ADS AIR final

AIR SEMESTER 2/2012

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO

ACADEMIC RECORDS• Diploma in Architecture at Singapore Polytechnic.• Currently studying Bachelor of Environment major in Architecture at University of Melbourne.

PAST SCHOOL PROJECTS• Apartment for athletes / Residential• Islamic Culture Centre / Public

WORKING EXPERIENCES• 2 yrs with DP Architects, Singapore• Internship with Aedas, Singapore

PAST PRACTICE PROJECTSHedges Park Condominium in SingaporeThai Barn Villa in China

TO DIGITAL ARCHITECTUREMy past academic projects and experience in practice have been based towards the traditional and pragmatic functional approach, with the use of CAD software like AutoCAD and Microstation, and realistic spatial renderings. In recent years, I have seen and heard about the wide and diverse use of the computation parametric platform, like Revit, Grasshopper for complex architectural designs. There are also critical uses and understanding of environmental analysis to assist and influence architectural designs for a greener and environmental approach that are important in today’s building design and technologies.

I have not directly been involved with projects using parametric or software. It would be an interesting learning process and understanding of the new digital architecture to broaden my current architectural perspectives and design approaches.

XIE LAN ZI PROFILE 00

CONTENTSCase for Innovation Research / Study Expression of Interest Wyndham City Gateway

Week 04Cut Case Study 1.0• Understanding Parametric• Dynamic Performance

Week 05Cut Case Study 2.0• Group Work + Discussion• BKK New Architecture

Week 06Cut Case Study 2.0• Project Progress• Spanish Pavilion

Week 01Architecture as Discourse• Beijing National Stadium (Part 1)• The Grace Hotel

Week 02Computing in Architecture• Hedges Park Condominum• Gardens by the Bay

Week 03Parametric Modelling• Zaha Hadi Mobile Pavilion• Beijing National Stadium (Part 2)

Case for Innovation Research / Study Expression of Interest Wyndham City Gateway

Week 10Precedent Studies• Craigieburn Bypass• Screenplay Bench

Week 11Design Development• Techniques • Study Models

Week 12Final Presentation• Evolution/Finalisation• Model Fabrication

Week 13Final Analysis• Panel Feedback• Personal Reflection

Week 07Model Fabrication• Evolution• Finalisation

Week 08Interim Presentation• Panel Feedback• Group Review

Mid-Semester BreakDesign Review• Respond to feedback• Future Development

Week 09Site Responsive• Context and Analysis• Design Intention





Week 05Cut Case Study 2.0• Group Discussion• BKK New Architecture




Mid-Semester BreakDesign Review• Respond to Feedback• Future Development


Week 10Precedent Studies• Craiigieburn Bypass• Screenplay Bench

Week 11Design Development• Techniques• Study Model

Week 12Final Presentation• Model Fabrication• Documentation

Week 13Final Analysis• Panel Feekback• Personal Reflection

01

ARCHITECTURE AS DISCOURSE

Beijing National Stadium (part 1) The Grace Hotel

General InformationThe Chinese National Stadium is located in BeiJing, and its commonly known as Bird’s Nest. It was designed as the main stadium for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by both Swiss and Chinese architects.

Why I love itEver since the Olympics in 2008, the Bird’s Nest has become one of the most representative buildings in china. It is the new icon of BeiJing and every Chinese is proud of its beauty in both architectural and structural perspectives without any doubts. It was also constructed with an advanced energy-saving design, for example: natural ventilation and lighting, full recycling of rainwater, and utilization of renewable geothermal energy.

However nothing is perfectBased on my understanding of week 01 reading: architecture should be more than a piece of art which emphasis so much on façade only. It must provide emotional connections to users and it shouldn’t be an isolated creature without consideration of site context. I also concern for cost effective and if architectural language is consistent from inside out. unfortunately a close view of Bird’s Nest is not as amazing as far view due to those huge columns. The deliberately exposed structures are a bit rough cut which give a bit feeling of unfinished. Although the interior design strictly follow exterior concepts, it just doesn’t look right. Personally I am not sure if the 300millions RMB is really worth for a stadium despite the significant meaning in Chinese History, especial there were water leakage problems. Anyway it is still a masterpiece.

Beijing National Stadium [PART1]

Location: BEIJING, CHINAYear of Completion: 2008Architect: HERZOG DE MEURON

source http://stadium-love.tumblr.com

source http://www.n-s.cn/cn

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melosh/2820483251/

In my opinionFrom architectural perspective:The overall form of the Bird’s Nest is unique and has strong visual impact. This special-oval building creates sense of curiosity and attraction to public and that is a very important quality of every successful design. Especially Silver colour gives highlight of architectural features which draws great public attention. And by making use of a sloping landscape which is slightly higher than the ground, the Bird’s Nest and surrounding environment are in harmony with nature effect.

By using smooth wavy lines in height changing to ease the sense of volume of building which gives a dramatic and powerful body without giving a feeling of “heavy and bulky”. The spatial effect is both unprecedentedly originality and elegant. Therefore, the concept expression is simple and direct in the form of façade and structure. It presents a profound oriental culture: there are unlimited changes in order hidden in seemingly disordered framework.

From structural perspective: This building was designed service life up to 100 years, it has one of the largest spans in its steel structure among world’s sport facilities. This is enough for it to stand out as a legend in construction and even engineer history.

Extension of thinkingThe Bird’s Nest also draw my attention to other iconic buildings in China which are created by foreign architects. Most of them are somehow unusual in forms or shapes. They are not site responsive to certain extend. I really wish foreign architects are not using china as a lab to test their new ideas.

source http://www.gracehotel.com.au/

Grace Hotel In Sydney Location: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIAYear of Completion: 1920Architect: MARROW & GORDON

http://www.gracehotel.com.au/

source http://www.manchesterunitybuilding.com.au/

Architecture as Discourse The Grace Hotel was originally built in the 1930s, became a heritage listed building that was a recent discovery in Sydney’s city centre. As a tourist in search of the hotel in the CBD, the building revealed it itself at the corner of York Street with its impressively grand and elegant facade, in which is in neo-gothic style that was once inspired by the Tribune Tower in Chicago built in 1924.

