wu boyou 683635 parta

INTRODUCTION

My name is Boyou (Yolanda), and I am currently in my third year in university, majoring in Architecture.

I have an international background. I completed my high school education back in China four years ago. After that, I came to Melbourne and spent one year in Trinity foundation program before doing bachelor degree in Melbourne University.

For the past two years in university, I used Rhino to do 3D modeling and simple rendering for my assignments in design studios. Autocad was Also used for drawing plans and section for design or construction subjects. However, what I had experienced with softwares were limited to using them as tools that supporting the representation of my final work. I did not had a chance to use grasshopper before.

From what I expect, digital architecture would not be limited to representing design outcomes,such as modeling and drawing tools, but could leading a design process or at least step-ping into the generating or developing of designing ideas. With digital design, people could have more accurate control on the projects, and make fur-ther adjustments easier and more flexible.

Architectrual Studio AirBoyou Wu

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PART A

Conceptualisation

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CONTENT

A.1 Design Futuring 4

A.2 Design Computation 6

A.3 Composition/Generation 8

A.4 Conclusion 10

A.5 Learning Outcomes 11

A.6 Appendix-Algorithmic Sketches 12

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A.1 Design Futuring

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Figure 1 Dymaxion Wichita house prototype

Figure 3 Interior

Figure 1

Figure 4 BedZED Ecovillage


Figure 6 BedZED Ecovillage-roof solar panel

Figure 2 Dymaxion Wichita house prototype

To support the argument that Architecture as a design practice that contribute to the disciplinary discourse and culture, two projects are used as ex-amples. The first one is the Dymaxion Wichita house prototype, which was built in 1946 by R. Buck-minster Fuller. The other precedent is the BedZED Project in UK, which is typical considering sustain-ability. In general, Dymaxion house was mainly moti-vated by the simultaneous condition of society while BedZED originally aimed to look into the future.

The background of designing of Dymaxion house was right after World War II, when prefabrication was first brought into architecture due to a large number of housing demands and economy depres-sion of War time. The house was just a prototype and was not actually built at that time, however, it had brought a revolution in modern architec-ture, or to be more specific, it could be seen as a starting point for its future development of modern architecture. The prefabrication technique that the house used was fast in speed and great in uniformity. It also encouraged the use of prefab-ricated concrete, which was an important material in the later development of modern architecture. The house and the new method continued to be appreciated partly because that there was a guess-ing of the design futuring for the prefabricated house that machine production would fulfill the housing needs in WWII (Reed 1995). Therefore, it could be suggested even more modern house similar to Dymaxion house was designed and built. As a result, unit houses or dormitories in rectangular forms became popular. This might also influence the way that people live or interact with each other when living units rather than a single house. The emerging of prefabricated house also led to a new consideration in architecture in future.


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Figure 6 BedZED Ecovillage-roof solar panel

People rethink the impermanent prefabrication and thought of being more humane concerned rather than completely directed by cold machines. Thus, the future possibilities are expanded to seek hu-mane environments as well fast, economical and uniform way of architecture. Dymaxion house now is used for exhibition to represent its con-tribution in the development of architecture.

Unlike Dymaxion house, BedZED was design for in consideration of the future development of society on purpose. The project was built in a form of com-munity, which influenced the pattern of living. The overall idea was to be as sustainable as possible. The whole design aimed to consume zero fossil fuels. They used techniques and design ideas to make it possible to use natural resources, such as solar and wind en-ergy. The built of this project was more likely to be a pioneer calling on people to pay attention to the future and tried to lead a revolution of sustainabil-ity. As there are increasingly more problems for the future, the theory and idea behind the project made it still being appreciated by people. Zedpavilion built in the world expo in 2010 in Shanghai was direct-ly inspired by this project. The future possibilities for the project could be to minimize the expenses while maintaining the current zero carbon output. The community is still used for residential purpose. In conclusion, Architecture as a design practice would influence the ongoing disciplinary discourse and cul-ture, no matter whether the architecture itself was designed specifically for future or was designed in response to its contemporary conditions. Their in-fluence on future would not be reduced or omitted.

