STUDIO AIR

ABPL 30048 Architecture Design Studio: Air 2015 | Tingru Liu

Contents

Introduction 01

Part A. Conceptualisation 02

Part B. Criteria Design 21

Part C. Detailed Design 64

Introduction

01

ABOUT ME

I am Tingru Liu, a second-year architecture student in University of Melbourne.

I am i n te res ted i n t ra ve l l i ng and observ ing d i f ferent color combinations in daily life. Figure 0.2 is a project I made in last semester in Designing Environments. It is a three-level tower that could be placed in the Old Quad on Parkville Campus. I ultilized glass and fabric materials to express the design.

This semester I do water and air studio together, and look forward to learn how to design by using softwares.

Fig. 0.2

Fig. 0.1

CONCEPTUALISATION

Part A.Conceptualisation

A.1. Design Futuring 04

A.2. Design Computation 07

A.3. Composition/Generation 10

A.4. Conclusion 15

A.5. Learning Outcomes 15

A.6. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches 16

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A.1.Design Futuring

Design is considered to be a born ability of human beings, but as the development of human society becomes increasingly complicated, design has been gradually objectified, organized and specialised as a series of courses for students to study systematically1. Design can be regarded as an approach of problem solving. For example, by ultilizing renewable materials and minimising energy usage, architecture design will be able to reduce global warming and minimize climate change. In addition, rather than problem solving, design plays a more important role of providing a variety of future possibilities. It does not mean that design can show what the future looks like. It means that design will create and produce multiple choices and possibilities to different clients1. They can ultilize the preferable trends in their own way to satisfy the unique requirements. In this part, two architectural projects will be analysed: the McCormick Tribune Campus Center in Chicago and the Spanish Pavilion by Foreign Office Architects.

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The design of McCormick Tribune Campus Center by OMA achieves both the problem solving and providing possibilities approaches.

Firstly, in problem solving aspect, the no man's noisy land has been designed to be an attractive place on the campus. The architects enclosed the tracks in "a muffling stainless steel cylinder" where there used to be an extremely noisy place that no one like to stay2. Students are more likely to enjoy their time inside the cylinder now and thus this design solved the reuse problem of wasted land.

Secondly, this project inspired the expand of future possibilities. By ultilizing special materials to eliminate noise, it provides a thinking of material diversity in architecture design. In addition, the single-storey plan generates a sense of urban condition. This urban condition concept can be observed in many other projects such as the Community Center in Sõmeru.05

Fig. 1.1

Fig. 1.2

The design of Spanish Pavilion combines the historical elements and modern concepts, and is also a possibility of future trends. By merging the Jewish-Christian and Islamic cultures into the pavilion design, the whole project appears a unique style of Spain architecture3. This is the reason why it is still appreciated. The theory of combining local culture and new styles will make the project more likely to be accepted by local people. Another similar example of this theory is the Islamic Arts Museum in Malaysia.

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Fig. 1.4

Fig. 1.3

A.2.Design Computation

Design computation is a different concept from design computing. Although both the concepts mention utilizing computer technologies in design processes, design computation is a more flexible approach than design computing. In detail, design computing is mainly used as a series of organized procedure that output people's design, but it cannot be used to re-define practice. Design computation, on the other hand, appears more uncontrollable results by executing people's commands. It underlines the communications between human and computers4. People can use this technology to help develop design thinking because people cannot imagine what will actually happen when changed one of the commands. The unpredictable performance can help designers to open up their mind and ultilize this digital technology to design. In this part, two project that ultilized design computation will be discussed: Voltadom by Skylar Tibbits, and POLYP.lux by SOFTlab

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The studio SJET, which was founded by Skylar Tibbits, designed this installation to celebrating the FAST Arts Festival as well as the 150th anniversary of MIT. The project is called VOLTADOM and installed at the hallway between buildings 56 and 66 of MIT.

The project aims to expand the understanding of panel surface in architecture field. The self-replicating system consists of a series of vaults and demonstrates an independent but relatively relationship among vaults and how the structure fill and adapt the given space.