Its distinctive exterior is complemented by an Art Deco Interior throughout the hotel from the internal spaces like the main lobby with rectilinear symmetry layouts to the column head details, lift car interiors, furnishings and art pieces. While waiting for the lift, there are many interesting details, decor, and even sometimes creepy dark spaces, that brings out the historic charm of the Grace Hotel.

Within the Sydney’s CDB the Grace hotel is a contemporary hotel and with a historic character. It was once a department store, then an US goverernment offices, and now a converted hotel in the late 90s. Its faceted corner of the building addresses the road intersection approach well, as it reveals the other two main facades spreading across the corner of two streets. In addition to its historic associations of the retail boom, the Great Depression, World War 2 and American presence in the past, it stands today as Sydney’s finest examples gothic architecture.

In Melbourne, the Machester Unity Building built in the 1930s has many similarities to the Grace Hotel. Its architects Marcus Barlow were also inspired by the same Tribune Tower like the Grace Hotel as mentioned earlier. It can be seen evidenlty of the similaritites in the facade treatment of the neo-gothic stone cladding, the bold vertical ornatmented buttresses, and the receding structure creating the top of the towers stand as the most promininent features of its archiecture for all 3 buildings.

Apart from the visual similairities of a bold impressive facade, the Grace and Machestster Unity respresent iconic landmarks of Syndey and Melbourne, with both having rooted historic, economic develpoment and political associations with its citizens and the cities.

The Grace Hotel Main Lobby with Art Deco Interiors

The Grace Hotel Lift lobby

Tribune Tower, Chicago

Manchester Unity, Melbourne

source http://www.gracehotel.com.au/

source www.chicagotribune.com/















02

Computing in Architecture

Hedges Park Condominium Gardens by the Bay

Location: SINGAPOREYear of Completion: UNDER CONSTRCUTION 2014Archtiect: DP ARCHITECTS

Hedges Park Condominium

source http://www.dpa.com.sg/

Architecture’s new mediaBenefits of using computers in architectural design process

During past academic projects and direct and indirect involvement in practice, I encountered many benefits in using computer software for the architectural design process.

Architectural designs are exploring new ideas, building technologies, construction techniques to create new designs and pushing boundaries in complex geometries and 3D modelling. With the use of computer modelling softwares like Sketchup and Rhino, these programme assist to visualise 3-dimensional forms interactively and allowing modifications and changes at ease, in which CAD softwares commonly like AutoCAD and Mircostation produces scaled and precise drafting of the design translated into architectural drawings. In recent years, the BIM software such as Revit have become significant valuable tool to build intelligent models such as Parametrics that shall be covered in the next section.

With the power of the rendering softwares, this enable realistic visualisations of the design in view of the site context and user perspectives that are really useful to convey the architectural intent and impact, especially for clients’ understanding. From the techniques of the computer generated model, these are even possible to be translated into a scaled physical 3D model in using a 3D printer in the design development process. Although basic and limited in output, the actual 3-dimensional form that is physically visual in the hands is significantly useful.

Demands of sustainable environmental designs have become integrated criteria of architectural design. Computer technologies are even possible to simulate environmental conditions, like solar, wind, and energy calculations to make significant decisions and influences in the design processes. A brief mention of the capability of computerised pedestrian flow modelling that interestingly animates the social behaviour of the potential users of the building that have important influences on the design layouts and circulation planning that are important to certain projects types.

Despite the advance and intelligent technological design process the computer generation can achieve, the initial conceptual design and the comprehensive thinking process in many ways cannot be replaced from the hand sketches on bit a tracing.

The renderings shows a residential project whilst working at DP Architects in Singapore. Involved in a few residential projects, I had to prepare 3d models in sketchup for design reviews and subsequent make design changes as the design development make more refinements, and adding material mapping to give the space context and texture and the initial feel of the space. Further through the design stages, CAD drawings were prepared to be used as the universal language for the client and consultant coordination meetings. These were also used for statutory submission to make accurate measurements in gross floors areas (GFA), buildability scores etc. Even with the use of these computer technologies, modelling and drafting softwares, more recent discussions in Singapore request that the construction industry to convert to all parametric BIM platform such as the Revit for design consultants aswell as submissions to authorities.

Architecture in digital ageHow does computation contributs to architecture in all spects?Fabrication / Geometry / Dynamic / System / Practice / Sustainbility

General InformationGardens by the Bay was design as an integral part of a urban strategy from the government’s vision to create a City in a Garden ideology within the Garden City of Singapore. It is an 250acre premier recreational park comprising of 2 large iconic Biome Conservatories, Eco-Super tree structures and other supporting facilities with many innovative environmental features that are implemented throughout the whole development.

Computation and Environmental SimulationsThe recently completed Biome Conservatories in the Gardens by the Bay by Wilkinson Eyre is an example of an cutting edge iconic landmark architecture combined with the use of computational simulated environmental analysis and technologies.

Computer generated design models in which how they were evolved and influenced. The form and the geomtery were primarily influenced by the environmetal processes as part of the development that included ultisation of the solar performance, energy efficiency, water harvesting and natural filtration from the lake.

Advance computuation software technologies allow simulation of the envrionmental and climatic conditions at the specific location, such as Ecotect, Vasari, and IES (Intergrated Environmental Solutions). These techonogies allow the design to test for advance solar, wind and energy and carbon calculations, and enable an interactive design process for improved and greener buildings. This have been critical for such advance and complex intergration of building design disciplines with the environment in this project.

source http://www.cpgcorp.com.sg / http://wilkinsoneyre.com

Gardens by the Bay

Location: SINGAPOREYear of Completion: 2012Archtiect: WILKINSON EYRE

source http://wilkinsoneyre.com

http://www.gardenbythebay.com.sg

Form and GeometryOne of the influences in the architectural form and the structural strategy is the curved angled forms and its external ribbed structural framing that are orientated to maxmise the solar and shading performance for the different climatic conditions. It is also intended to collect the surface rain water like a valley between the two biomes for filtration to be utlised in the development as part of the environmental and ecological system.

