part b

Case for Innovation James Zifei Jiang 1

Part B. Design ApproachJames Zifei Jiang531950

2 Case for Innovation James Zifei Jiang

Its dynamic shape which encourages both continuity and discontinuity produces attractions.

Sectioning is self-standing without extra supports. It is playing the concept between architecture and art producing a sculpture-like structure.

Design Focus


Sectioning embraces the concept of speed and movement hence create attractive visual effect.

Sectioning is produced by easy prefabricating methods. The construction process for sectioning is simple. In computer, just by giving every single element a precise location and dimension, it is possible to establish the curvature required of individual panels hence costs can be established and cutting templates can be sent to manufacturers straightly.


Precedent

The driftwood AA Summer Pavilion was a full design proposal for a summer pavilion to be situated in the corner of Bedford Square in the center of London. The design ideas were established by a digital-generated script which manipulated the lines in a parallel and continuous fashion, creating line drawings which shaped the plan basis. The

design is playing the concept between art and architecture. It is neither ecological adventure nor science but a sculpture. It embraces the idea of invention, dynamic movement, new materials and aesthetic intelligence.


In this structure all panels are different and it consists of 28 layers. The panels are made of plywood which is easy to prefabricate in the manufacture with low costs. The project is intended to achieve less than fifteen percent material wastage therefore the plywood used hides an overall internal ‘Kerto’ structural system which is a renewable resource.


This dynamic sculpture standing in the center of a wide and open square with classical buildings around is definitely attractive and interesting. Its shape is indelible and eye-catching. Visitors would like to have a look what is going on here. However, the project is not only remarkable for its dynamic shape, its surface and details are full of stories

as well. It is constructed under the concept of sectioning. All panels are added layer by layer. The thick structure consists of serried panel members. The serried effect is quite amusing since it looks hard to make. It is also the characteristic of sectioning.

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/london/driftwood_pavilion_design.htmhttp://www.dezeen.com/2009/06/25/driftwood-by-danecia-sibingo/


Case Study 1.0

Matrix


Case Study 2.0

First Attempt


This is our first attempt. Before we did anything else we test some matrix in grasshopper and chose the one which adapts most of the criterias. The criterias we set have been mantioned before, however it was recomposed and improved several times in the line with the process of design.

In this attempt, after group discussion, our criterias were: 1) Dramatic visual effect which encourages ongoing interest towards the municipality; 2) It

is flexible hense easy to adapt and respond to the existing landscape; 3) Playing continuity and discontinuity therefore form a visual interaction with the drivers producing a sense of speed and movement; 4) The whole thing can be self-supported and appears as a sculpture-like structure thus stands as an icon that conveys the local art culture in Wydham City; 5) The result must be easy to prefabricated and assembled on site.


After all the consideration above we desided to build a gateway following the curve of the highway in site B (As the site plan shown). The thing responds to the landscape and being a gateway can create a continuous visual effect for drivers.

However, this was a failed attempt. The process of design was all based on concepts. We didn’t consider whether the structure can be actually built or not. The structure had two pieces in totall. The section pieces of the northern part are going through each others without thickness. Therefor it was impossible to make. Furthermore, the whole structure’s base is not flat. Instead it is over the ground. Even though the shape can be made it cannot stand well easily. Duing the prototype making process we could not achieve the shape based on digital model.


In addition, this attempt could not answer a lot of questions. Its concept was quite far way from the spirit of the Wydham City. Some significant principles of this project we didn’t reached. What is the relationship of the concept and the City? And What kind of sectioning is it and what achitectural effects it can create for drivers? These two questions we cannot answer in this stage. We also accidently change our criterias during this attempt. Our goal was to make a sculpture which conveys the local art culture but the gateway came up. Therefore we had to move on made some changes.

This is our first attempt. Before we did anything else we test some matrix in grasshopper and chose the one which adapts most of the criterias.

The criterias we set have been mantioned before, however it was recomposed and improved several times in the line with the process of design.

In this attempt, after group discussion, our criterias were: 1) Dramatic visual effect which encourages ongoing interest towards the municipality; 2) It is flexible hense easy to adapt and respond to the existing landscape; 3) Playing continuity and discontinuity therefore form a visual interaction with the drivers producing a sense of speed and movement; 4) The whole thing can be self-supported and appears as a sculpture-like structure thus stands as an icon that conveys the local art culture in Wydham City; 5) The result must be easy to prefabricated and assembled on site.


