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ADS STUDIO: AIR

DUOJIA ZHENG/392222

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Contents

Part I: Expression of Interest

1.1.0 "Architecture as a discourse"1.2.0 "Computing in Architecture"1.3.0 "Parametric Modelling"

Part II: Project Proposal

2.1.0 "Input/Association/Output Matrix"2.2.0 "A Case For Biomimicry"2.2.1 "An Argument For Biomimicry"2.3.0 "A Case Study: Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2005"2.4.0 "Why Hexagon?"2.5.0 "Digital Model"2.5.1 "Physical Model"2.6.0 "Matrices"

Part III: Learning Objectives and Outcomes

3.1.0 "Improvement"3.2.0 "Construction"3.3.0 "Digital Fabrication"3.4.0 "Material"3.5.0 "Site Scale"3.6.0 "Model 1:50"

ReflectionReferences

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Part I: Expression of Interest

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1.1.0

"Architecture as a discourse"

Architecture as Art

"The space within becomes the reality of the building" Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect

As a famous architecture, Kaufmann House is a good example to show the relationship between architecture and nature. This house is wonderfully blended into nature backgrounds, provide a sense of beauty and peace. It is unbelievable that whatever view from any direction, the house always like a nice painting.Wright' s smart design gave his architecture a new life, so that we are not only use it, but also enjoy it. In this case, architecture is rised up to be an art, to achieve higher quality of life and leave a nice page in architectural history.

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Architecture as Sign

It is easier for people to remember a place if they remember the feature sign of that place. Because most people are good at picture memory, they can remember the patterns, shapes and colours instead of difficult names.The Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow is a famous sign for Russia. It is special since its funny onion domes, various pattern and colour in appearance. Once people visited it, or even seen from picture, they will never forget this interesting architecture. Therefore the 'sign' in here is represented as a geography coordinate for its place and city. A good architecture always can be a significant in that area.However, there is another meaning of the word 'sign'. The architecure can be a sign to tell its history by its design. For example, the onion domes of Saint Basil's Cathedral is changed from European cathedral dome during Renaissance. It represented culture and religion at that time in Russia.

Personal ProjectVirtual Environments

This is the headpiece I have done in first year environments class. It is first time I have designed in an architectural way. The idea is influenced by Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre which is designed by Zaha Hadid.In this time, we can find architecture is not as a huge building or a huge monster which we cannot touch, it sublimed to a concept which can influence people's idea, let them reflect and think more.In my case, I designed this headpiece since I get the concept form Zaha as streamline. I tried to develop this concept and let my design become a sport helmet.Therefore, a good architecture can share its concept to others, give inspiration to others. It can make people to reflect and develop more and more concepts from just one original concept.

Architecture as Concept

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1.2.0

"Computing in Architecture"

As the deve lopment on new e lec t ronic technique, computing design is more often used in architectural fields. It is more accurate and quick to deal with such complex project, and provide a new way to do architectures which people cannot do with handmake.The Gateway Project in Wyndham City we will do later can be a good experience to get touch with parametrical technique and give us a meet with innovation architecture.

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“Due to the influence of surface tension, the drop aims to achieve a spherical shape. However, its viscosity, torpidity, atmospheric friction and other external forces prevent this, so that it warps through a slightly oscillating drop into a spherical form.”

Long before sustainability became a fashionable word, at the first BMW trade fair presentation realized by Franken, driving with clean energy from water and the sun was symbolized in the form of an iconic structure: a drop of water. A drop simulation computer program was used to create this shape. The Bubble was one of the first structures in the world which was completely created with digital means, from the design through to construction.

Bubble BMW Pavilion 1999

Right p ic tures show how the Bubble BMW Pavilion is done in digital technology. It is used parametrical data to form the water drop. The fabrication is also done in a digital way.

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The shape of the pavilion is derived from letters forms of the Korean alphabet, Han-geul. Its surface is covered in white panels with a relief of letters in four different sizes and around 40,000 aluminium panels decorated in bright colors.These small white panels are formed through computing way, which is all done in the computer, and made with laser cutting.

Korean Pavilion at Expo 2010

As d iscussed before , a r c h i t e c t u r e c a n b e considered as a s ign, here the Korean Pavilion in Shanghai is a good example.

However, it is also an modern a rch i t ec tu re w h i c h i s d e s i g n e d wi th in contemporary computat ional design techniques.

