Graduation Project Report

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KINETIC CANOPY Parametric family creation and fabrication with Revit

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ARCHITECTURAL COMPUTING GRADUATION PROJECT 2013 Report

CHINATSU MITCHELL

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>> contents

>> INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTIONAbout

Aim

FRAME WORK The idea of Kinetic Architecture

by William ZuK

COMPONENTS STUDYTessellateWave

INTERACTIVITY STUDYKinetic Pavilion

PARAMETRIC MODELING and CONSTRUCTIONAl Bahar Tower

FABRICATION Hydramax Port Machines

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>> PRECEDENT STUDIES

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COMPONENT CREATIONS Component Creations Testing The FunctionalityCreating The Reactor With People Movement FABRICATIONLaser Cut Experiments Reflection of The Experiment

>> EXPERIMENTS

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PREPARATION PROCESS First Experiment Changing the Canopy System

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96 CONCLUSION The Canotic CanopyReflection

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INTRODUCTION

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Kinetic canopy is the canopy that move in respond to the envi-ronment change. Which means the panel on the canopy is kinetic and follows the angle of the sun during the day and move in respond to the movement of people at night.

In this project, I am going to create the physical and digital interactive models that can be employed in the real project by using the capability of computer such as parametric family components.

Revit Family component is used for the sun study which will become the input parameter for the movement of physical model. Also Revit is used to create the digital model of the canopy, ensuring the smooth moving function of the physical conceptual model, and it is used for fabrication of the conceptual model.

I intended to explore the ability of BIM program mainly in Revit to change parameters to find the optimum response to the changes that are made during the design (collaboration) process, using “Adaptive Component” as the facilitating program to make actual buildable models.

I have created the kinetic screen system that interacts with the position of the sun by calculating the angle of azimuth and altitude in Revit families using adaptive components. Those screens has 4 lacy panels 2 outer panels slide along opposite directions with in x angles and other 2 move y angles. So the panels work as aperture to block and let in the sun. Laser cutting technologies were used to demonstrate the willingness of the fabrication.

>> WHAT IS THIS PROJECT ABOUT?

INTRODUCTION

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Since I saw “Kinetic Pavilion” which was a part of a project “Parametric and Digital Fabrication” at University in Belgium, I became interested in the idea of “Kinetic” structures being architecture which is often found as examples in digital 3D modeling experiments at the conceptual stage. But I wondered how could such ideas be interpreted into the real building. The challenge here would be to create the finely detailed digital model, which will be used for the laser cutting and assembling of all of the components that have the function to move. I would be experimenting with the parenetric 3D modeling in detail.

>> AIMObjective of this project is to make a digital and physical model of a kinetic canopy, where the canopy shape is altered depending on the environment changes such as the angle of sun and movements of people beneath it. The panels of the canopies are kinetic, following the angle of the sun during the day to block the sun in summer and let the sun come through during winter. And at night the functionality of the panel movement is switched over to interact with the movement of people beneath the canopy.

>> OBJECTIVES

Revit famiy tool will be used to create the specific shapes and sizes of the individual components which will make up the total canopy. Laser cut technique is used as a fabrication method to show the structure and the functionality.

>> TECHNOLOGY

> The kinetic canopy physical model

> Demonstration video for Show reel

> Revit files for all of components

>> DELIVERABLES

>> SIGNIFICANCE The performance of the architecture elements can be linked to changes in the environment and function. Parametric modeling tools such as Revit can be used to demonstrate and calculate the relationship between thoese chainges and performance of the architecture.I am interested in learning the behaviour of “Adaptive components” in Revit/Vasari. Because Revit has been expanding its functionality, now plugin system “Dynamo” is released, it has become more useful as a mass modelling tool. Yet it seems hard to manipulate the behaviour of “Adaptive points” and geometrical relationship between nested families, thus through the creation of “Kinetic Canopy” model, I can experience and learn this “Adaptive components” tool in Revit.

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FRAMEWORK

>> REASON FOR READING THISI have decided to spend some time on researching how the idea of “Kinetic” is interpreted in Architecture. This book called Kinetic Architecture is about architecture responsive to the essential characteristics of society and physical change.I decided to include this reference because it helps to link architectural computing with the broader field of architecture and building.

This will help define my position and my goals for my project.

KINETIC ARCHITECTURE

By Willam Zuk in 1970

INTRODUCTION

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>> THE IDEA OF KINETIC

ARCHITCTURE

In 1970’s, Zuk said that, “There is a growing awareness that while physical form must satisfy and embody function as it typically has, the concept of function must be expanded beyond mere physical activity. It should encompass and include considerations of the human, both individually and collectively and how they interact with and are affected by form. The environment we create can only be successful if they respond to these complex needs and changes that take places in them.Architecture is not an empty building it is the use of the building by people and their expectations of the building. “

“The basic philosophy of kinetic architecture is the importance of being able to accommodate the problem of change.”

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Zuk explained that “Architecture” is a 3 dimensional form and response to a set of pressures. There is a relationship between form and pressure. Zuk broke pressure to

those changes into broad categories, which are “Physical form” and “non-physical forms”.

Although Zuk stated that, “Interface between the set of pressures, the form generators and the new form is technology. “ The technology should give us the ability to interpret the set of pressure and the situations under their existence. It should provide us new and greater freedoms of choice increasing our capacities to solve problems.

PRESSURE AND RESPONSE

TEC

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PRESSURE

PRESSURE

PRESSURE

PRESSURE

PRESSURE

The relationship between form and the set of pressures in conventional architectural solutions.

>> Zuk also divided the form into 3 with diffrent solution types.

FRAMEWORK

INTRODUCTION

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PHYSICALThe pressures associated with func on:E.g.: physical activities, their sequences and relationships

Man-made pressure generated by the systems of power.E.g.: Transportation, communication and disposal

Environment infl uence: Heat, sound, visible light and atmosphere

NON-PHYSICALPeople’s reac ons:They are exhibited by the altering of people’s mental, physiological, sociological and cultural base. E.g.:family, neighborhood, city, metropolis, etc.

