S T E P H A N I E A N T O N O P O U L O SSTUDENT NO: 587847 SEMESTER 1/2012 GROUP 8

M O D U L E 4

M O D U L E 4

I D E A T I O N

“THE DETAILS ARE THE VERY SOURCE OF EXPRESSION

IN ARCHITECTURE. BUT WE ARE CAUGHT IN A VICE BETWEEN ART AND THE

BOTTOM LINE.” ARTHUR ERICKSON

I D E A T I O N

1Life forms such as flowers grow in various different ways, shapes and forms. This was the concept to be explored. The overall aspect of a flowering plant was one that could be explored in many facets. It is a complex process involving various features of diversity and beauty dependant on the natural elements surrounding it.

Furthermore, the importance of sketching or scribbling any ideas was highlighted in the reading “Visual Thinking for Design” by Ware, Colin (2008).

After attending Henry Segerman’s lecture, an inspirational push occurred in which the sketch-es created seemed to speak for themselves in representing life on earth.

FLOW AND MOTION

SUBTLE GROWTH, SPROUTING & FINAL WILTING

SEED

TO

LIF

E - T

REE

FROM SEED TO BLOOM&DEATH

SHA

RPN

ESS

OF

RAPI

D

GRO

WTH

AN

D B

LOO

M

ROO

TS C

ENTR

AL

TO L

IFE

natural process

I D E A T I O N

2

PE

ON

Y FL

OW

ER

I N

S

P I

R A

T

I O

N

BIRD

OF

PARA

DIS

E

CONCEPT IDEA

NATURAL PROCESS – THE BLOOMthe basis and central focus of the semester was to amalgamate the concept of a soft blooming flower and the harshness and beauty of the bird of paradise within the lantern design.

Within the first week of the subject, the readings by Phillip Ball allowed a further understanding within the world of design and planning. The idea within the readings, of natural versus synthetic, sparked creativity within the sketches and design.

The importance of freehand sketches and ideas became obvious. The softness, harshness and mesmerising beauty of the concept were able to be translated onto paper.

I D E A T I O N

3

“the building captures the light in a unique way and are an abstract to the normal which is the aim of the project. In particular, The National Stadium (better known as The Birds Nest) is an abstraction of reality. It is a design based on an element in the environment around us. The designers have taken the idea of a birds nest and created a lantern- like structure.” - module 1

“The Bahá’í House of Worship in Delhi, India (also known as the Lotus Temple) is an example of the way in which modern architecture can be formed using nature as inspiration. This idea of creating a temple in a distinctive flower-like shape allows the structure to look elegant and captures the attention of many due to its unique construction.” - module 1

Both structures can be related to the central context of the project.

These two structures have successfully conveyed

their messages through the design, form and lighting. This is the projects aim, however,

it is intended to convey a message indirectly.

These two structures were

often a central focus point for inspiration and also a point of discussion of what not to do. Their elegance and beautiful

natural form was an inspiration however the

obvious element of nature in design was not as abstract as

desired in this project.

by sketching over the plant, i was able to better

understand

the form, flow

and sharpness of this plant

I D E A T I O N

4The final concept for module one was modelled with plasticine and moulded to fit the idea of the combination of the growth and bloom of a Peony flower with the inspiration of the Bird of Paradise within the design. This relationship between the two was quite beautiful and amazing.

final concept

smooth

harsh

flow

silhouette design concept

emphasis on design

from paper to plasticine

I D E A T I O N

5How do forms and contexts (of use and resources) influence each other?Context overall is a vital component to the project in the way in which it creates a basis for the development and refinement f the project. The natural world was the key context of the subject. The chosen notion or object derived from the natural world was key within the design and was required to be reflected within the lantern created.

As exemplified in both the Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing and the House of Worship in Delhi, the natural world and its beauty can often be seen within designs. The context of venue and the usage in particular of certain lighting highlights and influences the design as beautiful, natural and unique structural façades. Similarly, the design within the project uses these structures as influence to begin to ponder the direction that will be taken. It allows the relationship between all elements to be considered and understood throughout the process

Most importantly, it is VITAL not to over complicate or over think this initial stage as the simplest of ideas, thoughts and sketches are the most effective at relaying a message.

“A designer can mull over complicated designs for months. Then suddenly the simple, elegant, beautiful solution occurs to him.” - Leo Frankowski

M O D U L E 4

D E S I G N

“AT THIS PRESENT TIME, MATTER IS STILL THE BEST WAY TO THINK

OF ARCHITECTURE, BUT I’M NOT SO SURE FOR VERY LONG. THE COMPUTER IS RADICALIZING

THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT OUR WORLD.”