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Fig. 2.2

Fig. 2.1

In 2011, SOFTlab created this project in the entrance of St. Patrick's Catholic School in NYC. It was curated as part of the exhibition of the Festival of Ideas for the New City.

A gravity driven process was utilized in generating the entire form of the installation. Pattern on the surface also changes the form relying on the basement network. More than 1400 LEDs were installed on the surface to light up the entrance space at night. The installation aims to slow down the traffic below and introduce an unique experience to visitors.

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Fig. 2.4

Fig. 2.3

A.3.Composition/Generation

The shift from composition to generation in architecture design provides more possibilities in the exterior performance. Algorithmic thinking is one of the most important topic of the shift. Currently, design by drawing is gradually replaced by algorithmic thinking in architecture development. By ultilizing design computation in design processes, architects are able to design more complex projects, get feedback rapidly and develop their thinking easily6. Biothing Pavilion and Loop 3 are typical examples of the projects which experienced the shift from composition to generation, and they all perform a strong sense of movement to audience.

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Biothing Pavilion is generated from self-modifying patterns of vectors which is based on electro-magnetic fields (EMF). The project was designed to follow the logics of attraction/repulsion trajectories. By lifting series of structural microarching sections through various sine function frequencies, the form was adjusted to adapt the site. The imbeded algorithmic and parametric relationships can be observed from the shape.

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.2

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Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.2

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Loop_3 was created by Loop_3 design team which is several students from Architectural Design 3 course at the Faculty of Engineering from Universita di Bologna.

The underlying mathematics scripts construct the layers and make the project come true. As is observed, the project is a self-standing object that utilises mathematical trigonometric functions, which was developed through parametric design software, to apply a sense of aesthetic device. The rationality in this complex shape combines the user experience and the expressive strategy of curvly structure.

Fig. 3.3

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Fig. 3.5

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A.4.Conclusion

A.5.Learning Outcomes

In Part A, several modern design concepts are discussed: design futuring, design computation, and the shift from composition to generation. Design futuring is not only about problem-solving, but also about presenting various possibilities for different clients. Design computation is a different concept from computing design that it emphasize more communications between human and computers. Algorithmic thinking can assist designers to generate ideas and design much more complex projects.

From the first three weeks' learning, I start learning some softwares in architecture design such as Grasshopper, Rhino, and InDesign. It is my first time to build 3D models by computer softwares and actually I have been experiencing a hard period to understand and get familiar with computing tools. I realised that softwares such as Rhino can only be used as computing design, but Grasshopper can achieve design computation that designers can ultilize this tool to develop their design thinking and output amazing and complex design. Sometimes some models on computer can hardly be made by hand and they can appear better on computer, thus these 3D model-making softwares are more efficient and expressive.

Fig. 6.1

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A.6.Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

After exper iencing the most comfusing period at the beginning of using Grasshopper, now I can already make some simple 3D models. Figure 6.1 shows a 3D model which is composed with irregular shaped bricks. The bricks are arranged

along some lines on two different curve surfaces. After clicking the preview off of other lines and surfaces, the whole model appears, and in my opinion, the view from this direction looks like a high heel.

Fig. 6.1

1. Fry, Tony, Design Futuring (Oxford: Berg, 2009)

2. Oma.eu, 'OMA- IIT-MCCORMICK-TRIBUNE-CAMPUS-CENTER', 2015 <http://www.oma.eu/projects/2003/iit-mccormick-tribune-campus-center/> [accessed 14 August 2015]

3. Spanish Pavil ion, 1st edn (Aichi, Japan, 2015) <http://digiitalarchfab.com/portal/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Spanish-Pavilion> [accessed 14 August 2015]

