Design stuDio: Air

QiAn Chen

387183

PArt 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. Reverse-Engineered Case-Study I.2.1.3. Material Effects I.2.1.4. Assembly Methods I.2.2. Research Project Conclusion

I.3. Expression of Interest Conclusion: Competitive Advantage

I.4. Learning Objectives and Outcomes: Interim

CONTENT

PArt ii. ProjeCt ProPosAl

II.1. Project InterpretationII.2. Project DeliveryII.3. Project PresentationII.4. Project Proposal Conclusion

PArt iii. leArning objeCtives AnD outComes: finAl

III.1. Personal Background and Learning ObjectivesIII.2. Learning ProgressIII.3. Learning OutcomesIII.4. Future Work

CONTENT

“Paris”

“Romantic”

“Love”

“Holiday”

i.1.1.CAse for innovAtion - ArChiteCture As A DisCourse

“As it become clear, architecturc is as much a philosophical, so-cial or professional realm as it is a material one, and it is through the consideration of architecture as discourse that one can en-gage with it as visual culture. I suggest how by exemplifying three related, but distinct, approaches to architecture: architec-ture as a form of art; architecturc as a symbolic realm; and archi-tecture as spatial experience.” --Richard Williams, ‘Architecture and Visual Culture’

Architecture is always consid-ered a visual art as its scale, cost and requirement of public pa-tronage. According to William, architecture embraces both aes-thic appreciation and function-ality, and influenced by social and cultural movement, it is not only a form of art but a symbolic realm and spatial experience.The gateway project need to be an identification and a symbol of Wyndham. It is also important to encourage a sense of pride with-in the local community.

“The railway reflects the city’s continued commitment to the highest standards of architecture and pushes the boundaries of design and construction technology. These stations are the global bench-mark for the use of double-curvature glass in construction.”--Zaha Hadid

The brief for this station is similar to the gateway project. The design comprises of four new stations and a cable-stayed sus-pension bridge over the river Inn.For each station it adapts to the specific site conditions at various altitudes, whilst maintaining the coherent overall architectural language of fluidity by the us-ing the soft shape and contours.

i.1.1.CAse for innovAtion - ArChiteCture As A DisCourse

norDPArk stAtionZAhA hADiD

“The railway reflects the city’s continued commitment to the highest standards of architecture and pushes the boundaries of design and construction technology. These stations are the global bench-mark for the use of double-curvature glass in construction.”--Zaha Hadid

The railway station offers different experiences of interior and exterior as people walk through and walk past the station. It is similar to the ideal of gateway project. The gateway project of-fers people an arriving experience by installing an eye catching dynamic geometry can be viewed from far, and start to experi-ence the movement as drive past.

i.1.2.CAse for innovAtion - ComPuting in ArChiteCture

syDeney oPerA housejørn utZon

Digital technologies have changed our life decades ago and com-puter design has changed architectural practices in ways. Com-puter design changing architectural practices digitally not only by design process, dynamic form, open-ended and unpredictable 3D structures but also rise the possibilities of new architectonics.

One of the first buildings where digital technilogies were used for its construction was the Sydney Opera House. The complex sea-shell-like forms of the building could not be calculated and con-structed by traditional means.

Sydney Opera House is not only a landmark, it is also one of the most remarkable building. It achives eye chatching by organic forms and innovative techniques. In the same way the Wyndham Project can achieve its goal by creating a new innovative architec-ture with computer design.

“The information age, just like the industry age before, is chal-lenging not only how we design buildings, but also how we man-ufacture and construct them.” --Yehuda E. Kalay

Tendril Formations presents a very complex structure, formu-lated through mathematical computation, where the prolifer-ation of layers of single curvature give form to a three-dimensional pattern. Color and material are manipulated to produce spatial effects, and the SCI-Arc gallery is transformed into an entirely pink landscape with winding walls made of 300 CNC laser-cut sheets of thin plastic. Visitors are totally immersed in color, atmosphere and material as they move through the mean-dering walkways lighted by light-ing consultant Heather Libonati.This is a good example of using computer aided design to solve and minimise problems in the design and fabrication process. The idea of using complexity to engage with visitors and fabrica-tion method can be used in the Wyndham gateway project .

i.1.2.CAse for innovAtion - ComPuting in ArChiteCture

Pulse: tenDril formAtionsflorenCiA PitA

Architecture is always dependent on the techniques of presentation and fabrication created by architects and constructors. The development of digital tech-nologies not only improve the accuracy on design drawings, but also allows the construction of forms of a high degree of complexity at relativetly small cost.