Cultural concepts and concerns:E.g.: ideologies, moral and ethical codes, economies conditions, standards and principals, and political situations and convictions

FORM

1 >> The typical static solutionChainges of pressure are either uncomfortably accommodated or a physically sound building is remodeled or torn down and replaced.

2 >> The universal space solution As explored by Mies van der Rohe, attempts to solve all functions but very often actually satisfies none.

3 >> The kinetic solution It is a proposal in which the form conceptually can change as the set of pressure dictate.

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PRECEDENT STUDIES

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I decided to choose his work as a precedent study because of the way all of the components and their geometric form cleverly fit together and create beautiful visual effects.

WAVE

PRECEDENT STUDIES

Kinetic sculptures created by Reuben Margolin

Components Study

>> REASON FOR THIS STUDY

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The kinetic surface is suspended by 81 cables. Two camshafts orientated at 90 degree angle to each other, Push levers that manipulate north/south waves, while the other drives east/west waves. On each camshaft there are nine plywood circles sequentially offset at 45 degrees. The first and last circles are in the same position ensuring that the rotation of the camshaft generates a segment of a wave exactly one wave length long. There are motors rotating the camshafts which can change the speed of the wave movement. Amplitude of the wave can be changed by placing circles to be more, or less centered on the shaft. When they are completely centered the amplitude is zero, and at the other extreme they create amplitude of over 60 cm. All 81 cables are fixed (nine per lever) to the camshaft, parallel to the long narrow matrix. This matrix lowers and raises the wave by pulling on a chain of pulleys that take up length on all cables equally. The nine bundles of nine cables then pass into the large square where they separate and drop down to the 81 intersections of the wave. The square matrix weighs approximately 60kgs, contains 243 pulleys and is hoisted and held up by three trailer winches. Its purpose is to add the two sets of perpendicular waves together.The wave surface is made of 144, 38cm long lengths of tapered dowel, hangs from a total of 480 metres of steel cable. Its motion can be described as A(sinA), B(sinB), C ; where C is the overall height of the wave, A and B are the variable amplitudes, and A and B are functions of the speed of rotation and position of each cam.

>> HOW IT WORKS

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PRECEDENT STUDIESComponents Study

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>> ADVANTAGES OF THE STUDY TOWARDS MY OWN PROJECT

The articulate combination of geometry enables the kinetic elements to work physically all together. It would be beneficial for me to refer to Margolin’s “Waves” during prototype creation so that I could plan my physical model work properly.

>> DISADVANTAGES

Although some of Margolin’s works are installed permanently in the public spaces, it is an art work not an architectural installation. The size of the camshafts is too large for integration into public spaces. It would be a critical point for me to plan the system that would be convincible enough to look stable to deal with the outdoor conditions.

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>> KEY POINTS TO BE EMPLOYED FOR MY OWN STUDY

The mechanics of this camshaft – helices of plywood circles pull the pulleys when the motor turns the camshaft which I can refer to in order to make my physical kinetic model move. This system would require only 2 motors if I am using Arduino for the operation of my physical model. Also if I am not going to use Audrino then I can create handles to phisically turn the camshaft.

>> RELEVANCE TO MY PROJECTAlthough Margolin created “Wave” without any computer, the gradual movements have been calculated with the refined sin wave formulas, which I found quiet computational. In fact in architectural computing practice, for example Zack Korn, shows the creation of parametric surfaces with sin wave formulas in his website “Buildz”. And the way geometrical relations between each component (such as kinetic surface, pullies, camshaft and motors ) in “Wave” are calculated would be useful for me to refer to in order to create adaptive component families and nested families in Revit.

>> SIGNIFICANCE TO MY PROJECT Because “Wave” is low tech I can use Waves’ technique of kinetic art to make my canopy run sustainably.

>> REFLECTION

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I would use this study as guidance in order to think through the geometrical relation-ships of each component. Especially, sine wave would aid to creat the gradual move ment of panels on my canopy.

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TESSELLATEAnimated Metal Surfaces


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>> REASON FOR STUDY

Since I started the components study for my model I began to be more aware that the system that I am trying to create is over-complicated. It would be reinforcing this unsustainable design.After I the disscusuion with my tutore I decided to do further research on the canopy. Robert showed me video clip of “Tessellate” façade system.I thought employing the design of“Tessellate” façade system might bring better justifiable canopy system for my project.

>> WHAT IS IT

Tessellate is a kinetic façade system that can respond to environmental changes such as temperature, moisture and light. Each module usually has 4 lacy panels that are inside of 2 glass panels. An actuator is sat in each module causing the blades to turn around. All of those components are held by a steel frame.Lacy panels slide around in the circle and the aperture in the surface open and close creating the kaleidoscopic visual display of patterns aligning and then diverging into a fine light-diffusing mesh.

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>> HOW DOES IT WORK

Each module runs on a single motor which is controlled by a single computer processor.And it can be programed for various purposes according to the client’s demand. For example the speed can be changed, the system can respond to changes in temperature, light levels and time of day.

It is not exactly Tessellate, yet the same company installed very similar system “Adaptive Fritting”, there are 4 printed glass panels overlapped. Its control system drives each panel by a servo motor with custom array control.These panels run through a computer-controlled routine both, random and choreographed until ap-proached by a person which triggers a sequence that precludes the door’s opening. As well as doors opening the panels start sliding around inside, which causes the screen become opaque.When the blades with 4 arms on the panels rotate they cause the movement of the panels.



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Figure 4125

>> THE KEY POINTS OF THIS FACADE SYSTEM THAT IS SIGNIFICANT TO MY PROJECT

>> DISADVANTAGE

Although the visual effect changes when the panels move around, the entire movement is even which would be 2D kinetic. My initial idea is the canopy that moves according to the movement of people or adapted to the environment change, so it is better if I can make more gradual changes in some part of the module.