4. Kalay, Yehuda E, Architecture's New Media (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2004)

5. Sjet.us, 'SJET', 2015 <http://sjet.us/MIT_VOLTADOM.html> [accessed 14 August 2015]

6. Peters, Brady, and Xavier De Kestelier, Computation Works

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References

Cover Sheetbackground, Stock, '3D Model Background', Dreamstime, 2015 <http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-3d-model-background-image2398640> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 1.1Mimoa, 'Mccormick Tribune Campus Center, OMA - Rem Koolhaas | Chicago | United States | MIMOA', 2015 <http://www.mimoa.eu/projects/United%20States/Chicago/McCormick%20Tribune%20Campus%20Center/> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 1.2A10.eu, 'A10 - Community Centre, Someru', 2015 <http://www.a10.eu/news/headlines/community_centre_someru.html> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 1.3Spanish Pav i l ion, 1st edn (Aichi , Japan, 2015) <http://digiitalarchfab.com/portal/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Spanish-Pavilion> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 1.4Spanish Pav i l ion, 1st edn (Aichi , Japan, 2015) <http://digiitalarchfab.com/portal/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Spanish-Pavilion> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Images

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Images

Figure 2.1Sjet.us, 'SJET', 2015 <http://sjet.us/MIT_VOLTADOM.html> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 2.2Sjet.us, 'SJET', 2015 <http://sjet.us/MIT_VOLTADOM.html> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 2.3Designplaygrounds, 'POLYP.Lux By Softlab - Designplaygrounds', 2011 <http://designplaygrounds.com/deviants/polyp-lux-by-softlab/> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 2.4Designplaygrounds, 'POLYP.Lux By Softlab - Designplaygrounds', 2011 <http://designplaygrounds.com/deviants/polyp-lux-by-softlab/> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 3.1Biothing.org, '/////Mesonic Fabrics/2007/09//Biothing', 2015 <http://www.biothing.org/?p=51> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 3.2Biothing.org, '/////Mesonic Fabrics/2007/09//Biothing', 2015 <http://www.biothing.org/?p=51> [accessed 14 August 2015]

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Figure 3.3Co-de-it.com, 'Loop_3', 2015 <http://www.co-de-it.com/wordpress/loop_3.html> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 3.4Co-de-it.com, 'Loop_3', 2015 <http://www.co-de-it.com/wordpress/loop_3.html> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 3.5Co-de-it.com, 'Loop_3', 2015 <http://www.co-de-it.com/wordpress/loop_3.html> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Figure 6.1Co-de-it.com, 'Loop_3', 2015 <http://www.co-de-it.com/wordpress/loop_3.html> [accessed 14 August 2015]

Images

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CRITERIA DESIGN

Part B.Criteria Design

B.1. Research Field 23

B.2. Case Study 1.0 29

B.3. Case Study 2.0 39

B.4. Technique: Development 45

B.5. Technique: Prototypes 54

B.6. Technique: Proposal 56

B.7. Learning Objectives and Outcomes 61

B.8. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches 62

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B.1.Research Field - Geometry

Geometry has been broadly ultilised in architecture, engineering and various industrial processes for centries. As a design result, geometry is always observed and analysed as a series of arrangements of basic elements. Various combinations and relationships among points, lines and surfaces express different shapes, materials and physical natures of final design outputs.

Geometry in different fields can be applied on both two and three dimensional approaches. While in other design fields, geometry design usually means 2D surface pattern which constitutes simple shapes, in architecture design this design thinking has been applied more on 3D approaches gradually. Due to the rapid development of computational technologies, more possibilities of geometry can be achieved.

Various advantages can be brought by geometry design in production processes. Firstly, time and cost could be saved due to the simple form and pattern. Secondly, this computational application can effectively reduce material waste. Thirdly, the repetitive simple pattern can make the entire approach easy to construct and deconstruct. In the next parts, some analysis about the existing geometry approaches can help understand this design thinking and technologies.

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Fig. B.1.1 Geometry and Architecture

Canton Tower

A r c h i t e c t s : I n f o r m a t i o n B a s e d ArchitectureLocation: Guangdong, ChinaEngineer: ArupHeight: 600mArea: 114000.0 sqmProject Year: 2010

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Fig. B.1.2 Canton Tower Facade

Fig. B.1.3 Steel Joints

Fig. B.1.4 Canton Tower Bubble Car Ride

easy to operate. Thus the diagonal steel network facade of the final project can effectively reduce the impact of wind load and self-load. Moreover, the exact data of every elements of the structure that are achieved by parametric computation technology greatly maximise the material ultilization rate, which reduced the financial pressure of the government.

