UIA 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress

UIA 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress 1

O- 0657

A Study on the Method of Pattern Extracting by Means of Kinetic Layering System

Jin-Jae Kim*1, You-Chang Jeon2 and Sung-Wook Kim2

1 Graduate Student, Department of Architecture, AJOU University, Republic of Korea 2Professor, Department of Architecture, AJOU University, Republic of Korea

Abstract Unlike eidetic images, regular and repetitive pattern designs are used in all places around our daily lives

by implying and delivering messages. The work of creating such designs is something that requires multiple rounds of testing. Therefore, there is a need to build a methodology that extract patterns and study the methodology that tests patterns through simple modifications. This study utilized a method called the Kinetic Layering System to form a methodology for pattern extraction. A total of five different variables were applied to the system and a process for applying these variables was configured to build individual systems according to this process. Multiple variables were adjusted to derive upon a pattern.

This study researches and proposes a methodology for deriving patterns that differ according to modules and movements by analyzing the Kinetic Layering System, and reviews the feasibility of utilizing the proposed method by applying specific modules and deriving several geometrical patterns. Keywords: Pattern, Layering, Kinetic

1. Introduction

1.1. Background and aim of the study

Creating and expression images involved the formation of eidetic images, but there is also the method of delivering message through indirect analogies. Patterns composed of repetitive shapes are often used in the analogy method of implying and delivering a message, and these types of patterns are seen in various places in our daily lives. For example, they’re used anywhere that requires visual aesthetics such as handbags or clothes from fashion labels, packaging, wallpaper, and even the façade of buildings when seen on a wider scale. Such patterns are typically composed of a repetition of small modules, and thus have regularity, symmetry, and repetition. Therefore, it is inevitable that there must be method for configuring such formative and geometric patterns thanks to these characteristics. However, creating a single pattern that effectively delivers a message is a task requiring much trial and error. Hence, there must be a methodology that creates patterns through a series of processes that create patterns using regularity, which is an inherent characteristics of patterns, to show other patterns moment to moment. This study researches and proposes a methodology for deriving patterns that differ according to modules

*Contact Author: You-Chang, Jeon, Professor, Department

of Architecture, Ajou University 723, San Hak Won, Ajou University , Woncheon-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Su-won-si, Gyeonggi-do,Republic of Korea Tel: +82-10-8998-7178 e-mail: ycjeon@ajou.ac.kr

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and movements by analyzing a method that derives upon geometric patterns, and reviews the feasibility of utilizing the proposed method by applying specific modules and deriving upon several geometrical patterns. 1.2. The contents and method of the study

After considering the general meaning and function of layering and kinetics, the effects of the Kinetic

Layering System is examined. After analyzing the principles behind how this system is configured and operated, it is explained by introducing key cases that show how patterns are derived when the system is operated. Then, in order to derive upon a general methodology on how patterns are extracted, a computer tool called Grasshopper is used to check changes in patterns such as the number of panels, the direction of the panel’s motions, and lining up of modules that serve as variables that configure the system. A process for configuring a single system is then deduced, and this process is used to propose a methodology for pattern extraction.

2. Layering and Kinetic

2.1. Layering

“Layering” refers to when two or more items overlap each other or stacked on top of each other. The space

or concentration of an image can be determined through layering, and the effect that occurs as a result of layering can be seen from continuous changes in an image according to changes in perspective, and the space or concentration of an image may appear difference according to the type of elements that are layered. In the architectural field, intentional spatial plans are made using layering to create images that appear to be layered from a perspective view inside and outside a space. Further, layering is also used as a continuous design element of “façade” for creating images that change according to perspective, and this façade system is even used for environmental factors and safety, display building management, etc.1

2.2. Kinetic

Kinetics is a theory that is prevalent in our daily lives. It would not be far-fetched to say that it is relevant to

anything that moves. Typically, “kinetics” refers to movements that can be directly used by a person such as transportation means or other machinery, but it is also used to derive upon visual images through kinetics. Kinetic elements are even used in buildings, which are static objects that are often regarded as real estate, and they now appear in facades that facilitate movement rather than space. This implies that the architectural facade field uses kinetics to derive upon visual images as mentioned above.

2.3. Kinetic Layering System

The Kinetic Layering System, which combines layering and kinetics, has various effects through a

synthesis of the respective features of each method. When 2 or more panels start moving in different directions while they are layered, they will create different images moment by moment. A key case of pattern effects that appear through this system is called the Moiré phenomenon. This phenomenon refers to how a different pattern appears moment by moment when patterns with set intervals are layered on top of each other and start rotating in different directions.