Han-geul is the prime element of ‘signs’ within the pavilion. The overall volume is created by converging these Han-geul letters, allowing signs to create the exhibition space, so that visitors can experience their geometry through horizontal, vertical and diagonal movements. The primary geometries that compose the Han-geul letters are universal to other cultures, thus acting as a sort of ‘open’ set of signs that is engaging to everyone.

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1.3.0

"Parametric Modelling"

The new techniques for design, simulation, and fabrication, have enabled the emergence of new digital diagrams and parametric landscapes and iterative dynamic evolutionary processes—that are not only radically changing the ways in which we integrate disparate types of information into the design process, but are also significantly altering the methodological strategies that we use for design, fabrication and construction.

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Urban Adapter,Hong Kong

The project “Urban Adapter” is based on a digital parametric model. At its core the model utilizes explicit site information and programmatic data to reac t and in terac t wi th i t s env i ronment . That way the model’s DNA structure is capable of producing a variety of unique furniture results.Together they generate an endless family of new urban bench furniture. Rather than having a fixed form the members of the family can adapt to different s i te condit ions and programmatic needs. While all of the designs have the ability to serve as a seating element, some have additional programmatic values added, such as recycling containers, flower buckets or billboards serving for advertisement or educational purposes.

Up figure shows how people suit with this new parametric urban street furniture.

Right figure provide a construction idea of how the pieces are linked together.

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Part II: Project Proposal

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2.1.0

"Input/Association/Output Matrix"

I tried to use same input with different associations first. It is really surprised to find the outcomes are such interesting and different from each of them. Among these outcomes , the Using Surface Normal is the most cool input to get the most cool outcome, since it has curve already that looks ups and downs. On the other hand, Boolean Patterning and Surface Grid are the inputs which can let the outcomes in tidy.Then I tried to change associations and outputs together, the outcomes from this time are quite different. It changed more in levels if looks from perspective view which let the outcomes really cool.

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2.2.0

"A Case For Biomimicry"

BIOMIMICRY“A new science that studies nature’s models and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems.”

-Benyus, 1997

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2.2.1

"An Argument For Biomimicry"

Bio mimicry in design has aided in the development of more efficient, sustainable and unique design outcomes. By emulating patterns, forms and systems that have already evolved and survived the test of time in the natural world. By embracing what nature has to teach, we can achieve more advanced outcomes.

Wyndham city has a stronger relationship with the nature world having a number of natural beauties including the Werribee River K Road Cliffs, Point Cook Coastal Park, Heathdale Wetlands and the Victoria State Rose Garden. Many issues we face today have already been solved in the natural world, and by utilizing these solutions and replicating these systems, we can create a gateway for Wyndham City that demonstrates their commitment to seeking economical design solutions while paying tribute to Wyndham city’s natural beauty.

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Design Precedent

ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion

This project explores the architectural transfer of biological principles of the sea urchin’s plate skeleton morphology by means of computer- based design and simulation methods.Computer-controlled manufacturing methods were used for the creation of 6.5mm panels that form the pavilions shell.

The skeletal shell of the sand dollar is a modular system of polygonal plates, which are linked together at the edges by finger-like calcite protrusions.

The particular geometric arrangement of the plates and their joining system allows for a high load bearing capacity. This project is successful because it utilises the biological system to create a efficient use of materials without compromising structural strength.

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Beijing National Stadium was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and is a great use of biometrics.The stadium rises out of the landscape to replicate a giant upturned bird’s nest. The building itself has become icon in the community and has been hailed a marvel of design. For this simple reason this stadium can be viewed as a great success. We hope to achieve a design of a similar icon standard for the Wyndam city gateway.

Design Precedent

Bird's Nest & Water Cube

By taking the structure of soap bubbles as inspiration (and mimicking nature’s way of filling 3-d space most efficiently), PTW Architects and Arup gave the Cube an elegant, lightweight design: a rectangular box covered in iridescent bubble wrap.The 100,000 square meters of the Teflonlike translucent plastic ETFE that make up the building’s bubble cladding allow in more solar heat than glass, making it easier to heat the building, and resulting in a 30 percent reduction in energy costs. The futuristic LED-lit bubbles not only act as adjustable insulators, turning the building into a greenhouse, but also serve as storehouses for warm air that can be pumped into the Cube as needed.

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2.3.0

"A Case Study: Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2005"

We have selected the spanish pavilion as the basis for our design because it instantly reminded us of a beehive. We could see the inspiration of the beehive through the hexigrid system and we attempted to replicate this in our model.