“Architects draw what they can build and build what they can draw.” -- William Mitchell

Architecture is always dependent on the techniques of presentation and fabrication created by architects and constructors. The development of digital tech-nologies not only improve the accuracy on design drawings, but also allows the construction of forms of a high degree of complexity at relativetly small cost.

“Architects draw what they can build and build what they can draw.” -- William Mitchell

This series of studies into fibrous tower skelettons explores the generationn of ornamental, structural and spatial order through an agent based algorithmic design methodology.The fibrous concrete shell of the tower synthetically incorporates and nego-tiates between a set of structural, spatial, environ-mental and ornamental im-peratives. This project com-presses the structural and tectonic hierarchies of con-temporary tower design into a single shell whose articulation self-organizes in response to an often conflicting set of criteria.This fiber tower is a good example for the gateway project. It achieves eye chatching by the complex-ity of the design.

i.1.3.CAse for innovAtion - PArAmetriC moDelling

fibrous towerkokkugiA

“When something supposedly looks ‘parametric’ today, it’s aesthetic (re) production—the repletion of quality and taste. The mastering of hi-tech engineering software is ultimately used to produce ornate architectural decoration.” -- BurryScripting is a low-level computer programming. It is a more effectively computing program which allows designers to become the new toolmaker. Scripting (parametric design) unlocking the design potential, allow more accurate and elegant forms. The motivation of scripting is productivity and control.

“When something supposedly looks ‘parametric’ today, it’s aesthetic (re) production—the repletion of quality and taste. The mastering of hi-tech engineering software is ultimately used to produce ornate architectural decoration.” -- BurryScripting is a low-level computer programming. It is a more effectively computing program which allows designers to become the new toolmaker. Scripting (parametric design) unlocking the design potential, allow more accurate and elegant forms. The motivation of scripting is productivity and control.

The less of the formal restriction allow more possibilities of the project. As the brief requires something which can presence and encourage a sense of pride within the local community, it is important to create something innovative with computer pro-grams.

Parametric modelling is a good way to achieve the goal of innovative, exciting and eye catching. It enables a high range of possibilities and also allows more complex forms.

According to the case for innovation, one of the best way to achieve eye catching is the complexity of the design. Thus the gateway project will aim to create some com-plex forms with parametric skills.

i.1.4.CAse for innovAtion ConClusion

The less of the formal restriction allow more possibilities of the project. As the brief requires something which can presence and encourage a sense of pride within the local community, it is important to create something innovative with computer pro-grams.

Parametric modelling is a good way to achieve the goal of innovative, exciting and eye catching. It enables a high range of possibilities and also allows more complex forms.

According to the case for innovation, one of the best way to achieve eye catching is the complexity of the design. Thus the gateway project will aim to create some com-plex forms with parametric skills.

i.2.1. sCoPe of Possibilities

The aim for this section is to expirenment and explore the patterns of overlaping layers to maximize the possibilities for the gateway project.

The input, association and output is change to see the outcome of different geometries.

Through this experinment, some interesting patterns of combination have come up and this is helpful for our development of concept and form finding.

The aim for this section is to expirenment and explore the patterns of overlaping layers to maximize the possibilities for the gateway project.

The input, association and output is change to see the outcome of different geometries.

Through this experinment, some interesting patterns of combination have come up and this is helpful for our development of concept and form finding.

The outcome on the left is quite dy-namic. The waved surface looks like there is some kind of energy under-neath and the en-ergy will breakout soon.

This outcome on the right shows the rapid movement and change in direction of the dots. One set of dots start to travel at one direc-tion and the other set trav-els at a similar direction. Once they meet at a point, they continue moving but the direction changes a little bit until they meet the next one. So the patterns of the track seems split into differ-ent directions and one is like the refraction of the other.

1st row:Boolean PatternMath Function

2nd row:Curve Attractor

3rd row:Arbitrary Points

i.2.1.2.reverse-egineereD CAse stuDy

hills PlACe AmAnDA levette ArChiteCts

Lack of daylight in the narrow streets around this major retail artery was a key issue. The proposal acknowledges this by providing an architectural intervention that subtly draws attention to the building through the in-trigue of a sculptural façade. It was inspired by the art work of Lucio Fontana, AL_A slashed the aluminium skin with large glazed areas orientated towards the sky are slashed into the façade, maximising the natural light available into the office in this narrow street.

