

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Module 2 Reflection Questions: a) What is the key concept explored through your lasercut and 3d-print models?

The key idea I tried to explore throughout the Module is blurring the regular definition of elements like floors, walls and ceilings. I tried to find a possibility where space-bounding elements themselves can be organically grow while the spaces form in-between can pick up its own uniqueness and utilities. Thus, a harmonic whole can be generated through the relationships between parts.

b) What is the quality of the space generated in your design fragment? Consider this as a fragment of space and the scale is not yet determined, i.e. it can be 1:5 scale or 1:50 scale A general quality of the space generated is that the parts of a geometry tend to be more closely related. There wvthus forms no void as every part of the geometry serves whether an undividable part of occupation spaces nor form the identity of the surrounds.

c) Consider this as a fragment of a pavilion design. Can you start to speculate on the threshold condition or possible means of circulating through your structure? Again, what sort of scale will your structure need to be?

Yes, the thresholds are generated through the process of connecting different geometries within the whole structure. Where it is additive or subtractive, the connection or the gap (space) generated nearby changes the rhythm of a space, thus determines an inevitable transition. The scale of the structure will probably be a three-story height structure for my pavilion.

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES Solid Generation

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES Iteration Matrix

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES Iteration Matrix

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES Iteration Matrix

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES Iteration Matrix

My iteration matrix explores primary parameters includes selecting the appropriate basic geometry, twisting and growth. A successful iteration or conditions is when the geometry manages to generate interactive motion with other members but at the same time, maintains its own property and feature.

The twisting parameter, rotation and dispatching points mainly guided these successful outcomes

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES

Key Iterations

These results are captured for the they have successfully illustrated my initial design aim of creating relational based integration. Conceptually, what interested me was the use of twisted geometry for itself has exceed the conventional planar bounding spaces. The process thus helped me to explore more into the limits of process this agency in operators before the twisty or growing geometry compromise their geometric feature.

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES 3D printing is flexible and can even deal with the cantilevers and sharp angles.

However, this technic has constrained in generating sharp angles. Moreover, too many supporters to prevent breakaway may also cause difficulties removing them, and essentially break some of the parts when doing so. What I have learnt was that choosing different faces as the base can efficiently prevent such problem as well as minimizing the printing time.

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES Isometric Drawing

A triangular hole on the top of the structure creates a volume for introduction sun light to the interior. The vstraight edges form the light into shape to contrast with the dark interior and make the sun light visible to the people.

Lack of penetrations while leave huge spaces void creates quality dark spaces. This contrasts with the other side of the geometry and make this side more private.

The huge curvy angular wall beneath can be a place to cast the light. The terminator thus becomes clearer to the visitors and brings the information of time to the space.

The small connection become the geometries when apply to the subtrictive space, thresholds between spaces are created. In this case, the gap becomes the transiting space between the bright upper space (right) and the dark space (on the left).

This cutaway with a small opening inside while a much bigger one outside generates a long threshold to make the interior more private.

Small half-closed space generates a pocket.

Features of the space like being small narrow and overhead elements wake the space most private area in the structure. The curvy shape can potentially invite interactions with people as well.

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Isometric 2:1@A4 5mm

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES Isometric Drawing

Parts of the twisted geometry forms huge overhead plane-like space or obstacles for the direct sunshine, which provides shade for the open area beneath. However, at the same time, the natural lightning will not be comprised as the reflection on the twisted ‘walls’ on the sides and gaps

The gaps created between the geometries welcome sun light to permeate into space. The design with appropriate penetration evokes a sense of harmony as the three smoothly twisting geometries grows from the bottom tend to join on the top, but still hold their distance between each other, which creates a heroic but organic scheme.

The smoothly angled geometry offers potential stage or resting area. At the same time, it can be an obstacle indicates the intended circulation pathways.

By maintaining gaps and minimize the connection between the main geometries, the porosity of the site becomes predominant. Moreover, as the structure is more dynamic in its form instead of being block, for example the smoothly sliding ‘wall’, it encourages more interaction between people and the structure .

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Isometric 2:1@A4 5mm

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES Isometric Drawing

A triangular hole on the top of the structure creates a volume for introduction sun light to the interior. The vstraight edges form the light into shape to contrast with the dark interior and make the sun light visible to the people.