>> REFLECTION

I am using this study to aid in creating some components parts, especially the lacy panels and one of the patterns will be brought in to my own prototype.

The system was created with the focus of sustainability.As Tessellate says the endless range of patterns, is made of flat panels so that any kind of pattern can be laser cut. I can experiment with the effect of different kind of patterns by using Revit nested family and running the quick. As long as the moving parameters are set in the families it is a matter of changing the family type. Patterns are being created with the calculation. Having proximity is significantly effective to the opening and closing operation, otherwise the pattern becomes too blurry to create and function.Also kinetic operation is the crux of those façades. The movement of the each module is operated by one simple computer processor By looking into this processor closely I can create the smooth kinetic system for the movement of my interactive physical model.

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PRECEDENT STUDIESInteractivity Study

KINETIC PAVILIONMMLab of Saint Lucas GhentUniversity

KINETIC PAVILION

Series of Interctivity Study

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“Kinetic Pavilion” is a part of a school assignment at the MMLab of Saint-Lucas Ghent, University college of Science and Art in Belgium done by Elise Elasacker and Yannick Bontinckx. The Kinetic Pavillion project orients itself on the development of a new kind of pavilion that’s capable of acting upon changing weather conditions, human movement or human moods/mindsets. Its shape has been made to respond to ecological choices and parameters extracted from the pavilion’s surroundings.

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Grasshopper and Arduino are used to cre-ate the interactive movement by using some system or instruments such as Echotect, Kinect and iPad.

A number of architectural interactions were created based upon different circumstances during their re-search.

1 : Weather conditions

The roof surfaces of the pavilion orient themselves towards the sun in order to maximize energy efficiency. And the different re-action pattern was experimented with in cold and warm areas.

In warm environments

The pavilion takes on an aerodynamic shape and available winds cool down the pavilion. Places with high radiation levels result in a change of the roof structure and create shadow spots.

In cold environments

The pavilion takes on an aerodynamic shape and available winds cool down the pavilion. Places with high radiation levels result in a change of the roof structure and create shadow spots.

>> INTERACTIONS

PRECEDENT STUDIES

Interactivity Study

HOW IT WORKS <<

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I became interested in their project because I thought that it would be useful for me to experiment with and to learn their method of parametric and digital fabrication and presentation since interactive and parametric architecture have been one of the popular topics in the architectural computing area of study.

The movement is controlled by insolation analysis used by data from Ecotect.Input – Echotect

Process – Input parameters are sent through GH2Echotect to Grasshopper. An interface, GECO, works as a direct link between Rhino(Grasshopper) model and Echotect.

And the data is translated into height coordinates. The processed coordinates are sent through Firefly to the Arduino board.

Output - Arduino controls 28 servos which translate the coordinates from Firefly into a vertical movement controlling the roof structure.

>> THE REASON OF STUDY

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2 Human movement

The roof structure reacts upon the dynamic movements of the people using the pavilion. It creates a dialogue between the user and the architecture and the perception of the space they find themselves in.

Input - The people flow is illustrated usingn an I-Pad by touching and sliding over the screen.

Process-The finger coordinates are processed through OSCtouch to Grasshopper, which controls the height data of the pavilion.

The processed coordinates are sent through Firefly to the Arduino board.

Out put -Again the Arduino controls 28 servos which translate the coordinates from Fire fly into a vertical movement controlling the roof structure. Where the finger is touching on the I-pad is where

3 Human interaction

For example dancing people can trigger the pavil-ion to react upon the dynamic movements.

Input - It is simulated by Kinect (Webcan) which is able to process movement data into preset shape patterns of the pavilion. Kinect senses the tip of a person’s hand and inputs the movement which is read through as a point-cloud system.

Process- The coordinates are processed through to Grasshopper, which controls the height data of the pavilion.

The rest of the method seems very similar to the method for I-pad.

PRECEDENT STUDIES

Interactivity Study

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Daytime:

The method of creating the movement through the analysis of Echotect would be good to use for my project for interactivity during the day. I can emphasize the usefulness of my canopy by responding to the sun passing overhead. I could build the simplified blades (divided surface) and surrounding building (building envelop) and do the sun’s passage and shadow study in Echotect. The result of the analysis can be saved as data in Grasshopper. Then the processed coordinates will be fed from Grasshopper back into Revit to calculate the movement of each component of my canopy.

Night:

Using TuchOSC in the presentation of my Kinetic model will add a great clarity and a degree of interest to my project. I could simulate the location of the point where the largest number of people are gathered, and show how the panels become more open according to the location of the point on the I-Pad (I-Phone). The data should be sent through FireFly into Grasshopper then to Arduino. Finally when Servo turns by some degrees the blades on the canopy could slide along which would create change in the pattern.

>> ADVANTAGE OF THE STUDY TOWARDS MY OWN PROJECT

The research of Kinetic Pavilion is encouraging people to follow the philosophy of Kinetic architecture. Using the combination of computer technology I could demonstrate some of the physical possibilities of Kinetic architecture.

>> DISADVANTAGES RELATED TO MY OWN PROJECT:

The Kinetic Pavilion project is mostly still at the conceptual stage. If this was going to be built as a real building it will potentially cause some issue such as maintenance, sustainability and extensive costs. Also I have no experience using neither Audorino nor Kinect so it could potentially cause a timeframe issue.

>> HOW I CAN BRING THIS TO MY PROJECT:

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>> REFLECTION

Using this study I will be able to show the inten-tion of my own project and functionality of the kinetic canopy clearly.

>> SIGNIFICANCE TO MY PROJECT

It is not easy to present the interactivity of the kinetic architecture clearly on the computer screen. Especially, when the interaction is presented in the digital model such as Rhino or Revit, as more details are added into the model, the time of the regeneration would take longer, but the research on Kinetic Pavilion is showing that, those operations for the interaction can be presented much smoother by using the combination of the sophisticated physical model and the simple digital interactive input and output.