The whole pavilion is composed with every single/separate hexagon as seen in the left picture, it is very strong in structure and can support max load with light/less materials. This is very important for our gateway project since we are expected to make a large design, whatever is a sculpture or a tunnel on the site, it is necessary to consider the safe issue.

As hexagon represented beehive which is a sign of nature, therefore we decided to use it to create a gateway for Wyndham City to cooperate with the nature beauty in local side as we discussed previously. The primary idea is to input gexigrid in grasshopper, so that we can get hexagon shape for our next step.

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2.4.0

"Why Hexagon?"

1.Aesthetic property

Hexagons can be used to create elegant interlocking patterns. These pattern can be done with various colour which can be seen from Spanish Pavilion case study.

2. Structural property

The lattice system created by hexagons have strong bonds. In fact the hexagon lattice is the molecule structure of some diamonds.

3. Can create curve surface

As the example of ITKE Research Pavilion we discussed before, hexagon can create nice surface which can provide more shape chances for our project.

4. The hexagon grid has been used throughout history to produce tiles,

or breakdown space efficently. This is because hexagons are one of the most efficent tessalating shapes.

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We try to use Surface Normal as an input of the model and made these little hexagons in order. The output is using Data Driven Extrusion since we would like to make different level/height of our model.Top figures show the process in grasshopper and different views from rhino.

2.5.0

"Digital Model"

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2.5.1

"Physical Model"

The first trial model is made based on the Spanish Pavilion, it used honey beehive colour to create a happy sense to the visitors.However, the level change is not as we expect since it will not give a balance or meaning to the site. Inaddition, the paper quality is not hard than we expected, it is easy to destroy.

For the second time model making, we find it feels better to set the model stand than just let it put flat. Also the difference/ various in level make more sense.The primary idea for EOI project is to make this biomimicry design stand beside the road. Therefore, sunlight can go through into these little hexagonal holes, and reflect a special shadow on the road. Thus, drivers can be attracted to this road.

Physical model making is a really interesting part of the project process. There are many small similar hexagon models need to be made first and then glue up together.

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Our definition can be adapted to mimic any image we input into the image sampler allowing us to create a design completely unique and personally significant to Wyndahm City.

Beehive Definition Through the use of parametric design we are able to create a definition that can change and adapt to constraints and become specific to Wyndham city. By adapting parametric with biomimicry we can take the best elements of a natural system that we observe and alter the constraints on the system to make it relevant to our design and specific to the Wyndham City location.

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2.6.0

"Matrices"

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Black and white image of sailboat is being inputed into the definition.The ‘sailboat’ image is inputted to influence the extrusion levels, colour and radius of the internal hexagons to produce a pattern that mimics the image itself.We propose using the same technique with images from the Wyndam city community to produce the gateway.

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This is the end of interim submission for EOI part, now we are strating the final development for the Gateway project of Wyndham City.

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Part III: Learning Objectives and Outcomes

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3.1.0

"Improvement"

After discussing the feedback we received from tutor, we realized our previous design idea is not strongly connect to Wyndham City. It is weak in the way to represent the change of Wyndham, and cannot introduce the new Wyndham to visitors. The shape of the orignal design is not attract people as well.Thus, we are going to improve our design which is based on the original idea - hexagon. Once, we have done some research, we find it is possible to do a tunnel on the Princes Fwy site. Since we mentioned before, hexagon can create strong structure, but also beauty and modern in appearance. When cars drive through the tunnel, visitors will get stronger feeling as they are experience with the design. This seems will be more attract to visitors.By consider this, we sublimed our CONCEPT. We wish to create a connection between Melbourne and Wyndham City, and provide a self experience for visitors to understand the change of new Wyndham City which is from rural to urban.

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2D 3D

Yorkshire Renaissance Pavilion

The research of Yorkshire Renaissance Pavilion is really useful for our design improvement. It is used lattice struction to support the whole pavilion which is really strong and safe. The all white in colour let the structure looks tidy and represented a sense of future and modern, which is exactly we want for the Wyndham Gateway.We tried to use the lattice structure as our new gateway design, so that we transformed the original 2D hexagon to 3D. (See figures on the left) Then we decied to keep the structure without cover any surface on it, therefore sunlight can directly go through to the tunnel and shadows can be various. The new desgin will be modern which attract people to see a new Wyndham City, from rural to urban and to future, this is our concept.

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The proposal of our gateway design is based on structure/joinery, therefore construction is a important issue.

