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STUDIO AIRJOURNAL2016 SEMESTER 1

BY YITAO LIUTUTOR: JULIAN SJAAK RUTTEN

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There are three responses to a piece of design — yes, no, and WOW!WOW is the one to aim for.– Milton Glaser, named the Most Influential Graphic Designer of the Past 50 Years

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 3

Part A. CONCEPTUALISATIONA.1. Design Futuring 4

A.2. Design Computation 6A.3. Composition/Generation 8

A.4. Conclusion 10A.5. Learning outcomes 10

A.6. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches 11

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INTRODUCTION

My name is Yitao Liu. I currently study the major of architecture in the university of melbourne. This is my third year of a Bachelor of Environment. I was born in China and came to Australia when I was 16 years old. I have learnt a Chinese traditional instrument called ‘Guzheng’ since I was a little girl, it is a kind of Chinese zither. I also do well in drawing and painting. I like cos-play, litterally, ‘costume play‘. I enjoy dressing up and pretending to be the character I like. It is very interesting to change myself into a totally different image.As I like fine art very much, It is not hard for me to decide the major I want to study and my future career. Personally, comparing to design in other disciplines, architecture is more magnificent. It is not only important for our daily life, but also shows the character of one city or maybe become a landmark for one city. It is my dream to become famous and to leave some great works in the world.

about myself...

2. My Cosplay Selfie

3. “Kaneki-Ken Mask Computer Wallpapers, Desktop Backgrounds | 1920X1080 | ID:522622”, Wallpaper Abyss, 2016 <https://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=522622> [accessed 18 March 2016].

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1. My Selfie

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about work and experience with digital design theory and tools...

Acturally, as I said before, I’m good at free hand drawing but weak at using techniques. I am a beginner of Rhino and AutoCAD. I did some work with AutoCAD and I found my skill has been improved by doing more practice. As dig-ital design becomes more and more important, using the softwares like Rhino, Grasshopper and Auto CAD must be considered as a neces-sary skill for an archcitect. I hope to improve my skills through this subject and also throught doing more practice.

Personally, the theory of digital architecture is using computer techniques modelling, program-ming and imaging some structures that can not be done by free hand. By considering the de-velopment of techniques, digital design inspires designers and will bring a better future.

1. My work, done by using Auto CAD in Constructing Analysis

2. My design work, done by free hand drawing

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Part A. CONCEPTUALISATIONA.1. Design Futuring

COMPOSITE SWARM

The Composite Swarm installation is an architectural prototype exploring the relationship of robotic fabrication, composite materials and algorithmic design. Designers of this project used the techniques of swarm intelligence. A swarm algorithm based on the self-organizing behavior of ants was developed for the project to negotiate between and compresses surface, structure and ornament into a single irreducible form. The surface of the installation is created through a digital swarm of components that are programmed to make a continuous surface. The ornamental components are distributed with an algorithm based on the logic of ants that form bridges by connecting their bodies. The connection between components creates a complex ornamental and structural network.

1. “Kokkugia”, Kokkugia.com, 2016 <http://www.kokkugia.com/filter/swarm-intelligence/Composite-Swarm> [accessed 18 March 2016].

As the installation combines a fiber-composite surface and flexible foam components, which makes it too flex-ible to be self-supporting, a fabrication team is needed for this project. This project costed the least amount of material by its complex and specific form, and the excess of ornament.

This algorithmic approach is part of Kokkugia’s Behav-ioral Formation design process that draws on the logic of swarm intelligence and operates through multi-agent algorithms. For the future contribution, the prototype is intended to test composite tectonics for the future application to larger architectural projects.