BEN NICHOLSON

D E S I G N

6

It is part of the process in which this subject revolves around – the virtual world. The chosen design was to be transferred from a physical form into a digital object. The plasticine model created was now to be transfured into Rhino. The plasticine model was marked into sections and used to create a loft. This in turn created a single NURBS surface

Every idea needs to come to life.

D E S I G N

7A smooth surface of the bloom.The major problems did occur within the stage at which the model was created digitally. In a fast paced world like today, computers have become the centre of the virtual world and are often overshadowing or limiting ideas that can be created by a free mind. The initial concept was slightly altered within the program however the idea behind it was clear and evident in the loft.

After hours of manipulation of the surface in Rhino, a smooth surface was achieved. This surface created a basis that was to represent the soft flow and ebb of a blooming peony flower and all its beauty.

Numerous functions on rhino were utilised in order to achieve this. Primarily, the manipulation of control points and the use of the smooth command assisted in creating a desirable core and basis for the model.

D E S I G N

8INITIAL CONCEPTS

IDEA 1

IDEA 2 - FINAL BASE AND PANELING

PANELLING

The use of panelling explored the depth to which the design could be explored. The paneling function allowed the design itself to come to life. Though experimentation, the desirable appearance was able to be created through trial and error.

after days of experimenting with various panels and forms, the decision was made to have two layers with the base as a 2d panelled surface that was to have a 3D panelled design sitting on top. This combination of paneling designs highlighted the idea of the two concepts married as one.

IDEA 1 – consisted of an impossible to fabricate paneling option

IDEA 2 – captured the essence of the entire concept very well.

Triangular holes: allow light to escape freely (representing life and beauty) whilst also representing the flow and softness of the peony bloom.Smooth base surface and size: the cycle of a bloom is one that starts off small and gradually and softly blooms to its maximum size and beautysharp points of 3D paneling: represents the harsh more vibrant bloom of the bird of paradise.Combination of the two: mould together very well to create a coherent flowing design that is both unique and creative in design

D E S I G N

9In creating the model, the original idea is embedded yet not directly visible unless pointed out. This was the aim.

The idea was to be hidden within the lantern so that apon analysis, this concept could be gradually uncovered.

HOW DO DIFFERENT KINDS OF MEDIA SUPPORT TECHNICAL DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND REFINEMENT? The final design chosen was conveying a specific and particular concept. The idea of a blooming flower is captured within a still model. Every element including the shape, the size, the space and the light that will bring the lantern to life work co-herently to portray the concept.

In particular, the UNStudio’s Dazzling Dance Palace Theatre for the St. Petersburg Eifman Ballet was similarly conveying an idea of the beauty and softness with the “pierced walls that allow in light in a way that they represent lace.” Although a different idea, this stadium is conveying a particular idea through design and light control with open ‘piercings’ in the walls. Again, the facade of the structure is echoing the same concept. The entirety of the structure itself encapsulates the concept of the delicate lace throughout the design. The flow and smoothness that is conveyed within the project along with the considerstion of light within the design can be used to assist the devalopment and refinemnet of the lantern creted.

D E S I G N

10“The role of architects may be uncertain, but the role of architecture is not. In order to look forward society may sometimes haveto look back.This it should do inorder to learnfrom previous mistakes and oversights and to preclude similar eventualities in the future. This does not imply historical dependency, as some would assert. The symbiosis of architecture and technology should prevail, engendered by honesty and integrity”.

- Ian Murphy ‘The impact of the environment: the shock of the new’, in Ben Farmer and Hentie Louw (eds) Companion to Contemporary Architectural Thought (1993).

This quote is a example of what technology is capable of in architecture. This in particular allowed for further understanding within the project by looking back at my previous ideas or core central designs. The design itself needed the assistance of advanced technology with the beauty and history of architecture to convey it’s particular idea successfully and properly. Within the process, the modern technologies of today were able to fast track and perfect the design into a digital form whereby it can now be further manipulated and altered looking back in time at the initial ideas and concepts.

M O D U L E 4

F A B R I C A T I O N

“ARCHITECTURE IS A VISUAL ART, AND THE

BUILDINGS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.”

JULIA MORGAN

F A B R I C A T I O N

11

PANELING

BASEMODEL

UnfoldingWhen it was time to unfold the model, the overall shape of the model was very easy to manage. Although initially it was difficult to group individual faces in an efficient way, therefore, the process was time consuming and tedious. After using the spine as the major piece and splitting the rest of the model into sections, the pieces were labelled appropriately and coloured to match the model.

The creation of a tiny prototype revealed that without the use of the spine section, the model proved to be unstable. It was also discovered that the shorter and wider the pieces are, the more strength was provided.