The curved ribbed structural framing on the exterior is a prominent architectural feature of the biomes to allow impressive large spanning column-free garden spaces in all directoins, where it features a 30m high waterfall. At the same time, the structural ribs act as functional solar shading devices for different times of the day.

Mechanical shading devices on the skin of the biome domes that are responsive to the environmental conditions, as well as glazing with low heat transmission with high light emission was specially design to create the required biome conditions, from humid tropics to cooling tree top conditions.

The illustrations highlight strategy of development designs, implementing environmental strategies as one integrated system. This project is an example of how building design disciplines in the most dynamic cutting edge designs, and advance building technologies have achieved the greenest design approaches, with the highest Green Mark Platinum rating in Singapore under the Building Control Authority.

Location: SINGAPOREYear of Completion: 2012Archtiect: WILKINSON EYRE

Green Building Technologies and Systems in practice. The planning of the whole development combines many of the latest cutting edge green building technologies integrated into the archiectural designs. One of the most obvious is the eco-super tree structures reaching up to 50m high are vertical gardens that provide cooling tower for the biome conservatories, water harvesting and storage and solar collectors from photovoltaic arrays.

Inaddtions to these featured eco-super trees, the biomes use a suite of technologies to achieve at least 30% saving in energy consumption, compared to conventional cooling technologies. These include:

•Spectrally selective glass and light sensor-operated shadings minimize the solar heat gain and allow maximum light to plants.

•Thermal stratification to ensure cool air settles at the lower occupied zone and warm air is allowed to rise and vented out at high levels.

•The efficient de-humidification cooling process is de-coupled first into de-humidifying of the air with a liquid desiccant and then cooling the dry air.

•A Combined Heat Power (CHP) biomass steam turbine generates electricity to run the electric chillers that produce chilled water to cool the Conservatories. Waste heat is captured in the process to regenerate the liquid desiccant.

source http://www.cpgcorp.com.sg/

source http://www.grant-associates.uk.com

The concept of the project is based on a heavily organic approach to the design and detailing that had to be reflected in each aspect of the project from pathways to vertical structures. In addition to the design challenges of the Eco-Supertrees and Biome Conservatories, the gardens are rich with innovative details including:

One of the features of the gardens will be the striking patterns of paving at key locations. This has been inspired by the cellular patterns of plant cells and is defined by contrasting colours and textures of stone.

The diagrammatic branching pattern is a feature of the gardens and implies networks and interrelationships. Inspired by Darwin’s sketches of the branching patterns of trees, the Tree of Life is used as an in-situ concrete relief pattern along the Colonnade rear wall. It is developed further in the Flower Dome as a central motif to each garden terrace set into the pavement. The nodes become planters, information points or simple decorative stone inserts.

An important structure in the gardens is the Dragonfly bridge which connects the heart of the gardens to the Marina Bay Sands resort complex. The structure spans the dragonfly lake on a series of distinctive red supports and offers unique views across the gardens.

The use of coloured steelwork in the gardens continues in the form of aerial roots. These are large curvaceous arches spanning the edge of the Supertree Grove, allowing the display of vigorous flowering climbers.

The project includes extensive use of green walls both internally and externally. They are of three main types. Geotextile Reinforced Earth Walls (GREW) help to define spaces and offer a way of softening steep slopes that might otherwise be developed as concrete walls. Vertical planting panels offer a more refined framework for planting on vertical surfaces including the Supertrees and selected walls. ‘Living Render’ provides a porous and roughly textured concrete surface that incorporates a proportion of organic material in the concrete mix to create moisture retention and rooting zones for epiphytes. The Mountain in the -Cloud Forest Dome Conservatory will be a major display of this technique.















03

Parametric Modelling

Zaha Hadid’s Mobile Pavilion Beijing National Stadium (part 2)

The Bowl, Skin and Space - Design of the Form and Geometry.

Continuing for Part 1 of the review, the architectural geometry was inspired by randomness in nature, and patterns found in Chinese style ‘crazed’ pottery typically found in Beijing markets. It is formed by complex lattice shell, with a seemingly random structure of the interwoven steel framing, in which it resembled the enclosure and the twig-like lightweight enclosure of a bird’s nest. - hence it’s adopted nick name. Understanding the geometric and constructional complexity of this system was fundamental to the project’s success to be delivered on time for such a significant event on the nation.

Beijing National Stadium [PART2] Location: BEIJING, CHINAYear of Completion: 2008Architect: HERZOG DE MEURON

www.arup.com/Home/Publications/.../Arup_Journal_1_2011.ashx

Beijing National Stadium design of the bowl and inspiration for the geometry and form

Parametric Modelling and Design development

For this unique complex structure parametric design was used for the modelling the stadium and the structural systems by renowned parametric designers, Gehry Technologies. They provided a series of project specific design development workshops for the project teams to build the parametric model., designers can quickly generate the initial form of a stadium within defined parameters such as geometric constraints, environmental factors, and the limitations of construction materials.

Having produced the initial concept, the architect can rapidly explore and test options by adjusting variables such as the height of a row of seats. The bowl geometry could be optimised easily, quickly and produce many test models. To resolve a complex design, details, and interfaces with conventional CAD techniques would haven taken a lot more time with one or two iterations. Generative design in the parametric model enabled 34 design possibilities and better results in a fraction of the time.

www.gehrytechnologies.com/

In this specific project, parametric modeling approach allowed rapid development of steel design, engineeing and fabrication instructions early in design development, and allowed this information to be automatically updated over designchanges. These included: Catalogs of intelligent, reconfigurable structural elements were developed that were into the parametric design to inform the final design, to form, layouts and complete detailed design.

