liu yingli 615491 partb

Studio Air

Yingli Liu | 2015 Semester 1 | Tutorial 10

PART B | CRITERIA DESIGN

04 | RESEARCH FIELD

B.1. RESEARCH FIELD MATERIAL PERFORMANCE

Part A introduced how computation influenced the process of design and fabrication. A huge advantage of parametric design is to analysis and evaluate project, which reflected in the project I researched in A1, Voussoir Cloud. Its form is the result of analysis and test the performance of timber. I chose to keep explore this filed but take the performance of tensile as my research field, which is more flexible compared with timber.

‘Material performance‘ offers the ideas of minimal surface and relaxation of form which are determined by the materiality and construction. I examine several precedents and found many potential of this field.

‘Material and surface have a language of their own’1

FIG.1. NUMEN NET FIG.2. CLOUD INSTALLATION

05 | RESEARCH FIELD

B.1. RESEARCH FIELD

Part A introduced how computation influenced the process of design and fabrication. A huge advantage of parametric design is to analysis and evaluate project, which reflected in the project I researched in A1, Voussoir Cloud. Its form is the result of analysis and test the performance of timber. I chose to keep explore this filed but take the performance of tensile as my research field, which is more flexible compared with timber.

‘Material performance‘ offers the ideas of minimal surface and relaxation of form which are determined by the materiality and construction. I examine several precedents and found many potential of this field.

FIG.2. CLOUD INSTALLATION FIG.3. THE CLOUD

Called “Transparent Landscapes”, the project is made by net was created by Numen which has a layering of levels that are transparent. The inspiration came from a design to reinvent the concept of a backyard and to recreate the sensation of flying. And the social concern behind NET is to create a public balcony2.

Structure is an important component in minimal surface. The fabric skin of this designed to make visitors feel like they were inside a cloud, creates a calm atmosphere.

In some project the use of tensile can create a dynamic effect, a living architecture. The Cloud project The Cloud can change its shape constantly with air movement, which made project a part of natural system.

06 | CASE STUDY 1.0

FIG.4. GREEN VOID

FIG.5. PROJECT WITH LIGHT

07 | CASE STUDY 1.0

B.2. CASE STUDY 2.0GREEN VOID / LAVA

As my project would focus on the natural form and overall effect generated from the performance of tensile material, Green Void designed and fabricated by LAVA is chose to examine the way to generate and fabricate this natural form digitally.

Installed in the central atrium of Customs House Sydney, the project is a 20 metre-high interior installation with a 3-dimensional lightweight-sculptural form produced from the digital workflow. This natural form is realised by stretching the specially treated high-tech Nylon showing the natural lines, contours and surface-tension of the fabric3. And the project can also serve as lighting which increase the potential of design.

In order to created a organic and natural space on site, the following metrics explores the design potential of minimal surface by playing with tension strength (stiffness, length, anchopoint)using Kangaroo Plug-in.

FIG.6. GREEN VOID

08 | CASE STUDY 1.0

Species 1 | Stiffness

Decrease the stiffness ans increase the rest length, tension strength, the model show the performance of other materials such as mesh nets, which show the relaxation of material

Species 2 | Anchorpoint

Decrease the number of anchorppoints, the structure of the model changes

Species 3

Change the position of circiles and get varies of natural and organic forms

Species 4 | Stretching

Stretch circles and get dynamic shape, the long span can be applied to site

09 | CASE STUDY 1.0

010 | CASE STUDY 1.0

SELECTION CIRTERIA

INSTALLATION ON SITE

1 2 3

011 | CASE STUDY 1.0

POTENTIAL OF USEINTERACT WITH NATURE

The outcomes show the various of organic forms can be generated from Kangaroo plug-in, the performance of other materials with less elasticity and effect of interior structure on the form of model.

All of them have interesting and unique forms, which can create special atmosphere and space on site. And the forms can be realised by tensioned lightweight fabric.

Literation 1 and 2 reminds me of the project of Numen, which is made from types and allows people to play insode the tubes. Literation 1 and 2 with long span can be installed on the trees in merri creek which can create an interesting view in the forest. And it can provide the chance for people to interact with the project in natural environment.

3

FIG.7. TYPE PROJECT BY NUMEN

012 | CASE STUDY 2.0.

B.2. CASE STUDY 2.0

The project I chose to explore is an installation of the roof terrace of Shanghai Art Museum, a parametric canopy and undulating. This LED-lit landscape that creates prime skyline viewing locations on the museum’s rooftop terrace4.

Following the classic complex canopy structures of Frei Otto, the design team develop the structure through “dynamic relaxation techniques.” The materials chosen for the Canopy included a custom hand-woven soccer net with a mid-sized grid. Bamboo, PVC hoops, steel cable, fishing line, and zip ties in order to manipulate the form of the net, which can create a open and flowing space5.

MINIMAL RELAXATION @MOCA SHANGHAI

The relaxation of fabric material is an important part to develop my concept of Merri Creek, since it can create a overall landscape which can be harmonized with natural environment. According the criteria I decided in B2, the project should be easily installed on site and have the interaction with natural environment. Minimal Surface relaxation of this project can create a flowing form and randomly changing space. It is flexible to change the shape and scale based on site installed on site, especially in the woods.

Besides, the Canopy was illuminated with blue LED uplighting. at night, which provide a potential for design proposal.

