ADS3:AIR JOURNALXIANGMEI XU 351338

CONTENT

WEEK1 Architecture as a Discourse

WEEK2 Computation in Architecture

WEEK5 Research Project: Cut: Develop

WEEK4 Research Project: Cut: Develop

WEEK3 Parametric Design

Gateway Project

Photo of Model

Matrix Experiment

Water Cube/Polish Pavaillion/Southern Cross Station

Kunsthaus Graz/Boxel Pavillion

ZA11 Pavilion

Matrix Experiment

Case Study: BANQ Restaurant

Group EOI

1 - 3

4 - 5

6

7 - 8

9 - 10

11 - 18

19 - 22

23 - 24

Reflection 25

The Water Cube is the Beijing National Aquatics Center which was built in the Olympic Green for the swimming competition of the 2008 Summer Olympics. The rectangular form of the whole building was designed to symbolize the Chinese culture. For example, the urban form of Beijing is quite like a square so it is one of the reasons to have a geometry form for the Water Cube. The expression of the architectural discourse on this building not only through its form, it also shows by the material of it. The Water Cube comprises a steel frame and the largest ETFE clad structure. ETFE is a fluorine based plastic which was designed to have a great corrosion resistance and strength over a different temperature range. In this case, this type of cladding allow more light and heart to pass through rather than the traditional glass, and this can reduce the energy costs which also makes a connection to the concept of “Olympic Green”.

WATER CUBEBeijing, China

WEEK1. PERSONAL PROJECT 1

WEEK1. STATE OF ARTS PROJECT1

POLISHPAVILLIONShanghai, China

This project was choosing from the design competition in 2007 to be the Polish pavilion at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. The architect of this project was inspired by the traditional polish folk-art paper cut-out and intends to create a “memorable cultural ideogram”. The project not only express the attractive space aesthetically, it also explores the building functionally. The architects focus on the importance of the personal experience within the building and people. Therefore, the ramp on the exterior allows the visitors to climb onto the roof of the building which creates a function exhibition space for the whole building. The main material used in this project is wood while the outer layer of the elevation is made of impregnated CNC plotter-cut plywood on the steel substructure. The idea of choosing this material is for the possible reclaiming and recycling in the future and also achieves a more sustainable structure. Therefore, the kind of structure can be an excellent example and consideration for the Gateway project.

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WEEK1. STATE OF ARTS PROJECT2

SOUTHERNCROSSSTATIONMelbourne, Australia

The Southern Cross Station is the major railway station in Melbourne. The spectacular wave-form roof is the main feature for this station and the giant hall is enclosed by the glass facades. The best innovative aspect in this protect is that the roof allow the train fume to pass through any fans. This kind of curving shape roof is very attractive and it might be inspired me to the Gateway project design.

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KUNSTHAUSGRAZGraz, Austria

WEEK2. COMPUTATION IN ARCHITECTURE

This project is located on the banks of the Mur. The surrounding historic building is all in red brick roofs while this new building acts like a new symbol and it referred to as the “friendly alien“ locally. It shows that architecture, design, new media, internet art, film and photography are united under one roof. The facade of the museum called BIX which is an additional architectural concept that architect had put on the design. This facade represents a wonderful fusion from architecture and New Media. It is a interplay between this new biomorphic structure and the old Clock Tower on the Schlossbery, it suggested to create a productive dialogue between tradition and the avant-garde. Therefore, the Kunsthaus Graz is acting as a symbol where the past and the future meet and this kind of symbolism can be used in the Gateway project to represent to historical aspect of that area. Kalay has mentioned that “computers will contribute their superb rational and search abilities, and we human will contribute all the creativity and intuition needed to solve design problem.“ Computational design allows the architect to design more complex, fashionable and special form. Like the Kunsthaus Graz, it appears a distinct structure while the neigbouring building is more traditional. Therefore, this design has provokes the new architecture design to be created in the city.

