AirPArt B marta elefterijadis|Air

marta elefterijadis|Air

geometry

I have chosen to focus on Geometry as my

research field, as this is a field that offers a

look into the constructability of the

designed form, and how this - despite it

being considered to have quite a minimal

surface and rigid form - can influence both

the materiality and sustainability factor of

the overall design. I believe that this is a

fundamental way of not only utilising

computational software for the purposes of

this project, but also of seeing what can be

achieved using digital fabrication

processes.

marta elefterijadis|AirGreen Void

LAVA

Sydney, Australia

2008

This project consists of a 3D lightweightstructure focused on exhibiting minimalsurface tension capabilities within an indoorvoid of 20m in height1. This is particularlyinteresting as it highlights the object’s abilityto be sustainable and use a minimalamount of materials and time forfabrication in order to produce maximumvisual and aesthetic effect within a largespace.

In this case while the form is not quite rigid,the framing and skeletal structure of theobejct gives the main say on the types ofmaterials able to be used, as well as limitingthis to materials that will achieve minimalsurface area and maximal volume. As such,the Green Void is a structure made out ofspecially treated hight-tech Nylon (withlighting elements), giving it a surface areaof 300 sqm, and a total volume of ten timesits surface area, in other words, 3000 cubicm 2.

This achievemnt can be seen to have beenachieved primarily through the use ofparametric modelling and design in thefield of Geometry, and the playing aroundor manipulation of it. c

ase

stu

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speies 1:ExoskeletonSize of nodesRelaxed mesh

species 2:ExoskeletonDifferent geometryNumber of linesRelaxed mesh

species 3:ExoskeletonThicknessSize of nodes

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marta elefterijadis|Airspeies 4:Mesh + Kangaroo meshRest lengthDifferent geometry

species 6:Facet dome + Kangaroo meshDifferent geometryNumber of points

species 5:Voronoi + Kangaroo meshDifferent geometryNumber of points

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marta elefterijadis|AirOlympiastadionGunther Behnisch &Frei OttoMunich, Germany1972

The Munich Olympic Stadium, known as the Olympiastadionin German was a revolutionary structure in its day, utilisingalgorythmic geometry along with the use of materials suchas acrylic glass and steel cables for its canopy.The canopy in particular was designed to simulate the formof the Swiss Alps, and to mimic their peaks and undulationsin its geometry.

By using lightweight materials in its design, the canopy wasable to achieve a hierarchy of volumes underneath it as wellas a variation of space amongs the seating sections.Besides providing shelter for spectators, the canopy’s use ofpredominantly transparent materials allows for a connectionwith the outside as well as with the rest of the Olympic parksurrounding the structure.

The canopy was constructed as stated above usinglightweight acrylic glass and steel cables, which weremounted on large steel poles in order to hold the canopy up.Working predominantly with tensile forces, the canopy is anexcellent example of a type of almost rigid mesh relaxationtechnique on a large scale, while the use of the engineerOtto’salgorythmic designs allowed for a more controlled outcomeof the fabrication processes, something that was innovativefor its time.

Such a structure achieves complex and dynamic form in itsdesign, while also creating a new sense of ornamentalismthrough geometric design. ca

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reverseen

gineering

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marta elefterijadis|AirSource: http://www.jeavons.net.au/services.html

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Nmetres

source: google maps

2015SITE MAP

chosen site:Clifton Hill railway bridgeSouth bank of Merri Creek at chosen site

KEY REASONS FOR SITE CHOICE:

• Accessible to a wide range of people due

to proximity to main road, housing estates

and train stations.

• Already a widely used skate park on theother side of creek – wide exposure – and

may bring more from different target

audiences.

• Adversely, the specific areas on site to be

used have been underutilised unlike the

skate park.

• Opportunity to hang and anchor design

from many points of both the bridge and

the staircases/supporting structure.

• Opportunity to incorporate the built and

natural environments present on site.

marta elefterijadis|Air

marta elefterijadis|Airunwoven lightsoo sunny park2013Using wire mesh and inset panels of translucent,coloured plexiglas, this design demonstrates thepotential of something as rigid as wire mesh informing quite flowing geometric shapes, whichthen allow for the play of light to occur incombination with the plexiglas as mentioned.

articulated tensionsuniversity of calgary2013Constructed out of a series of panel elements inorder to create a relaxed mesh form, this projectaims to explore the relationships betweengeometry, performance, organization andfabrication of the work as a whole.

marta elefterijadis|Airprototype:Prototype created in a shellgeometry, designed to mimic anopen cocoon shape. Designshould be anchored on threepoints to above bridge trusses.

elements/materiality:Created out of 0.5mm acrylicelements in three differentshapes: an X, a Y and an Ishape. Held together usingsplitter pins, to give rotationalability while still retaining anelement of rigidity givepredominantly from theindividual acrylic pieces.

conceptual inspiration

• Interest: Concept of creating a pliable relaxed mesh surface out of individual and quite rigid elements in order to form the resulting geometry of the project.

• Reasons for choice:

- Durability

- Further play with geometry of individual elements

- Materiality

marta elefterijadis|Air