AIRARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO

ABPL30048 / SEMESTER 1 / 2015Tutor: Bradley EliasStudio Group 13634027 – Weijia PAN (Jessie)

TABLES OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction

Part A: Conceptualisation

4 A.1. Design Futuring10 A.2. Design Computation16 A.3. Composition/Generation21 A.4. Conclusion21 A.5. Learning Outcomes22 A.6. Algorithmic Sketches23 References

Part B: Criteria Design

27 B.1. Research Field28 B.2. Case Study 1.030 B.3. Case Study 2.034 B.4. Technique: Development36 B.5. Technique: Prototype42 B.6. Technique: Proposal43 B.7. Learning Outcomes44 B.8. Algorithmic Sketches45 References

PART B. CRITERIA DESIGN

B.1 RESEARCH FIELD

Research Field 27

range of techniques, including ruled surfaces, paraboloids, minimal surface, geodesics, relaxation and general form finding, and Boolean. These techniques offer arrays of design possibilities, which could be cultivated in order to meet the challenge in scale and engineering.

My choice of using geometry as the focal point is based on the design brief for our tutorial group. This time, since the design concept is quite open and abstract, I was looking forward to discover the algorithms and generate more interesting geometry through the computational process. At the same time, materiality would potentially determine the constructability and feasibility of all the possibilities.

Geometry should be one of the key aspects that lie at the core of architectural design process. It is omnipresent, from the initial form-finding and prototype testing to the actual construction in the real world. In fact, back to the early day, the applied geometry or mathematical ideas had already revealed their important roles in the classical architecture, for instance, the golden ratio in Athens Parthenon. And at the contemporary digital era, the modern constructive geometry could even reaches more and more unexpected solutions with the support of various computational softwares.

Geometry deals with shapes, but in order to handle these shapes, it is also trying to bring the mathematical logic into the simulation, which is in relation to another aspect ‘structure’. In particular, it covers a

28 Case Study 1.0

Green VoidLAVA

Sydney, Australia, 2008

Green Void is a 3-dimensional lightweight-sculpture, a digital design outcome that solely based on minimal surface tension, as well as the freely stretching between wall and ceiling and floor.1 The theory of minimal surface was initially explored by Frei Otto in his design of the fabric tensile roof of the 1972 Munich Olympic Stadium. It could be understood by imagining an experiment where two hollow rings are dipped inside a film of soap and then pulled apart. At that time, this design was considered revolutionary with its lightweight tent construction in such a large scale.

Engaged with this theory, LAVA underwent a complete digital workflow in both

designing and fabrication, in regard to the new building typologies.2 The computer-model, based on the simulation of complexity in naturally evolving systems, establishes a new way of digital workflow. In this case, its geometry smoothly follows the natural lines, contours and surface-tension of the lightweight fabric, and encloses an organic space inside the void.

In addition, the installation of Green Void is also a response to sustainability because it is portable and reusable and it makes an optimum use of material and efficiency in construction weight, fabrication and installation time, while at the same time providing the visual aesthetics in this large atrium space.

Fig. 2.1

B.2 Case Study 1.0 – GREEN VOID

Fig. 2.2

Case Study 1.0 29

Fig. 2.3Munich Olympic Stadium

Frei OttoMunich, Germany, 1972

B.2.1 Matrix Of Iterations

30 Case Study 1.0

Specie 1

Specie 4

Specie 3

Specie 2

Case Study 1.0 31

B.2.2 Best Outcomes

32 Case Study 1.0

As my design would focus on generating forms based on properties of minimal surface structure, definition of the Green Void was firstly used to investigate the function of kangaroo component. By changing its parameters, including stiffness, tensile strength, gravity force, and manipulating with the anchor points, different forms and surface conditions could be achieved. Also, each branch of opening is strongly related to each other as they share the same central void.

At the second stage, a new component, exoskeleton, was used to create base mesh from curve inputs. It is useful in transferring the line segments into watertight meshes, and generating the nodes at each intersecting point. The created mesh could then be connected to the kangaroo component to explore how the form would be influenced under the living forces.

For the third and forth species, I started to use the basic mesh plane and cube to experience the change. These two inputs, especially the mesh plane are very close to the idea of tensile membrane.

Case Study 1.0 33

Net BerlinNumen

Opernwerkstatten Berlin,26/4/13-2/6/13

Fig. 3.1

B.3 Case Study 2.0

The Net Berlin is an op-art social sculpture relating to the topics of instability, levitation and regression.3 It consists of multiple layers of nets suspended in the air with certain openings in order to move from one layer to another. At certain counterpoints, the nets are connected together and fixed with a plate. In this case, a floating space would be set in between the layers, offering a dynamic spatial relationship for users to explore.