A.2 Design Computation

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Figure 7 30 St Mary Axe Figure 8 30 St Mary Axe details Figure 9 Digital development

Using computers in the architectural design process may be beneficial to the problem analysis, solution synthesis, evaluation and communication in the design processes and also in the searching design method. 30 St Mary Axe project was designed by Foster Associates and completed in 2003. It took the advantages of using computers mainly in problem analysis, evaluation and communication design process. As for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2002 designed by Toyo Ito and Cecil Balmond, it might emphasis more on solution synthesis and evaluation. In the problem analysis stage of design process for 30St Mary Axe project, thermal problems were analysed through computing. By simulating a similar environments according to the structure in computers, the problems could be scientifically and accurately analysed, which is much better than analyse the problems through human’s speculation. When in solution synthesis, computing is used as a searching method. For this project, computing is used for producing candidate solutions for consideration through different angles of rotation for plans for each levels (Figure 9). Therefore, computing provide a number of solutions easily. Moreover, the angle of rotation could be accurately controlled through computing, which will beneficial both the evaluation process and also makes it easier for later construction work. In the evaluation pro-cess, computing may help in redefining practice. Computing in evaluation process benefits the compare between solutions and goals or constraints for the reason that it could keep the evaluation rational efficiently. For the communication, 3D modelings are more lifelike and convenient and have direct visual effects for discussion purpose.

As for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, it could be seen from the image that the whole design of the pavilion was based on the algorithm of a cube (Figure 10). The triangular elements of the facade is a re-sult of computing in solution synthesis and evaluation(puzzle making). Computing could be used to define where in the facade the triangles should be transparent and therefore to produce a number of differ-ent complex solutions in preparation for later evaluations. Meanwhile, a “puzzle making” strategy could also be used, which indicate that solutions could be formulated before any search and further constraints are added(Kalay 2004). This is beneficial in the diversity and random of solutions. For the evaluation, computing make it easier to test solutions more efficiently. For instance, in the project, using computing could much easier to determine how much natural light are suitable for each part of the project and also the pattern of the facade.

Moreover, computing is causing a increasingly closer connection between design and construction, for the reason that when the design becomes more complex and organic through computing, the techniques need for construction will also become higher and more accurate through computing. Thus, through computing, it forms a continuum of design and construction. For example, in the first project, after design it digitally, the data could directly be used for construction. It is very difficult to construct the irregular and organic forms without relying on digital design. For the similar reason , computing could largely expand the range of conceivable and achievable geometries. Computing is beneficial to evidence-oriented designing because that it relies largely on data, and is also beneficial to performance-oriented designing because that it is directly visualised. The unique opportunities could come from the unexpected use of algorithm.

However, computing should be carefully used. An overuse of computing may influence the generating of original ideas directly from human brains.


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Figure 9 Digital development Figure 10 The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2002

Using computers in the architectural design process may be beneficial to the problem analysis, solution synthesis, evaluation and communication in the design processes and also in the searching design method. 30 St Mary Axe project was designed by Foster Associates and completed in 2003. It took the advantages of using computers mainly in problem analysis, evaluation and communication design process. As for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2002 designed by Toyo Ito and Cecil Balmond, it might emphasis more on solution synthesis and evaluation. In the problem analysis stage of design process for 30St Mary Axe project, thermal problems were analysed through computing. By simulating a similar environments according to the structure in computers, the problems could be scientifically and accurately analysed, which is much better than analyse the problems through human’s speculation. When in solution synthesis, computing is used as a searching method. For this project, computing is used for producing candidate solutions for consideration through different angles of rotation for plans for each levels (Figure 9). Therefore, computing provide a number of solutions easily. Moreover, the angle of rotation could be accurately controlled through computing, which will beneficial both the evaluation process and also makes it easier for later construction work. In the evaluation pro-cess, computing may help in redefining practice. Computing in evaluation process benefits the compare between solutions and goals or constraints for the reason that it could keep the evaluation rational efficiently. For the communication, 3D modelings are more lifelike and convenient and have direct visual effects for discussion purpose.