Parametric Design of the overall form & bird nest structure

Beijing National Stadium Plan

source www.arup.com/Home/Publications/.../Arup_Journal_1_2011.ashx

source www.arup.com/Home/Publications/.../Arup_Journal_ashx

www.gehrytechnologies.com/

- Structural system to be modelled to accelerate value engineering changes by reducing steel weight by 30%.

- Stadium layout and seating arrangements were used for rapid design modifications.

- Models were used as the basis for producing steel shop drawings to allow iterative dimensional modifications on a highly detailed overall project model.

- During construction, the model was used to extract dimensions for the development of steel fabrication packages by local steel fabricators

souce www.arup.com/Home/Publications/.../Arup_Journal_1_2011.ashx

- The most significant design change late in the project programme and significant value engineering included the removal of the stadium retractable roof. The parametric modeling approach enabled the design, model and drawings to be revised to reflect the new strategy in less than three weeks. It allowed rapid development to resolve complex interfacing details., steel design and fabrication to be updated automatically during.

source www.arup.com/Home/Publications/.../Arup_Journal_1_2011.ashx

The parametric modelling approach also substantially assisted in the resolving the complex geometry of other key design elements including the curved exit stairs that course between the exterior truss system and the interior surfaces.

Not only parametric modelling is useful in the design processes, its intelligent was brought into the coordination stages with other disciplines like building services, and was able to detect conflicts and clashes early in the construction phases to minimise remedial and abortive works on site, that could have caused more delays and cost to the project.

The parametric modelling proved to be absolutley essential to deal with the extreme complexity of the Beijing National Stadium to enable cost, time and quality and design changes of the project to meet the critical programme through all stages of the design and construction phases of this major international landmark project.

source www.arup.com/Home/Publications/Arup_Journal_2011.ashx

This is one of the most significant parametric design work of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid’s. Her practice has been specifically focused on developing a conceptual framework for the design to be used as the basis for a set of parametric tools that may be applied to different conditions and exhibition highlights. In her quest for complex, dynamic and fluid spaces, the work of Zaha Hadid has developed over the past years through integration of natural and human-made systems with cutting-edge technologies.

The organic shell of the Mobile Art Pavilion is created with a succession of reducing arched segments. As the Pavilion travels over three continents, this segmentation also gives an appropriate system of partitioning, allowing the Pavilion to be easily transported in separate and manageable elements. The partitioning seams become a strong formal feature of the exterior façade cladding, while these seams also create a spatial rhythm of perspective views within the interior exhibition spaces.

Mobile Pavilion by Zaha Hadid Location: NEW YORK (MOVED TO LONDON, MOSCOW AND PARIS)Year of Completion: 2008Architect: ZAHA HADID

source http://www.designboom.com/architecture/zaha-hadid-chanel-mobile-art-pavilion-paris/















04

CUT CASE STUDY 1.0

Understanding Parametric Dynamic Performance

My understanding and interest towards Parametric design

Parametric is definitely the trendiest way of design in architecture that everyone has been talking about, because in a digitalized world today with rapidly developing of new technology, designers must work more effectively, quickly and accurately. We need more powerful tools to help on all aspects including drafting, rendering, analysis and animation. We want tools to create and edit smartly without limitation of complexity or restriction. If a tool can fulfill all the needs then by using that tool to design is called parametric design. Basically it is about creating a system by setting up parameters, then modifies the end product that generated by this system to explore more possibilities.

Benefits

Personally I am definitely very interested in it as it seems really useful and there is high demanding in the market of designers with rhino and grasshopper skills. Despites that realistic consideration, parametric design is really interesting in an artistic perspective that creates multiple visual and spatial effects that we may not able to achieve through ordinarily top-down way of design thinking.

Doubts

Although we are learning the combination of parametric with sustainability, there is something that I really can’t get over, which is how buildable and site responsive the end products of parametric. All the successful parametric design projects are mainly for exhibition, museum or public buildings engaged with famous architects, which clients are willing to pay huge numbers as icons. However when it comes to small residential project with little budget, is parametric design still practical?

Parametric ArchitecturePersonal experiences about parametric

Wyndham City Gateway ProjectAttractors / Perception

My team is especially interested in this area of parametric design as we find it is very much related to a project like Wyndham city gateway which requires an eye-catching art work. Especially Parametric flatform like Rhino and Grasshopper will be used to help creating amazing geometry which may not able to be done by other ordinary 2D software.

Personally I believe the success of Wyndham city gateway project is heavily depending on what kind of visual effect you provide for drivers in that 30 seconds when they drive pass. In this particular project, we are going to deal with speed, sight, visual impact and responsive timing. We are looking for the best expression in shortest time to the drivers, but leave them with great impression of our gateway. There is no other way of communication to drivers except attract their attention. And that makes Attractor / Perception as a very good starting point for parametric design.

We are studying on a parametric design project called Dynamic Performance of Nature in Leonardo Museum of Art, Science and Technology, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a permanent architectural media installation there.

Environmental sensors capture data from sources throughout the planet and feed that data to solar-powered LEDs embedded in the sine-wave form made of recycled plastic. As the sensors register changes in temperature, wind, seismicity, and other factors, the LEDs reflect these fluctuations with continuous spectral waves that represent minute shifts in the data feed from moment to moment.Although the design intention seems very site responsive, the end product is actually also an attractor.

It is very interesting that at the different time of a day and changes of weather, it generates different data to create various patterns. Regardless of its unique function, it gives interesting visual effects as it looks different from every angle. It attracts visitors’ full attention by walking around it to explore more.

Case Study 1.0Dynamic Performance of NatureBy EB Office

source http://www.bustler.net/dynamic_performance_of_nature_by_eb_office















05-06

CUT CASE STUDY 2.0

Group Discussion / Project Progress _BKK New Architecture / Spanish Pavilion

The architectural form of the pavilion is dynamic by itself. It is characterised by speculation, fantasy and mobility. The form is generated through a geodesic sphere that projected to a centre point which is the attractor point then trimmed against an inner and outer cube. Using parametric software, variables such as the position of the centre point or the size of the intersecting cubes can be easily modified to quickly test a number of iterations.