At the first trial for the lattice construction, we tried to use sphere to connect each skeleton piece. However, we find it is not a good idea since the making process is difficult and the connection could be failed. As the physical model we did, it was collapsed while environmental force acting on it. Inaddition, the sphere connection will change the lattice structure appearance, which is not we want. So we have to find a new way in construction.

3.2.0

"Construction"

Construction Trial in Rhino

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Review to construction research of Yorkshire Renaissance Pavilion, we find the lattice structure is connected by welding. There is no need with the sphere, instead, only use weld technique to connect all the skeleton pieces. By doing this, the collapse issue can be solved without change any shape or appearance of the design.

Using the same method as Yorkshire Renaissance Pavilion, we made another physical model, as the picture shows on right side. We used quick-dry glue to connect all the sticks, and it seems fine this time.The shadow is nice as we expected since it can represent the waterway and wetlands of Wyndham.

Thus, we have second trial on our tunnel construction. For the undeground construction, we propose to use reinforcement concrete as a basement in order to support the load of the lattice structure. (See figure 1) The end of skeleton will be embed into concrete level by cross the earth level. We hope to do the end skeleton as deep as possible, such as 4 - 5 meters, so that it is strong enough to support.

Section-Yorkshire Renaissance PavilionConcept- Connection Drawing Figure 1

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Perspective Construction View in Rhino

For connection part, as we discussed before, three skeleton pieces can be connected together by welding the endpoint of them. However, these skeleton pieces are come from different direction, there must be a intersection piece connect with them. (see figure on the left) The intersection piece is buckled to the skeleton with two sides are welded to the skeleton. This connection method will be stronger than the one we tried before.

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Since the gateway is an entrance to Wyndham City, we wish to get some inspirations fromWyndham and used in our design.

As we did before, the sailing boat idea is come from the logo of Wyndham City. We want to continue this element in our new design. Therefore, this time, we have added the wave shape to our tunnel. Once, the manipulation of lattice structure havev done in Rhino, we find it is really cool in the appearance of the tunnel. Then we decided to exaggerate it more. We will try to let the tunnel to 'WAVE' not only on both sides, but also on the top. The outcome will be modern and represent the growth of Wyndham.

3.3.0

"Digital Fabrication"

T h e s a i l i n g b o a t w e u s e d i n grasshopper to create the previous model. The idea is come from Wyndham City logo, so we wish to keep this idea in the tunnel design.

This is the logo, we get inspiration from the wave and try to use it as the tunnel shape.

By manipulating the original lattice structure, we get this new form. This became our concept form which we will develop on it later.

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1

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3

Final

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The wave manipulation in Rhino is interesting. At the first time trial, we just slightly add wave to the side of tunnel, it looks funny, like there is a part of tunnel structure is destroyed. But we find this is a good way to improve our tunnel, and we should keep going on this.

On the following trial 2 and 3, we start to do wave cover larger area, twist it more from both sides and top as well. These create a more exciting appearance and the shadows are more various. The outcome from here is more and more amazing. We feel it now is on the right track.

Thus, we continued manipulation to get our final outcome. The final diamond lattice is really cool in appearance. It is 144.4 meters in length. It looks like a huge dragon, and its mouth is the entrance. This is very attractive, visitors will leave an unforgettable memory on the experience of the tunnel and Wyndham City.

Diamond Lattice Perspective views

The tunnel is kept angle in its entered appearance (r ight -angle instead of curve)according to the hexagon concept.

2D View

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3.4.0

"Material"

After doing the research, we prefer to use Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) as the material for our tunnel. It is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. The fibres are usually glass, carbon, or aramid. It is commonly used in construction areas.

For our case, this kind of material is the best choice since it has follow properties:

1. light and stretchedThe density of FRP is between 1.5 - 2.0 which is only 1/4 of steel, however its stretching is better than normal steel. So FRP is light in weight. As our lattice tunnel is large in scale, it is more convenient to choose a lighter material to build instead of using steel.

2. anti- corrosion FRP is good at anti corrosion in many condition, such as water, atmosphere, acid and alkali. This is very important because our tunnel is a outdoor architecture, it is seriously have to be considered external destroy such as bad weather or environment pollution.

3. flexibleIt is easy to do any complex shape or structure, with only need once moulding. Because the lattice tunnel is complex in structure, FRP will be a good material to build it. Also the once moulding will save lot of time and labour and money.

