journal week8

CONTENTS

ContentsPart I. Expression of Interest I.1. Case for Innovation I.1.1. Architecture as a Discourse I.1.2. Computing in Architecture I.1.3. Parametric Modelling I.1.4. Case for Innovation Conclusion: I.2. Research Project I.2.1. Scope of Possibilities I.2.1.1. Input/Association/Output Matrix I.2.1.2. Surface Interractions I.2.1.3. Reverse-Engineered Case-Study I.2.1.5. Assembly Methods I.2.2. Research Project Conclusion

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The expression of interest detailed in this design journal relates to the Wyndham City Gateway Project.

In short, the aim of this project is to produce a “gateway” monument to be placed in viewing range from the highway. The project is intended to be viewed from moving cars, and must be designed to

respond tothese conditions accordingly.

This section of the journal will showcase the learning undertaken in order to gain skills and com-petencies relevant to the design process. Specifically, it looks at existing projects which have used

techniques that could be used in our design process.

Case for InnovationDesign Journal INTRODUCTION

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Architecture as aJournal Entry 1 D I S C O U R S E

1. Palm Islands satellite image.

At first, I found architectural discourse a dif-ficult concept to understand. But after do-ing some backround reading, I’ve come to see it as being a philosophical but similar concept to architectural innovation. The projects dis-cussed here are somewhat atypical to the cur-rent architectural zeitgeist because they (ar-guably) show a way of thinking that goes a step further than conventional design, or they follow a completely new way of doing so.

The first project I have chosen is the Palm Is-lands, Dubai. This project is of great interest to me because I find the concept of creating a space, in this case, using reclaimed land, to be an idea which is very different to other building and planning practices. The Palm Islands are not the only area to use this idea, of course, with other examples being seen in Monaco, the Neth-erlands and Hong Kong. What sets the Palm Is-lands apart however, is the form that they’ve been created in. While I can’t subjectively say that the Palm Island are more aesthetically pleas-ing than other examples of land reclamation, it seems as if they have been designed with many fewer restrictions bearing on their outcome. By this, I mean that it seems like their was probably a much higher budget and a much larger space to work with, as well as more freedom to focus on the overall disgn of the space, rather than the efficiency with which that space was filled.

DEVELOPER: Nakheel Properties.LOCATION: Dubai, UAE.DATE CONSTRUCTED: 2001 - present.

P R O J E C TI N F O R M A T I O N

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3. Earthscraper concept model.

The second project is rather unconventional, designed by BNKRArquitectura. Unlikeother large scaleprojects,it is built into the ground,thus earning the title, the“Earthscraper”. Whilebuilding into the ground iscertainly not a new idea, as manybuildings already have below groundfloors, but to construct a 65 floor buildingstraight into the ground really is somethingcompletely different. Of course, with such anextraordinary idea comes new issues, such aslight and ventilation, as well as any issues thatmay arise during construction, such as ensuringthe stability of the surrounding ground and findinga safe method to excavate the earth from that deep,especially when it is such a massive amount. However,different issues can develop at the beginning of any newparadigm, but as the concept further develops, a new wayof thinking also develops with it which, historically speaking,allows the potentially new paradigm to become reality.

2. Earthscraper concept drawing.

ARCHITECTS: BNQR Arquitectura.LOCATION: Mexico City, Mexico (planned).DATE CONSTRUCTED: Not yet constructed.


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Lastly, a personal project that also deals with advancing architectural discourse. The project I have chosen is some-thing I produced in my first architectural design studio, which required that we design a discovery centre for Her-ring Island. The result of my work was something which did not focus on the spaces within those strustures, as my thoughts were that the outdoor spaces were the key area, and the the indoor space supported it. Accordingly, the idea of using the created space to support the natural space (it should also be noted the while this is not a new idea, it is not a particularly commonly used one) can be viewed as a potential direction for architectural discourse.