As for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, it could be seen from the image that the whole design of the pavilion was based on the algorithm of a cube (Figure 10). The triangular elements of the facade is a re-sult of computing in solution synthesis and evaluation(puzzle making). Computing could be used to define where in the facade the triangles should be transparent and therefore to produce a number of differ-ent complex solutions in preparation for later evaluations. Meanwhile, a “puzzle making” strategy could also be used, which indicate that solutions could be formulated before any search and further constraints are added(Kalay 2004). This is beneficial in the diversity and random of solutions. For the evaluation, computing make it easier to test solutions more efficiently. For instance, in the project, using computing could much easier to determine how much natural light are suitable for each part of the project and also the pattern of the facade.

Moreover, computing is causing a increasingly closer connection between design and construction, for the reason that when the design becomes more complex and organic through computing, the techniques need for construction will also become higher and more accurate through computing. Thus, through computing, it forms a continuum of design and construction. For example, in the first project, after design it digitally, the data could directly be used for construction. It is very difficult to construct the irregular and organic forms without relying on digital design. For the similar reason , computing could largely expand the range of conceivable and achievable geometries. Computing is beneficial to evidence-oriented designing because that it relies largely on data, and is also beneficial to performance-oriented designing because that it is directly visualised. The unique opportunities could come from the unexpected use of algorithm.

However, computing should be carefully used. An overuse of computing may influence the generating of original ideas directly from human brains.

A.3 Composition/Generation

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Figure 11 Beijing Airport Beijing, China 2003 - 2008

Figure 12 Beijing Airport-internal

Figure 13 Development-1Figure 14 Development-2

Generation is similar to the word “computation”, which indicates that computation could go beyond de-signers and could provide inspirations and generate unexpected outcomes. Meanwhile, Composition is simi-lar to the word “computerisation”, which means the design ideas come from designers and the designers only use computer as a supporting method to present or modeling the project.The shifting from composition to generation could be seen as a process that designers changing from gen-erating ideas from their brain to generating ideas using algorithmic concepts with a sufficient understand-ing of algorithmic concept. The two projects chosen are the Beijing Airport, designed by Foster Associ-ates and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry. Beijing International airport tends to be generation, and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is more composition.Algorithmic thinking:The shifting from composition to generation requires a high level algorithmic thinking which the designers could fully understand how the computer is generating results. This could ensure that the architectural practice could be under control and follows exactly what is expected from the designer. For the airport, as could be seen in Figure 13&14, the form and detail of the shelter were generated through computa-tion which required that the designers clearly know how to ask the computer to design a shelter that could follow the landing functions of the ground level. This requires a high level of Algorithmic thinking.Parametric modeling:The shifting may result in a diversity in modeling. For composition, as the design idea was firstly gener-ated by the designer, it may have been narrow down to a certain appearance or form. What the model-ing need to do is to materialise one given idea. In contrast, for generation, it is the process that could generate a diversity of solutions before given any constraints. Thus, the parametric modeling for genera-tion should be much more and complex than composition. The composition of the museum is actually shown in the construction of the complex architecture. It could be seen from the image that the initial idea comes from a hand-drawing draft of Gehry (Figure 15).


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Figure 15 Guggenheim Museum Bilbao ideas

Figure 16 Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Generation is similar to the word “computation”, which indicates that computation could go beyond de-signers and could provide inspirations and generate unexpected outcomes. Meanwhile, Composition is simi-lar to the word “computerisation”, which means the design ideas come from designers and the designers only use computer as a supporting method to present or modeling the project.The shifting from composition to generation could be seen as a process that designers changing from gen-erating ideas from their brain to generating ideas using algorithmic concepts with a sufficient understand-ing of algorithmic concept. The two projects chosen are the Beijing Airport, designed by Foster Associ-ates and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry. Beijing International airport tends to be generation, and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is more composition.Algorithmic thinking:The shifting from composition to generation requires a high level algorithmic thinking which the designers could fully understand how the computer is generating results. This could ensure that the architectural practice could be under control and follows exactly what is expected from the designer. For the airport, as could be seen in Figure 13&14, the form and detail of the shelter were generated through computa-tion which required that the designers clearly know how to ask the computer to design a shelter that could follow the landing functions of the ground level. This requires a high level of Algorithmic thinking.Parametric modeling:The shifting may result in a diversity in modeling. For composition, as the design idea was firstly gener-ated by the designer, it may have been narrow down to a certain appearance or form. What the model-ing need to do is to materialise one given idea. In contrast, for generation, it is the process that could generate a diversity of solutions before given any constraints. Thus, the parametric modeling for genera-tion should be much more and complex than composition. The composition of the museum is actually shown in the construction of the complex architecture. It could be seen from the image that the initial idea comes from a hand-drawing draft of Gehry (Figure 15).

