Studio

A ir

529133

Sarah Luong

S1-2015

PA R T B

Contents

B.1 Research field

B.2 Case study 1.0

B.3 Case study 2.0

B.4 Technique development

B.5 Technique prototypes

B.6 Technique proposal

B.7 Learning outcomes

B.8 Algorithmic sketchbook

References

B.1 Research f ield

Bio-mimcry

The development of biomimicry in architecture was initially concerned with form finding and rep-licating the existing curves of nature as an stylistic device. The middle stage of bio-mimicry con-cerns itself with utilising natural structural principles, such as the self supporting structure of the shell, to engineer built structures. The next stage, which is within the current era, evolves into morphogenesis that works in parallel with computational design. Morphogenetics is the process of adoption of material systems that responds to evolving environmental conditions. The four features of the transfer of biological to biomimetics, according to Achim Menges are:1.Morphogenesis as feature based2. Constraint driven3. Process based, and 4. Feedback based.

Bio-mimicry’s process of design differs greatly from traditional design process and is more aligned with biological design process. Biological systems are designed by evolutionary theory, whereby the weakest designs are culled due to their inability to adapt to new environments. This correlates to the process of morphogenesis whereby the parameters of site specification and material con-straints guide the process of narrowing down the best suitable design. The variables of site conditions allow for morphogenesis to produce a complex and sophisticated design project that is environmental responsive, therefore inceasing the longevity of the design.Due to the technicality and the initial stages of research into biomimetics, it has not been adopted broadly. This needs to be addressed and improved, as there are potential for architecture to move further away of the Vitruvian method of design towards an unpredictable architectural future.

Biomimicry for aesthetics

Brunel University GatewayMinamiforms

The project uses the structural principles of a water lily in com-bination of biological centred aesthetics. The cellular struc-ture is composed of a variety of convex and concave cells in which they expand and contract to enhance the user’s experi-ence of walking along the water. The uniqueness of this project is its adoption of a water lily as a structural form, in particular it’s optic hairs and structural fibres to formulate its overall form. This has allowed the gateway to organically float, and fit into its difficult reflective pool site. Biomimicry, in this case, is not only adopted as an aesthetic style, but also as a performance mechanism. This is the perfect

combination of how biomimicry completely resolves tension be-tween aesthetics and functional-ity. Nature, should no longer be overlooked as it has provided resolved structural form that de-veloped through evolution, and trial and error that architecture can avail upon.

Biomimicry for performance

New research is beginning to be conducted into how mate-riality and natural form could enhance the performance of built structures. Architecture can benefit greatly from the knowledge and technology that is available.The Hydroscope is founded on a 5 year research by Steffen Reichert and Professor Achim Menges on the properties of wood that would enable it to be responsive to changing humid-ity levels. By just applying materials to a built project does not produce would not work. There was great thought and experimenta-tion put into the whole form that would maximise and perform a physical reaction to changing humidity levels. Reichert and Menges, were able to design a form that would be able to

work with the material, of which provided a set of parameters to deal with. They were able to create a structure that was able to work with the chosen mate-rial to reach their morpogenesis goal. The geometry was para-metrically designed and was cut precisely for its assembly to be achievable. The result was a structure that physically and passively responds to the changing humidity levels within its enclosure. The only machi-nary involved was the humidi-fier controller. The Hydroscope is an adaptive design that does not rely on artificial forms of inputs (such as a human or electronic controller) to make it adaptive to a changing environ-ment. This project has raised the optimism for built forms to respond to climate change,

Hydroscope, Centre du PompidouSteffen Reichert and Professor Achim Menges

B.2 Case study 1.0 Fractal Tetrahedron AA Aranda Lash

B.3 Case study 2.0 Office banque

1. Square using the polygon tool 3. Divide the surface into grid points2. Polygon into a surface 4. Create lines from the points 5. Loft between the lines

The advantages of this algorithm for reverse engineering Office Banq:

By starting with the polygon function in grasshopper, the overall shape that carries out the section was able to be adjusted freely without impacting too much on the overall sections.