In regards to the unfolding of the panelling, this proved to be a bit more challenging. After experimentation, it was found that each segment (squares with 3 spikes) could be split into two sections labelled ‘a’ and ‘b’. Furthermore, all pieces were to be separate to one another so they could be easily attached to the core or base of the model.

To assist with assembly of the model, each piece was labelled with a number and tabbed appropriately before submission into FabLab. The original Rhino file was labelied with each of the strips having a distinctive colour which corresponded to the colour within the model (as pictured to the left)

F A B R I C A T I O N

12final FabLab file

F A B R I C A T I O N

13“There are several reasons why models should be part of every design process. Perhaps the most important one is the understanding to be gained by seeing form in physical space.”-- Criss B. Mills, author of “Designing with Models”

prototype

My prototype aimed to test out the overall structural features of the model and the type of card that was most suitable for the design. As quoted by Criss B. Mills, the process of creating a model is an important and vital step in assessing and understanding the design. This process allowed the initial concept and final design to come together as one in a coherent way.

TESTING, PROBLEMS AND ERRORS

DIFFICULTIES

MISSING TABS

MISSING SECTION

THICKER CARD TOO HARD TO WORK WITH - MINIMAL FLEXIBITLITY

F A B R I C A T I O N

14The first model created was sent to the FabLab in order to be cut by the card cutter on ivory card. The main visual appeal of the model was to be the spikes however the model seemed too busy and crowded and was overshadowing the softness that needed to be highlighted within the design. The triangular cut-outs and lighting worked well in order to open the space and translate the idea of the flow and softness of a bloom within the model to bring the design to life.

the spine itself is to be central to the concept and needed to be blocked off with no holes however the spikes also needed to add depth and harshness to the design so to create the concept of the bird of paradise blooming in all its beauty. Furthermore, the tabs were sized similarly which created an even pattern of spines and space within the model when the light shone through. This highlighted the structure and form of a growing and blooming flower.

first model

NEW PANEL DRAWN ONTO 13A

BATTERY PACK HIDDEN

IVORY CARD

SMOOTH FINISHPANELS BENT WELL

MODEL WITH SPIKE SPINE RUNNING FROM TOP TO BOTTOM - TOO BUSY

F A B R I C A T I O N

15“This is my ride down the middle between harsh and gentle, between pushing too hard and going too easy, between staying cool and overheating, spin-ning away on my fixed gear machine. I’m still not acclimated to the heat, still feel the dessication as a little more discomfort than I wish, still feel the hot air going in and out of my lungs in not the best form that I can achieve, but it looks like this week will be a good training ground, with commutes home hitting 109°F before Friday. Better wear shorts, I guess.”- John Romeo Alpha in “That Harsh and Gentle Ride”

final model The final model was quite similar to the previous model with minor justifications in order to solve various problems and design errors. Like John Romeo Alpha’s bike journey, the model takes on a harsh yet gentle journey on which the two elements create a “good training ground” as they marry together very well.

The design changes undertaken in order to create a successful de-sign was to minimise the harshness of the bird of paradise by removing the spiked panels from the spine. In turn, emphasis was then placed on the softness of the peony bloom whilst still keeping the spine as the central focus by blocking out the holes and creating a solid smooth surface with two lots of bursts of spiked panelled areas.

designrebuild

F A B R I C A T I O N

16‘Space has always been the spiritual dimension of archi-tecture. It is not the physical statement of the structure so much as what it contains that moves us.” - Arthur Erickson

final model lighting

The design was truly brought to life by the light. In the end, what’s a lantern with no light?The light emitted from the lantern was bright and vibrant. Depicting life on earth and a beautiful bloom requires a bright light.

The shadows created are a complex system of picturesque shapes and forms depicting the complexity of a blooming flower in all facets.

beauty

F A B R I C A T I O N

17HOW DO DIFFERENT KINDS OF FABRICATION TECHNOL-OGIES MAKE POSSIBLE, AS WELL AS CONSTRAIN, WHAT CAN BE CONSTRUCTED?

Within a virtual world, certain elements of construction are limited and others limitless. The main material used within the design is the cardboard of which is a two dimensional form. Technology allows this form to take a form and life transforming a mere piece of cardboard into an intricate design with depth and a meaning. The use of technologies allows for a precise and accurate piece of work that can not always be reflected in freehand traditional drawings, sketches and designs.

Often, technology can lead to the designer himself finding new paths and further exceeding his initial ideas and expectations as Jon McCormack’s evolutionary virtual creations discussed in lecture 11. This can also be reflect through the work presented. In a semesters worth of work, I myself have further exceeded my own expectations through the assistance of today’s groundbreaking technology.

Further to this, the Guggenheim building is a design which has been made possible through the use of technology in which the difference between the soft and harsh elements can be similar in many ways yet also differentiable creating a harmonious design where two elements combine well together.

