andrew gierke

ANDREWERVINGIERKE

Master of ArchitectureUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Design

ITERATIONS

Spring 2009_Skynet

Fall 2008_Marine Science Center

Spring 2008_Mixed Use Building

Skynet

01

critic: Cecil Balmond & Roland Snooks

studio title: Complex Phenomena

chosen site: a Philadelphia plaza

program: research laboratory for the santa fe institute.

computer programs used: Massive, Rhino + monkey script editor, Maya, Geomagics, 3d Studio Max

quick project description: This studio investigated non-lin-ear systems and self-organization at both a methodological and programmatic level. This exploration took the form of design research into algorithmic methodologies and were tested through the brief for an Institute for Self-Organization. The model for the institute is loosely based on the Santa Fe Institute, considered the premier institution for the study of complexity.

2009. M. Arch. University of Pennsylvania

By using the bottom up logic of a dynamic system with embedded intelligence (a multi-agent system) the project achieved biomorphic qualities although its main goal was to meet certain programmatic requirements through the use of simple re-cursive processes. the advantage of design-ing through algorithmic procedures rather than directly designing form is that ef-fects can be directly controlled by altering overall behaviors. the process should not be seen as some form of alchemy nor do we believe in letting the algorithm design for us, design intentshould be present from beginning to end.

SKYNET was created from a unique com-bination of modeled geometry (Rhino, Massive, Maya), complex texture mapping though materials in Vray, and color filter layers in Photoshop. The geometry was created by weaving artificially intelligent agents using both Massive and Rhinoceros programming to create something that is digitally made but seemingly organic in origin.

SKYNET is based on the idea that sur-face and volume can emerge through the accumulation of lines which self-organize to achieve structure and enclo-sure.

three processes

Programming responsive and controllable agent swarm behavior and tracing their trajectories

Networking the recorded trajectories together into a solid rigid structure.

Meshing and rendering the digital model.

The agents were programed to respond to site parameters. Their trajectories were traced as they passed over the site negotiating attracting and repelling parameters. The number of each subse-quent iteration of agents grew exponentially and were programmed to be attracted to the previ-ous agents paths. This meant the primary agents would create the initial formal gestures and structural implications, and the final set of agents would weave surface on the system.

Skynet development

Parameter geometrySpecific geometries were built based on programmatic and site needs, these would act as the primary guides for the agents.

agent trajectory iterations/growth

1 2 3 4

While creating the agent trajectories that would be the foundation of our project, a method to network them together was simultaneously developed. Rhino scripting was used to join the lines control points together when they were within a certain proximity tolerance of each other. This allowed the group of organized lines to become a solid structural system.

networking

detail renderings of early meshed networked lines

Agent Trajectories.

Skynet

meshing the lines

once the method of controlling and grouping the agent trajectories with the desired result was clear, the next step was to give the vectors a mesh. Various methods were tested, with the final result coming from techniques from Rhino scripting, Geomagic, and Maya.

Mesh test 2

section detail - These detail models show how the trajectories can be controlled to create specif-ic architectural needs such as spacial volume, and flooring. These models also show the tested method of in filling the cells.

meshing test 3

These tests experimented with filling in each cell rather than letting the agent trajectory system scale all the way down to surface material. In the end we used the fibrous agent trajectory system and not he cell in fill method.

Meshed Model

Skynet

physical modeling techniques

The algorithmic methods of self organization developed digitally were simulated and tested physi-cally. A 3D print of the section model was draped and interlaced with fine thread. Resin polymers were dripped over the whole thing. The adhesiveness of the resin bonded the thread and the model together simulating the networking script.

original 3D Print model

Adding thread and resin

Thread was woven into the model first. Resin was dripped over the model and allowed to drip over the model naturally and dry. The re-sult is an algorithmically self organized set of threads over the digital model we 3d printed.

interior rendering

site plan rendering

Skynet

final images

Marine Science Center

02

critic: Ferda Kolatan

studio title: Design Studio 111

chosen site: Manhattan, along the Hudson River

program: Science center with facilities for public exhibition space, and private research labs.

computer programs used: Maya, Rhino, AutoCad, CS3

quick project description: The Marine Science Center is located on a pier just south of the Holland Tunnel on the Hud-son River in downtown New York. This area has been part of the Hudson Park (HRP) development. The HRP is an ongoing project, which stretches from battery park in the south of Man-hattan, all the way to 59th ST in the north. The development of this project is to transition the industrial west side into a leisure and park zone.


When the formation bends the structure grows larger for structural and programming functions. The straightened spans of the system are allowed to become a thin light structure. The degree to which the components bend or stretch is re-flected in the global condition. The way the user experiences the building is reflected in the nature of the use. Public and private programming has unique characteristics. The use and type of program effects the behavior of the components housing it, and thus the entire system. concept mod-els on site

“The behavior of a component in its local scale ef-fects the behavior of the larger glob-al condition. “

straight bentSample combinationsthin fat


understanding the local and respective global behavior of the components

Site insertion

Where the components bend they fatten up allowing for internal occupation, when they remain straight they group and network together to create a ribbed enclosure. The degrees to which ei-ther happens determines on site, programmatic, and structural parameters.

Global condition

first iteration of site insertion

Plan - first floor



final images

first floor


final plans

ground floor

Mixed UseBuilding

03

critic: Hina Jamelle

studio title: Design Studio 1v

chosen site: Manhattan, along the High Line

program: Mixed use building

computer programs used: Maya, Rhino, AutoCad, CS3

quick project description: The mixed use building is situat-ed on a site adjacent to the high line in Manhattan. The program ranges through many architectural requirements, which forces the building solution to respond accordingly. Phase shifting natural systems were researched as precedent to how the formal logic of the building would be addressed.


Heavy and massive to thin and slight; smooth and continu-ous to jagged and layered, etc. These were used in the design of a building to reflect the function of the spaces. This allowed smooth transitions between eminently accessible public gallery spaces and em-bedded private offices. Both landscape elements and shafts of light interweave with the fabric of the structure.

Molecular level observations of a series of copper phase changes revealed a set of very interesting scalable organiz-ing principles.

Mixed Use Building

transformation of copper

3D spacial unit blend studies

The logic and organization of the copper’s trans formative system is extracted and re-implemented into spacial unit blend studies.

swollen corroded/flaky

pitted/rigid smooth/continuos

Mixed Use Building

site concepts

Characteristics and attributes of the site were interpreted within the context of the researched precedent of the copper’s trans formative system.

public/accessible private/embedded

site/program density visual study as interpreted through precident research

Mixed Use Building

site concept feedback

adaptive system integrated into the site

plan drawings

Mixed Use Building

ground floor

first floor

Mixed Use Building

plans, sections, and detail drawings

second floor

section

fabrication drawings

Material and construction methods began feeding into the design and influencing each iteration of the archi-

tectural argument. Steel column and spray on concrete were the primary construction materials, while glass

and corian were the secondary materials.

Mixed Use Building

corian panelization detail

interior renders

Mixed Use Building

physical model

Mixed Use Building