STUDIO AIR

CHRISTOPHERMARINOPOULOS539374

SEMESTER 1 2013

GWYLL AND ANGELA

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

My name is Christopher Marinopoulos, and i am undertaking my third year iin the bach-elor of Environments, majoring in architec-ture. This journal wll how progress of my work throughout the subject, starting from existing knowledge and developing it into a more developed skill set of moedlling, computata-tional deign and many ways of completing design tasks. I have completed three studios, get-ting insight into design decisions, problems and briefs, although more design tasks will be helpful in developing design skills which can be hard to understand in theory, and only leaarnt through practice. I have always had an interest in geography and places, and i am learning to combine new skills in design with existing knowledge.

Previous Design Skills Throughout the Bachelor of Environment’s first 2 years, i have developed some new skills, es-pecailly in computer modelling, fabrication and some rendering. Through Virtual Environemnts, there was majority of design through Rhino, including lofting, panelling tools, fabrication and construction of a model (see top picture), in the form of a weara-ble head sculpture. Through other design sub-jects introductions to AutoCAD (bottom picture) and rendering of models (3DS Max), (2nd bottom pictire) have given widespread exposure to digital processes that can help in designing and visually presenting ideas. I have had exposure and some shallow knowledge of dig-ital architecture, through seeing precedent such as the Guggen-heim museusm in Bilbao’s process of computerisation of sketch into model, as well as concept mod-els of high rise buildings, such as the Eureka Tower in Melbourne. I however have not been shown the in depth processes of compu-tational design before attending university.

Top: Final Model, Virtual Environ-ments2nd Top: Rhino Panelling Tools, Virtual Environments2nd Bottom: 3DS Max Rendering, Site TectonicsBottom: AutoCAD Drawings, ADS Water.

Part A. EOI I: CASE FOR INNOVATION

A.1 ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE Architecture is a vital part of society, impor-tant in its cultural ans social value, the most public form of artwork, that can achieve discussion that nothing else in a place can do as well. By address-ing architecture as a discourse rather than just a building.

“Architecture is the most public of the arts. It is inescapable of anyone living in urban society.

Works of architecture frame our lives”Richard Williams. Architectural and Visual Culture

The ideas generated can also be considered a form of architecture, addressing issues and estab-lishing new forms and ideas. This can be shown by the group Archigram, whose ideas of how cities could work through visual diagrams and drawings allowed for discourse for society and allowed for discussion, such as the Walking City (1964) and Plug-in City (1964). These ideas were never actu-ally built or put into real cities, but gave ideas that challenged the exisiting thoughts of what a city has to be.

Projects that use forms and concepts in a creative and imposing way can create greater connection between the structure and the users, creating a conversation that is positive to a place’s image and intrigue.

Archigram, A Walking City (1964). Source: http://www.theuniquecreatures.com/archigram-60s70s-architectural-avant-garde/

Ordos Art and City Museum of Inner Mongo-lia (2011). Source: http://entertainmentdesigner.com/news/museum-design-news/the-ordos-art-and-city-museum-of-inner-mongolia/

Archigram, Plug in city (1964). Source: http://va312ozgunkilic.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/archigram-plug-in-city/

PRECEDENTUNStudio, Burnham Pavillion, Chicago, 2009

The Burnham pavillion by UNStudio is small temporary pavillion that is an indi-cator a key example of how programs such as Grasshopper can be beneficial to the city’s aesthetics. It contributes to an augmented experience of the users, relating to Daniel Burnham’s 1909 plan of Chicago, and expresses it using a new form of construction and experience. The fact that it was temporary does not change the grand effect on the site and the interaction between person and building, incorporating new technologies and simple geometry to create a stream-line but complex structure. Its legacy is the memory of how a pavillion can add to a persons experience, and make people understand how new software can create new ideas and aesthetically pleasing sturctures for the public to use.

PRECEDENTsoma Architecture, White Noise, Salzburg, Austria, 2010

The White Noise project, used as the Salzburg Biennale Music Pavillion, expresses a different form of pavillion to the public, using new programs to create a structurally stable and intriguing structure. The use of geometry and exposing the structural rods leaves a strong impres-sion on the surronding are, when compared to the rectalinear buldings in the square. The pavillion draws people to it, and creates a feeling of exploration and wonder, and leaves a legacy of how structures builit similarly can be built on a larger scale. The achievement of Bollinger and Grohmann Engineers, by using new pro-grams to understand the loads and stuructual elements of the type of geometry, causes a positive approach to new ways of designing and constructing, allowing for a change in global perception of computational design and show that remarkable results can be achieved.