5. Rough site plan of Herring Island.

6. Rough concept image of Herring Island.

1. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Sztuczne_wyspy_w_Dubaju.png/617px-Sztuczne_wyspy_w_Duba-ju.png2. “The evolving Arab city: tradition, modernity and urban development”, Yasser Elsheshtawy, p246.3. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2048395/Earth-scraper-Architects-design-65-storey-building-300-metres-ground.html4. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/10/12/article-2048395-0E57066400000578-620_964x568.jpg5. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/10/12/article-2048395-0E5705F600000578-848_964x800.jpg6. http://www.ecomagination.com/earthscraper-concept-takes-sustainable-design-underground

In relation to the Gateway Project EOI, these projects all serve very different purposes. But what they have in common is that they all put a unique twist on conventional design. By de-signing new buildings and structures using un-conventional methods and forms, architectural discourse is advanced, giving rise to a myriad of

styles and interpretations of existing concepts. In order for a project such as the Gateway Proj-ect to to be well received, it must be innovative in order to attract the viewers attention and re-main engaging. This is exactly what the project brief requires, and so of course, must be designed with a sense of innovation in mind.

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Computing inJournal Entry 2 ARCHITECTUREContaining both creative and practical compo-nents, architecture remains on the cutting edge in both worlds. Architecture can vary and draw inspiration from art movements at the time, but it

is also affected by modern building practices and advancements. In the modern age, the result of this is that any design that can be thought up and manipulated digitally canbe fabricated in real life.

One such example is Hangzhou Olymic Sports Center in China, designed by NBBJ Architects. It was inspired by the geometry of a nearby rever delta, and Grasshopper was used in order to rationalise the geometries into a workable form. It features a large number of petal-shaped truss modules which enclose the stadium. Many different variations were created in order to be able to evaluate and find the best possible archi-tectural solution.In terms of parametric modelling, however, it went beyond the facade of the structure. Para-metric techniques were also used in order to determine the seating layout in order to ensure the best possible view from each seat could be realistically achieved. The result of modelling both of these elements parametrically was the changing one would immediately cause the other to adjust to the new conditions.

2. Render of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre.

1. Plan and elevation views of the parametrically designed shell of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre.

ARCHITECTS: NBBJ Architects.LOCATION: Hangzhou, The People’s Republic of China (planned).DATE CONSTRUCTED: To be completed in 2013.


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Accordingly, it can quite clearly be seen the parametric modelling can push the boundaries of what is possible in design. It allows an en-tire new level of detail, as well as allowing the design process to become much more of a holis-tic one. This is a very important step forwards because it now allows designers of all types to

see exactly how specific changes will affect their design without needing to redesign it themself. This ability for a model to be generated digitally as opposed to be needing to be drawn is quite powerful and is what allows designers to take on much more challenging forms, such as the Son-O-House, designed by NOX Architects.

3. Son-O-House.

1. http://www.nbbj.com/#work/projects/hangzhou2. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhUnOPYCFE/S2tyn3agbLI/AAAAAAAAAa4/9WoV_sxtLao/s1600/Hangzhou_DD_Parametric_Concept.jpg3. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhUnOPYCFE/S2tyXw56kcI/AAAAAAAAAaw/XrQUBA-Q9xI/s1600/Hangzhou_DD_Rendering_Night%28C%29.jpg4. http://lunachen.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/screen-shot-2010-08-23-at-1-37-19-pm.png5. http://www.arcspace.com/architects/Son-O-House/6. “Architecture Now!, volume 3”, Philip Jodidio, p445.7. “Art & D: Research and Development in Art”, Andrew E. Benjamin and Joke Brouwer, p163.

ARCHITECTS: NOX Architects.LOCATION: Son-en-Breugel, Nether lands.DATE CONSTRUCTED: 2000-2004.


Of course, it must be noted that these technolo-gies have not come about solely to complement architecture. These techniques and ways of de-signing can be used for virtually any kind of three dimensional object which is to be fabricated or constructed, such as that described in the Wynd-ham City Western Gateway Design Project. Ac-cordingly, assuming parametric modelling is used as well as supporting fabrication techniques, this form of project would have vuirtually no limi-

taions other than those defined in the brief. Not only this, but these techniques could aid the de-sign process. Accordingly, the design process for the Gateway Project could be greatly influenced by such techniques, as it could greatly aid in the initial generation of ideas, as well a being used as a design tool, rather than just a way of vi-sually displaying an already designed structure. Parametric modelling would undeniably be very useable and useful tool for the Gateway Project.

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ParametricJournal Entry 3M O D E L L I N GContemporary scripting and programming is becoming much more prevalent in architecture today. It offers the capability to design beyond that which can be drawn by hand to much great-

er precision. It also facilitates the creation of much more radical and unconventional designs, as the forms that it can create are not limited by the constraints of a human mind.