In the same way, our gateway project is look-ing for a dynamic geometry which can be viewed by motorists travelling at high speed and provide the first indicationof arrival into metropolitan Melbourne.This curved aluminium facade creates com-plex reflections of sky and street, making the building highly visible. The reflection also provide an entry statement and ar-rival experience, and become a new iden-tifier for the municipality. Therefore it is a good precident for our gateway project.

i.2.1.2.reverse-egineereD CAse stuDy

hills PlACe AmAnDA levette ArChiteCts

The building structure and reverse-egineer process is shown on the right. As shown on the picture the facade of the building is supported by the wooden frame underneath.

The surface of this building facede is first formed by lofting a straight line and a curve together.

And the waffel -grid definition is used to create the frame in grass-hopper.

As the selected material for the physical model is 2.7mm plywood, a 2.8mm gap is required for each slot to provide enough space for glue.

i.2.1.3.mAteriAl effeCt/i.2.1.4.Assembly methoDs

hills PlACe-fAbriCAtion

the frame is made in 2.7mm plywood as it is the most appropri-ate material. The mate-rial for cladding will be something have tension and expandable. It can be either a large piece or sliced stripes depending on the property of the material.The biggest issue is the top and bottom pieces have proteitial to be band. To solve this problem a long rule is used as a perpendicular guide.

2.7mm laser cutted plywood waffle frames

adjusting and setting up the frames

notching detail form the side the frames are attached from both-side

adjusting and setting up the frames attach the individual pieces using the tactical super glue

ecah individual pieces are numbered before take out

the frames are attached from both-side

finished view of the frame side view of the frame

i.2.1.3.mAteriAl effeCt/i.2.1.4.Assembly methoDs

hills PlACe-fAbriCAtionThe cladding is a very important aspect for this model. On the first attempt to the cladding, the most appropriate material we get from fablab is 1mm polypropylene. The black burns at the edge is no-ticed and quite distractive, but it fits well with the frame as it was pro-duced in grasshopper. We soon have issue with the poly-propylene as it can not be glued onto the the frame. We come up with the solution of double-side tap.

After the first attempt the cladding, we try to find a better material such as metal. As we fail to find matel material with the required thickness, the matelished plastic is the metarial that have the most likely behave of matel.The metalished plastic is sliced into strips and it has the same issue as the polypropylene. So we use the double-side tap to attach. In general, the metalished plastic have the better outcome.

i.2.2.reseArCh ProjeCt ConClusion

After a series of research and study for the matrix combinations and Hills Place, we believe dynamic form and reflective surface is something we want to achieve for the gatway project.To take this concept for further deveopment, we start to experinment with different geometries.

After discuss and experinment on dyna-mism, we come up with a concept model has the fludity curvelinear form with semi-relective surfaces.The model is basically made up of curved ribs and the distance between each ribs are equal. This somehow brings us the smooth, fludity transaction in volume.As the ribs becomes smaller and smaller to-wards the end, a sense of infinity is created. And I think the idea of “infinity” is quite dy-namic.The rib structure create a nice shadow pat-tern and the material we have choosen also delivers a semi-reflective result.But due to the less of complexity, the model doesn’t reach the effect of dynamic still.

i.3.eoi ConClusion: ComPetetive ADvAntAges

Key Words:-Exciting-Eye Catching-Extend Identification-Encourge Local Pride

Design Philosophy:-Dynamism-Computer Aided Design-Engage with Parametric Design-Interpurate with the Case of Innovation

In conclusion, the idea of dynamism is what we will focus on for the design. By achieving the goal fludity, curvelinear, form and ruled surface are most likely the key words for the following project.

I.4. Learning Objectives and Outcomes: Interim

This subject placed us in an active engagement with compu-tational design in both theories and practical. Throuhg the first half of semester, this course introduce us the advantages of computer aided design and start to understand “parametric modelling”.

For instance, the basic “parametric modelling” skills are under-stood and more complex geometry and patterns can be created.

This enables more possiblities in the future dseign and the prac-tical grasshopper skills are gained through the case study.