Fig.1. Moire patterns 1Oh, Y. A Study on Design Characteristics of Pattern Types Shown of Façade Designs. Architectural Institute of Korea, 34th(2), 31.

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3. Extracting Patterns from the Kinetic Layering System

3.1. Kinetic Layering System Configuration and Method (Pattern Extraction Method)

The Kinetic Layering System that creates diverse formative patterns is composed of at least 2 panels stacked atop each other. Further, because patterns are formed through the relationship between the front and rear panel, the movement of the rear panel must be visible from the front. Therefore, panels must be perforated so that the rear panel is visible through the opening, and an image is created from the perforated opening in each panel.

The simplest pattern is formed when panels are stacked in the same location and the image of one panel is displayed, and a more complex pattern is formed when panels starting moving and get layered in different locations. Hence, this method extracts various patterns as the distance and direction of each panel’s respective movement act as variables.

3.2. Representative Case of Kinetic Layering Pattern

Tesselate kinetic metal is a facade product made by ZAHNER, who has technology for cutting and processing metal panels through the CNC method, and it is one of the most representative cases of forming patterns using the Kinetic Layering System. A total of four metal panels move about while layered on top of each other. Aside from the panel in the front that is static, the remaining three panels move in different directions.

Fig.2.Tessellate Kinetic Metal of ZAHNER 4. Pattern Extracting Method of Kinetic Layering System 4.1. Pattern Change by List Method and the Number of Layers

The system is determined through multiple factors. First, the factors that design each layer are module

shape and how modules are arranged. The factors that determine each layer’s movement are the layer’s direction vector and movement distance. The pattern’s complexity may also change according to the number of layers that are layered. First, the difference in patterns that appear according to how circles, which are the most basic module

shape, are arranged can be seen. There are two differe nt methods of lining up models in a set way: square line and triangle line. The table below (Table 1) shows how patterns change according to the line method when the movement distance of layers changes. The movement distance ‘d’ is the value of half the distance between the center of the nearest module, and layers move from the point where they are layered in the same location up to the point where the pattern is most complex.

Table 1. Pattern change by list method Moved distance List Method of Module d*0 d*0.33 d*0.66 d*1

Rectangle

Triangle

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Pattern diversity also depends on the number of patterns. The table below (Table 2) shows how the pattern changes according to the number of stacked layers when the movement distance of layers changes. The number of layers that are stacked in the two module line methods (square line and triangle line) was set to 2, 3, and 4. As the number of layers increases, the pattern that is created according to each line method becomes more complicated as it gets closer to half the distance between the centre of the modules.

4.2 Proposing the Movement Direction vectors of Layers

More pattern diversity is added to the system configured through line method and number of layers through the movement direction of layers. Even if layers have the same design, a different pattern is formed according to the movement direction. Thus, patterns can be extracting by limiting the movement direction of each layer into a few types. The table below (Table 3) is a diagram of the proposed direction vectors with modules set to circles, and shows the differences in movement direction. The vector was set to four, which is the highest number of layers, so that direction vectors can be used regardless of the number of layers. Since the layer at the front is static, and the remaining three layers move, and number of vectors is three.

Table 3. Movement Direction vectors of Layers

List Method of Module Rectangle Triangle Angles between Vectors 45° 90° 60° 120°

Movement Direction

The interval of movement direction vectors of layers in the square line is 45 degrees of 90 decrees, and the

movement direction vectors of layers in the triangle line is 60 degrees of 120 degrees. In other words, two different movement directions are proposed for each line method for a total of four different movement direction vectors. 4.3 Process of Forming a Kinetic Layering System Priority order was analyzed based on the analyzed Kinetic Layering System settings to check the system’s

setting order. With respect to factors that set up the system, there are two factors that design layers, two factors that explain the movement direction, and the number of layers. First, factors that design layers include the line method and designed module shape. Factors that explain the movement method include the movement direction of layers and the movement distance of layers. The figure below (Figure 3) shows the setting process by assessing the priority order of the five system

setting factors. First, the line method of modules that configure layers is established. The module that is

Table 2. Pattern change by number of layers Arrangement way of Unit shape : Rectangle Arrangement way of Unit shape : Triangle

Moving distance Number of Layers d*0 d*0.33 d*0.66 d*1 d*0 d*0.33 d*0.66 d*1

2

3

4

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designed according to the line method is applied. When once layer is designed, the number of panels that will be layered is selected. The movement direction of layers that determines how each layer will move is selected. Lastly, the distance regarding how far the layers will move is selected. The system is built through the above process and a change in pattern can be seen accordingly.