However, the project also added some difficulties in construction processes. Due to the screwy shape of the facade, every triangular stalinite on the surface presents a different shape which needs to be calculate one by one. In a word, the advantages and challengies made the project outstanding and attractive.

Canton Tower, also known as Guangzhou TV Astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, is designed by IBA and Arup and began to operate in October, 2010. The IBA and Arup design team won the internat ional competi t ion in 2004 and determined the design concept in the same year. To satisfy the requirements of present ing the at t ract ive, e n t h u s i a s t i c a n d f r i e n d l y characteristics of Guangzhou City, IBA defined a sexy tower which has female characteristics.

Paramet r ica l l y, the tower is construct by two relatively rotated ellipses which are at different he i gh t , and t he comb i ned vertical columns on the facade consist the tower sur face. In c o m p u t a t i o n a l p ro c e s s e s , the parametric tools make the research about forms and loads

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Fig. B.1.5 Canton Tower in Construction

Green Void

Architects: LAVALocation: Sydney, Australia; Stuttgart, GermanyHeight: 20mVolume: 3000m3

Project Year: 2008

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Fig. B.1.6 Green Void by LAVA

Fig. B.1.7 Lycra Sheet & Aluminium Structure

Fig. B.1.8 Night View of Green Void

piece of green lycra material which is soft, lightweight and flexible.

From parametric perspectives, the design team ultil ised the latest computational fabrication and engineering technologies. Creating only 300 square meter sur faces wi th 40kg weight lycra material to fill the 3000m3 atrium space, computational analysis achieved the minimal material usage and the most efficient connections between Green Void and the surrounding surface. Moreover, due to its flexible nature, the movement and reshaping process can be easier than rigid projects.

Green Vo id is a paramet r ic project which was designed by the Laboratory for Visionary Architecture in 2008. One of the project is located in Sydney CBD, and the other one is placed in Stuttgart, Germany. The design concept is to create a space that fills the atrium space of the Customs House. The project contains both close and open sur faces and appears a 20m height.

The idea of the shape derived from natural elements: cel ls, crystal and soap bubble. An intense contrast between the heritage interior atrium space and the Green Void can be impressive due to the difference of materials and shapes. While the surrounding surface of the building is made up of glass and stones, Green Void consists of a

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Fig. B.1.9 Anchor Points & Space Relationship

B.2.Case Study 1.0 - SG2012 Gridshell

Architects: MATSYS Design StudioLocation: Smartgeometry2012, RPI, Troy, NYSize: 11m x 7m x 4mProject Year: 2012

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Fig. B.2.1 Front, Side & Top View Of Gridshell Model

Fig. B.2.2 Connection of Timber Members

d is tances be tween po in ts of the two curves along the surface. The linkage and shift of the timber members express an aes the t i c appea rance . Parametric tools were ultilised to ana lys is the forces and research different forms, and finally work out the most stable and econimical one. In the following sections, a series of transmutations based on the script will be analysed.

The SG2012 Gr idshe l l i s a short-time project of MATSYS for the annual SmartGeometry Conference in 2012.

The concept i s to p roduce a f r e e s t a n d i n g f o r m t h a t ultilised the gridshell shape and basic formula. Straight timber members were ultilised to build the physical project due to its flexibility. Parametrically, the basic fundamental is to find the shortest 30

Fig. B.2.3 SG 2012 Gridshell

Species 1

mesh, column, ball

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Species 2

weavebird, offset, box, pipe, curve shape

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Species 3

multiple gridshell

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Species 4

shape, shift

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Species 5

combination of other definitions

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Species 5

combination of other definitions

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Result 1 is a basic iteration from the original gridshell script. by changing the definition of curves, the results seems smooth and stable which can be placed on ground as asculpture or a space for outdoor exhibitions. Shapes of every piece are influenced by self-weight and pull forces from upward.

