Air StudioSemester 1,2015Student name:JingJing LiuStudent No:634049

Table Of Content

Introduction 1

Design Futuring

Precedent 1-Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts 3

Precedent 2-Faculty of Management,Robert Gordon University 5

Design Computation

Precedent 1-Guangzhou OperaOpera House,China 7

Precedent 2-Yokohama International Port Terminal 12

Composition

Precedent 1-Facit Homes 16

Precedent 2-The Hangzhou Tennis Center 20

Conclusion /Grasshopper exercise/Learning Outcome 22

Part B

Case Study 1 26

Case Study2 34

Part C 55

Introduction

My name is Jingjing Liu. I'm a third year Bachelor of Architecture student. I like architecture, I always enjoy observing buildings and being curious about every joint of details. But only looking at the facade, painting, decoration and inside layout is not enough to satisfy my growing thirst for knowledge of architecture. I want to find out the process and the product of planning, designing and constructing buildings, and other physical structures. Fortunately, I obtained the chance to study architecture in university, I'm so glad that I can carry my sight into constructions and even design my own building.

1 2

Precedent 1

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

Norwoch ,England 1974-1978

This building is an art gallery and museum located on the campus of the University of East Anglia,Norwich,United Kingdom.Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts contains a collection of world art, was one of the first major public buildings to be designed by the architect Norman Foster,completed in 1978.

To design this building ,Foster put a l l t h e v a r i e d f u n c t i o n s a n d u s e r g r o u p s - g a l l e r i e s a n d t e a c h i n g spaces,students,academics and the public together in a single space,under one roof,It was a gallery without walls in the conventional sense.The Sainsburys shared a belief that the study of art should be a pleasurable experience.As a result the Sainsbury Centre is much more than a traditional gallery, where the emphasis is on art in isolation1

1“Foster+Partners:The Sainsbury Centre For Visual is equipped for the future”(May 19,2006)

2“Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts Norwich,Englans 1974-1978.”Foster,Foxster and Partners ,30-31,2001.

I t was an early example of a low-energy,’green’ architecture -these are fashionable ideas today,but at the time the concept of sustainable,ecological buildings was virtually unheard of.In order to create this uncluttered internal space,services and ancillaries are housed within the double layer of the walls and roof, which also provides access for lighting installations.Prismatic walls and roof trusses are visible externally at each end and support a flexible system of three different types of cladding panel-glazed,solid and grilled-which can be easily reconfigured in any combination.Internally, the walls and ceiling are lined with motorised aluminium louvres linked to light sensors2.The combination of natural an artificial lighting systems provides an almost infinite subtlety of control.

According to the reading "Design F u r u r i n g " 1,To n y p o i n t s o u t t h a t architects should concentrate the "sustanable development" on their design.Foster not only intergrated with nature well but also give the possiblity to redesign of bui lding itself.For example,the new accommodation was added below ground ,at basement level.To the east and south of the existing building the ground falls away towards a lake.The building was modified to accommodate study collections and workshops in a rectangular continuation of basement.

The exterior gives little hint of what lies underneath.Approaching from the original building,a level grass lawn punctuated by rooflights and a narrow ramp disappearing beneath the turf provide a clue.

1Fry,Tony(2008).Design Futuring:Sustainability,Ethics and New Practice (Oxford:Berg),pp.1-16

3 4

PART A :Design Futuring

Precedent 2

Faculty of Management,Robert Gordon UniversityAberdeen,Scotland 1994-1998

The Faculty of Management marks t h e f i r s t p h a s e i n a t w e n t y - y e a r masterplan to restructure Robert Gordon University,uniting its facilities within a new campus in rolling wooded countryside on the banks of the River Dee.

This building is a sustainable building which the sweeping profi le of the building is a response to the undulating topography and the existing tree canopy.The concrete frame forms terraces down the natural slope of the site,oversailed by a curving roof. As we can see from the image,it demonstrates a harmonious picture between nature and building.1

1　“Foster+Partners:The Sainsbury Centre For Visual is equipped for the future”(May 19,2006) ，151。

For the material, it mainly alternates with infill panels of aluminium amd glass in order to emphasis the building’s structure.Furthermore,this building i s a l o w - c o s t , l o w - e n e r g y p r o j e c t which minimises maintenance and replacement costs and maximises natural light and ventilation.In a word, this building absolutely was presented a perfect example to future design.