A.2 COMPUTATIONALARCHITECTURE Architecture and the design process is an evo-lutionary process, with many changes occuring or the time of mankind, and a rapid shift in recent history, such as the new found prominence of computational design. From the creation of the “architect” seen in ancient greek period, to Renaissance masters of de-sign such as Bruneleschi and Alberti, and to current expectations of architects seen by modernist and post modernist such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe. The process used by current archi-tects has greatly changed. The current rapid shift to computerisation as well as computational design, which involved the process of problem solving as well as a discussion with the problem (see Kalay’s design process diagram). New techniques to maximise design potential and time reduction can be motviated by the great analytical of computers, and seen currently, the design aspects that computer programs can achieve with the coop-eration of the designer.

“Such a symbiosis is predicated on communica-tion, the ability to share information between com-

puters and humans”Yehuda E. Kalay, Architectures New Media.

The focus on a symbiotic design process, that allows a positive interaction and can produce better designs and a more organised process of designing and fi-nalising ideas. This communication of architects using programs can utilise the benefits of both humans and the software used.

Yehuda E. Kalay, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, THeories and Methods of Computer-Aid-ed Design.Top and bottom are two differ-ent design processes that show the relationship between goals and solutions.

PRECEDENTHerzog & De Meuron, Messe Basel-New Hall, Basel, Switzerland, Completion 2013

The design process of Messe Basel New Hall is a clear example of how the digital technology group Herzog & De Meuron can use many computational methods to determine the form and structure of the the building. By incorporating random gener-ators to establish a change in the facade, and using technology to narrow the premis-es fo the design, therefore allowing a more focused and concise process to occur. The development of the software by the digital technology gorup allow specif-ic form making for such parts as stairs and facades and deliver clearer results, such as the 3D facade using panels to give a more exciting sheel, also using computational ideas to facilite different openings and fea-tures.

Top: Outside perspective of the hallMiddle: Random generation helping in deisigning facadeBottom: 3D Panelling of the Facade

PRECEDENTFoster + Partners and Buro Happold, Thomas Deacon Academy, Peterborough, Uk, 2007

The use of simulation and experimenting with move-ment played a key role in decisions regarding move-ment areas’ placement and dimensions, such as walk-ways, stairs and corridors. This was done by using simu-lation software and allowing the potential movements of over 2000 students and staff, and critical to allow a successful learning area to be contrusted. It also was driving key decisions and detecting high traffic areas and “hotspots” that could be a problem later if consid-ered in the design process.

Thomas Deacon Academy Interior hall space.The structure realted to the movement of thousands of pupils and how it can be maximised in one building.

Thomas Deacon Academy, Simulation of movementThis program above simulates movement and allows for seeing patterns in real world situations, and how it would happen in the proposed design.Yellow is light traffic, Red is heavy pockets of traffic.

The use of the simula-tion program is a way of how computational data and ideas can be reflected in architecture, being able to see how it could work, and consid-ering it in the process of design. This would have been too expensive or time consuming in a real life experiment. The part-nership between Fos-ter + Partners anf Buro Happold, specialising in digital simulation, can represent a symbiotic relationship between design and computer programming.

A.3PARAMETRIC MODELLING

“Parametric modelling (also known as con-straint modelling) introduces a fundamental

change: marks,that is, parts of a design, relate and change in a coordinated way”

Robert Woodbury, Elements of Parametric Design.

The idea of parametric modelling in design is to set parameters and therefore limits in the idea, using equations and formulas to determine a set of numbers that can help in the process of idea genearation and conviction. It is not a com-pletely new process, used in designs by Gaudi and Moretti, using a mathematical process to help develop ideas. Is however has come to the forefront of design through the incorporation of computers in architecture, and the benefits which have been documented and spread to archi-tects around the world. The efficiency that parametric modelling can have on the design process can reduce costs of changes thorugh the known parameters that need to be changed, as well as the ability to decrease costs of designing thorughout all stag-es. This is very helpful to all architects, who can now formulate goals and solutions in a more clear form.

Gaudi’s hanging chian model.Source: http://cerebrovortex.com/

AIA California Council, comparing project phases..Source: Studio AIR Lecture, Slide 30

PRECEDENTCenter for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA) andSpatial Information Architecture Laboratory (SIAL), Dermoid,Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, 2011

The design of the shell-like structure was estab-lished by the process of emulating ecosyatems, and changing parame-ters though Grasshopper to allow the form to be made. This method of design creates a hierachy of scripting modules, that helps create the Dermoid design environment, and allows this interesting form to be constructed.