Personally I think the most interesting and remarkable part of this art piece is the quality of views that provides at different angles of standing point. Especially the hug contrast on the sense of boundary between inside/outside the pavilion. It creates a visual illusion whereby we have a form that has its exterior which looks rather solid but when you are on the inside and specifically at the attractor point, the boundary/cage of thick lines seems to disappear into thin lines which blurring the boundary between the internal and external space.

Case Study 2.0Pavilion for New ArchitectureBy BKK Architects

source http://www.sial.rmit.edu.au/project/pavilions_for_new_architecture.php

After some research on Grasshopper definition and group discussion of possible solutions, we started to re-create this pavilion model through a cube in Rhino then slowly developed it step by step in Grasshopper. We experienced few failures and errors, tried out functions of different commands and finally summerised the following steps:

Step 1 and 2-Exploded cube to different surfaces and populated 2D points on surfaces-Added number slider to control amount of points and connected to voronoi

Re-create BKK Pavilion

Step 3 and 4-created a centre point, duplicated a cube and scaled down based on centre point-flattened, graft and make curve and points correspondent to each other for lofting

Step 5 -Then we supposed to explode and loft again to offset for adding thickness to each piece. And we stucked! After we tried few unsuccessful solutions, we started thinking if we are wrong from the begining. There should be a simpler and more direct way of doing it. We must miss out something important.Then we are back to research again.

After more research and carefully read through given examples and instructions on LMS, we discovered a powerful plug-in for grasshopper is called SDR (StructDrawRhino) which actually come with a geodesic sphere under its primary geometry. It actually saves lots of time and effort.

It was a great discovery until we encountered many frustrating technical problems. While we were stucked again with this BKK pavilion, we also explore other grasshopper techniques through online resources. We are searching for other related techniques that may help to develop our own ones as we know our targets are Attractors / Perception.

My apology for missed out an important point earlier: my team attended grasshopper extra help session together. It was really very useful. We could not solve many problems or figure out solutions without Mr Finn’s help.We gained more understanding of how attractor points work, how to controlthem and some tips for physical model fabrication later on.

Design Intention and StrategiesGroup Argument and Criteria for Matrix selection As I mentioned earlier, my team is interested in using attractors and perception as the starting point of this parametric art work project. However we also understand all other aspects like panelisation, geometry, and structure are all inter-related to each other. We intent to create a combination of attractors with panelisation.

We want our art work to be able to provide a variety of visual impacts with interesting interaction to drivers. We are looking for incomplex geometry which draws attention but also easy to be appreciated in very short period of time. Because there are at most 10 to 30 seconds for drivers drive pass our site. We hope they can be attracted, understand it and enjoy it.

The composition of this art work should be placed horizontally along the road, within the drivers’ field of views to make sure it is visible without disturbing the driving process. And angles of visualisation can be used to determin the scale of this art work too.

We started with different geometry, thickness, density and pattern / image sampler, to try out different outcome of matrix, and use for group discussion, analysis and further development.

However we are not really satisfied by this round of selection, as we don’t really incorporate with attractors, and the end products seem too simple and boring. After tutorial discussion and advice given by Mr Finn and Mr Hannes, we realized the under-usage of techniques and lack of site consideration. We were directed for more research about adding interesting elements and making full use of attractor technique.

We reflected on our argument and criteria, refine and reshape it to be more critique. We believe we have right approach to this project, but we need to work harder to improve grasshopper skills for better expression of our design intention.

Design Intention and StrategiesMatrix Exploration

Further ResearchSpanish PavilionBy Foreign Office Architects

This Spainish Pavilion was created in the Universal Expo 2005 in Japan, and tackles the crucial subject of sustainable development through construction tradition, typical of the Spanish culture. Spanish historical legacy was used to identify the most representative architectural elements of this culture of synthesis and playing with them in the pavilion’s design. The elements chose constitute a range of spatial organizations: patios, churches and chapels, structural elements (arches and vaults), and surrounding and decorative elements (lattices and traceries).

The polychromatic walls are an outer skin, separated from the inner pavilion to give a semi-inside, semi-outside queuing space. This separation suggests at first that the hexagons may be superficial external decoration around a plain box inside. But the inside is anything but plain.

We draw inspiration on using of polychromatic modular system as external façade to produces a variety of patterns of geometry and colours. The selection of solid and voids of the façade are for ventilation, lighting of space and architectural - which concern the lighting effect and qualities which impact emotion and impression.

source http://matsysdesign.com/studios/compositebodies/tag/foreign-office-architects/















Evolution and Finalisation Feedback and Respond

07-08

Progress / Presentation / Review

Design Evolution

With combination of panelisation, it turns more directional and less complicated whereas having it breakdown to smaller modules allows more flexibility to play with more options. In addition, we draw inspiration of incorporating rhythms into the experience.

•Starting from panels, we broke them down in different ways, to study on gaps in-between and angles of visualisation from drivers.

•Then we integrated with modular system, by trying out various layers, to look for optimal number of panels and its height/size.

•We added different amount of attractor points to control panel orientations, to test out the best visual effect we wanted to achieve.

•Last but not least, we brought colours in as we draw inspiration from polychrome, to make sure our art work can standout and be attractive.

Breakdown Modules Attractors Colours

Breakdown Modules Attractors Colours

Design EvolutionPattern / Colours selection and Model MakingTo create pleasing visual impacts by using polychromatic modular

system with colour contrast and different texture of material

Solid / VoidStudy on light and shadow and glimpes of opposite traffice to provide drivers with partly see through visual interaction.

ColoursStudy on rhythm / system behind the random / irregular looking of colour arrangment.