PArt ii. ProjeCt ProPosAl

Concept: Dynamism

Group Member: Guang Xu, Jonathan Wirjoprawiro

Change, Motion, Energy, Fludity

ii.1. ProjeCt interPretAtion

gAtewAy brief

Client: Wyndham City Concuil

Brief:

-exciting & eye catching

-primarily be viewed by motorists travelling at high speed

-the installation should provide an entry statement and ar-rival experience

-become a new identifier for the municipality

-the installation should create a focal point of iconic scale

-presence and encourage a sense of pride within the local community.

-propose new, inspiring and brave ideas, to generate a new discourse.

Audience: Public Motorists

Considerations & Issues:-Prominent location of the site at the entry to metropolitan Melbourne-Back dropped by a large scale service centre-Consideration of how the installation integrates with and/or sits in the immediate and surrounding landscape-Iconic feature-Appropriately scaled-Dialogue between sculpture and landscape to compose the Gateway-Original and engaging in form-Object‐centred individual sculpture or a more experiential approach-Literal or abstract-Adherence to the regulations imposed by VicRoads in rela-tion to siting, view lines, setbacks, materials, colours etc;-Daytime and night time viewing-Safety, ease of maintenance, materials and longevity

ii.1. ProjeCt interPretAtion

ConCePt AnD site

Concept:

dynamic

ambiguity+ruled surface

as we further develop our concept engaging with the brief, the idea of ambiguity becomes a part of the concept. And we believe the idea of ambiguity is a good representation of innovative.By embedding a geometric characteristic such as dynamism rather than a literal representation, the design allows for the ar-chitecture to remain an “agent of ambiguity” and opens it up to various interpretations.Ruled surface is another element our deisgn will present. The reason for using ruled surface is because it is nice and easy to create in 3D parametrically. And also easy to construct on site, just simply supported by skeletal frames.

The location of the design gives the traffic on service road the opportunity to appreciate it from afar.

site A has the prime location in between the two main freeways, maximising its exposure.

The bridge on the eastern approach plays a vital role in how the installation is viewed from the freeway, as the form is slowly revealed when vehicles pass through underneath.

The reason to chose site A is because there are freeway on both sides. This provides the maximum exposure of the design.One key view is from the service road, the other is from the bridge, and also underneath.

ii.2. ProjeCt Delivery

form DeveloPment

The diagram above show the process of the form development.The idea of this design is the curve cuting into the ground. The sense of change from curve to flat created by his idea is quiet dynamic and interesting. The waffel frame model shown on the right is our first attempt to this form. Due to the less of frame in perpendicular direc-tion, the structure is not as stable and rigid as we expect.And the misconsideration of the “beam” scale is another prob-lem in this first fibrication.

ii.2. ProjeCt Delivery

finAl Design

1:2000

PRINCES

WESTS

ROADSERVICE ROAD

PRINCES WEST

EAST

BOUND

BOUND

FREEWAY

FREEWAY

It all starts with the idea of encapsulating dynamism - change, movement, energy - into a solid form, with hopes that it will accentuate and enhance the experience of drivers along the freeway. The form of our design is simply produced by loft two curves. This way dynamism is achieved due to the characteristic of the geometry. In order to present anything in particular, it is more open to interpretations. Aside from being unique to Wyndham, this gives it the adaptive capacity to excite and inspire, as well as contribute to the architectural discourse over a long period of time, in anticipation for the rapidly changing future of Wyndham.

The innovation comes from its parametrically designed form, using the concept of a ruled surface for its structural frame to create a three-dimensional curvilinear surface that would otherwise be very difficult to achieve. This frame is then coupled with a layered cladding design that adds intrigue and complexity to the overall installation. And the way how the cladding overlay to the one direction offers different effect from different aspects. The cladding looks in one piece from a side but you can actually see every individual pieces from the other. This again amphasis the concept of “dynamic”.

In Addition of the desgin features, the paint on the ground is the continuation of the volume of the building itself and also the exaggeration of the movement

1:2000

PRINCES

WESTS

ROADSERVICE ROAD

PRINCES WEST

EAST

BOUND

BOUND

FREEWAY

FREEWAY

1:4000

ii.3. ProjeCt PresentAtion

finAl Design

eAst elevAtion1:500

west elevAtion1:500

north elevAtion1:500

south elevAtion1:500

ii.3. ProjeCt PresentAtion

ConstruCtion ProCess AnD DetAil DiAgrAms

1. site is closed for preparetion, get the ground ready for the installation.