This computational design process allows the creation of the design environment by the designer’s domain, al-lowing parameters that can control the result, and allow change to be done efficiently. This example is among other new tools that have shifted the design process and can allow new forms to be shown in ane be easily con-nected to other architects and designers by easy net-working.

Top: Dermoid final structureLeft: Experimenation using Grasshopper and some steps shown in the processBottom: Grasshopper Output of the Dermoid design

PRECEDENTMVRDV, Bastide Niel, Bordeaux, 2010

The design of this Bor-deaux land has many constraints and difficulties that need an analysis of the site to show how a de-sign can be incorporated. MVRDV has used Grass-hopper to set up param-eters and make it easier to set limits for design and create a more in depth analysis of the proposed design. This incorporates physical and environental constraints.

Some of these parameters include sunlight constraints of the specific site (see diagram below), and using para-metric design programs can be helpful in decision making and selecting the most correct option. It allows an end-less stream of configurations that be easily changed and manouvred.

Middle Right: Computa-tional process of creating a volumetric analysisLeft: One proposed scheme for the areaRight: Setting paramters of 45 angle of sunlight shows the change to the design of the site.

Bastide Niel, Final Volumetric AnalysisThis is the final result of experimentation and changing parameters to allow an in depth analysis of the site and its attributes to be shown,

A.5 CONCLUSION

The architecture now constructed may no longer be just a building, but a important asset socially to a place, allowing for discourse as well as discussion. This is a newer concept in designing, and innovative design can be a great creator of discourse. The role of computers and its programs is an important one, a new innovation in architecture in recent history that can allow “impossible” ideas and designs to be constructed, something that older practices would not allow, epecially with the possibili-ties of 3D Modelling over orthogonal views. My design approach will be more open to ideas and forms that might have been unable to realise previously, incor-porating new skills in programs such as Grasshopper to fulfil a concept’s potential. By using computational design and not just computerizing an idea, positive changes can be ah-cieved,some which might not have been thought of before, completing a discussion between goals and solutions, that is a more innovative way of approach-ing design, and being able to communicate through out all stages to create the best possible forms.

A.6 LEARNINGOUTCOMESFrom the start of the semester to the conclusion of discovering a case for innovation, the exposure have given greater appreciation and an in depth expla-nation to parametric modelling, the advantages of computational architecture and architecture as a discourse, a new way of expressing design. The readings have given an more thought pro-cess of design, especially when it discusses the evo-lutionary changes that has happening to the process of designing and the role of computers in the last 20 years, written by Yehuda E. Kalay, and how the prom-inence of problem solving and puzle making is im-portant, a two way discussion between problem and solution. The idea of architecture being a discourse, being soically and culturally important as well as functional has changed previous ideas of what archi-tecture is, and how the computational processes and programs have incluede more discussion of architec-ture in society.

Part B. EOI II: DESIGNAPPROACH

B.1 DESIGN FOCUS

TesselationThe definiton of tesselation, a repeated idea or shape, can become a dynamic effect on the overall design using techniques to give a quality to the overall aesthetic and individual pieces, shown in many installations and proejcts. The Wyndham Gateway situated on the freeway will need a dy-namic structure that can be able to create an exciting experience for drivers, and show that they have entered Wyndham City as well as Metropoli-tan Melbourne.

PRECEDENTHypersurface, Birmingham, UK, dECOi Architects

Hyposurface by dECOi architects is oneprecedent that uses ‘Tessalation’ to createan interesting and innovative installation.Constructed in the Birmingham HippodromeTheatre, the Hyposurface wall moves viacomputer controlled pistons which react tothe movement of sound in the theatre. People interacting with installation

It works in a similar way to the Cirriform Re-sponsive Facade in Seattle, Washington byFuture Cities Lab. This facade reacts to thecloseness of and the movement of peopleboth inside and outside the building. It wascreated using Firefly; a plug-in for Grasshop-per, so therefore is relevant to this studio.These precedents could be useful for ourGateway Project as we could encorporatethe use of a fl uid, tessalated surface thatmoves in conjunction with cars and thespeed they are travelling.Surface that be changed by interaction

M.C Escher, “FIsh” (1938).This is the experimeting of tesselation that M.C Escher achieved with many shapes, including the fish at the bottom of the picture, and creating an interest-ing and dynamic picture.