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3.5.0

"Site Scale"

Our gateway tunnel will be located on site B. The reason we choose to put tunnel here is because this location is close to the fork between Melbourne and Wyndham City. When travellers come from Geelong direction, it is conspicuous to find the gateway tunnel of Wyndham City. They have chance to choose whether go to Wyndham or Melbourne.

However, if travellers come from Melbourne, they will shock by the amazing close sideview of the tunnel and have curiosity to experience the tunnel when they come back.

The gateway is not too hide so that travellers can see it from far. But it still on the Wyndham fork to represent the unique of Wyndham City.

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3.6.0

"Model 1:50"

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The Diamond Lattice encapsulates the city of Wyndham through the translation of how Wyndham has developed, its connection to surrounding cities and the environment. The iconic scale and enormity of this design risesout of the natural environment as a beacon, compelling motorists to come explore the city of Wyndham. Based on a standard hexi-grid lattice, it has been pulled and manipulated to create a drive through experience as well as a drive by experience, through which the journey of Wyndham, from a rural community to a municipality and urbanized city is translated.

As light passes through the gateway wave shadows spread across the road representing the waterway and wetlands of Wyndham while from the outside the manipulation of the lattice mirrors the wave in the iconic Wyndham city logo, these waves create a sense of movement and tranquility representing Wyndham rural origins and it constant growth. The gateway created a sense of awe and wonder mirroring that which lies in the future of Wyndham.

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ReflectionAbout ProjectThe gateway project for Wyndham City is a large challenge since it comes with lot of issues such as design, construction, material and site scale. It have to be connected with local environment, but also as a sign represent Wyndham.By continue improving. our final outcome is getting reach the aim of this project. We sublimed the concept to a high level, to show how a city grow from rural to urban. The design of the gateway is successful as it is modern in performance, but also linked to Wyndham City logo and reflect the nature beauty of it. However, we are still not confident about the constrction part. Because the diamond lattice is complex in structure, it might be different in construction among different manipulation parts. (Since the supporting load and connection angle are various) The solution we got now is the best one we can explore. We hope it is right for the tunnel.

Technical SkillsIt is first time I use Rhino and Grasshopper. At beginning, I even not sure how to 'bake' the model we have done in Rhino. But after continue learning and trying, I find the command line is convenient. Tools in Rhino are easy to control and build perfect 3D tunnel. On the other hand, we did gexi -grid and make image sampler in grasshopper which help the manipulation become quick and databased. Then, we try to use 3ds Max to composite our model with reality backgrounds in order to get rendering. Although it took nearly 24 hours to finish, but the outcomes are really cool. (See last and next pages) In addition, we see how amazing the physial model is done by 3D printing. This kind of technical must be popular in future architectural field. It is interesting in process as we doing the digital technical, I think it will be useful for future study.

Future PlanWe have learned a lot from this subject, both in project design and technical skills. If we had more time and skills, we will try to make the tunnel more extend to Wyndham City. Not only in its length, but also can separate them into groups such as part A and part B. This can be more related and emphasize to our concept.Overall, I am interested in the design part, because we can do many field related researches and sum up good ideas. This is a creative part so that we can do many testing, trying and changing and finally got the sublimed design.However, digital skills are also very important since we are in a technology develop world, more works will be done on the computer in the future. Therefore, I will try to develop the design process with technical skills (learned in the subject) in the future and get more confidence in architectural area.

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References

Part I: Expression of Interesthttp://www.wright-house.com/frank-lloyd-wright/fallingwater-pictures/F1SW-fallingwater-in-fall.htmlhttp://www.prlog.org/11835799-the-architectural-and-historical-mystery-of-st-basils-cathedral.htmlhttp://www.franken-architekten.de/index.php?pagetype=projectdetail&lang=en&cat=3&param=cat&param2=21&param3=0&http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/15/korean-pavilion-at-expo-2010-by-mass-studies/http://www.dezeen.com/2010/01/08/urban-adapter-by-rocker-lange-architects/

Part II: Project Proposalhttp://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/http://www.dezeen.com/2011/10/31/icditke-research-pavilion-at-the-university-of-stuttgart/http://www.n-s.cn/cn/http://www.water-cube.com/http://www.architecture.com/Awards/RIBAInternationalAwards/2005/Spanish-Pavilion.aspx

Part III: Learning Objectives and Outcomeshttp://www.behance.net/gallery/Yorkshire-Renaissance-Pavilion/235230http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibre-reinforced_plastic