2. transport the prefabriated component to the site and start installation from both side simutaneously.

3.the skeletal frame finishes at the top and this requires a high degree of ac-curcy when installing the frame.

4. attaching the cladding to the frame using the method shown on the right.

This joint detail on the left allows the use of one universal connector for all the cross joints throughout the installation. In this way, the frame component can be manufactured off-site quite easily and assembled on-site in a simple and timely manner.

This reflected plan detail diagram on the right and the detail section diagram below of the cladding show the connections will be resolved by bolting each piece to the frame using steel brackets. This method sufficiently rigid to counter-act any uplift that the cladding may experience.

ii.3. ProjeCt PresentAtion

view from serviCe stAtion

ii.3. ProjeCt PresentAtion

view from briDge

ii.3. ProjeCt PresentAtion

lAnDsCAPe feAture

ii.3. ProjeCt PresentAtion

unDerise DetAil

ii.3. ProjeCt PresentAtion

ClADDing DetAil

ii.3. ProjeCt PresentAtion

night time effeCt

II.4. Project Proposal Conclusion

- Although it’s a simple form, this design is unique to wyndham in the way that it utilises key aspects of the site such as views, landscaping opportunities, etc.As mentioned before, our design follows the shape of the land-scape. You will have different experiences of the design as the distance getting closer.This again emphasises our concept of dynamism.

- It is also fairly easy to construct as all the pieces are prefabri-cated and installed onsite. and we believe it is quite cost-effec-tive. And the council can easily achieve their goal by installing our design within their budget.

- The brief says the installation need to be viewed by motorists travelling at high speed , provide first indication and arrival ex-perience, create a focal point of iconic scale and presence and encourage a sense of pride within the local community. We be-lieve we have achieved that with our new, inspiring and unique design.

PArt iii. leArning objeCtives AnD outComes: finAl

III.1. Personal Background and Learning Objectives

I am a third year architecture but have no previous experience withe either Rhino nor Grasshopper also indesign. And now get-ting farmiliar with those softwares.

III.2.&III.3. Learning Progress & Outcomes

TheoryADS AIR is a very useful course and introduce us into contempo-rary architerture design. It proviedes us a very different experi-ence in both theoretical and practical. After the Case for Innova-tion, I start to understand how to find precedent and making argument. It is very essential not only for the ability of find the right precedent and making persuasive argument but also apply the precedent behind the design process.

Parametric SkillsAs already mention before, I have no experience of parametric design, this subject offers a great opportunity for me to engage with parametric modelling. At the end of this course, I start to un-derstood and farmiliar with Rhino and Grasshopper. The experien-ment of matrix combination and reverse egineer provide a great experience of parametric modelling and fabrication.

ADS: WATERBoat HouseThe boat house ex-plores many facets of architecture spatial attentions to Alva Aalto. The concept of this boathouse is forest house not only as it present the material-ity but also because it is located in a park.The experience of ADS WATER is quite different to AIR but still useful as a learn-ing experience.

III.2.&III.3. Learning Progress & Outcomes

FabricationThe Rverse Egineer exercise is my first attempt of laser cutting. And it is a good experience and I am very appreciate to make physical model rather than photoshop, paper drawings or render. I think it is a useful skill and will be helpful for further study of parametric modelling.

Group Work ExperienceI found it is quite interesting to work in groups. It is a kind of social experience as we all need work with others in the future career. So it is good to practise and get farmiliar with group works.

III.4. Future Work

After study this course, the parametric modelling skill is the most useful benefit I have learnt and it can be used engage with the future studios.

References:

Richard Williams, ‘Architecture and Visual Culture’, in Exploring Visual Culture : Definitions, Concepts, Contexts, ed. by Matthew Rampley (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2005).

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

Burry, Mark (2011). Scripting Cultures: Architectural Design and Programming (Chichester: Wiley).

Moussavi, Farshid and Michael Kubo, eds (2006). The Function of Ornament.

Hill, Jonathan (2006). ‘Drawing Forth Immaterial Architecture’, Ar-chitectural Research Quarterly.

Jacobo Krauel, ‘Contemporary Digital Architecture Desin & Tech-niques (Links Press,2010)