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WEEK2. COMPUTATION IN ARCHITECTURE

BOXELPAVILLIONUniversity of Applied Sciences in Dermold, Germany

Boxel Pavilion is an experimental pavilion that designed and construct by the students of the university in Germany. The pavilion has been built with more than 2,000 beer boxes and it attends to achieve a shape of minimal surface.

This 1:1 scale summer pavil ion was to construct by using the digital design and fabrication tools on the computer. The parametric design software allows them to control the position of the boxes and also relates to the overall surface. The project has been designed under the use of Rhino and Grasshopper. Parametric approach allows the designer to complete a complicated structure. And this kind of method also lead more architects to design some “impossible” idea and it can carry out a new development in the future.

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WEEK3. PARAMETRIC DESIGN

ZA11 PAVILLIONCLUJ, ROMANIAThe pavilion project was designed and fabricated at a 1:1 scale for the ZA11 Speaking Architecture event in Romania. This pavilion was successful to fulfill its main goal: attracting the visitor to the even. Also, it makes legible expression for the parametric architectural design.This project is similar with the box pavilion I have talked on the last week journal. They were likely using the same method to product an object. Parametric design tends to play an important role on recent architectural and it is kind of another tool for the designers. That's because it can construct some avant-garde and complex design. From this week reading, Burry had discussed the scripting culture where scripting is the process that input the information to product an outcome directly. This is kind of method allows the designer to transfer an innovative concept into the reality for example the ZA11 pavilion. However parametric design also has some limitations. Michael Meredith had stated that: “When something supposedly looks “parametric” today, it’s aesthetic (re) production – the repetition of quality and taste. The mastering of hi-tech engineering software is ultimately used to produce ornate architectural decoration.” While the designer finds that using software to transfer their design idea into the reality is quicker and easier, however they might lack of consideration on such function or significance of the proposed building.

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WEEK4. RESERACH PROJECT: CUT: DEVELOP

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3

2

4

1 - Overlapping Patterns/Multiple Math Function/ Data Driven Rotation2 - Overlapping Patterns/Using Sets/Data Driven Rotation3 - Overlapping Patterns/Image Sampler/Data Driven Rotation4 - Overlapping Patterns/Math Function/Data Driven Rotation

I began the matrix experiment by connecting different input, association and output and throught this process I found that the Overlapping Patterns and Using Surface Normals group is more attractive to me.The input "Overlapping Paterns" which creates two layer of surface, therefore the combinations is varied by changing the size of circle in different layer. Therefore this method might be able to use in the Gateway project to achieve the change of patterns or lighting on the design.

MATRIXEXPERIMENT

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WEEK4. RESERACH PROJECT: CUT: DEVELOP

1

3

2

4

1 - Using Surface Normals/Image Sampler/Data Driven Rotation2 - Using Surface Normals/Using Sets/Data Driven Rotation3 - Using Surface Normals/Image Sampler/Data Driven Shading4 - Using Surface Normals/Math Function/Data Driven Rotation

This input called "Using Surface Normals" which contains a 3d surface and divide it into a grid of points. Because of this surface, it might be a possible idea to create kind of curving roof for the Gateway Project. Through the experiment, I found that the connection with "Image Sampler" and "Data Driven Shading" is quite interesting as it can create a better night view in the design by changing the density of the circle in each circle.

MATRIXEXPERIMENT

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WEEK5. RESERACH PROJECT: CUT: DEVELOP

CASE STUDY:BANQ RESTAURANTBoston, U.S.A

As my EOI is Fabrication Techniques, therefore I focus on this aspect in this case study. This project well explores the relationship between the computer generation of surface, manufacturing, and the visual effect. The design was faced with a limited program which was the inherited structural and mechanical systems that could compromise the interior. Therefore the cheapest solution would be to paint over all the ductwork and mechanical work in the ceiling.

The CNC mill is the technology that was used in this project and it is an up and coming trend in design. It is a computer based mill and once the design, dimensions and other relevant data is inputted into the computer, the machine then can cut flawless pieces quickly. However, it has the limitation on the size of the material that goes through the machine and also the certain geometries. Computing design and fabrication techniques is taking off to new level and more possibilities are going to grow.