Also, the research into the Pavilion’s interaction has been presented with the physical model and experienced, therefore audiences can examine the real 3 dimensional objects from several different angles so that level of understanding would be more significant.

PRECEDENT STUDIESInteractivity Study

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PRECEDENT STUDIES

parametric Modeling and Cinstruction

AL BAHAR TOWERS

Those two iconic towers located in Abu Dhabi has the feature of protective skin. This intelligent façade system with 2,000 umbrella- like glass elements that automatically open and close depending on the intensity of sunlight. Towers is dynamically controlled by a building management system. The adjustable shades help reduce interior heat gains caused by sunlight by around 50 percent.

>> WHAT IS IT

>> THE REASON FOR THIS PREC EDENT STUDY

The reason for this study is that this is one of the actual projects that employ the idea of kinetic architecture in a real building. I am interested in looking into the way algorithms and mass modelling was used in the real world. Also the way a complex building such as AL Bahar was constructed. It has a double skin shading device that operates with the passing of the sun throughout the day. This shading system was created with advance computer technology which is relevant to my project.

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The team started using two simple cylinders surrounding the buildings. They began exploring thegeometric principles of Islamic design. They refer to the lacy patterns used on window screens in the Middle East.The inspiration for the kinetics of the device came from the mechanism of the umbrella. Their precedent was the umbrella shades in the Medina at Mecca designed by Frei Otto.To visualize the functionality of the kinetic shading device they utilized the model created with Java. The physical model was required to illustrate the geometrical relationship of the elements of the façade system.The unifying geometry of the system is based on interlocking circles and offset circles that develop in expanding forms. The repetitive shape of the geometry can be multiplied to increase the surface area being designed.Once the geometry was established the models could be utilized to enable fine tuning of the combination of all elements of the project.Rhino and Grasshopper were the appropriate programs for the development of the design process for the floor plates and the structural framework of the shading device.The modelling tool enabled the engineer to be involved in the design process from the beginning. Prototypes of each element were fabricated for testing purposes.

>> HOW IT WORKS

PRECEDENT STUDIESParametric Modeling and Construction

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This precedent study showed that the collabora-tion tool such as Revit can be utilized as a mass modelling tool. Also the process of thinking through the geometry was quite a primitive form but the end product is very sophisticated. This indicated that my project would be able to be realized utilizing the same modelling principles.

>> ADVANTAGES OF THIS STUDY FOR MY PROJECT

>> DISADIAVTAGES

>> CONCLUSION

It is difficult to draw the line between the architectural aspects of the project and the engineering aspects.

This precedent has essential reference for my project, particularly the interaction of the two forms of model and the utilization of Revit as a platform for geometric design. The calculation of the panel movement in the precedent is a clear reference for the calculation required for my kinetic canopy.

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HYDRAMAX PORT MACHINESFuture Cities Lab


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Initially I planned to use Arduino to show the kinetic movement of my project Kinetic Canopy. But since I have never experienced this particular technique, I am not entirely sure how difficult it is for me to use. Then I needed to understand how the hardware and related technologies were used to create the prototype at least.

Looking into HYDRAMAX Port Machines done by Future Cities Lab could become a substantial precedence study for me, because not only HYDRAMAX Port Machines’ kinetic architectural aesthetic, I found its interactivity in physical model significantly attractive, which Future Cities Labs calls example of model “live models”. The functionality of HYDRAMAX Port Machines is physically experienced in front of audiences before the building was built.

>> REASON FOR STUDY

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Then these sensors record the information. The information controls to actuators (MigaOne Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Motors) which are connected to the white feather-like “fog harvesting robots” and also the information control the brightness of embedded LEDS.


>> HOW IT WORKSThe physical model of HYDRAMAX Port Machines is an example of what Future Cities Labs calls “live model”. “Live model” uses the interaction of people to explore and simulate the potential effects of environmental forces such as fog, wind and sunlight.A network of infrared proximity sensors has beenintegrated into the four sides of the base underneath of physical building model. When people come closer to the model the sensors capture the distance between people and the edge of the base.


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3 Arduino Mega Microcontrollers 22 MigaOne Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Motors

22 infrared proximity Sensors Laser cut the acrylic sheets


HYDRAMAX Port Machines would be a valuable precedence study. Because it is one of the rare cases where interactive designs have been created at the building level by professionals not only for the interior installation or for the surface.

>> ADVANTAGES OF THE STUDY TOWARDS MY OWN PROJECT

Figure: 48: Figure: 47:


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>> MODEL MATERIALS AND ELECTRONICS BEING USED

It looks like they have laser cut the acrylic sheets for the base, actuator and framework part, then cast and thermoformed acrylic were used to create the frater-like roof part. The custom printed circuit boards were used for connection between the combinations of attached devices. Firefly and Grasshopper were also used for interac-tive prototyping.

300 Super Bright LEDs

Cast and thermoformed acrylic

nterns of the architectural design, as well as the geometry, the kinetic function blurs the distinction between building, landscape and infrastructure, thus the space created by HYDRAMAX Port Machines would be experienced as somewhere between inside and outside. The design came out of the experience of Future Cities Lab’s in interactive technique and HYDRAMAX Port Machines pushes the possibility of kinetic architecture. It would be useful to learn how “Live models” uses the advanced level of combination of technology such as sensors, Arduino, Grasshopper and Laser cutting, later during the prototyping my model.

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The technology that Future Cities Lab used such as Custom printed circuit boards would be too advanced for me to learn within the timeframe. So I would be using much simplified technology for my protocol or laser cut technique would be used depending on the timeframe.

I can relate to my own project, particularly how HYDRAMAX Port Machines changes its shape in response to the environment such as fog, wind sunlight, and the method of its presentation.