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PHARE TOWER

Drawing on the power of parametric scripting, the design of the Phare Tower gathers disparate programmatic, physical, and infrastructural elements from the requirements of the building and synthesizes these into a form that seamlessly integrates the building into the idiosyncrasies of its site while expressing multiple flows of movement. In the spirit of the Paris Exposition competition proposals, the tower embodies state-of-the-art technological advances to become a cultural landmark.The complex structure and skin adapt to the tower’s non-standard form while simultaneously responding to a range of complex, and often competing, physical and environmental considerations. Technologies integrated into the Phare Tower capture the wind for the production of energy and selectively minimize solar gain while maximizing glare-free daylight. Its high-performance skin transforms with changes in light, becoming opaque, translucent, or transparent from different angles and vantage points.[1]

1. “Phare Tower | Morphopedia | Morphosis Architects”, Morphopedia.com, 2016 <http://morphopedia.com/projects/phare-tower> [accessed 18 March 2016].2. “ATLV Project: Phare Tower Skin And Structure”, ATLV, 2016 <http://www.atlv.org/project/pha.html> [accessed 18 March 2016].3. “Phare Tower - Morphosis”, Arcspace.com, 2007 <http://www.arcspace.com/features/morphosis/phare-tower/> [accessed 18 March 2016].

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A.2. Design Computation

HANGZHOU OLYMPIC STADIUM

The development of design compitation has nearly 50 years. It can be seen as a digital continuum from design to production, from form generation to fabrication design, which is called Vitruvian effect according to Oxman[2]. This new continuity begun to evolve as a medium that supports a continuous logic o f design thinking and making. It also enabled a set of symbiotic relationships between the formulation of design processes and developing technolo-gies. In order to accommodate these developments, a new and comprehensive domain of architectural theories is beginning to emerge in the intersection between science, technology, design and architectural culture.

The pictures above shown the Olympic Stadium in Hang-zhou, China, was designed by NBBJ in collaboration with CCDI. It is scheduled for completion in 2013 as part of a sports and entertainment city featuring other recreation facilities. It was designed with an architectural vocabulary of repetitive sculptural truss geometries. During the design process, using of the customization of tools and imple-mentation of new compitational methodologies helped the team to overcome the challenges they met.

A grasshopper algorithm was developed to facilitate the conversion of the geometry into a wireframe structure, compatible with the engineer’s analysis tool. This enabled both teams minimize the time that would have been required in creating an engineer-ing-specific model. The parametric algorithm also had surface analysis integrated in it to test for the planarity of each petal. Kangaroo physics has also been used in combination with a visualisation script to envision, tensile, compressive forces and areas of maximum stress. Having this integrated at the early stage of design also improved the collaboration between the structural and design teams.

1. “Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center | NBBJ”, Nbbj.com, 2016 <http://www.nbbj.com/work/hangzhou-stadium/#next> [accessed 18 March 2016].2. Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10

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TAIPEI NANGANG OFFICE TOWER

On the left is a 18 storey tower designed by the AEDAS. It has the inspiration from river pebbles. The concept was developed using a flow of parametric tools, such as Rhino, Rhino plug ins, grasshopper and Revit, to ensure precise information delivery. The representation of the design process was evolved from the use of manual sketches to virtual 2D and 3D images. The vertical green wall facade can be considered as the characteristic of the building, which was designed at the period of creating the initial sketches of river pebbles. The surface was rationalized using Rhino panelling tools to create the facade panels.

The benefits of using computation design can be seen from this project clearly. By using the grasshopper, the information obtained from the building geometry can be associated very well. Hence, it is much more effective and convenient to re-evaluate the design outcome when the design of the mass was going through a change. In addition, the ability of evaluating in grasshopper is very important for the future design outcome.

1. “Gallery Of Taipei Nangang Office Tower / Aedas - 7”, ArchDaily, 2016 <http://www.archdaily.com/163627/taipei-nangang-of-fice-tower-aedas/exterior-se> [accessed 18 March 2016].2. “World Of Architecture: Impressive Modern Office Tower By Aedas”, Pinterest, 2016 <https://www.pinterest.com/pin/394557617330442489/> [accessed 18 March 2016].