Frame: The Four sides of the cube on this side are maintained. Together with the huge opening in the middle and the light well on the top spotlighting the interior, the great rotating motion of the geometry, like a static waterfall, is revealed to the people from far.

A few small holes on the geometry connects the two major open spaces, which increase the porosity of the site. This hole particularly creates a special playable scene, where people can only see from upper areas to the bottom.

The huge twisted geometry breaks the traditional definition of ‘floor’ and ‘wall’, creates a space where people can sit or lie on the geometry. The hole overhead also introduces natural light to the space. Different places the sunlight cast on will make the space more dynamic.

The flat plan can be an “extra space” with functionality. As the given limited area and the height from the ground, it does not fit in any of the normal function of a structure. But its uniqueness of being physically isolated by visually connected to outside, a special vibe can be generated while being utilized by people

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SUBTRACTIVE & ADDITIVE PROCESSES 3D Print Photography

This geometry has more opening. The slopes are also smooth so people can interact with the structure by climbing or entre the surrounded area. This thanks to the 3d rotation, as it joins the twisters together

This examplefocus more on the shadows and the quality of the space. The subtraction process can be seen as the blocky form still maintains. However, because of the growth, an opening is created for the light to penetrate.

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This geometry creates many dramatic curvysurface, so poeple can explore different vibe of being in a place without specific wall elements or ceiling element.

SECTION & WAFFLE STRUCTURES Study Area Development

Comment on the two iterations you have selected to develop for your Section & Waffle Structures.

These may be the same or different from the study areas selected for Task A. You should identify or annotate certain features or aspects as to why these iterations were selected, as well as how you intend to translate these features into a Section & Waffle Structure.

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SECTION & WAFFLE STRUCTURES Sectioning Script

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SECTION & WAFFLE STRUCTURES Model Making

One of the considerations is that the notches sometimes will be placed in holes or near a sharp angle, where we can barely match them. In this case, changing the directions of the notches will solve the problem. However, sometimes it will cause more constructability problem such as the building order. Some of the elements won’t be able to match when another notch is placed. As a result, the most efficient ways to see the problem and solve them is to check one by one manually. The narrow elements also need to be considered as the load placed on the member may crash it. Moreover, my attempt to construct an angled notching waffle failed as the thickness of the cardboard tend to stay perpendicular to the other member. Thus the geometry distorts to a diamond shape and make it extremely hard to construct the upper elements.

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SECTION & WAFFLE STRUCTURES Laser Cutting

As i discussed about, the constrains of the laser cutting are mainly caused by the fault notching positions, narrow elements and the impact of the thickness of the material. However, i did learnt a lot throughout the process. For example, placing an etch command on some of the edges of the geometries to prevent members dropping. Also, put number on the plane is also useful as in some process, we need to take off some element to resume assembling. This method helps preventing confusing those members that is cut already.

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Isometric Drawing

Holes are created to minimize the weight on this end of the geometry. Thus the loads of the cantilevers can be downplayed.

The twisted grounding leads to a higher floor where a similar potential resting area is located. However, this area is facing a biger Opening while a more rapid changing slopes divide the area into more private spaces.

The twisted geometries both from ground and from above rotating towards the void in the center. The smooth changing terrains thus surrounds the people in all directions, which create a sense of security.

A top-to-end opening is placed here as the people resting on the waffle face in this direction. A stylized opening can frame the view outside. Meanwhile, the, a structural support for the great opening maintains.

The resting area provides surface with different slops, which can then lead people to sit or lie on the area.

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SECTION & WAFFLE STRUCTURES Isometric Drawing

The upper and lower panel areas combine are similar for each slice to balance the load of the structure The geometry in the lower level gradually scales up to create different occupational space with different qualities (e.g. suitable for sitting, lying or a hiding space of kids)

The geometry in the lower level gradually scales up to create different occupational space with different qualities (e.g. suitable for sitting, lying or a hiding space of kids)

As the offsetting overhead panels gets bigger, the spaces tend to be squeeze by the panels and a sense of privacy is evoked even though they are not possibly occupiable.

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SECTION & WAFFLE STRUCTURES Lasercut Model Photography

in the waffle structure, the twisted grounding tend to be more interesting as there’s more way to interact with the structure. The scale in the picture shows where people can rest in the area, oberserving and feeling the vibe such structure creates.

This waffle is set to scale where become can interact with it. as a circular structure, the waffle creates a sense of rotating, guiding people to oberserve around.

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