>> RELEVANCE TO MY PROJECT

>> DISADVANTAGES AND CHANGES


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Rendered images of Future Cities Lab in page 46 is showing the use of the space and shadow effect beneath the roof structure. It is not the re-alistic rendering, yet the combination of the 2D images and phisical model comunicate the design very well. Therefore it would be crucial for me to provide some rendered images of the canopy. I could refer the visual effect of their rendering to show my Kinetic canopy at people’s eye level.

The advance technique of Future Cities Lab in fabricating the model and how all of the components are as-sembled together would be something that I can look into during the development of my physical model. Especially I could create some actuators similar to HYDRAMAX Port Machines. Acrylic sheets are laser cut and amended with the metal pins to create those cranes like actuators that control the movement of the roof structure. The white acrylic cover stabilize the thin actuator, the metal pins are used for the pivot points of the gig structure. They have used MigaOne Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Motors which might be a better motor for me to use than Servo because the motor moves on 2 two directions when the Servo create the 180 degree rotation so that the SMA motor can directly actuate the components. They have used 3 Arduino Mega Microcontrollers to operate through Grasshopper with the help FireFly. They mainly explained about the design ideas and use of hardware so I did not find any image of the script nor Grasshopper flow graph but this firm connection system of operating their hardware are to be emu-lated during my prototype creation.

>> KEY POINTS I CAN USE AND DEVELOP FORM THIS STUDY


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I would be laser cutting the acrylic sheets for fabrication of my model.Also I would be ideal to create a physical model of the surrounding building, which hide the structure

of the actuator.

>> REFLECTION

>> SIGNIFICANCE TO MY PROJECT

This study has shown me that this prototype technique of “Live models” by using Audrino and Grasshopper is one of the most suitable way to present and test the concept of my project.

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EXPERIMEMTS

EXPERIMENTS

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EXPERIMENTSSUN PATH MOVEMENT

PREPARATION PROCESS

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I had a sense of many problems transpiring during the fabrication process, whatever the method I would be using, the entire shape of the whole canopy needs to be buildable in order to create the physical model. I began with sketching the rough model and created the simple physical model to brainstorm the geometric relation of each component.

The first kinetic interaction I was planning to create was the movement following the sun path. First of all I created the parametric actuators and a panel translating sun path according the azimuth and altitude.

I began with creating the movement of actuators controlled by azimuth and altitude.

>> FIRST EXPERIMENT

Created 4 adaptive points and another 4 reference points offsetting from these 4 adaptive points and drew lines between them, found the centre point of the 4 reference points that I just created. Placed the nested azimuth and altitude angle calculator in the centre point and placed the reference points and a surface on the line of the calculator and trimmed the surface into the shape of a panel that rotate in response to the angle of the sun.


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>> The things to consider were

• The movement of panels following the sun path. • The movement of actuator controlling the panel. • The structure supporting the panels and actuators. • Assembling all of the components for the physical model.

Next I arrayed the component that I have just cre-ated. in the dividede surface.

All of panels flex and change their angle in response to the sun path. Also the size and the offset height of the each panel can be flexibly changed.

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>> CHANGING THE CANOPY SYSTEM

In the studio session in week 4, I spoke to tutores about my previous experiment and I began to wonder that the system that I am trying to create is over-complicated. Also It would be rather reinforcing the system to work. I should not be thinking about so much of the detail of canopy.

So, I decided to do further research on the diifrent types of canopy. Robert showed me video clip of “Tessellate” façade system.

I considered employing the design of “Tessellate” façade system might bring better justifiable canopy system for my project aesthetically and practically. (Please see my precedent study for more infomation aboutTessellate.)


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For the movement during the day time, I decided to stay with the initial method of making the following the sun path from last week.

As I found out from the precedent study of Tessellate, their devices have 4 lacy panels rotating to create the movement and they only change the pattern in a synchronized way, which would differ from my intention to be creating a kinetic system that operates some parts to be more open than others according to the interaction with people’s movement especially at night.

Then I came across with the idea of using numbers of panels. Thus, because the panels should be lining up without big gaps, instead of making the panels rotate. I have decided to make the panels constrained to only two directions and slide in 2 ways. It would simplify the operation of the movement in my physical model, yet all of the panels move differently to each other so that I should be able to create some of the parts more open than others.

My intention is to create formulas in Revit family to calculate the movement of the panels according to the angle of azimuth and altitude.

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EXPERIMENTS

EXPERIMENTSComponent Creations

>> COMPONENT CREATIONS

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1: Generic pixel

9: Distance calculator

3: Kine c pixels 4: Kine c Blade

4: Kine c Blade

10: People movement

3: Kine c pixels

1: Generic pixel

Before I started creating the components I created the flowchart so that I can use it as my fork flow for the digital model creation as well as to plan how to use nested family components to fit all of the parameters to work together.

>>>> NESTED FAMILY FLOWCHARTNESTED FAMILY FLOWCHART

Horizontal panels

Ver cal Panels

1: A simple adaptive family that would be the initiatives of the panels.

2: The sun angle calculator

3: Two generic pixels moves interacted by the azimuth and altitude angles.

4: Arrayed kinetic pixels

5: 4 layers of arrayed Kinetic blades controlled by angle of azimuth and altitude.

6: An adaptive family that calculates the length of the gradual movement by the

distance between the panel and a point (a person).

Ver cal panels

EXPERIMENTS

COMPONENT CREATONS

2: Azimuth and Al tudee

2: Azimuth and Al tudede

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8: Frame

7: Column

6: Node

13: Canopy11: Interac ve Device

5: Sun controlled Panels

Beam

Panel

Panel

12: Camsha

7: The controller, which demonstrates where the person is.

8: The kinetic panel sun device that moves according to the sun path during the day and

switches over to the interactive device that creates more open panels where people are gath

ered the most beneth the canopy.

9, 10, 11: Frame structure

12: The camshaft that control the movement of the panels on the physical model.