PRECEDENTCarpenter Centre Puppet Theatre, Harvard University, USA, , Michael Merideth + Pierre Huyghe

The Carpenter Centre Puppet Theatre constructed in the Harvard Centre for Visual arts is a demonstration of tessella-tion in parametric design. This project in-corporates five hundred unique panels assembed using a system of bolts. The white panels form not only the complex geometric pattern of the project, but the structure also. The integration of aesthetic and function is an element that we would like to explore in the Gateway Design Project. The Puppet Centre can be as-sembled and dissembled relatively eas-ily due to its construction method. This allows a flexible design approach and ease of maintenance and increased longevity. The use of undulating pat-terns and rhythms is also made possible through tessellation.

The theatre is made possible through the distribution and transfer of loads across the surface of the structure; this allows large spans and complex ge-ometries as well voids and lighting in-tegration. Despite the Puppet Centre’s 3-inch panelling, it is able to span an im-pressive 15 feet in the central void. This translates into a lightweight structure, efficient and malleable, and a method of construction ideal for a project like the Gateway Design. The Gateway Design project will require sections of the instalment to span distances with no support struc-ture. The tessellation method will allow for an intricate and involved geometry as well as the structural integrity required for a functional and efficient project

Exterior of Puppet Theatre

View from interior to exterior

View of panel structure and geometry

PRECEDENTVoltaDom, Skylar Tibbits

VoltaDom by Skylar Tibbits for MIT’s 150th Anniversary Celebration and FAST Arts Festival is an installation, which contains the idea of a tessellated surface of geometric vaults with reminiscent of the great vaulted ceilings of historic cathe-drals. In this project, the key elements we would like to explore in the Gateway Design Project is integration of aesthet-ic and structure. The combination of parametric rules and cathedral vaults innovate the idea of transforming the traditional language of architecture into the simple geometric shapes and com-putational design. The vaults also pro-vide a spectrum of oculi that penetrate the hallway under the project and the surrounding area with views and light.

With the expansion of architectural surface panel by intensifying the depth of doubly curved vaulted surfaces, it managed to cre-ate a self-support structure which no need any additional support poles in the middle of this large scale project. This can help us to understand how to create an open space under the Gateway Design project in a long distance without support structure by trans-fer the load to the side of our design. The vaults design also allow the struc-ture turn to any direction flexibly, which is needed in our project to connect the three separate sites together by only one structure with series of turning point.

Exterior view of VoltaDom

Interior view of VoltaDom

PRECEDENT‘Voussoir Cloud’, IwamotoScott

Interior View, showing illumination and structure

Bird’s Eye View of Structure

Detail of Lightweight wooden panels repeated

The project “Voussoir Cloud” by architectural firm IwamotoScott is an idea, in which a tesselated surface with many unique panels is installed over a larger room. The installation explored the structural properties of lightweight materials and how the needed strength can be achieved by the repeating elements, which all vary slightly and have their own char-acter. These panels can work togeth-er as one homogenous unit.

Getting inspiration from archi-tects such as Gaudi’s Hanging Chain model, IwamotoScott construct each vault as a Dalauney tesselation, which utilised the structural quality of dense and small patterning at the column base while using more poros-ity in the roof areas and larger pan-els where less structural qualities are needed. This shows the benefits and robustness of the wooden panels and how the repeating tesselations can achieve a smooth but stable form, which can also illuminated by sunlight and space for lighting in the panels.

The Gateway Design Project will need to use the strength of col-umns to support any roof structure along the site, which still uses pan-elling that is incorporated into the whole design. The importance of lighting is seen in the brief, needing effective lighting manipulation in both sunlight and during nighttime, as the road is commonly used in all 24 hours of the day.

B.2 CASE STUDY 1:VOUSSOIR CLOUD

The Voussoir Cloud manipulation involved the changing of four different parameters to allow to change the form, patterning and different structural properties. The results of this testing were lengthening of the columns, widening and shortening of the col-umn’s base, changing the mesh density of the structure and changing the configura-tion of the column base form.

Although these were succesful in creating different forms of a tesselating pat-tern, more changing of the form can be achieved and incorporated some of the changes into a new re-ngineered structure that would allow more manipulaltion of a tesselated structure.

B.3 CASE STUDY 2:RE-ENGINEERING OF

By changing the axial parameters and allowing for changes to the orignal form, the transformations gave better approximation of how tesselation can play a role in defiing a dynamic form. The result gave some similar changes to the form such as the mesh manipulations in the left column of the similar amount of points. The changing of the shape of engineering gave very different forms, such as the curved geometry of the second left column and pillow-shaped forms in the next three manipulations.

The definition will need to change to be more subtle as some of the results are not as original as planned, and need further manipulation to create a dynamic form that translated into the Wyndham City Gateway Project. Consideration on how the struc-ture is supported is important, as well as how lighting can play a role in creating an appropriate installation for the site.