Reflection & Speculation

S e l e c t i o n C r i t e r i a : f u n c t i o n a l i t y, p o s s i b i l i t y f o r f u r t h e r development,aesthetics. Goals During the Iteration Process: Extending the form-finding principles and work out results that seems stable but fluid which can be achieved in real world.

Result 2 employs the array engine to arrange a series of gridshells which appear a form like domes and columns. The space can be designed as a hall and the gridshells can be made up of eigher rigid or flexible materials to create different atmospheres.

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Result 3 shows the combination of different definitions. By changing the smooth surface to boundary boxs, the resu l ts appears a dynamic but stable structure which can be ultilised for different functions such as staircases, bridge or dome due to its different basement surface.

Result 4 moves further away by incorporating kangaroo engine and plug-ins. By adding a cube under kangaroo engine, the column forest would be regarded as an open space. Anchor points of the cube would be placed on the columns so the cube is suspended in the space. Weavebird components structured the network surface of the cube which makes it light-weighted.

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B.3.Case Study 2.0 - San Gennaro North Gate

This project by SOFTlab in 2011 is a large installation for the San Gennaro North Gate located in New York. Inspired by "one of the s implest and most effective classical architecture devices", SOFTlab create two oculi which form the piece: one direct upwards to the sky and the other pointing down to the ground defining the pathway for the passengers. The whole piece is made from Mylar panels and aluminium grommets which made i t l ight-weight enough to be suspended between a street lamp and the surrounding buildings. On display, the sculpture introduced a lively experience to the audience and changes depending on sunlight intensity.

Fig. B.3.1 San Gennaro North Gate by SOFTlab

Reverse-Engineer

Set a rectangular

Mesh & mesh join

Brep join & deconstructMerge

Move & LoftMerge

List items

Cull index & Boundary surfaces

Mesh edges

Naked surface

Kangaroo physicsMesh

Weld mesh

Vector

Average pointsExplode boundariesMesh

Springs from line

LoftMerge & intepolatePoints

1.

5.

4.

3.

2.

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1.

2.

3.

4.

Similarities:1. Two oculi, one pointing up and the other facing the ground;2. Kangaroo engine to organize the springs;3. The same pattern on the piece surface;

Differencies:1. Circle shape of the two oculi opening VS rectangular shape;2. Different size of each pattern;3 . D i f f e r e n t n u m b e r o f rectangular division;4 . A n c h o r p o i n t s o f t h e reactangular sheet edges.

Develop the def ini t ion next:1 . O t h e r f o r c e s i n Kangaroo physics;2. Other shapes of planes and objects;3. Combination of other definitions.

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5.

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B.4.Technique: Development

Fig. B.4.1 Surface Pattern of San Gennaro North Gate

Species 1

Weavebird plug-ins

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Species 2

Rotate plane, different surface patterns

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Species 3

Change force tensities

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Species 4

Change plane shape, surface patterns

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Species 5

Pressure force, spring force, weavebird plug-ins

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Result 1is selected because i t appea ls a re la t ionsh ip between different levels of pieces. Ocul i at di f ferent levels go through the levels and consists as an entire insta l la t ion. The mul t ip le vertical levels also enhance the space as well as creating more sepera te par ts fo r multiple functions.

R e s u l t 2 u l t i l i s e d m u l t i p l e weavebird plug-ins to divide and offset the edges. Thus the various types of polyline structures consist the complex three dimensional object. Functions of the structure depend on the sca le of the object.

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R e s u l t 3 s h o w s d i f f e r e n t appearances of multiple forces in kangaroo physics. Pressure, unaryforce and spring force are settled into the cube and dome. This result is selected because i t a p p e a l s v a r i o u s p o te n t i a l possibilities: network pattern, force strength, positions of anchor points and the relationship between the two segment parts.