1. Form experimentation.

Christoph Hermann is a London based design-er who has done a lot of work in gnerative and parametric deisgn, including graduate research.One project in particular, that he has developed, was called the ‘Mutant Museum’, a design for a building which at first appears to be a very standard, almost classically influenced building,

which gradually is warped into a flowing, dynam-ic and organic form at the other end.According to Hermann, the design philosophy was to create a form which “evolved” from a single cell into system where each element, or “cell” relies on what is in its immediate vicinity to create and entirely cohesive structre.

2. Developed form.

DESIGNER: Christoph Hermann.LOCATION: N/A.DATE CONSTRUCTED: Theoretical design.


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This design philosophy has been translated very well into the design, to the point where it is al-most a literal description of the resulting form. Accordingly, it can be said that this resultant form is a very succesful interpretation of the de-sign philosophy.

Another way of evaluating the outcome in re-lation to the design philosophy is that it was perhaps short sighted, or too literal in translat-ing the concept into a design. The design could have explored many other interpretions of this philosophy within the same design, yet has been constrained to the one specific way of thinking. The final form of the design, however, appears to have thoroughly explored the possibilites of this interpretation in terms of generative and paramteric design. The level of detail which has been produced demonstrates a very close under-standing of the abilities and limitations of para-metric modelling.

The use of parametric and generative modelling, such as this, has the potential to produce as very well informed designed for the Wyndham City Western Gateway Design Project, especially if their is a strong and well thought out philosophy behind the design. By taking into account the proper variables and working with suitable op-erations to help shape and generate the design, the architectural response to the brief can be satisfied in a very creative and innovative way.

3. Other variants which were explored.

1. http://www.christoph-hermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/emergent-design-mutant-museum-christoph-hermann-03.jpg2. http://www.christoph-hermann.com/parametrtic-architecture/digital-growth-evolution-mutant-musuem/3. http://www.christoph-hermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/emergent-design-mutant-museum-christoph-hermann-04.jpg4. http://www.christoph-hermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/emergent-design-mutant-museum-christoph-hermann-01.jpg5. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3265/3193135219_15b6bf8ffc_o.jpg

4. Seeds of Change Gateway.

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By examining projects such as these, a different perspective of design can be seen. Having the ability to approach a design issue from a different angle is a very useful skills because it can reveal any short-comings of a design, but also highlight the strengths of a design. A design can be led in a completely different direction if it is viewed from a different perspective, which gives the potential

of turning the new design to a more promising direction

From here, we need to start examining techinques that can be used in the design process.

Case for InnovationDesign Journal CONCLUSION

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Utilising the skills and competencies learned so far, this section of the journal focuses on the appli-cation of skills used in existing prjects which could potentially be used in our design process.

Exploration of software capabilities and limitations is also showcased in this section, as it is impor-tant to have a degree of mastery of a program in order to use it to its fullest potential in the design

process.

With a high level of competency, it is possible to use these programs as more than a way of show-casing this design development, but also a tool which can help further the design process.

Research ProjectDesign Journal INTRODUCTION

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Input/association/outputJournal Entry 4 M A T R I X

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INTERRACTIONS

1. This form was created by making an array of spline object between two double curved NURBS surfaces.

In modern architecture, form and shape are important. However, surface and texture treat-ments also form an important part of the design process, as the outer surface of the building has the potential to be such a visually distinguish-ing element. Parametric modelling is a very useful tool in this situation, as it has the abil-ity to generate surfaces that have have details on a range of sizes, and done so in accordance

with a logical sequence of functions. The result-ing form is free from any inconsistensies caused by human judgement, as well as producing a surface with a much higher number of opera-tions that have been applied to it than would be possible with the generative capabilities of a computer. The image above depicts a form which has been generated parametrically, and is ultimately the result of a surface treatment.

SurfaceJournal Entry EXTRA

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As can be seen from this image, complex forms can be created as the result of experi-menting with surface interractions. In prac-tice, forms such as these are most commonly used when creating building facades. One such built example is Zaha Hadid’s Guangzhou Op-era House. As can be seen in the below im-ages, the internal partitions of this building have been cut to create permeable surfaces.