Case study 2.0 shape shifterschanging u and v inputschanging lengths changing radius

B.4 Technique development Voussoir cloud + off ice banque

My design concept revolves around lessening the impact of degradation by the transition of humans.The materiality and shell like structure of the Voussoir cloud is applicable to the direction of my design, there-fore is suitable to be adopted as the main form of my walking path. The reverse engineering project of Office banq in case study 2.0 has potential for me to customise a pathway catering for the two speed cyclists and walk-ers.

Using attractor points along the center of the pathway.

Advantages:Allows light to filter through into the plantsThe tendrals allow for minimal impingement on the environment

Disadvantages:Inadequate surface area for riding and walking in the one path.

Tessalation with shell

Advantages:Stable structure without impinging on the environment, and allows walkwaysLarger surface area for the walkers and the cyclists

DisadvantageDoes not allow light to filter through

B.6 Technique proposal

Combination of Shell tesselation with contouring top surface

Advantages Minimal impact on the areaAdequate surface areas for walkers and cyclistsAllows light to infiltrateFinalisation objectives- Materiality (aesthetically juxtaposes but sustainable)- Detailing- Structural performance using kangaroo plug in- Safety

Site analysisThe Rotunda Wetlands is a part of the Merri Creek that could be accessed via Esplanade Rd.It is a re-vegetated area with native local plants, however its main purpose is to treat stormwater runoff into the Merri creek river. This allows filtration and decreasing the rapid flow of stormwater down into Merri Creek, whilst providing nutrients and water to the indigenous flora.

There exists a shared path, which allows walkers and cyclists to cross the area. Although the area was regenerated, the current path is not as environmentally friendly as it could be, as it imposes on the natural flow of the stormwater down-stream and it impinges on the re-vegetated flora and habitat for local fauna.

B.7 Learning outcomes

My design intention was clear however, with the technical skills being the predominant method of realising my design, I need to work on furthering my technical skills.At this stage, I feel I still need to further understand and improve working with grasshopper. I find scripting the most difficult and struggle on experimenting with it. I believe that my approach to studying grasshop-per has let me down, as I was trying to acquire all of the technical skills and not focusing on a specific and related set of skills.Hopefully, I would be able to improve, to progress with the subject and to express my design concept.

References

1. http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2010/fiber-composite-adaptive-architecture/2. http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2010/jellyfish-house-by-iwamoto-scott/3. http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2011/gateway-structure-for-brunel-university-by-minimaforms/4. http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2012/hygroscope-centre-pompidou-paris/5.Menges, Achim.(2012) Biomimetic design process in architecture: morphogenetic and evolutionary computational design. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics. 7.6. AD.Material computation: Higher integration in morphogenetic design. Volume 82. Issue 2. 20127. Figure 1: Bicycle Snake. Copenhagen, Denmark.DISSING+WEITLING Architecturehttp://www.archdaily.com/522669/bicycle-snake-dissing-weitling-architecture/8. Figure 2: Skycycle. London, United Kingdom. Foster & partnershttp://www.archdaily.com/463363/norman-foster-designed-scheme-aims-to-transform-london-into-cycling-utopia/9. Figure 3: Danish pavilion. Shanghai, China.BIG.http://www.archdaily.com/57922/denmark-pavilion-shanghai-expo-2010-big/

Precedents

The precedents which are most related to my vision of the Merri-Creek shared trail encompasses a two speed lane for cyclists, as shown in Bicycle Snake, Figure 1. This two laneways would separate recreational cyclists from the se-rious cyclist who use the lane as a primary mode of transport. The lanes would be named as the scenic route cycling track and the express cycling track.Given the main concern for this project centers around minimising the impact of built form on the environment, it is necessary for the pathway to have little contact with the ground as possible. An example is Skycycle in Figure 2 sug-gests that raising the pathway would prevent impedence to local habitat. Merri-Creek’s topography presents potential use of the path to envelope the natural terrain of the site. The result-ing form would be sensitive to the specific site, and would be predominantly curvacious with varying slopes as in the Danish pavilion in Figure 3.

Figure 1: Bicycle Snake. Copenhagen, Denmark.

Figure 2: Skycycle. London, United Kingdom

Figure 3: Danish pavilion. Shanghai, China.