Materiality / Gravity / Complexity / Detailing

It’s always harder to make a physical model than digital model, because we don’t have to consider materiality and gravity in digital model. It can be something totally amazing on the computer screen but impossible to build in reality or something that is too complicated to worth building. And physical model help us to find out how buildable is our design.

We chose Perspex to build our model as it is available in different thickness and colours.However we realized the biggest problem was the panels were actually not joined together as they were orientated to different directions by their own respective attractor points. There is no way to build something in the middle of air without any support.

Lucky for us had an opportunity to seek for advice from Ms Alison, she actually provided us great suggestion of having small transparent triangles to fix the panels positions, as well as join them together. And yes this solution works perfectly.

Attractors / Perception

Interim PresentationPanel Feedbacksparametric tool was under used that did not push to its full potential at all. It results our final model to be simple and lack of interest. We should be daring to explore more possibilities. Our design ideas were good but lack of a strong technique that could express it or would allow it to be better investigated. We must practise more and more on grasshopper techniques. Attractor points were important part of our selling point of this art work, but they did not strongly stand out. There were other teams worked on attractor points too, whom actually did better work than us. We should look at more case studies, and probably think out the box, think of something else that is more creative than just purely use of attractor points. The buildability and scale of this model on site. We all know that our current model is structurally impossible in reality because it lacks of vertical support. We must start thinking through structure perspective and site context.

Self Reflection on ParametricTo be very honest, although I am very interested in learning grasshopper, it was still a painful journey with all my blood and sweat. I am not a person with computer talents and it sometimes takes me longer than others to pick up software skills. I did see the beauty of how parametric tool can change and control the entire design in a quicker and more effective way. However I found time is too limited to allow me really make those techniques mine. (14 weeks’ semester is too short, and 10 weeks’ summer holiday is ridiculous! How can University have holiday as long as Primary School?) I wish academic weeks can be longer, so that we can have more time to learn and practice before produce a really satisfied end product.

Back to parametric, I still find it interesting, attractive and amazingly useful. Moreover I find it actually turns more and more popular in recent years during my case studies’ research. Especially I was surprised that one of my favourite project: Marina Bay Sand Integrated Resort was partly involved of parametric design. It motivates me to learn grasshopper harder! My knowledge of parametric is still very superficial and I wish I can gain deeper thoughts of it in the end of semester.

In the presentation, we focused more on our design concept / strategies than grasshopper techniques as we know that’s not our strength. And our intention is to sell this art work for the unique effect it creats and the interesting using experience, rather than how was it created through complex grasshopper techniques.

Our argument is we wanted to provide drivers a variety of perspectives as they drive pass. Our art work supposed to have a dynamic effect with different driving speeds. The gaps in between panels allows light and shadow through different angels create interesting reflection, and also interaction with other drivers on the opposite side of road. This art work should be more than just sculpture on the roadside. It should bring new experience every time people drive pass and look at it. We hope people can understand and appreciate it easily but without be bored of it too quickly.

We also draw many useful ideas from our case studies: For BKK Pavilion, we learnt the qualities of view contrast from playing with attractors and the directional qualities it gives which inferred from the “infinite projection”. For EB office, we learnt the dynamic flow of views and its rhythm effect that we can provide to our audients. For Spanish Pavilion, we learnt from the selection of solid / voids of the façade for lighting and spatial quality. We really tried hard to incorporate all these amazing ideas to our design.

Group Review

After some group discussion, we summarized our responds to address feedbacks accordingly:

There is no other way to improve grasshopper skills except practice, practice and practice. We will study on its Menu and Prime or any other user guide that help us to learn more essential skills. We will research on more conceptually related grasshopper techniques, hopefully to make use of them and contribute to our design intention. We must put site text in consideration, understand the scale of the project and study on Wynham city. Moreover, explore vertical support, understand the structure, construction and scale in reality, and turn our model buildable on site without reducing the visual effect we want to create.















Context and Analysis Refine Design Intention

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Site Responsive

For first 8 weeks and mid-semester presentation, the focus was more on techniques and installation design itself. To move on from there, we incorporate with site context. As Wyndham City Gateway, the installation must carry local character and represent specific meaning of this area. Otherwise it turns to a random art piece that can be placed anywhere, nothing connect to this region. There are 3 choices of site locations. With consideration of traffic flow (yellow line is north bound indicates direction towards Melbourne, white line is south bound indicates direction towards Wyndham City), we decided to choose site A. It is in the middle of two highways, so that drivers from both directions are able to see our installation.

Site Analysis

We researched on sun path and overall wind direction to determine the installation orientation and shadow casting. However it doesn’t affect our design much because we focus more on visual connection to drivers rather than natural elements.

Site photos above show the site conditions from views of both north and south bound. Generally site A is flat with gentle slope, open field without obstruction. Installation can be seen easily through slightly elevated ground.

Design EvolutionReconstruction / Modification / Improvement

In our old design, besides weak technique, our biggest problem is unstable structure. With 3 layers opened up to different angles, there is very little contact surface, it’s impossible to build them without vertical support.

After understand the construction problem, Instead of 3 layers stacking together, we break them into many smaller layers to form a solid piece (Figure 1). It creates flowing effect by turning them slowly to same direction (Figure 2-6). It will end up a fluid form (Figure 7) which is relatively more stable. We then took the outline of this profile (Figure 8-10) as the frame of our installation. We multiplied them and placed them in a wave manner to create interlocking and depth for the installation. (New thinking)

With mid-semester panel feedback bear in mind, we look into each element of our installation to study on how to improve buildability and make it more fluid to achieve flowing which is closely link to dynamic movement.

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old design new thinking

In mid-semester presentation, we presented our design target as providing interesting visual image to attract attention from drivers, and we want to create visual impact by using variety of perspectives and interactions. We are still interested in this idea, and we push it further to link with local identities to refine our design intention.

This is a freeway project, with simulation of vehicular movements and traffic flow, we will be able to create interconnection between the installation and the site. We intent to use different forms of line, play with density, height, waving and interlocking.