However, an advanced software, CATIA, helped to translate structure and to construct the design due to the mathematical complexity of its organic form. Scripting cultures: For composition, it usually appears that Scripting is not needed as there may not be any reason to control a finalised outcome using scripts. However, for generation, scripting cultures are important and should be comprehended sufficiently.There could be both advantages and disadvantages regarding to composition and generation.For composition:Advantages: Ideas directly comes from human beings, could always hold a fluency for the development of ideas. 3D modeling are virtually beneficial in the presentation of design results.Disadvantages: It may be hard to design and construct some irregular or very organic form of the de-sign. Thus, designing might be limited.For generation:Advantages: If generation is used, design will be made availability for more people, and the it may create more possible designing solutions for a single project, with the advantages of accurate control, easy to modify, diversity of solutions. It may also create a digital continuum from generation, materi-als, and construction.Disadvantages: An overuse of generation skills may result in a blur of design objectives which may lead to a separation rather than forming an integrated design(Brady 2013). It also takes a large amount of time to be familiar enough to use computing as generation.

A.4 Conclusion

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In part A, a series of concepts are introduced.

Computation and generation indicates that they have become a true method of design. Computerisation and composition using computing as a supporting and representing tool that helps during the designing process. Computation could be very useful in gener-ating organic or complex forms of architecture and also the analy-sis of design problems. With algorithmic thinking and parametric design, computation would be a continuum from generating ideas all through to construction. It could even be inferred that there may be a possibility that in future construction and design might be taken as an integral when using computation.

As for my intended design approach, computation may be involved to explore the space relationships and the facade within my de-sign project, so that it could be poetry and amenity to visitors.


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A.5 Learning Outcomes

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From the three weeks learning, I had a general understanding of basic concepts of digital architectural design.

The meaning of designing for the futureThe differences,benefits and advantages of computation and com-puterisationAlgorithmic thinking, parametric design, scripting cultureThe shifting from composition to generationThe continuum of digital design including material and construction

I have also managed to use grasshopper to generate some simple mesh and surfaces.

The computation method has caused me to think of my previous work in earth studio. The project I designed aimed to explore the relationship of light and shadows. The roof was carved with differ-ent length of rectangular shape. With digital design, the repetitive carvings could be controlled through algorithmic thinking. The Ser-pentine Gallery Pavilion could be a good example. Thus, the proj-ect could be further developed and evaluated. Computation could a good method during the developing of ideas and may provide fur-ther exploration when the design is stuck.

A.6 Appendix-Algorithmic Sketches

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Voronoi, Populate 3D

Revolution

Loft


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Voronoi, Populate 3D

Loft, Rotate

Mirror, Move

Reference

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

Peter S. Reed, "Enlisting Modernism" in Donald Albrecht(ed.) Wourld War II and the American Dream, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1995

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

http://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/en/the-building/the-construction/


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http://biomimi.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dymaxionhouse1.jpg

http://biomimi.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dymaxionhouse5.jpg

http://www.bioregional.com/wp-content/gallery/bedzed/Bioregional-BedZED.png

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/media/Projects/1004/img1.jpg

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/media/Projects/1004/img11.jpg

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/media/Projects/1004/drawings/img7.jpg

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/media/Projects/1004/development/img3.jpg


http://www.fosterandpartners.com/media/1683726/img0.jpg

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/media/1683766/img8.jpg




http://www.guggenheim.org/images/content/Affiliates/Bilbao/gmb_bilbao_690x235.jpg

http://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/src/themes/guggenheim-bilbao/images/guggen-frank-gehry.jpg

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/411657222158939466/

http://www.solaripedia.com/images/medium/3368.jpg

http://www.solaripedia.com/images/medium/3377.jpg

http://www.serpentinegalleries.org/sites/default/files/styles/overlay_full_custom_user_xlarge_1x/pub-lic/images/11.III_.10.SD__0.jpg?itok=8Y_E_KIN&timestamp=1393002560

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wu boyou 683635 parta

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