Result 4 ultilised the combination of different weavebird components and appears a solid and sharp shape which can give people a totally different experience from the other ones. As the force strength changes, the directions of the cones change continuously, which reshape the object into different appearances.

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B.5.Technique: Protoytpes

Trying to achieve:1. Free standing or suspending structure;2. Light weight;3. Network structure;4. Lively appearance;5. Flexible joints.

Prototype 1:B a s i c a l l y s a t i s f i e d t h e requirements. Paperboard is considered to be the material as it has good nature to cut and shape. Axes joints could be considered on the edges of every rectangular network to achieve the flexibility. Pink as a lively color to inspire people's emotions could be effective.

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Prototype 2:Triangular network constructs an arc shape which is a free s tand ing form. The ho l low structure means light weight. Light-green color seems lively. Axes joints on each edges could make the structure more flexible.

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B.6.Technique: Proposal

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Fig. B.6.1 Google map of Merri Creek

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Fig. B.6.2 Site Map in CERES

Site of Interest

CERES Community Environmental Park, located on the banks of Merri Creek in Brunswick East, is one of the environmental educational centre in Victoria. Various projects, activities and programs about sustainability take place on the site, thus the ecological environment get improved continuously.

According to the statistics data of visitors' number on the offical website, thousands of kids and adults visit the site every year. Thus an entertainment project for young ages will be interesting and attractive. An interaction between land and water could impress people to think about and understand the environment change and reserve. The mirror view of the project and the shadow on water could consist a better landscape on the site.

58Fig. B.6.3 Photos of the Site

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Technique Applied to the SiteInteractive structure - Three pieces of sheets arrange at different vertical levels but interact with each other by top and bottom oculi.Connections - Anchor points are connected with the surrounding trees, bush and stones.Hollow Triangular Network could allow rain drop down freely on the ground and water.

Innovation about my designLight-weight material such as lycra would be applied which will effectively reduce the pressure on the surrounding trees.Half of the project is placed above the ground and the other half above the water, this arrangements introduces an interactive relationship between water and ground.The lower level sheet allows people to climb on, enjoy the flexible experience and appreciate the landscape at different angles of view -at the centre of pool.

Conceptual and technical achievements Interaction between ground and water;Interaction between human and nature;Light-weight flexible material;Triangular hollow structure.

Advantages & DisadvantagesBetter landscape perspective; More entertainment activities;Tecnique difficulty to decide and fix the anchor points.

B.7.Learning Objectives and Outcomes

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From learning the precedent projects, I found that parametric tools are very popular with many studios due to the efficiency and convenience to research and analyse. For example, for SG2012 Gridshell, parametric tools could be very convenient to analyse the most stable structure for the free standing form.

By learning and applying grasshopper for Case Studies and the technique development, I can create a lot more scripts by ultilising plug-ins such as kangaroo and weavebird. These tools can help to analyse the influence of forces on shape and pattern stretching. For instance, kangaroo physics tools are widely ultilised in B.4. stages such as pressure, tension and unaryforce to work out different shapes from the original ones. Weavebird tools are used to change different patterns on the surface. Although some basic knowledge about mathematics and physics is required, imagination is also very important in creating new scripts. These parametric tools allow me to extending the development of project and finding more oppotunities and possibilities.

B.8.Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

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References

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Archinect.com, 'San Gennaro North Gate | Softlab | Archinect', 2015 <http://archinect.com/softlab/project/san-gennaro-north-gate> [accessed 29 September 2015]

Google Maps, 'Google Maps', 2015 <https://www.google.com.au/maps/p lace/CERES+Communi ty+Env i ronment+Park/@-37.765689,144.98285,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad6435e295bb43f:0x41761fff9e6748c2> [accessed 29 September 2015]

Gztvtower.info, 'Canton Tower 广州塔 - Guangzhou TV Tower', 2015 <http://gztvtower.info> [accessed 29 September 2015]

Inhabitat.com, 'Softlab’S Colorful Sculpture Brings A Modern Twist To Little Italy’S San Gennaro Festival', 2015 <http://inhabitat.com/nyc/softlabs-colorful-sculpture-brings-a-modern-twist-to-little-italys-san-gennaro-festival/san-gennaro-north-gate-by-softlab-11/> [accessed 29 September 2015]