Refine Design Intention

Movement to replicate a visual image that represents the character of the site.

Local identity is another important factor in design considerations. Livestock fence is one of these interesting characters locally. By using wood as main construction material, drivers will feel more familiar and approachable to the installation as Wyndham is a new developed city that was used for farming before. We also design the installation to be integrated with site context. Although it must be eye catching, it should also be part of the environment, not like a concrete or metal alien drops down from sky that have nothing to do with this site.















Craigieburn Bypass Sreenplay Bench

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Precedent Studies

Craigieburn Bypass Location: Melbourne, AUSTRALIAYear of Completion: 2005Architect: Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects

The Craigieburn Bypass, linking the Hume Freeway near Mt. Ridley Road at Craigieburn, to Metropolitan Ring Road at Thomastown, opened to traffic on Tuesday 20th December 2005.

Awards:

2002 First Prize and Commission

2006 RAIA Victoria Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design

2006 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Award for Excellence in Design

2006 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Award for Excellence in Landscape Architecture

2005 Public Domain Award, Cement and Concrete Association

source www.globalskm.com/Knowledge-and.../Craigieburn-Bypass.aspx

We further studied on other freeway projects with similar visual qualities that we can learn from them. Craigieburn Bypass is a very interesting, creative and successful freeway project that received many awards. It achieves similar visual effects we were looking for.

In the photos shown this sound walls were designed in association with all landscape architects, artist and sculptor starting from concept design stage. The project was especially designed to be experienced at a freeway speed of 110km per hour. It mainly includes three series of sculptural sound walls, a pedestrian bridge and a set of design parameters.

We only look at the two main series of walls that inspired us and provoked our design thinking.

The first main series of walls total over 2 kilometers in length, and are made from facetted austenitic steel sheets modeled in simple concave and convex folds to produce a gently undulating wave of steel floating on a recessed dark concrete base. The second series of walls are translucent and transparent, preserving light and views from residential areas. These are edge-lit acrylic, sandblasted with a digital pattern and overlaid with colored precast concrete blades. LED lights are installed for night time.

Although the arrangement of panels looks simple, they are actually carefully calculated to ensure the angle and spacing were precisely placed on the site. Follow colour panels with changing angles, from being slanted to turning upright, drivers experience a colurful journey with dynamic movements. However we found it might be a bit boring visually after drive pass for few times because they are generally simple vertical walls. We want our installation to be more than that.

Inspiration and learning points:

•Consider how visual effect varies with different vehicular speeds.

•Design for day time & night time, to ensure installation is visible at different timing of the day.

•Study on colours. Discover any possibility of continue using polychrome to design.

Screenplay Bench Location: Los Angeles, USYear of Completion: 2012Architect: Oyler Wu Collaborative

Questioning Boundaries of Visual Perception

It is an incredibly complex geometric art installation. It is one of the best examples of perception and visual impact that we would like to reference.

The structure stretches along 6.5 meters and is made from lightweight steel frames systematically wrapped in rope. Amazing geometry leads the structural design to follow the need for dynamism and visual continuity. It also leads to the exploration of methods introducing geometric complexity along with the necessity for greater degree of viewer’s engagement.

Screenplay’s creator states the concept explores uses of materials, plays with viewer’s perception and stimulates 3d optical illusion. As the viewer moves around the wall, its three-dimensional qualities reveal a more complex system of deep sectional cavities, twisting surfaces, and material densities.

We see it as a fantastic demonstration of dynamic and visual continuity qualities our team wants to present on our installation. We think this waving / wrapping technique probably will be expressed well on our freeway project as the line movements are closely link to traffic flow. Moreover, the cavities and material density in this project has quite similar character to our design ideas.

We especially took note of the connection and joints in this project therefore think carefully on the construction and detailing of our installation in reality.

Flaw

However, the extreme level of geometric complexity in this project is not suitable for our freeway installation. Viewers have much longer time to appreciate screenplay bench is a street furniture. Drivers have only 10 seconds. We need to reduce the complexity to ensure our audience can appreciate freeway art in very short period of time.

source www.frameweb.com/screenplay-bench-by-oyler-wu-collaborative















Grasshopper Techniques Study Model

11

Design Development

Inspirations from both precedent studies provoke our thinking of using 3 dimensional lines wrap around the structure to represent the dynamic movement, instead of use structure itself to create the effect.

We started from re-create model in precedent study especial the screenplay bench. We tried to understand the logic and system behind, how the lines are connect, wrapped around and form image. (Figure 1)

To fit into site properly and consider the visual angel of drivers, we extend the form horizontally through modular system to ensure buildability and construction on site. (Figure 2-3)

We coloured them according to layers, then discover they were stiff and lacked of continuity. Too small modules cut the whole form down into repeating parts, the flow was destroyed. (Figure 4-5)

We adjusted the grasshopper formula and modified modular system to take control of movement for each line. (Figure 6-7)

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Design EvolutionCreate movement

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We tried to increase the transparency by removing one layer to create cavity for visual interaction. However, then installation looked too simple and consistant in form. (Figure 8-9)

Profile was modified again through grasshopper because we still felt the form lacked sense of dynamic as the waving is regular and repeating. (Figure10-11)

Finally we found a more satisfied waving pattern by creating height difference and density to achieve the movement in a more organic manner. We then moved to physical model to test and improve.

Study ModelVisual and Spatial Quality / Connection

1 set of strings

2 sets of strings

3 sets of strings

Through physical model, we tested out different sets of strings and how did the panel height and orientation affect the string movement. We increased density and line weight to balance the transparency and visual interaction. With certain adjustments, we went back to our digital model for detail design and site integration.

Each point link the strings are controlled. 3 sets of strings have specific density and moving direction that determined by different graphic on the panel. Optimum dynamic flow effect can be achieve by graphic modification and changing of line density. According to our design intention, we want to represent the traffic movement through flowing lines that closed attached to local identity.