Also the roof beams project beyoned the building envelope into the landscape at the southern end,where student common rooms overlook a winter garden ,opening onto riverside terraces. So this building emphasis the important of human feeling and the view which also important in the future design.

5

6

7 8

Guangzhou OperaOpera House,ChinaZaha Hadid

Design Computation

Therefore,parametricism not only as a useful ,but also as an totally new kind of architecture which is a new aesthetic completely changed the design and construction industries.

For instance,the Guangzhou Opera House demonstrates the largest and most complex example of her new generation of pr imari ly computer generated designs.Building the poetic idea of structures as waterworn rocks required advanced computational t e c h n o l o g i e s . “ T h e o p e r a h o u s e structure,” Schumacher explains,“is a volume within a volume.” Housing the auditorium and fly tower is a concrete box with terraces cantilevering into the auditorium and lobby.The giant steel lattice that forms the exterior structure vaults out in all directions from this inner concrete volume,forming a shell with flat facets triangulated

with steel members,the facets meet in rounded f i l let edges that pivot e a c h f a c e t t o w a r d t h e n e x t .T h e geometry of the auditorium represents a d i f ferent mathematical species altogether,developed in Maya as NURB surfaces1.

As the image shown,the outside of this building defined by their faceted structural skin,covered in triangular t i les made of glass and white and b l a c k g r a n i t e .T h e s k i n c o m b i n e s parametric geometry with traditional methods,such as the sand-casting of the main structural steel nodes,and it is vaulted off a separate, interior volume of concrete that houses the opera theater.Working in Maya, the factory where the data was translated and milled into molds into which the final material-

3　Joseph Glovannini,“GuangZhou Opera House”The Journal Of The American Institute Of Architects(April 28,2011)

C o m p u t i n g a f f e c t t h e d e s i g n process deeply. Peter Brady points out that ‘computation is redefining the practice of architecture’.1This is because architects are developing digital tools that create opportunities in design process,fabrication and c o n s t r u c t i o n . M e a n w h i l e , P a t r i k Schumacher Came up with the idea of “parametricism”which started the contemporary design in architecture.T h a t i s ,“ n o m o r e a x e s , n o m o r e regularity,no more symmetry-nothing that smacks of the great architecture of the past.” 2Also,avoiding right angles,avoid corners,avoid simple repetition of elements.

1　Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 102　Parametric Design:"What's Gotten Lost Amid the Algorithms”（July 11,2013)

glass fiber-reinforced gypsum-could be cast.The forms were put together on site,forming continuous,seamless surfaces1.

In a word,architects use the computer as a virtual drafting board making it easier to edit,copy and increase the precision of drawings.On the other hand ,‘Computation’，allows designers to extend their abilities to deal with highly

4Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 10

9 10

Precedent 2

Yokohama International Port Terminal FOA ,2001

The other one of the largest built examples is Foreign Office Architects’ cruise ship terminal in Yokohama ,Japan,a pier whose sinuous walking surface is said to have been inspired by traditional wave paintings.A primer on parametric design by the AIA California Council claimed that this project proves that “complex building forms correlated to a series of imaged or perceived parameters could be organized and constructed on a grand scale with dynamic,real-world results.”

The brief of the Yokohama International Port Terminal asked for the articulation of a passenger cruise terminal and a mix of civic facilities for the use of citizens in one building.

The site had a pivotal role along the city’s water front that, if declared a public space,would present Yokohama City with continuous structure of open public spaces along the waterfront.The parametric design allows the project to intergrate with the site in a large scale.

The project starts with what architects have named as the “no-return pier”,with the ambition to structure the precinct of the pier as fluid, uninterrupted and multi-directional space,rather than a gateway to flows of fixed orientation.A series of programmatically specific interlocking circulation loops allow the architects to subvert the traditional l i n e a r a n d b r a n c h i n g s t r u c t u r e characteristic of the building.Rather than developing the building as an object or figure on the pier,the project is produced as an extension of the urban ground,constructed as a systematic transformation of the l ines of the circulation diagram into a folded and bifurcated surface.1

1　Foreign Off ice Archi tects"Yokohama International Port Terminal",,arcspace.com,April 05,2007

12 13

1144 15 15

Peter Brady explained that computation has the potential to provide inspiration and go beyond the intellect of the designer, l ike other techniques of architectural design, through the generation of unexpected results.An algorithm is a particular set of instructions,and for these instructions to be understood by the computer they must be written in a language the computer can understood,a code (by using grasshopper).1

