Ong Yeok Ho 603404Virtual Environments 100082013 Semester 1 Module 1 – IdeationWeek 2

Pattern in Nature

Floor Cracks

As the pattern that I chose in Week 1 was not suitable, I then chose this pattern, which is the pattern of floor cracks.

Figure 1 Floor Cracks

Analytical Drawings

Stage 2 – Movement Stage 1 Stage 3

Recipe

Pattern in Nature

Emerging Form

Model based on 3D Extrusion of Pattern

This is the model of how the lines of the cracks are being extruded out, forming a 3D shape with depth. For the extrusion, I used strips of papers and fold accordings to the lines and shapes of the cracks. All the strips are then connected and thus, forms the entire pattern.

Emerging Form

Model based on a base form

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The basic form of the pattern is a Y shape. I then made use of the 4 commands that was taught in lecture.

Copy: Made copies of the "Y" shape

Move: After that, they were moved and place at each end

Rotate: They were rotated to different directions and angles.

Scale: The shapes were scaled into smaller sizes for smaller cracks to achieve different heights.

Emerging Form Using Rhino

3D model using extrusion

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Emerging Form Using Rhino

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3D model using a base from

Response to Reading

Ball, Phillip: Pattern Formation in Nature

Every pattern that is made requires a patterner. This is similar to how every architectural structure that is made requires each element to be arranged and laid properly. In the emerging model, the pattern chosen is the pattern of floor cracks. From the pattern, it could be seen that it is the formation of the “Y” shapes element. Each “Y” shape is placed and laid at the end of each other in a repeated manner to produce the overall pattern. The pattern formation is also not planned, it is an emergent pattern. They cannot be predicted and are often spontaneous. The formation pattern of the floor crack starts from the first crack of “Y” shape, which then expands and becomes more. However, which direction and how they crack cannot be explained and predicted as they are spontaneous. Oscillation is a process where reactions will keep happening until an equilibrium state is reached. Oscillation can happen because the reaction has two possible state or branches. Branching is a process where the pattern forms more of them. In formation of floor cracks, the “Y” shapes keep forming themselves until they reach an equilibrium state. The principle of the pattern formation is the requirement of balance of opposite tendencies.

Precedents

The Water Cube is a famous architectural structure worldwide. Its design is associated with water, that is the aggregation of soap bubbles. The bubbles are repeated throughout the whole facade of the building and despite the random arrangement, they are actually arranged in such a way that they are geometry found in crystals, cells and molecular structure.

I find this design interesting as the arrangement of the bubbles may look random, but there are logical explanations behind it. Its repeated pattern is also similar to what we learnt about patterns and I could use it for my inspiration.

The Watercube, Beijing, China Daqing Highway Passenger Transportation Hub, Daqing, Heilongqiang, China

The design of the building's facade forms a branch like pattern with steel structure. Each branch will then branch out into more branches.

What I find interesting in this building is how the pattern expresses a kind of movement in the entire building. The way the branches are placed gives the whole facade a dynamic energy and movement. The edges of the building which are curved also helps in emphasizing the dynamism of the building and that it does not look to static and rigid.

Figure 2 and 3 The Water Cube Figure 4 and 5 Daqing Hghway Passenger Transportation Hub

Pictures

[Figure 1 Floor Cracks] Available at: http://www.dollarsandchocolate.co.uk/photos/2-13.html [accessed on 14th March 2013]

[Figure 2 The Water Cube] Available at: http://onlyhdwallpapers.com/wallpaper/architecture_beijing_water_cube_desktop_3000x2000_hd-wallpaper-2727.jpg [acessed on 16th March 2013]

[Figure 3 The Water Cube] Available at: http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/02/2d234073471_5d4852132b_o.jpg [accessed on 16th March 2013]

[Figure 4 Daqing Hghway Passenger Transportation Hub] Available at: http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/51437aedb3fc4bb12400000a_daqing-highway-passenger-transportation-hub-had-architects_3-daqing-528x351.jpg [accessed on 16th March 2013]

[Figure 5 Daqing Hghway Passenger Transportation Hub] Available at: http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/51437afeb3fc4b394e00000a_daqing-highway-passenger-transportation-hub-had-architects_5-daqing-528x297.jpg [accessed on 16th March 2013]

References

DeZeen, 2008. Watercube by PTW Architects [online] Available at: http://www.dezeen.com/2008/02/06/watercube-by-chris-bosse/ [accessed on 16th March 2013]

ArchDaily, 2013. Daqing Highway Transportation Hub/ Had Architects [online] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/344939/daqing-highway-passenger-transportation-hub-had-architects/ [accessed on 16th March 2013]

Bibliography