These forms can have multiple functions applied to them, as shown in the image below. This im-age on the adjacent page depicts a surface which has had a radial grid formed from the lower left hand corner of the surface. The location of the points defined on this grid have then been used to create circular objects, the radius of which

is defined by an external input. In this case, a light intensity of a black and white image has been used to provide values for the radius. Fi-nally, the resultant form was then extruded, with the extrusion height varying directly with the radius of the circle, which also mean that it was varying directly with the external image.

2. Internal view of the Guanzhou Opera House.

3. Internal view of the Guangzhou Opera House.

4. Internal view of the Guangzhou Opera House.

ARCHITECT: Zaha Hadid.LOCATION: Guanzhou, People’s Re public of China..DATE CONSTRUCTED: 2003-2010.


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5. Parametrically defined object formed by experimentation with surface operations.

While the interractions such as these can cre-ated from such processes can certainly produce interesting results, they do not fall within the pa-rameters of the “Cut” assignment, as the forms they produce can not be produced in reality from standard cut operations on a single sheet. An ex-ample of a form that created from simple cut operations in shown to the right. 6. Parametrically defined grid using a curve attractor.

1. http://www.torabiarchitect.com/parametric_array/images/double_nurbs_surface.jpg2. http://www.architectmagazinea.com/cultural-projects/guangzhou-opera-house.aspx3. http://artsiefartsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/guangzhou-opera-house-012.jpg4. http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_Guangzhou-Opera-House-by-Zaha-Hadid-Architects-14.jpg5. http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_Guangzhou-Opera-House-by-Zaha-Hadid-Architects-5.jpg

Through the use of parametric modelling tools, such as the Grasshopper plugin for Rhino, it is possible to very quickly generate a number of potential solutions to a design problem, as it is possible to alter each parameter and have that influence be carried across to further parame-ters sequentially to produce the final form. This enables a “breadth first” approach to approach-ing a solution via “problem solving”. Because it is possible to generate a number of initial, unrefined responses to a design problem very quickly, it is easy to perform an initial evalution of these solutions in reponse to the design goals

for a project and narrow down potential design routes.

Once again, this could be a very useful tool for quickly generating a number of initial solutions to a design problem. By using this approach, the time it takes to choose a suitable design to fur-ther develop can be greatly reduced. Further-more, the vast number of initial solutions pro-duced can also open up design possibilities that would have been otherwise not noticed, leading to designs with further enriched details and more appropriate designs.

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The Gantenbein Vineyard Facade was designed by Gramazio & Kohler Architecture and Urban-ism in 2006, in Switzerland. The use of paramet-ric modelling allowed the creation of a facade which responded to the needs of the client in more than just an aesthetically pleasing sense. As can be seen in the facade, the bricks have been arranged in such a way that they form the image of falling grapes. The sizes of these grapes were worked out and modelled under specific condi-tions such as simulated gravity, and also done in such a way to allow optimal light permeation into the inner chamber.

The aim of this entry is to consider any of the conditions used when attempting to reverse engineer the facade of this project. As a brick facade that uses a repeated element over and over, there is a limitation on the level of detail that can be produced when attpemting to recre-ate an image. It can be though of as each brick representing a pixel on a screen, where the reso-lution of the image is determined by the sheer number of bricks it is being spread across. How-ever, a further limitation is that instead of hav-ing the potential the produce different colours, each brick in the facade instead can be rotated to produce a different shade of the same colour, based on how much light is spread over the face of the brick, in a built setting. Lastly, the bricks can also be offset from the wall to create shados on the facade (but it should be noted that they can not be offset particularly far without com-promising the stability of the wall).

By attempting to reverse engineer this facade, these conditions all need to be able to be freely altered. This would have also been a concern when this facade was originally designed, as the entire premise of the facade relies upon very specific conditions being met (more specifically, light permeability).

1. Internal view of the facade.

2. External view of the facade.

3. Close up external view of the facade.

4. Construction internal view of the facade.

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CASE-STUDYReverse-engineeredJournal Entry 5

Accordingly, there are three main parameters that can be altered to affect how the image in the facade is presented: the “resolution” which is created by the number of rows and columns in the facade, the degree of rotation of the bricks, and finally, the extent to which the bricks are offset from the wall. In order to experiment with these variables, a basic set of components including “Unit Y” and “Move” are added to a function that uses an existing surface from Rhi-no. The core of the function is a divided surface, which can be either referenced from Rhino or created in Grasshopper, which then uses a fur-ther piece of geometry to create an array. Ele-ments of this array are then rotated based on an image in terms of brightness.