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WYNDHAM CITYGATEWAY PROJECTGroup EOI- Yuhan Zhang (Yuki) 347664- Xiangmei Xu (Amy) 351338- Tse Fong Yik (Eric) 346136

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WYNDHAM CITYGATEWAY PROJECTGroup EOI- Yuhan Zhang (Yuki) 347664- Xiangmei Xu (Amy) 351338- Tse Fong Yik (Eric) 346136

DESIGN BRIEFClient’s aspiration- Iconic feature- Sculpture landscape- Daytime and night time viewing (in term of lighting)- Back dropped by a large scale service centre- From suburb to city- Acoustic issue for both motorists and the residential surrounding area

The audience- Motorists (visit from Melbourne or from Geelong )

How?Sculpture landscape- Creating the curving roof with a form in relation to the surrounding landscape, hence to provide motorists with an experience of driving in the landscape. Rhino and grasshopper can be used during this design process to transfer the landscape image to the actual roof form. It might be useful to test the form through grasshopper components such as image sampler (week 4 tutorial) and the fundamental ‘graft’ and ‘flatten’ operations (week 5).

Daytime and night time viewing- Shaping the direction of the shadow to show the time duration of the daytime- Storing the solar energy for the night time lighting.- Lighting appearance changes by the density of motorcars movement at night.

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Back dropped by a large scale service centre- Guide the motorists to the service centre by a gradually- Changed form or colour of the getaway design.From suburb to cityTransition of feeling- Forms (featured landscape or landmarks of each city)- Material (thought the variety or different colour: for example using warm colour on the pattern to stand for the direction of Melbourne which can express relaxing feeling)Acoustic problem- Acoustic barrier at the residential site- Creating some kind of form to reduce the unexpectednoise- Using the material which can block or absorb the noiseFor Example:• Acoustical Foam Panels

• Sonora Fabric Wrapped Panels

Deliver the vision- Creating the digital model by Rhino and Grasshopper- Express the light effect on the design by the software such as Photoshop- Making a scaled physical model by exporting the digital version from the computer to the fabrication machineWhy using computing design?- Testing different form in various condition (e.g testing lighting by 3D software)- Can create complicity with efficiency- Creating more complicated and abstract design- Achieving rational visual outcome 13

Constrains- Safety issue in relation to the lighting- How to make the design to be well integrated with the surrounding area- Adherence to the regulations imposed by VicRoads in relation to siting, view lines, setbacks,material, colours etc- Budget- Acoustic control to avoid interrupting the drivers

Why using computing design?- Testing different form in various condition (e.g testing lighting by 3D software)- Can create complicity with efficiency- Creating more complicated and abstract design- Achieving rational visual outcomeConstrains- Safety issue in relation to the lighting- How to make the design to be well integrated with the surrounding area- Adherence to the regulations imposed by VicRoads in relation to siting, view lines, setbacks,material, colours etc- Budget- Acoustic control to avoid interrupting the drivers

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About the Site:

- l imited electr ic i ty supply - -> solar enerny might be considered.- no water supply on site - the Melbourne Water Western Treatment on the south area as wetland reserve -->should not disturb this area in terms of acoustic and lighting effects. Design concept might be linked

SITE A: the largest part of the 3 available sites, with a small hill surroundedSITE B: in front of the service stationSITE C: a slender small area that might not be used as it is too far away from the main area

Circulation on Site:

- I t is bet ter to locate the Gateway on the busiest part of the site. So site A and B are more appropriate than site C.- In the client’s aspiration, the project should not block the backward service centre. Furthermore, it should aim to lead the motordrivers going into the service centre as well. Thus if Site B is selected as the location of gateway, such aspects should be carefully considwered. However there is no such need for the other two sites as the motorcars driving close to Site A and C will not

Site Analysis

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Idea A: Site A - Steel/ Glass pannels around the site boundary : these fence-like pannels will be lined in various heights to create curvature forms. - Solar energy will enable the lighting systems on the pannel to display driving routes(between Melbourne and Geelong) for the drivers especially at night.- As the glazing pannels are used, the gateway will neither block the service station behind nor the surrounded sceeneries.- However, the light reflection might be a serious problem as the glazing system wil l easily Idea B: Site A+ B

- Tree- shape building consists of curvature line frames not only connect the des ign wi th the previous gataway projects(‘Seeds O f C h a n g e ’ a t t h e E a s t e r n Interchange, Princes Freeway, Hoppers Crossing), but also link with the Melbourne Water Western Treatment.