However, on the other hand, the use of technology can often limit ones creativity in the sense that creations and designs achieved by hand cannot always be translated directly into virtual data thus some of the aesthetic appeal or original-ity and diversity of the design can be lost in translation.

“Since its opening in 1959, the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Guggenheim building has served as an inspiration for invention, challeng-ing artists and architects to react to its eccen-tric, organic design.”

“RECURSIVE SUNFLOWER” - Jon McCormack

M O D U L E 4

R E F L E C T I O N

“ARCHITECTURE AND PAINTING ARE CONCERNED NOT WITH THE NECESSARY

BUT WITH THE CONTINGENT - NOT WITH HOW THINGS ARE BUT WITH HOW THEY MIGHT

BE - IN SHORT, WITH DESIGN.” HERBERT SIMON

18F A B R I C A T I O N

Throughout the semester, a lot of thought and process was taken to covey a single idea. To define the natural process of a bloom and to mould the two different concepts that contrast yet complimented each other was explored in module 1, created in module 2 and brought to life in module 3 by various techniques, technologies and materials. The concept of taking something natural and alive and translating it into a form was challenging however, became easier in the process. With the use of various architectural precedence and inspirations, the underlying message was easy to explain and discuss.

From sketches to models, there were many harmonious relationships between different facets of the overall concept and design. As expressed within Ball’s ‘Form’ reading, Adri-an Parr explains how Da Vinci “takes the relationship of nature to art onto a deeper level – intending to express in his art every kind of form produced in nature”. Similarly, the subject required us to embody the concept of nature and explore it deeply to create our own art. The piece must reflect the context in its entirety. Using this idea in particular, a strong connection was to be made between the design ideas, the virtual concept and the real-life model. In particular, the relationship between the initial ideas and the virtual model needed to bond and combine together in harmony.

Within the fabrication process, there were many elements such as the materials and technologies that needed to work together to produce a successful outcome. Lecture four in particular highlighted the way in which materials and processes work together to create a coherent successful design. Earl Pinto’s ‘Anise’ decorative lighting design was directly associated to the particular materials chosen. Furthermore, the constraints of the materials of European birch wood placed certain limiting factors that with considera-tion could be analysed and worked around. These factors along with the given audience, the spatial limitations and the environment for the design had an impact on the final representation.

Such mutually dependent elements were highlighted within the lantern project for Virtual Environments. Through all stages, there were restricted material requirements such as the black or white card and the natural process that needed to be considered and weaved into the design. Furthermore without the help of modern technologies such as Rhincerous 3D and the FabLab, which assisted the tight linked relationship between all aspects of the project, the construction of the model would be impossible.

How may representations and their material realisations be mutually dependent?

F A B R I C A T I O N

19What are the learning outcomes of this subject and its relevance to your further studies and future?

Within this subject, I have allowed myself to explore my creativity and I myself believe I have far exceeded my initial expectations. In this short amount of time, I have learnt so much about myself, my creativity and few of the limitless technologies that today can offer us. There were various aspects of which did not appeal to me however, with time management becoming increasingly efficient as the course went on, I no longer had to be a nocturnal creature. Many new ideas and concepts were introduced through lectures, tutorials, readings and my own individual research.

I was strikingly surprised by the way in which learning was so fast passed and enjoyable throughout the semester. Virtual Environments has allowed me to understand the world of architecture with clear open eyes. This semester made it clear to me that architecture is a career I most definitely would like to pursue in my future. Primarily, the use of Rhino, InDesign and Photoshop have been great learning tools creating a platform of knowledge in preparation for larger more powerful CAD programs within my future.

Not only has this subject allowed me to further develop my design skills but has also assisted in my communication and dedication to my work. I have also become more organised and have learnt the management of time is key when dealing with architectural projects. These skills in particular will be very useful and important when going into the workforce in the future when dealing with any project and day to day discussion and communication between myself and the clients.

Most importantly, the critique of my own work became an easy task as time progressed. I was able to undertake this task and explain myself. I focused on comparisons and backing up my reasoning with architectural evidence and designs.

“In addressing a task, one almost always has several possible options, sometimes only a few, and they may all be practical and functional. But they lack the aesthetic aspect that raises it to architecture.” - Arne Jacobsen

Architecture, i have learnt, is not something that can be thrown together in a few days or one night, but something that takes time, effort and dedication to reflect yourself and your ideas in a beautiful ways.

“ALL ARCHITECTURE IS GREAT ARCHITECTURE

AFTER SUNSET; PERHAPS ARCHITECTURE IS REALLY A NOCTURNAL ART, LIKE THE

ART OF FIREWORKS.” GILBERT K. CHESTERTON