For example,Facit Homes has developed proprietary system that link building i n f o r m a t i o n m o d e l i n g t o s m a l l -scale digital manufacturing tools.At detailed design-the equivalent of RIBA work stage E-the team produces a 3-D computer model that harnesses information for every aspect of the building,from the angle of the wall and the quantities of materials to the position of every plug socket1　Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 10

Composition / GenerationPrecedent 1Facit Homes

Mr Bell describes as “ a big wooden bubble”.guided the development of his ideas,as it used parametric design, design with timber and digital manufacturing techniques.

Facit Homes claims to be the first company in the world to digital ly fabricate a bespoke home on-site.The company has developed a process to the construction site,equipped with all the materials and machinery required to transform a 3D digital into a physical building.Bell claimed that“we are the first company in the world to have successfully trialed manufacturing a house on-site.”and“we bring our compact high-tech machine to site and make it there and then-its an amazingly efficient way of designing and making a house.”1

2Bridget Borgobello, “Facit Homes Claims to build world’s first ‘digitally fabricated ‘house” ,Gizmag,August 24,2012.

Facit Homes first designs the house using a 3D computer model which c o n t a i n s e v e r y a s p e c t f r o m i t s orientation,material quantities,even down to the position of individual plug sockets.The patented “D-process “ t h e n t r a n s f o r m s t h e 3 D d i g i t a l designs into the home’s exact physical building components,using a computer controlled cutter.These components are usually made from engineered spruce ply and are light and easy enough to then be assembled together on site.Since the components are produced on demand,costs are kept to a minimum and lead times are eradicated.“It’s not a building system but a way of working,”said Bell

In a word,this unique construction m e t h o d p r o v i d e s o n - s i t e q u a l i t y c o n t r o l , p r e d i c t a b i l i t y , c o s t effect iveness,speed,a low carbon footprint and flexibility.

16 17

18

19

Precedent 2

The Hangzhou Tennis Center

NBBJ 2014

Computation is playing an absolutely important role in the design process.Hangzhou Staium is an other example of parametric design.The Hangzhou Tennis Center is a 10,000-seat tennis stadium located in Hangzhou,china.The main stadium and the tennis finals court are the two main stadium and the tennis finals court are the two main structures on the site.Both facilities share a common architectural language of repetitive sculptural truss geometries which compose the exterior envelopes.Rhinoceros 3D with the Grasshopper plug-in were instrumental tools for the design and documentation for both stadiums.

The exterior envelope is composed of a twenty-four truss modules arrayed around a circular arc .Referred to as ‘perals’,the trusses create a large-scale repetitive pattern which encloses the stadium its visual image,the shell also functionally provides shade and rain protection for the seating bowl.

The design of the stadium envelope is based on a modular system of the sculptural steel trusses which provide shade and house the arena’s technical systems.To design the exterior ,an integrated parametric system was created to conceptualize,simulate, and document the complex geometric systems.1

1　Nathan Mi l ler ,The Hangzhou Tennis Center: A case study in integrated parametric Design,ACADIA Regional ,2011

20 21

Conclusion/Grasshopper exercise/Learning Outcome

Conlusion

These three weeks ,we learned about parametric design through lectures and tutorials.According to those examples I have presented .It proves parametric design dominates an essetial position in the contemponrary architecture.Therefore, to study how to use the grasshooper to create a project is our next process.

For my design, I aim to create a more complex system and to try to make different shapes in grasshopper.Such as the HangZhou Tennis Center,I intend to find the inspirition from the natural element and create differnt organic shapes in grasshopper.

Grasshopper exercise/Learning Outcome

I pasted some grasshopper model we did in the tutorial class.The first two image showed a simple program which to set four points move up and loft ,then we could played with the parameter values.

For the columns diagram, based on the tutorial in the class,I added another random serise of circle.So I got two different size of colums.

The colour one is another exercise I did in tutorial class which I could play with the coulor and size with these triangles.

Through these three weeks studies ,I find more on parametric design,start to learn grasshpper and rihno which I found really interesting and pretty enjoy the process

22

23

ReferenceFoster+Partners:The Sainsbury Centre For Visual is equipped for the future”(May 19,2006)

2“Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts Norwich,Englans 1974-1978.”Foster,Foxster and Partners ,30-31,2001.

Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 10

"Parametric Design:"What's Gotten Lost Amid the Algorithms”（July 11,2013)

Bridget Borgobello, “Facit Homes Claims to build world’s first ‘digitally fabricated ‘house” ,Gizmag,August 24,2012.

Nathan Miller,The Hangzhou Tennis Center: A case study in integrated parametric Design,ACADIA Regional ,2011

24 25

Part B:Design Approach

B.1.CASE STUDY I.0

26 27

Design Focus MATSYS Grid Shell

This 4-day workshop at smartGeometry 2012 focused on the design and construction of a wooden gridshell using only straight wood members bent along geodesic lines on a relaxed surface.Using parametric tools, the design was developed and analyzed to minimized material waste while maximizing its architectual presence in the space.1

In addition,a feedback loop was designed between the parametric geometric model and a structural model allowing for a smooth workflow that intergrated geometry, structure, and materual performance.

1　SG 2012 GridShell,MATSYS,2012 http://matsysdesign.com/2012/04/13/sg2012-gridshell/

28 29

B.2.Matrix

link the pipe to the downloaded grasshopper def inat ion to see how do the each straight line join together.

changing the radius of each slider of pipe and tring to find new structure on the original defination.

30 31

Using the same surface and creating new form of the structure achieve to the surface.

The new structure were e s t a b l i s h e d a n d e a c h straight line join in servel different way.

Three of these matrix to use for my project

32 33

B.2.Case Study 2.0nervi palazzetto dello sport

Nervi’s formwork relied on two strategies to achieve complex forms using simple materials: simple timber construction that used ruled geometry to achieve curved surfaces.Following the defination ofthis project, There are lots of different outcomes.When I change the slider the different numbers ingrashopper,It will showed the different cross patterns on the curve1.1　J.F.Abel,G.Arun and M.A.Chirorino"Carpenter's Parametrics:"Economy,Efficiency, and Form in Pier Liugi Nervi‘s Column Designs,2013http://www.academia.edu/5921081/_Carpenters_Parametrics_Economy_Efficiency_and_Form_in_Pier_Luigi_Nervis_Column_Designs

34 35

Reverse- engineering Precendent

Step1 Step 2

Step 5

Step 3 Step 4

1.Circles -move in z direction2.loft the surface3.link to these crossing lines4.creating the basement 'Y' shape5.Rotating the 'Y' shape.

36 37

B.4. Technique development

The limitation of this defination is the inside element only can fabricated in one way.Therefore ,for these inside crossing elements, when I change the number of each slider,it only increased ordecreased the numbers of the row, not the inside pattern.

38 39

Matrix

Following the defination of Nurvi that 'used ruled geometry to achieve curve surface, and also to establish new different way of the connection.

To create surface between the edgepoint.Link with the pipe and slidering the size of thepipe, the outcome showed two different sized of pipes work together.

Creating new pattern by using lunch box ingrasshopper to see more potential of the curve.

40 41

Further exploration

Changing the outside curve to differentrandom geometris and to see how do theinside structure work with the outsideprofile.

Working with the lunchbox to see thedifferent outcomes.

Using Kangaroo in the curve surface, to see how could the curve transform in other random shapes.

42 43

B.5.Technique:Prototypes

The most sucessful iteration

44 45

Prototypes

These prototypes aim to testing the connections of each structure and also to see how stable of these structure.And I also thought about the material of through this process.

46 47

B.6.Technique:Proposal

For my design , I want to create something for chirldren to have fun and to do some exsercise.Therefore I chose the location near the chirldren's farm.Due to my client are chirldren, I tried to think something is fun.and they could play with it.

Therefore I am thinking about the concept of the'climbing'which contains the meaning of 'spider-man'.Inorder to attract more chirldren to come to this project, I aim to make it more interesting and bit complex and makes them feel more challenge.

48 49

Through the texting prototype, this diagonal structure is the most stable and it demonstrated the concept of my project,and also I try to work it into the site.

50 51

B.7.Learning Objectives and Outcomes

In part B, I start to look at the defination of the engineering precedent and get the inpiration from the defination in grasshopper.

I learned lots of definations of parametric design which is pretty interesting.Also I get more familiar with the grasshopper.With my design I realized there are lots of potentials to develop in the grasshopper.