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I have begun with creating a generic family of the pattern. I have created 2 simple shape s hosted onto 4 adaptive points that could easily be transformed into the pattern of shading panels. One with a circle and other has 2 triangles as negative parts. As I have realized from precedent study the patterns with more proximity work better as a shading device, therefore I have decided to employ the shape with the circle.

EXPERIMENTS


>> SUN REACTOR CREATION

1 GENERIC PIXEL FAMILY

Figure: 67

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To calculate azimuth and altitude I basically used the same method of calculating the sun angle(gib) from the previous weeks. It would be to be used to calculate the length of the panel movement to maximize and minimize the amount of the sun coming onto beneath the canopy.I created this calculation method by following the tutorial “Parametric Patterns IV: Projection” in Buildz.

Tosese images are showing how the shadow length is calculated according to angles of azimuth and altitude.

When the azimuth, altitude and panel offset parameter change the shadow length would change as well.

Shadow length

Shadow length

2 SUN ANGLE CALCULATOR

Figure: 66

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I needed to find out how much the panel should be sliding according to the sun angle. I needed to find out how much the panel should be sliding according to the sun angle. I created some formulas that would calculate distance SH and Sz(See diagram 2) by using the right triangle trigonometry with combination of the gib that I created in family file last week.sun angle.

The aim for this components was to merge 2 “generic pixels” sliding along 2 directions only according to the sun angle.The difficulty of this movement was that although have achived to find out the shadow length by using azimuths and altitude parameter input, points, lines and formulas the shadow rotates as well as changes it’s length but the panels on the canopy are constrained to 2 direction movement only. I have used Revit family to calculate the movement of the panels according to the angle of azimuth and altitude as follow.

EXPERIMENTS

Component Creations

3 KINETIC PIXEL

Figure: 67

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Shadow LengthFirst of all I created the formula to calculate the shadow by length from upper panel to the lower panel and altitude. Shadow Length = Panel Offset Height / tan (altitude)

POH = Panel Offset Height SL= Shadow length A = Altitude

Then the next formula to calculate the length of vertical and horizontal movement of the panels by using the shadow length and the azimuth.

VH = True Vertical MovementHM = True Horizontal MovementA = angle

HMSL

A

Axonometric view Top view

SL


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Finally I was able to create the formula to calculate the SH distance by using right triangle trigonometry.

Horizontal Movement = ShadowLength x cos ( angleAndPNA )

Vertical Movement = ShadowLength x sin ( angleAndPNA )

We basically only need to calculate the distance in right triangle trigonometry. (see diagram - 2). So I only need the tangle from 00 to 900.

Follow is the formulas to extract unnecessarily angle from the azimuth in order to find “A” angle in diagram.

angle = if(azimuth < 90°, azimuth, if(azimuth < 180°, azimuth - 90°, if(azimuth < 270°, azimuth - 180°, azimuth - 270°)))

Thus, I have noticed that, there is a possibility for Horizontal Movement and Vertical Movement to be turn out negative number, so I added thoes formula.

True Vertical Movement = if(azimuth < 90°, HorizMove, if(azimuth < 180°, VertiMove, if(azimuth < 270°, HorizMove, Verti Move)))

True Horizontal Movement = if(azimuth < 90°, VertiMove, if(azimuth < 180°, HorizMove, if(azimuth < 270°, VertiMove, HorizMove)))

EXPERIMENTS

Figure:67

Figure: 68

Component Creations

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Now I have created the formula for the movement in x and y coordinates, but they are 2 panels and I want to make the second panels to be moving in the 90O opposite direction to the first panels.

Negative True Horizontal Move = TrueHWMove x -1Negative True Vertical Move = TrueVMove x -1

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I constrained reference points and placed generic family onto them. As a result panels work in combinations to form aperture to block and/or let the sun. 2 generic panels slide along opposite directions with in X access or Y access and when the 4 layers of panels are placed together the panels should work as aperture to block and let in the sun.I have created panels that will slide along according the sun angle to let the maximum sun under the canopy by following the idea of Tessellate facade system.

The image below is showing the formula for “Kinetic Pixel”. For the movement during the day, when the user manualy change the azimuth and altitude angles, diffrence between true and project north and panel offset height these formulas calculate the length of “Kinetic Pixel” sliding along in 2 directions.

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I used a pattern based family for this. I created a surface on the grid and divided the surface, nested “Kinetic Pixel” family into this new family, placed “Kinetic Pixel” on nodes of divided surface and arrayed them. Then, I assigned all of the necessarily parameters.

I began with creating the divided 2 surfaces for the vertical panels and horizontal panels. I placed the mass form (A box, not a surface to make the surface I am dividing is not inside out.) And placed nested vertical kinetic blade onto one of the grids and arrayed it. I did the same on for the horizontal panels. The difficulty I came across was that, the kinetic blades were not sliding in the direction that I needed at the beginning.


4 KINETIC BLADE

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Although the panels slide in the X direction in the kinetic blade family when I tried to move it in the next family somehow it kept moving in the Y direction. So it was quiet time consuming figuring out to make it work properly but eventually I was able to place the kinetic blades in the way I needed to kinect. I could not specifically clearly this problem but I am assuming that was causing the problem because of the way the surface was created in the sun controlled family.

Next image showing the family type parameter for “Sun Controled Panels” .The parameters from “Kinetic Blades” are linked. I have done some research on how to connect the environmental change to parameters for my model in Revit, which I need further research on. At this stage I found a chart of azimuth and alti-tude by the location and the time of the day off internet. Then I could manually change the azimuth and altitude angles.

5 SUN CONTROLLED PANELS

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First I thought, it is efficient to suspend the panels since I saw some such examples of the kinetic instrations during my precedent study.The movements would be created by pulling the panels horizontally. As shown in images all of the parts are flat and relatively simple,bcause I am planning to laser cut the model The nodes should be made of some layers of panels.