Fig.3.Classification Process of Kinetic Layering System

4.4 Designing patterns using the Proposed System

The movement direction vectors proposed in 4.2 were used to derive upon patterns that changed according to the movement distance, and the validity of the proposed movement method was confirmed. The table below (Table 4) shows pattern changes on a module unit scale for each system and pattern changes on a panel unit scale layer composed of modules. Four Alt tests were performed, and each Alt showed a formative pattern with regularity.

Table 4. Designing patterns using the Proposed System List Method of Module : Rectangle List Method of Module : Triangle

Alt .1

Module Shape

Movement Direction Al

t .2

Module Shape

Movement Direction Al

t .3

Module Shape

Movement Direction Al

t .4

Module Shape

Movement Direction

dis

Module change Overall change di

s Module change Overall change di

s Module change Overall change di

s Module change Overall change

D*0.00

D*0.00

D*0.00

D*0.00

D*0.14

D*0.06

D*0.20

D*0.17

D*0.50

D*0.50

D*0.33

D*0.33

D*0.75

D*0.67

D*0.50

D*0.50

D*0.80

D*0.75

D*0.75

D*0.75

The layers are completely overlapped when the movement distance moves D*1, thus patterns are at D*0

where there is no movements. Therefore, the pattern at the first point and the pattern at the end point after maximum movement is reached is the same. The perforated opening of layers appear largest at point D*0 where there is no movement, resulting in the least complexity, and the patterns at point D*0.5, which is the half-way point to the end point, are symmetrical, monotonous, with a large opening compared to patterns

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excluding D*0. D, which is the maximum value for movement distance, is the distance between the center of two nearby

modules, the number of layers was four, and all Alt were set to four to create maximum changes. First, the module line method for Alt.1 and Alt.2 was the square line, and the triangle line for Alt.3 and Alt.4. For Alt.1, the distance of vectors leaned 45º for the square line method, and 90º for Alt.2. The shape of the unit module for Alt.1 was a cross-shaped line composed of vertical lines within a square frame, and the unit module for Alt.2 was a small square made with diagonal lines within a square frame. For Alt.3, the distance of vectors leaned 60º for the triangle line method, and 120º for Alt.4. Alt.3 consisted of diamond shapes symmetrically connected below through lines slanted at 120º within a triangle frame, and Alt.4 consisted of lines slanted 120º within a hexagon frame. This system is able to extract the desired pattern because a pattern modification test is possible right after

switching modules that are designed after being built and created through Grasshopper, a Rhino plugin. Furthermore, this system can be built and used instead of merely offering visual pattern extraction functions. If the thickness of line of module shapes changes, the size of the openings can be adjusted, or used as partition walls that move and adjust privacy by dividing space or used as a facade system of buildings as kinetic surfaces.

5. Conclusion

This study proposed a methodology of deriving patterns using the Kinetic Layering System through analysis

and application regarding a specific case and conceptual definitions of the Kinetic Layering System. Several factors were controlled in this system. The first factor was the line method of modules that configure one layer, the second factor was the shape of one module, the third was the number of overlapping layers, the fourth was the movement direction of layers, and the last factor was the movement distance of layers. This system extracted patterns that change moment by moment according to each variable and the movement distance. The Kinetic Layering System can be used as a way of extracting patterns, and the system that was built created various patterns by changing these variables. This study built a pattern extraction methodology by applying a certain case, and further research must be conducted on new methods that extract patterns through more diverse kinetic systems and layer design tests. Moreover, there is need for studies on other fields such as the environment or moving objects by utilizing the opening control function, which is a feature of this system. Acknowledgement

This research was supported by Residential Environment Research Program funded by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korean government no. 17RERP-B099826-03, and the National Research Foundation of Korea no. NFR-2017R1D1A1B03029098. References 1) Fox, M. (2016) INTERACTIVE ARCHITECTURE ADAPTIVE WORLD. Princeton Architectural Press: SPACETIME.

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3) Oh, Y. and Lee, H. (2014) A Study on Design Characteristics of Pattern Types Shown on Façade Designs. Architectural Institute of Korea,

34th (2), p.31-32.

4) Oh, Y. and Lee, H. (2015) A Study on Design Characteristics of Digital Patterns in Façade Designs. Koreanl Institute of Interior Design, 17th (1),

p.163-166.

5) Lee, J. and Lee, H. (2016) A Study on Morphological Characteristics of Kinetic Façade System. Architectural Institute of Korea, 36th (2),

p.353-354.

6) Kim, D. and Kim, S. (2015) A Prototyping Method for Kinetic Façade Design: Focusing on the Role of BIM and the Interaction detween Digital

and Analod Models, Journal of KIBIM Vol5.No.1 (2015), p.16-24