In part C, I aim to establish more detail things in my project and to intergrate with the site appropriately.

B.8. Appendix-Algorithmic Sketches

52 53

Reference

1.<?>　SG 2012 GridShell,MATSYS,2012 http://matsysdesign.com/2012/04/13/sg2012-gridshell/

2..J.F.Abel,G.Arun and M.A.Chirorino"Carpenter's Parametrics:"Economy,Efficiency, and Form in Pier Liugi Nervi‘s Column Designs,2013http://www.academia.edu/5921081/_Carpenters_Parametrics_Economy_Efficiency_and_Form_in_Pier_Luigi_Nervis_Column_Designs

Part CFinal Design

5455

Primary school close to the site

chosen site

The age of Clients are about 6-11 which is an most important age to learn the new knowledges.To consider about the project,the height of chirldren in this age and the size of the project should be valued as an important element.

Due to the clients are primaty students,the chosen site is close to the primary school.Chirldren after school or in the class excersice could go to the design project.Also the site was surrounded by trees,thus, it provides the opportunity which allow chirldren to contact with the nature and get more understand about the nature.

56 57

Site content

Design Process

Back to Part B,The Grid shell created a relax structure and surface.To get the inspiration from the Grid shell,I take factor of crossing lines to start with my project.

58 59

Step 1

Creating a natural curve surface

Step 2

Set the domain and create the subsurface.

Step 3

Create circles in each subsurface and offset the volumns

60 61

Connection

To consider about the safety for creeping,each component of the surface should be flat which ensures it will not scratch the children.

every piece of the component is connected by crosing string which not only ensure the whole design keep a flexible and relax structure,but also ensure the safety for creeping

62 63

Purpose For Design

The Flexible structure could train the balanced capacity of chirldren.Children in this age which is important start to the physical training.The school or different families could have a competition and the underneath of the project could bunk a huge piece of sponge in case of falling down.

64 65

Color is an other factor for this design.Chirldren like color so that it could attract more children to play with it.

They could play different games on this hanging surface.For example, teachers could write various words on the different colors of each piece and ask chirldren to find out these word.

Therefore, it not only train chirldren's color recognition ,but also more challenge their knowledges.

There is a step as a supporting structure to connect to the flexible surface.Chirldren need to creep from the step to the main flexible surface.They could also sit and play on this area.Teacher or parents could sit on their for protection.

66 67

Prototype

Flexible connection allow the flexible structure.The composited surface will changing the shapes when children creeping.The shapes of the surface will decide by the weight,position, action of the chirld when they are plaing on the surface.Therefore, the parametric changing shape can be seen when people playing with it.Also, due to this project hanging on the trees,the position to bind will also defined the shape of the whole project.

68 69

Learning Outcome

During the all semester studying for this semester, I understand about the parametric design that could make the project more versatile and interesting.It could imiate the natural shape and form.From the reading and lecture, I knew lots of famous parametric design project and learned about the design method which is really interesting

Also, I learned the skill of using Rhino and grasshopper to make several simple shapes and pattern.The tutorial vidoe was really helpful to learn the grasshopper.For the model making, I learn the skill to set up cutting piece and sent it to the laser cutting which is really convience for me to do the future model making.

In additional, the tutor is really good and patient to tute us.Students in class are also nice and willing to help each other.It is a interesting and exciting subject.

ReferenceFoster+Partners:The Sainsbury Centre For Visual is equipped for the future”(May 19,2006)

2“Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts Norwich,Englans 1974-1978.”Foster,Foxster and Partners ,30-31,2001.

Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 10

"Parametric Design:"What's Gotten Lost Amid the Algorithms”（July 11,2013)

Bridget Borgobello, “Facit Homes Claims to build world’s first ‘digitally fabricated ‘house” ,Gizmag,August 24,2012.

Nathan Miller,The Hangzhou Tennis Center: A case study in integrated parametric Design,ACADIA Regional ,2011

1.　SG 2012 GridShell,MATSYS,2012 http://matsysdesign.com/2012/04/13/sg2012-gridshell/

2..J.F.Abel,G.Arun and M.A.Chirorino"Carpenter's Parametrics:"Economy,Efficiency, and Form in Pier Liugi Nervi‘s Column Designs,2013http://www.academia.edu/5921081/_Carpenters_Parametrics_Economy_Efficiency_and_Form_in_Pier_Luigi_Nervis_Column_Designs