From Shanghai Expo 2011

- Three/Two parts of same tree shapes (but m i g h t b e i n d i f f r e n t s i z e s ) w i l l beconnected together at the top. - The frames of the building will display various colours/ lights to show the car circulation/the surrounding geometric environment dynamicly. - Solar energy will be used.

‘Seed of Change‘

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CUT Case Study :

The wall and ceilings were decorated by wave element made from unique pieces of three-quarter-inch birch plywood adhered together in a scenario that likens to a puzzle.The geometry of the wood slats are also radiused in order to smoothen the relationship between other adjoining equipment, creating a seamless landscape.The waving wood ceilings were designed to solve acoustic problems in a restaurant that would be very noisy. Variable gaps between the wood ceilings and the waving shapes of surface will absorb sounds to create a more relax environment for dinning.

This project well explores the relationship between the computer generation of surface, manufacturing, and the visual effect. The design was faced with a limited program which was the inherited structural and mechanical systems that could compromise the interior. Therefore the cheapest solution would be to paint over all the ductwork and mechanical work in the ceiling. The CNC mill is the technology that was used in this project and it is an up and coming trend in design. It is a computer based mill and once the design, dimensions and other relevant data is inputted into the computer, the machine then can cut flawless pieces quickly. However, it has the limitation on the size of the material that goes through the machine and also the certain geometries. Computing design and fabrication techniques is taking off to new level and more possibilities are going to grow.

1. Curvature Form

2. Fabrication Techniques

BANQ RESTAURANT

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The restaurant interior offers unique experience for guests. The ceiling of the restaurant is a striated wood-slatted system that conceals the view of the mechanical, plumbing, and lighting systems on the longitudinal axis, while offering a virtual canopy under which to dine. The columns and the wine storage, in the middle of the hall, serve to uphold the fiction, and appear to be suspended from the ceiling. Spacing between the visible ceiling ribs is variable; compressing and releasing to maintain visual densities of the overall surface as seen from different angles. The longitudinal axis emphasizes the seamless surface, and the lateral views offer striated glimpses into the service space above, and demystify the illusion.To underline this strategy, certain areas of the ceiling “drip” and “slump”, acknowledging the location of to place exit signs, lighting features, and other details. Below the ceiling, the functional aspects of a dining space are fabricated with warm woods and relaminated bamboo amplifying the striping affect already at play throughout the space. Striations of the ground, the furnishings, and the ceiling all conspire to create a total effect, embedding the diners into the grain of the restaurant.

3. Spatial Expression

BANQ RESTAURANT

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CUT: 90 MATRIX

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CUT: 90 MATRIX

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DIGITAL MODEL

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PHYSICAL MODEL

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MODEL ON THE SITE

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REFLECTIONAt the start of this semester, I have looked through several projects that I am interested in. As the parametric design is the major thing we need to learn through the semester, therefore I found that the ZA11 pavilion might be a good example to look at and to start the method to do this kind of design. Parametric design is up and coming trend in the architectural design because it allows the architect to test different form in various condition and also to achieve a complex and rational visual outcome. However, I am not good at computering design and I felt quite struggling with using Rhino and grasshopper. Although the quiz and tutorial video for learning grasshopper every week is helpful for us but I found that without the tutorial I can’t do everything on this software. Therefore I intend to understand the definition of the parametrial data within the grasshopper rather than just following the tutorial. And also after the experiment with the matrix, I have felt more familiar with the grasshopper. For the gateway project, our group had come out with the idea from both this matrix experiment and also the case study. For the final project, we might need to do more consideration on the lighting changing and also the stability of the structure on the object.

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