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A.3. Composition/Generation

According to Robert and Frank, the core idea of an algorithm is a finite set of rules or operations with all foundational mathematical ideas that are unambiguous and simple to follow. Although the connection between algorithms and computation is quite tight, algotithm still can be consti-tuted by pencil and paper without computer. But it will become more precise when using computer. They also indicate that thinking itself is an algorithm—or perhaps better, the result of many algorithms working simultaneously. One of the important techniques used to study the mind into levels is Virtual machine. In order to completely and truly understand the mind, theories at all levels are going to be needed.[1]

Advantages:UnambiguousPreciseSubtleEffectiveSimple operationsEasy to followCreativeSpecificImportant for the movement from statics to dynamics

Shortcomings:DefiniteFiniteAlways halts or terminates on purpose or accidentally

In the design and architecture aspects, parametric model needs to be mentioned.

The first case study is a digitized practice of architecture, Japanese Tea Ceremony. The entire structure was designed by digital manipulation of the traditional tatamimat scale. Each part of the ceremony – the partici-pants, fixtures, and the tea itself – influences a regulare panelized system, while the wall panels form an introverted space for the ceremony itself and dually displaying it to the public.

The second case study is Esker House by Plasma Studio in Italy. With the relatively simply parametric logic, its structure is quite unique according to its stratified morphology. These frames enable the subsequent defor-mation and softening of the overall geometry.

JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY

1. Definition of ‘Algorithm’ in Wilson, Robert A. and Frank C. Keil, eds (1999). The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences (London: MIT Press), pp. 11, 122. “Columbia GSAPP”, Arch.columbia.edu, 2016 <http://www.arch.columbia.edu/labs/laboratory-applied-building-science/projects/fabrication-workshops/tokyo-digital-tea-house> [accessed 18 March 2016].

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ESKER HOUSE

Esker Haus is a self-contained residential unit placed on top of an existing house from the 1960s. It can be seen as a parasite which started from adopting the structure of the host and gradually differ-entiated into its own unique organization and morphology.[1]

1. “Esker House / PLASMA Studio”, ArchDaily, 2009 <http://www.archdaily.com/11957/esker-house-plasma-studio> [accessed 18 March 2016].2. Plasma Studio, “P L A S M A Studio”, Plasmastudio.com, 2016 <http://www.plasmastudio.com/work/Esker_Haus.html> [accessed 18 March 2016].3. Ana Lisa and Ana Lisa, “Plasma Studio Builds Parasite Home On Top Of A 60S House In Italy”, Inhabitat.com, 2016 <http://in-habitat.com/plasma-studio-builds-parasite-home-on-top-of-a-60s-house-in-italy/> [accessed 18 March 2016].

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A.4. Conclusion

A.5. Learning outcomes

Without doubt, design computation becomes a major part of architectural theory, culture and practice nowa-days. According to Peters, computation is redefining the practice of architecture. With the digital tools, many opportunities in design process, fabrication and construction can be created.

With the benefits of design computation, my intended design approach is to combine the ideas of hand drawing and digital design. I think there should be a way to connect them together. Personally, hand drawing can bring me more feelings when I get the design agenda. After I make sure the main design direction, I will use digital tools to generate my design in different ways and choose the best one. I think computation design is mainly used to design the appearance of the building. But for the interior design and structure, hand drawing may suit me more.

Learning about the theory and practice of architectural computing provides a significant skill for my future development. Through the researching of case studies, many impressive projects have been seen and my sight has been broader. Obviously, algorithmic thinking and design computation can be considered as the major part of design theory and practice nowadays.

At the begining of the semester, I simply understand the digital design as using computer and some softwares to design. At that time, I did not consider about the algorithmic thinking and other benefits of developing design ideas. With the learning of Grasshopper these weeks, I become understand the advantages of using techniques in a real way. Comparing to hand drawing, digital design is more effective and convinient. For example, with my experience of using Grasshopper, adding a slide to a component and changing the number of slide could make the whole project become very different. Not like hand drawing, it is no need to redo the whole project by using grasshopper. Moreover, the outcome of the design is unthinkable. Grasshopper always surprise me!