The images to the left depict experimentation with these parameters. The first image dep-ics the creation of the wall, without having the bricks offset or rotated.

The second image depicts the wall with rotation applied to the bricks to match the brightness of the image inputted through the image sampler.

The third image depicts the wall with an offset applied to the bricks to match the brightness of the image inputted through the image sampler.

Finally, the fourth image depicts the wall with rotation applied and an offsrt to the bricks based on an image sampler, but scaled back to a more subtle and structural viable extent.

Despite the fact the this facade is made from a single repeated element, it is still possible to arrange it in very creative ways, especially with the precision of parametric modelling.

1. http://www.gramaziokohler.com/web/e/projekte/52.html2. http://www.gramaziokohler.com//web/includes/popup.php?file=http://www.dfab.arch.ethz.ch/data/bilder/02_Web/036/060823_036_Dokumentation_Ralphfeiner_006_WE.jpg&Copyright=7&lang=e&closeText=click%20to%20close3. http://www.gramaziokohler.com//web/includes/popup.php?file=http://www.dfab.arch.ethz.ch/data/bilder/02_Web/036/061116_036_Baudokumentation_RalphFeiner_001_WE.jpg&Copyright=7&lang=e&closeText=click%20to%20close4. http://www.gramaziokohler.com//web/includes/popup.php?file=http://www.dfab.arch.ethz.ch/data/bilder/02_Web/036/061116_036_Baudokumentation_RalphFeiner_002_WE.jpg&Copyright=7&lang=e&closeText=click%20to%20close5. http://www.gramaziokohler.com//web/includes/popup.php?file=http://www.dfab.arch.ethz.ch/data/bilder/02_Web/036/060721_036_Baustelle_FG_032_WE.jpg&Copyright=6&lang=e&closeText=click%20to%20close

5. Unaltered facade.

6. Facade with rotated bricks.

7. Facade with offset bricks.

8. Facade with rotated and offset bricks.

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AssemblyJournal Entry 6M E T H O D SThe task for this week finally called upon the parametric and generative modelling-skills which have been gradu-ally picked up throughout this course, as well as testing the applicability of the information considered in prior entries of this journal.

In the early stages of form de-velopment, we came to a collec-tive decision of wanting to have a very basic and somewhat ab-stracted representation of the transition from built up urban areas to slightly less densely populated suburban and coun-try areas, as a step towards de-veloping an EOI proposal.

There were multiple initial definitions which were to be explored, and among the more nitable was something which basically created a variable number of curves in a row, which could each be altered mutually exclusively. The input for each curve was a mathe-matical function. While this did allow for quite a lot of freedom with the design, it was difficult to smoothly transition from one curve to another, and was ulti-mately conclusded that it would not be suitable for further de-velopment. However, the idea of extruding curves, rather than points, became a key approach to our final design.

1. Fabricated model casting shadows.

This entry focused on the fabrication of this model alone in order to emphasise where we focused our de-velopment. Our opin-ion was that a prom-ising form must be established before developing surface detailings, and so they were worked on separately.

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3. Frontal view of fabricated model.

2. Shadows with alternate light.

For the final definition, we first created a surface and dividided it into points, and then extruded points based on two overlap-ping images. However, rather than making extrusions at each point to produce individual el-ements, the points were con-nected in columns to produce extruded curves. The point of this was to allow the fabrica-tion of a model with a series of progressively changing profiled curves, rather than a model with a consistent surface. We chose this approach in order to create the impression of a very stripped back and refined form where nothing is hidden.

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Upon completion of the section of the journal, it can be said that a solid foundation of knowledge has now been gained and utilised to develop and starting point for preparing a design to be submit-

ted for the Wyndham City Gateway Project Expressiono of Interest.

The skills learned and applied over the duration of the completion of this journal are directly ap-plicable to the brief of the Gateway Project. They will enable to only the representation of forms, but

also their generation. In this way, parametric modelling can be used a a design tool.

As can be seen from this journal, parametric modelling can be used from the very start of the design process where the definition is created up until the final touches of the design, and even for

fabrication.

This marks the end of the Expression of Interest section of the journal. This means that we are now able to advance beyond the researching phase of the project, and start heading towards a final

design.

Research ProjectsDesign Journal C O N C L U S I O N

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journal week8

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