VOUSSOIR CLOUD

FURTHER PRECEDENTS TO CONSIDERUK Pavillion, Shanghai World Expo 2010, Heatherwick Studios

Hugh Ferriss’ delinearated drawings of buildings

The UK Pavillion shows how lighting and structure can be interconnect-ed, allowing a continuous and in-teresting form. It combines both the interior and exterior as the same aesthetic, incorporating many small-er pieces protuding out to create an overall structure that is dynamic and very interesting for the user.

By using an effect of illumination in our definition and understanding how smaller parts can create a larg-er scale of form, The form created for the project can be more memo-rable for the users and be seen both at day and at night.

Hugh Ferriss’ delinearated drawings of New York’s skyscrapers as well as fictional builidngs, seen on the left, show the effect of light and form on a structure, and the different ways this can be seen. The different forms of geometry give a different feel to each building. The base lighting of the structures give an insight into how the city’s buildings are viewed compared to the structures.

By being able to control or deter-mine the light intensity, and focus-ing on viewpoint of the structure, as the users will be moving quickly, the definitions explored could be used to create a form that achieve its goal of creating a gateway to the city and how buildings in the city can be interpreted.

ALGORITHMICEXPERIMENTATION

Movement of PlaneThe 2D plane is manipulated to contour a change in height to create a form.

Oct Tree ManipulationCreating a tesselation of cubed-like structures in different scales

Curves to Points of LightFrom three curves, a transformation from a structure of lines, depending on the intensity of light, then creating a grid of points along the lines to show where cables can be placed to maximise the effect of the whole installation.

PROTOTYPEIlluminated Translucent StructureThe protoype to be created was to exhibit the proposed qualities of the points of light over a translucent sheet so that the fibre optic could not be seen. This theme was preliminary tested with no structure but by placing the sheet over the lamps and tested for the desired effect. It would be modelled off the lofted algorithmic experiment with three curves creating a panelled shll like structure, with the lamps placed inside and create the points of light.

Effect of Fibre Optic lighting on sheet of material.

The three cruve structure used for the prototype.

Model Making ProcessA translucent material, wire as a frame and fibre optic lamps were used to con-struct the prototype of the illumnated structure. It involved the shaping of the wire to the specific dimensions of the structure, and placement of material over the wire mesh.The testing of the lamp and clustering helped determine how the illumnation of the structure could be controlled and placed in specific points.

TECHNIQUE PROPOSAL

Site ConsiderationThe technique of the structure proposed has to consider the site of where its being placed, and how it can used over the three places: gateway, no mans land and a monument. This makes how the illuminated structures will work over the site impor-tant, concerning topography, view, aspect and scale. It also must be considered that the users are moving and can’t look at the structure stationery, making a quick impact more imoortant for the project.

Proposed site for Gateway Project and possible areas of installation.

Technique AdvantagesThe technique we have chosen, by using a lightweight structure with the fibre optic lights, creating an overall effect without any heavy materials, is an advantage to the project has it shows a structure out of tiny pieces, and giving the user the initia-tive to put the pieces together to create the final idea. The twenty-four hour use of the structures, giving importance on night time impact, addresses the importance of the assessiblity of use in both day and night. The proposal can be advantageous over heavy duty structures as its adaptability to change if needed, as it is light-weight, and the lighting arrangement can be changed over time.

Model PhotosUsing a dark space to simulate night, the lamps and structure were placed together to create the points of light onto the shell.

B.8LEARNINGOUTCOMESThrough the research and exposure to methods of creating and developing a technique and using a defintion as a form of motivation, it has helped de-veloepd my knowledge and ability to determine how i can use different design techniques to create the desired product. This is achieved progress in designing using paramtric modelling, and being able to ma-nipulate an idea or an existing structure, such as the Voussoir Cloud, into a form that is seen as more closer to my design intent and to overcome issues that need to be addressed. The ability to incorporate the intial ideas seen in the first Expression of Interest section have been suc-cessful, but still need to be connected to the gate-way project, by continuing to explore the advantag-es and abilities that computational and parametric design has, by finding new methods and tools and well as consolidating the existing known methods of parametric modelling, such as grafting and creating different type of meshes. It is also important to make sure that any development considers the discourse of architecture, and how discussion of the gateway project is one of the most important points. Following the Mid-semester presentation, our project will need further exploration in tesselataion and how to incorporate more into the structure, as well as how the three aspects: Gateway, No Mans Land and Monument will differ, while still being able to seen as one collective group of installations.