As computation design can make the project more specific, unique and creative, I will try to improve my past design by setting the main components only and using the algorithmic way to creating a variety of design out-comes and choose the best one.

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A.6. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

Through the learing of theories of design computation, it is obvious that having the skills of an algorithmic thinking, paramet-ric modelling and scripting cultures are necessary for an architect in the future. Without doubt, Grasshopper is a very useful tool to achieve this point.

As I am very new of using techniques, it was a difficult start for me. The Grasshopper online tutorials help a lot. Following the tutorials, I created many interesting geometries. Personly, these works should be hardly done by free hand. However, with the use of Rhino and Grasshopper, it becomes convinient and effective.

From creating a surface to a geometry, then a gridshell, the para-metric logic and algorithmic method using in the stuctural systems of the projects become more and more complex. I chose these examples to show the development of my work. In addition, these algorithmic sketches also show the charactertics of specific and creative of digital design. Changing a single factor can make the whole project transform to an unthinkable shape.

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1. My works

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REFERENCES

“ATLV Project: Phare Tower Skin And Structure”, ATLV, 2016 <http://www.atlv.org/project/pha.html> [ac-cessed 18 March 2016]

“Columbia GSAPP”, Arch.columbia.edu, 2016 <http://www.arch.columbia.edu/labs/laboratory-ap-plied-building-science/projects/fabrication-workshops/tokyo-digital-tea-house> [accessed 18 March 2016]

Definition of ‘Algorithm’ in Wilson, Robert A. and Frank C. Keil, eds (1999). The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences (London: MIT Press), pp. 11, 12

Dunne, Anthony & Raby, Fiona (2013) Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press) pp. 1-9, 33-45

“Esker House / PLASMA Studio”, ArchDaily, 2009 <http://www.archdaily.com/11957/esker-house-plas-ma-studio> [accessed 18 March 2016]

Fry, Tony (2008). Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg), pp. 1–16

“Gallery Of Taipei Nangang Office Tower / Aedas - 7”, ArchDaily, 2016 <http://www.archdaily.com/163627/taipei-nangang-office-tower-aedas/exterior-se> [accessed 18 March 2016]

“Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center | NBBJ”, Nbbj.com, 2016 <http://www.nbbj.com/work/hangzhou-stadi-um/#next> [accessed 18 March 2016]

Issa, Rajaa ‘Essential Mathematics for Computational Design’, Second Edition, Robert McNeel and associ-ates, pp 1 - 42

Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 5-25

“Kaneki-Ken Mask Computer Wallpapers, Desktop Backgrounds | 1920X1080 | ID:522622”, Wallpaper Abyss, 2016 <https://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=522622> [accessed 6 March 2016]

“Kokkugia”, Kokkugia.com, 2016 <http://www.kokkugia.com/filter/swarm-intelligence/Composite-Swarm> [accessed 6 March 2016]

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Lisa, Ana, and Ana Lisa, “Plasma Studio Builds Parasite Home On Top Of A 60S House In Italy”, Inhabitat.com, 2016 <http://inhabitat.com/plasma-studio-builds-parasite-home-on-top-of-a-60s-house-in-italy/> [accessed 18 March 2016]

Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10

Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15

“Phare Tower | Morphopedia | Morphosis Architects”, Morphopedia.com, 2016 <http://morphopedia.com/projects/phare-tower> [accessed 18 March 2016]

“Phare Tower - Morphosis”, Arcspace.com, 2007 <http://www.arcspace.com/features/morphosis/phare-tower/> [accessed 18 March 2016]

Studio, Plasma, “P L A S M A Studio”, Plasmastudio.com, 2016 <http://www.plasmastudio.com/work/Esk-er_Haus.html> [accessed 18 March 2016]

“World Of Architecture: Impressive Modern Office Tower By Aedas”, Pinterest, 2016 <https://www.pinter-est.com/pin/394557617330442489/> [accessed 18 March 2016]