L-a-v-a.net, 'Green Void » LAVA', 2015 <http://www.l-a-v-a.net/projects/green-void/> [accessed 29 September 2015]

Matsysdesign.com, 'SG2012 Gridshell « MATSYS', 2015 <http://matsysdesign.com/2012/04/13/sg2012-gridshell/> [accessed 29 September 2015]

theslowpace, 'Geometry And Architecture', 2013 <http://theslowpace.com/2013/04/17/geometry-and-architecture/> [accessed 29 September 2015]

DETAILED DESIGN

Part C.Detailed Design

C.1. Design Concept 66

C.2. Tectonic Elements & Prototypes 73

C.3. Final Detail Model 83

C.4. Learning Objectives and Outcomes 96

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C.1.Design Concept

66Fig. C.1.1 Site Map

1895 19681940

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Fig. C.1.2 Site Photos of the Existing Fishway

Timber Structure Weir Timber Weir Broke Down Concrete Replaced Timber

2015

201219931968

68Concrete Replaced Timber A Rock Fishway Vertical Slot Fishway

70% of native fish species in Victoria migrate between river and ocean environments at some stage in their life. There are many reasons why fish migrate during their lifecycle and the most common one is for reproduction cycle. It has been reported that about 13 fish species had been found in the Yarra catchment and the most common one in Merri Creek is Australian Grayling.

However, there are many barriers in many rivers in Victoria that prevent fish migration and Merri Creek also has many preventions. Physical structures can be observed obviously as one kind of the barriers. Thus our site is located on one of the barrier. As the existing fishway is kind of too engineering, thus we attempt to design a new fishway which will have a better appearance and keep the effective influence as the existing one.

Precedent Project

Ozaukee County, Wisconsin

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Fig. C.1.3 Australian Grayling Fig. C.1.4 Distribution of Australian Grayling

Fig. C.1.5 Fishway of Ozaukee County, Wisconsin

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Form Finding

Existing New

Form

Pattern Pattern

Form+Pattern

Grasshopper Generation

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Existing New

Detail Plan & Section

SectionThe new fishway reserves the working efficiency of the existing one but also presents a better appearance above the water.

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C.2.Tectonic Elements & Prototypes

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The surface pattern and the curly shape are considered to be the core elements of the project.

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In construction stages, we divided the prototype model into four parts: two are the edges and two are the inside areas. Polypropylene material is utilized as it has good flexibility and strengthen.

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As the whole model consists of thousands of little triangles, we tried to combine a series of little triangles into a strip, in each strip every triangle connects each other by two of the edges. Then we labelled the strips and connected them by adding joints on edges. Several different types of joints were tested and rivets seemed to be the best choice.

Testing Joints

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Tool & Rivets

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Connecting Strips

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Construction Processes (Testing strips & Joints)After testing processes, dividing the model into strips and connecting them together could be an available and effective strategy.

C.3.Final Detail Model

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"UPSTREAM"

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Construction Processes

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C.4.Learning Objectives and Outcomes

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From part C, I have learned how to achieve a fictitious model in Grasshopper into reality. From analising the structure to testing the joints, the experience in construction stages are important for me in further development and understanding of the project.

Although the project for fishway still need a lot of work in testing the efficiency and availability in engineering stages, the design thinking can be utilized in many different fields. For example, the curly shape and the surface pattern can be utilized in fashion design, such as clothes, decorations. Design is something in common. These practices expand my design ideas and open up the boundaries by utilising the parametric tools.

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Agriculture.vic.gov.au, 'Australian Grayling | Freshwater Scale Fish | Catch Limits And Closed Seasons | Recreational Fishing Guide | Recreational Fishing | Fisheries | Agriculture', 2015 <http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/fisheries/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-guide/catch-limits-and-closed-seasons/freshwater-scale-fish/australian-grayling> [accessed 3 November 2015]

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