13 | CASE STUDY 2.0

FIG.8. MINIMAL RELAXATION


1

2

3

4

5


As shown in the picture above, after site analysis the position and size of circles are determined and voroni to divide basic surface. And apply unary force to loft geometry to make circles drop, spring force input to Kangaroo to show the performance of material.

FIG.9. DESIGN PROCESS

Although the outcome is not exactly the same as the project, the effects of minimal relaxation, and the performance of are shown. The flowing landscape of the project can be seen from the picture on the right. And the effect of tension on the project can be seem from the plan. The mesh can represent soccer net. However, although I decrease the stiffness of spring force, the softness of the material is not shown well and the four sides of the outcome are too straight.


As shown in the picture above, after site analysis the position and size of circles are determined and voroni to divide basic surface. And apply unary force to loft geometry to make circles drop, spring force input to Kangaroo to show the performance of material.

B.3. TECHNIQUE: DEVELOPMENT

Start fromt the basic form, by changing the stiffness , anchorpoint and position of circles to get different forms.

018 | TECHNIQUE: DEVELOPMENT

20 CONCEPTUALISATION020 | TECHNIQUE: DEVELOPMENT

CONCEPTUALISATION 21

Two layers of minimal surfaces

- changing the anchor points to get new organic shape,

- input organic shpae for a large scale design

- explore the flowing of the curves


Three layers of minimal surfaces

create a more complex geometry

change the position and lean of each layer


SELECTION CIRTERIA 2.0

INSTALLATION ON SITE

POTENTIAL OF USE

INTERACT WITH NATURE

PROVIDE DIFFERENT VIEWS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTION

HARMONIZE WITH NATURAL VIEWS OF SITE

CREATE A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE FOR DIFFERENT USERS

A interesting collection of tensioned minimal surfaces with interesting organic patters. It can also installed inside forest.

Straight lines can create interesting effect of shadow and it can serve as the playground for children.


PROVIDE DIFFERENT VIEWS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTION

HARMONIZE WITH NATURAL VIEWS OF SITE

Straight lines can create interesting effect of shadow and it can serve as the playground for children.

Shows the effect of inflatable, can be designed as a garden space inside the woods.


B.5. PROTOTYPES

PROTOTYPE 1

Test the performance of soft tensile web. When it is stretched and pulled down, the web can show a effect of landscape form.

The mesh was attached to small iron hoop whihc can be hung on the tree.

But the web is not heavy and smooth enough to generate the effect of relaxation.

026 | PROTOTYPE

027 | PROTOTYPE

Test the material on site

B.6. DESIGN PROPOSAL

028 | DESIGN PROPOSAL

PROJECTMERRI PARK

As shown in the pictures above, there are various activities in this area, two major function zone are bike trail and playground for child. I am wondering that if there could be a place that can involve or attract both local and visitor.

And the view along the Merri Creek is almost the same, so I want to design a project to provide the site with a more interesting view as well as be harmonized with the original natural view.

So the place I choose for the project is Merri Park, which is in the middle of Merri trail, where visitors tend to have a rest here. The site is surrounded by residential area, playground and basketball club, so the surrounding can be involved in various local activities. So I want to design a space that can involve all the user to make them interact with natural environment and gain a new experience.



When I visit the site, I find that there is few light along Merri trail, and I look up online, there are some people want to ride in the evening. So I want to design light facility which can also be a view in the day. The flowing of minimal surface with light inside the forest along the bike trial can create an interesting view and special atmosphere. And the light can make local resident to take a walk and explore the site in the evening.

- LIGHTS IN FOREST

According to the brief the architecture should be part of the ecosystem of site, which reminds me of the research of part A, in which the steel frame can attract frost. So I want to design something to show natural phenomenon, which can collect water drops after raining and it can be served as meeting place for people and playground for children.

- MIST IN THE WOODS

- LIGHTS IN FOREST


Based on the position of the trees on sitre, I remade the shape of the project,, ang the outcome shows the effect of flowing and can be applied to site

32 CONCEPTUALISATION

B.7. LEARNING OUTCOME

Throughout the process of exploring and developing techniques, I experience the process of parametric design and fabrication, and realized that how these fantastic form developed step by step from basic shape and basic pattern. Computation makes the development and fabrication possible, which can analysis and generate very complex form which cannot be achieved by traditional design.

However, generating a form by grasshopper is just a beginning of the design, site and the technique are the key to get the final outcome. By setting the selection criteria, site analysis and fabrication issue are taken into consideration and help to make the design more practical.

Instead of only exploring the geometry, the concepts generated from brief also played an important role to modify the final outcome. Thereby the design is completed. From research field a overall idea is gained and by exploring the precedent step by step, I know the process of parametric design and various of design approaches. The selection criteria in each step keeps site and concepts involved in design.

CONCEPTUALISATION 33

REFERENCE1 Kolarevic, Branko and Kevin R. Klinger, eds (2008). Manufacturing Material Effects: Rethinking Design and Making in Architecture (New York; London: Routledge), pp. 6.

2 Numen / For Use Design Collective (2012) <http://www.archdaily.com/218341/public-art-installations-from-numen-for-use-design-collective/> [accessed 22 April 2015].

3 LAVA, GREEN VOID (2015) <http://www.l-a-v-a.net/projects/green-void/> [accessed 22 April 2015].

4. Shapedscape, Minimal Relaxation @ MoCA Shanghai (2015) <http://www.shapedscape.com/projects/minimal-relaxation-installation-moca-shanghai-synthesis-design-architecture-usc-aac-students> [accessed 22 April 2015].

5. Shapedscape

liu yingli 615491 partb

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