Elevation

Panel Layout

Final ModelRenderings

We rendered through different angles to judge for best fitting on site. Different timings of the day are considered too. In the day time, drives can see the string movement clearly under bright sunlight. At night, lights shine from below to brighten up the installation. Not only the strings, but lighting also plays a role in this dynamic flow.

Final ModelFabrication

Model fabrication was a complex process. Each set of strings with their corresponding points were grouped for identification of wave pattern. Holes are as small as 0.5mm diameters are cut on the panel for strings going through. This was risking as we were warner by laser cute operators that sizes of hole and their high densities were not recommended, inaccuracy may cause with consideration of material strength.

Although the end product was great and relatively accurate cutting, we felt it would be better if density could be pushed even further. Otherwise too much transparency may weaken the string movement.















12-13

Final PresentationWyndham City Gateway < The Movement> Panel Feedback / Improvement / Self-Reflection

CONCEPTTO REPLICATE A VISUAL IMAGE THAT REPRESENTS THE CHARACTER OF THE SITE

TECHNIQUESTO CREATE MOVEMENT THROUGH LINES WITH VARIATION IN DENSITY AND HEIGHT

CONCEPTTO REPLICATE A VISUAL IMAGE THAT REPRESENTS THE CHARACTER OF THE SITE

TECHNIQUESTO CREATE MOVEMENT THROUGH LINES WITH VARIATION IN DENSITY AND HEIGHT

Design Application

Essence No.1 Line Movement

The waving lines from left to right, in and out express vehicular movement on highway whereby roads bends at different parts. Traffic movements has been translated into different sets of lines.

Essence No.2 Dynamic Flow

The lines go through each panel from top to bottom or vice versa. They represent the interlocking manner of highway and give the sense of dynamic flow by having non-repeating motion.

Essence No.3 Density

The density of lines emphasizes on the traffic manner in highway, it reflects how busy the road is. Some lines are closely placed together and some are not, showing the variation in traffic flow.

Local Identity - Australian Livestock Fence

The Australian livestock fence gives connection to the site, and materials used are similar to our installation. The spider wed inspired us on the joints and how to end the line connections.

Construction DetailingBuildability and Construction details are always in our consideration of design and material choices. We did research on connection between frames to form panel, how can the panel be fixed to ground and how to fix the wired in the end. Moreover how to hide the end joints for aesthetic purpose.

Detail 1

Detail 2

Detail 3 and Detail4

Detail 1: Frame connection

The timber frames divide into 5 parts, they are manufactured separately for convenience in transportation. Steel bolts are used to tighten teak wood frames together.

Detail 2: Ground fixing

It might be a problem to place panel directly on the soil ground due to soil erosion and instability. We design the bottom frame with a pre-fabricated base plate that can be securely inserted to concrete slab cast in-situ on site, to ensure the panel can stand without other external support.

Detail 3: Cable ending

The steel cables end with fixing to structural element on the ground. All the end fixing is hidden below ground level for aesthetic purpose. The cables look like “growth” up from the ground like spider web structure, the starting and ending point of installation integrate with surrounding landscape from the drivers’ angle.

Detail 4: Gound fixing

Panel Feedback and Further improvementWe are glad this time we received better feedback than mid-semester. The final presentation went well and overall panel likes our design intention as well as end product. Panel gave compliments on the nice physical model and aesthetic effect by unintentional bending of wire, as well as the idea of blurred headlights which represents the lines and density. The choice of materials are good too because it shows interesting contrast between wood and steel.

However the idea of using Australian livestock fence to represent local identity is a bit general, because it’s not specific enough and doesn’t really attach to the site. The trees and stones on the model make it looks a bit like garden feature.

We certainly agree with all comments as they are helpful for further improvement. More specific research can be done for Wyndham city, see if there is other identity that links better to the site. Although we also think the installation would look better with denser lines, the scale of model and laser cuter capability limit the density. Our current model is 1:50 scale. If we can do a bigger model like 1: 20, we believe it will look fantastic and our design intention can be better expressed.

Self-Reflection: Parametric Learning Journal

Self-Reflection: Parametric Learning JournalThis is my first involvement in parametric design. The experience with grasshopper is definitely interesting but learning process was really painful. I had contact with neither Rhino nor Grasshopper before. I am really impressed for their capability of creating geometric complexity. I am so interested in learning as it was fun by building structure through formulas like mathematic. However it was not easy at all. The grasshopper tutorials and guides online mainly introduce basic function or instruct very specific way of doing certain things. It was great for beginners like me, but it doesn’t help much when comes to design with it. To use grasshopper in design, we must be very familiar of logic behind it.

For mid-semester, the focus is more on techniques. We started with re-creation of innovative parametric project like BKK Pavilion. We went through many difficult as we are unfamiliar with each component. With help with tutors we finally understand the basis slowly. We spent a lot of time to explore different components and tried to learn from techniques that were created by others. We built up our knowledge slowly through experimentation and finally we managed to build our own digital model by using grasshopper. However, the feedbacks from panel were not really good as we did not push parametric design to full potential. We had to try harder.

For Final Presentation, it’s essential to incorporate with site context with stronger design intention. The installation is not only an isolated geometry but a part of the site. We did a better job and received compliments from panel this time. This is because we have built up relatively sufficient knowledge to use grasshopper more familiarly and we have great ideas to make use of site context. We are glad our design is accepted and liked in the end after all blood and sweat spent on it.I will continue learning parametric design tools like grasshopper. As I mentioned before, there is high demanding in the market of designers with rhino and grasshopper skills. Despites that realistic consideration, parametric design is really interesting in an artistic perspective that creates multiple visual and spatial effects that we may not able to achieve through ordinarily top-down way of design thinking.

AIR SEMESTER 2/2012

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO

On behlf of my team, thanks to all tutors and coursemates’ help and support. We enjoyed a great semester with you, appreciate your time to read my journal.

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