I drew reference lines constrained on an adaptive point then extruded the surface in the reference line to be made into an object.

In order to make the panels kinetic I am planning to rig each panel with some kind of strings. This would work as a support of these strings and panels also the pivot point of the camshaft, which makes the panels work. The strings fron panels would be fed through the holes on the beams.

The beams are wider in the middle to prevent the strings being tangled, also to give extra strength to the support system.

2 FRAME

EXPERIMENTS

>> STRUCTURAL FRAME CREATION

Component Creations

1 NODES

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I needed to re-create this node because when it was nested into the next family although I have tried to change the orientation of the adaptive points, to re-orient the entire node. I was not able to place the brace in the angle I wanted. So I re-created it, the components sit on 2 reference points constrained to the line between 2 adaptive points.

As a result, the brace can be faced in any direction needed by placing 2 initial adaptive points onto 2 reference points in the new family.

I created a beam for the each edge in the adaptive component family first and nested it as shown above image. There are 4 layers of beams placed on columns. The process was relatively simple this time and flex fine.

The parameter would need to be re-allocated later to dismantle all of the components. At this stage, basic parameter such as the height, panel offset height, beam width can be changed and other parameters changes would me made according to the manual input.

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I have decided to use column structure to support the” interactive panel device” instead of suspending it.In terms of creating the model of columns that can be laser cut. I followed a furniture design as shown in the image above.

I made 2 panels slot into each other. Also I nested the node family into this column family instead of nesting it in the “kinetic blade” family creating 5 points adaptive components family. And 4 of them placed in the correct angles.

3 COLUMN CREATION

EXPERIMENTS

Figure: 69

Component Creations

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Finally I was able to nest this column family into the “Canopy” family.I created the divided surface for the adaptive points to be able to constrain onto. And, nested column family into “the canopy family”, placed 1 then arrayed it.

Furthermore, repeat command was responding in some odd ways, The results behaved in not what I expected.Columns were repeated either into the wrong directions or repeated with a couple ofcolumns missing. I am not finding any definite cause for my model.

The difficulty I came across during the assembling process was that, for the adaptive components in column family was not responding the way I wanted. Perhaps, some of the form for the divided surface was created upside down or in correctly the column kept being placed twisted if not was not allowing me to place them in the nodes in the divided surface, although I changed the orientation setting of the adaptive point.

Figure:68

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EXPERIMENTS

When one column is placed the repeat spread evenly but the nodes are overwrapped and as a column they are too close to each anther.

Secondly, I placed 4 columns then the repeater identified those 4 columns as one group object and ignored the gap between the nodes.

Component Creations

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There was an ongoing problem with repeated columns so I decided to recreate it with the cylinder shape, and I nested the entire column family with also created another family type between the “column” and the interactive device. So there are less adaptive points created.

4 RE-CRETION OF COLUMN

This time I tried to repeat 2 columns placed to each other, which created the liner repeat instead of 2dimentional repeat. This method seemed to work the best in for my canopy.

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The kinetic function of the canopy is operated by a bank of cam wheels on a full length shaft. This demonstrates the sine wave that has been calculated to control the canopy according to the particular moment of its operation. “Wave” by Ruebin is the precedent as explained above.The creation of the movement of the camshaft is calculated to respond to the movement of the people below the canopy. The cam wheels are connected via pivoting levers to the blades above. All connected by cables. All the relationships produced by the digital model are demonstrated clearly in the physical model. The relationship between the geometry of the adaptive components is described in the digital model and displayed in the physical model.

>> CONTROLLER OF THE KINETIC MOVEMENT


Initially I was planning to use Arduino to demonstrate the movement of the canopy according to people movement, but I have realized that it is impossible for me to learn and be able to use it. But I still needed to show the movement of the canopy in the physical model, it was the objective of my project. So I have decided to employ the method of “Wave” that I saw during my precedent study. The model becomes large and it does not seem the most elegant method that I am aware. But I have created the digital model in Revit , been laser cut and waiting to be assembled.

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EXPERIMENTS

I have used Sun path and shadow functionality to check on whether the panels are working or not.I have been researching about how to link altitude and azimuth parameters to the angle of the sun or time of the day on mass family. But I did not seem to find any feasible information to suggest how It can be done. So, the only way I could present so far is to manually change the angle parameters of azimuth and altitude.

I turned the sun path and shadow in Revit mass family, set sun path at Sydney and made the parameter changes according to the angle of the sun in the Revit environment by using the azimuth and altitude chart off a website. I have decided to further investigate the issues:

First of all there was suspicion on the interactivity of the kinetic panels. It is a sun device so they need to have the maximum functionality in blocking and letting the sun into the space.

As I guessed, I found out that the panels were not sliding in the way they were supposed to let the sun in or block the sun, although the panels were moving and constrained in 2 directions.I think it is something to do with the way the divided surface was placed.

Testing the functionity

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>> TESTING THE FUNCTIONALITY

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EXPERIMENTS

I went back to my own model and created a family to check the origin of the points. As shown in images:I created the kine c pixel and nested it to the “Kine c blade” The orienta on changes when the compo-nent was placed on the divided surface that is created with 1 layer surface. Next, when the component was placed onto the swiped surface the component can be placed without changing the orienta on.

I found the blog site “Daniel on Autodesk AEC software Mass Modelling”. In that the explained hot the presentation of the mass surface work. He has created the mass form not the surface, also his method suggested me that it is better to sweep the mass not extrude.

Testing the functionity

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But, another problem I came across was that in the next family. I created the surface as I did previously and divided it into

U – None / V fixed distance of 1000 and the another layer with versa vasa V – None / U fixed distance of 1000

The problem I came across was that when the panels were divided as described the behaviour of the nodes in orientations changes again it seems to rotate 900. I could manipulate this problem by placing the components in the different angle to suite the surface but, in my case I want to use the pattern function not the repeat, because I am assigning different parameters to slide each panels differently with the sin wave formula for the movement at night. Parameters with the divide and repeat function can only be assigned to 1 parameter data. When the parameter data of one component changes the entire component in the nodes automatically changes. In practice, they are some forum post about the similar issue.