I like this idea of layering in Net Berlin, as it reveals another approach to create the space while potentially establish the zones within the entire structure. However, the patterns of nets are quite limited as well as the entire form. And it also relies on the rigid edges to hold the net in position. Further development on this material might includes the generation of the skeleton and the ways of connecting the strings.

34 Case Study 2.0

Reverse-engineer Process

1. Create a mesh plane in Rhino and reference into grasshopper2. Generate mesh edges to turn into springs3. Create vertices on grids4. Bake vertices into points5. Select all the points around the mesh edges6. Select other points randomly on each layer7. Capture these points into point component and connect to Kangaroo as anchor points8. Add UnaryForce component to allow the gravity force9. Start the Kangaroo Simulation10. Drag the points to meet with certain points

Case Study 2.0 35

B.4 Technique: Development

Specie 1

36 Development

Specie 2

Development 37

Specie 3

38 Development

Specie 4

Development 39

B.4.1 Best Outcomes

40 Development

In search for the technique to help develop my understanding of the tensile structure, I started the experiment based on the nurbs surface and geometry and changing the parameters of kangaroo component. The results were generally similar to some of the outcomes in case study 1, except in specie 2, the entire geometry indicates stronger relationship within itself under the effect of relaxation.

As I felt the definition is hard to explore any further, I tried to work on some other components to discover the patterns. Specie 3 was an attempt in using voronoi cells to construct the structural frame. By adding the components such as cull patterns and random reduce, I was able to see the effect of such sets components in creating more dynamic solutions. Specie 4 was an experiment on the different components of weaverbird. It is quite useful in creating mesh.

Development 41

This is a rough prototype that expressing the definition of kangaroo component. In this prototype, cotton strings were tied to one of the frame, and randomly tied with each other, which are fully relaxed. The final form is mostly affected by the natural gravity of the strings and nodes as well as the bottom triangular frame, which acting as tensile strength which stretching the entire form into a narrowed shape. It also indicated the possibility of produce pattern if increasing the density of strings and connections.

B.5 Technique: Prototypes

42 Prototype

B.6 Technique: Proposal

Proposal 43

My chosen site is the Merri Creek Labyrinth. It is 4km far from CBD and close to the Clifton Railway Station. It is in fact located within the natural reserves along the Merri Creek and hence would be a great built environment. As observed on site, the main users for this location are the cyclists coming from the Merri Creek Trail, nearby residents and some visitors; activities including cycling, walking dogs and picnic. Therefore, I am intended to provide a temporary web for vistors to take a rest; in particular, the web should engage within the existing context and use the pattern of labyrinth as an inspiration for the final form-finding.

B.7 Learning Outcome

The part B provides the practical approach towards the computational design. Throughout the project, the idea of algorithmic thinking is enhanced and also contributing to our ability in manipulating using digital language. My chosen case study, Green Void, helps me a lot in understanding the form-finding process. By changing the parameters in a definition, I was able to play around with the forms, and I could feel how algorithms are efficiency in generating the sets of possibilities. However, it is not enough to just focus on the algorithms themselves, but more importantly, the design brief and agenda are the supports to regulate the exploration process and make the final outcome in a good respond to a certain context. I hope I could discover more about the brief in the following weeks.

44 Learning Outcomes

B.8 Algorithmic Sketches

Algorithmic Sketches 45

REFERENCES1. 1. Radar Exhibition, “Green Void - Anuradha Chatterjee reviews LAVA’s installation at Sydney’s Customs House”,<http://www.sydneycustomshouse.com.au/news/documents/GreenVoidArchitectureAustraliap25-MayJun09.pdf>[accessed 14th April 2015].

2. Baraona Pohl, Ethel (2008), “Green Void/LAVA”,<http://www.archdaily.com/10233/green-void-lava/>[accessed 14th April 2015].

3. Numen/For Use, “Net Berlin”,<http://www.numen.eu/installations/net/berlin/>[accessed 16th April 2015].

IMAGE REFERENCESFig. 2.1Baraona Pohl, Ethel (2008), “Green Void/LAVA”,<http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/1522945956_081210-green-void-build-up7-cb-299x450.jpg>[accessed 14th April 2015].

Fig. 2.2Baraona Pohl, Ethel (2008), “Green Void/LAVA”,<http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/75422772_model-customs-house-324x450.jpg>[accessed 14th April 2015].

Fig. 2.3Munichphotos, “Munich Olympic Park”<http://www.munichphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Munich-Olympic-Park.jpg>[accessed 13th April 2015].

Fig. 3.1Numen/For Use, “Net Berlin”,<http://www.numen.eu/assets/87/_resampled/SetWidth566.4-2013-05-01-15.18.26x2.jpg>[accessed 16th April 2015].

46 Reference