I am still not 100% sure of the behaviour of the orientation in adaptive component but it is a combination of the placement of divided surface and the components through all of the nested families. In the end I manipulated the movement in the pixel by creating the new reference points for the generic components to be placed, so instead of flipping the points in the final family and re-uploaded the family. Now, the angle of the panel seems to be following the sun path

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>> REACTOR WITH PEOPLE MOVEMENT

EXPERIMENTS

Reactor with people movement

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Zach Korn’s tutorial is demonstrating how to make an equation visible using a point and 2 parameters, using a simple sine wave formula. Basically the controller point inputs the x value and calculates the Y value and outputs it as a height of the constrained point.

I also as Tim Waldock’s method, using “Divide and Repeat” can be adapted to calculate the movement of the panel controlled by the movement of a dot. Before I start creating the controller, I tried some turoials especially Tim Waldock’s precisely to understand how his method physically works.

EXPERIMENTS


I started creating my own controller.

1 DISTANCE CALCULATOR

I created the rig first. Generic family controls the angle of the box so that the object will be hosted in the correct orientation. I also Created number of family types with different colures.

Then the generic family is nested and hosted onto adaptive points. Those point work as a reactor. The first point controls the location of the model, the second point controls the orientation and the third point works as a controller to drive the height of the model.

And in next family I created the divided suface, checked nodes on, placed a toggle point, placed the previous family onto one of nodes and pressed repeat.The height of the boxes changessimply in respnce to the distance between the bow and the toggle point. But the reactor for the color includes the form of sin wave.

http://revitcat.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/revit2013-new-divide-repeat-tools-rtc.html

Figure: 70

Figure: 71

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Another kinetic interaction I am intending to create would follow the people movements. By following Reuben Heyden Margolin’s kinetic sculpture “Wave” gradual motion and the openness of the panels could be acheived by using the sign wave. I looked into numbers of tutorials for adaptive components and controller so that I have done some experiments to bring their tequniques into my own.I also followed a couple of tutorials for Revit adaptivefamily using sine wave formula, which I could follow to create the controller to move the panels.

I can adapt some parts for my own project such as:

• Creating a rectangular surface grid rig adaptive component • Creating a reactor adaptive component• Using the Reactor components as a repeater

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In the next stage, I parameterized each height of reactors, linked those parameters to canopy panels that I created previously. As a result every time the toggle point moves the height of the reactors changes then later on I can use these paramters to control the movement of the panels on the canopy.

Then I placed 2 adaptive points reactor into 2 nodes on the divided surface, a point controller so that repeater runs in the line, not on every node. I have repeated it for the reactor in Y axis. Points B and C are hosted by the intersection of point A and a reference to each line when point A moves points B and C move as well, later reactor points will be hosted onto point B and C.

A: point controller

BC

Then I was able to nest “Interactive device” into this “Distance Calculator” family then linked all of the necessary parameters in it.

EXPERIMENTS


Dimensions between points 1 and 3 are set as a reporting parameter which is linked to the formula to calculate the sine wave. As shown in image on the reight. I have used the simple sine wave formula.

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Going back to my intention to create the canopy that, interact with the angle of the sun during the day and peoples’ movement at night. I have used some formulas to turn particular

In summer the panels should slide along to block the sun as much as possible, which would be opposite to the movement needed during winter, so I have set the Boolean parameter to switch on and off the movement for summer. When the summer box is checked the calculation for the movement is linked to block the sun and when it is unchecked the panels move to let the maximum sun in.

Geoscience Australia shows that before 8am and after 6PM the altitude is approximately less than 20 degrees. According to that I have set up the system to switch the interactions.

DURING THE DAY

AT NIGHT

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Boolean parameter is switched off, the panels function as winter, and panels are overlapped on top of each other, which should let more sun come through.

Parameters for the panel movement are switched over to the night. As shown below image each panel is linked to the different parameters creating gradual change in the amount of the panel movement, which were calculated in “Distance calculator” controller.

EXPERIMENTS


2 PARAMETER CHANGES BETWEEN SUMMER, WINTER AND NIGHT TIME

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When the Boolean parameter are turned on to present summer, the panels are offset from each other to block the sun.

As a result I have achieved to create the Interactive Device in mass family. But I have suspicion of the behavior of the panel movement. Especially, I am not exactly sure if the panels are blocking and letting the sun in during the day as needed. That I will checked in Revit mass family by using sun pass function and shadows.

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This is the formula for the “Interactive Device” family basically all of necessarily parameters for are seen here except the parameters from the “Distance Calculator” are not assigned so it is “0”. In this family type all of the panels are assigned in with the VMove 1,2,3… HMove 1,2,3… parameters.I transferred the parameter for the movement from “Kinetic pixels” family to “Interactive Device” family so that I could make the daytime and night time movements switch on and off.

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Above image showing the parameters, that has been created so far, each blades are assigned to VMove 1,2,3… HMove 1,2,3… which is controlled by the distance calculator that I have just created. It still needs further development in order to make the parametric relation work smoothly. Also, I need to consider how I can make this family type work in the real project.

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EXPERIMENTS


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After the sun goes down below ciertion degrees the system automatically switch on to interact with the movement of people. As the toggle point move panels slide along. The panels are most open where the point is and gradually become more closed.

As I have mentioned previously. They are 4 layers of panels. 2 of the panels slide along in X direction and other 2 slide in Y functioning as apertures. All of panels slide along in the same way to block the sun or to let as much sun in.As mount of the panel movement changes panels visually change their pattern.

3 KINETIC MOVEMENT OF BLAZE

Graduation Project Report

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Transcript of Graduation Project Report