After all the consideration above we desided to build a gateway following the curve of the highway in site B (As the site plan shown). The thing responds to the landscape and being a gateway can create a continuous visual effect for drivers.

However, this was a failed attempt. The process of design was all based on concepts. We didn’t consider whether the

structure can be actually built or not. The structure had two pieces in totall. The section pieces of the northern part are going through each others without thickness. Therefor it was impossible to make. Furthermore, the whole structure’s base is not flat. Instead it is over the ground. Even though the shape can be made it cannot stand well easily. Duing the prototype making process we could not achieve


the shape based on digital model.

In addition, this attempt could not answer a lot of questions. Its concept was quite far way from the spirit of the Wydham City. Some significant principles of this project we didn’t reached. What is the relationship of the concept and the City? And What kind of sectioning is it and what achitectural effects it can

create for drivers? These two questions we cannot answer in this stage. We also accidently change our criterias during this attempt. Our goal was to make a sculpture which conveys the local art culture but the gateway came up. Therefore we had to move on made some changes.


Before the second attempt we had a look at some precedents to generate our ideas. The BANQ restaurant was a good example we found. Its ceiling is sectioning. It forms continuous curvilinear line which produces a sense of contrast. It catches the attention of the eyes all the way along the curvy lines therefore evoke a visual effect of movement. Also its wide spreading plywood integrates the whole spaces which raise an aesthetic and artistic environment. Our fitness criteria can be achieved in this precedent. Therefore we started to test some matrix based on this (As the matrix diagram shown).

However, our site condition is different from the BANQ

restaurant. We are not making a ceiling but an eye-catching and cultural sculpture across the highway. As a sculpture, the whole thing has to be self-standing without extra support members. It has to look like one piece with sectioning effects. Its shape or effects has to be filled with meaning which rely to Wyndham City. Also we want the shape of the structure to be easily identified by the dwellers.

And then we make one base on the characteristic of the City. The Wyndham City is proud of its coast and sculpture art. We create a shape looks like wave to reflect the coast and any water activities. It’s like many pieces of moving water waves across the


road towards the sea. Two peaks which touch the ground act like two columns support the whole structure. The problem appeared when we decided to use plywood as the material. It may not stand easily because each piece is thin but wide. It may not be strong enough to take the wind load. Therefore we add cross sectioning pieces to make it stable (As the pictures shown).

The result of this attempt was not as good as what we expected. Some main criteria were not achieved such as how to give drivers ongoing interests and how to adapt it to the site. As what Michael said, this thing can stand on everywhere else in the world. We have to make it adapt to the surroundings. Why the cross pieces and the original pieces form 90 degrees? What is the relationship between the road and the structure? What angle it is pointing Wyndham City and why? We didn’t know because we didn’t make any consideration on these.

Expression of Interests

Second AttemptSecond Attempt


Therefore after this attempt, we had to make changes for the design again. Before the second attempt we had a look at some precedents to generate our ideas. The BANQ restaurant was a good example we found. Its ceiling is sectioning. It forms continuous curvilinear line which produces a sense of contrast. It catches the attention of the eyes all the way along the

curvy lines therefore evoke a visual effect of movement. Also its wide spreading plywood integrates the whole spaces which raise an aesthetic and artistic environment. Our fitness criteria can be achieved in this precedent. Therefore we started to test some matrix based on this (As the matrix diagram shown).


Digital Model for the second attempt


Third Attempt

Development


The third attempt was based on the second one. It was ponderable by giving the connotation to the direction and spacing of the cross sectioning pieces. From the top view, as the diagram shown, the left part is added with cross pieces. However the angle is not simply 90 degree but fol lowing the direction of the road towards Wyndham City. The r ight part without cross pieces is pointing Melbourne City.

From the front view, drivers

can see totally different parts connecting with each other in the same structure. Left is to Wyndham and right is to Melbourne. The sculpture is placed right after or before the road sign thus it can create the subconscious for drivers – The exit for somewhere else is close. People who are driving for Wyndham City would not miss the exit.

Th is new structure a lso creates an obvious distinction between Melbourne and W y n d h a m . T h e r i g h t

pa r t i s h ighe r and w i th l a r g e r s p a c e b e t w e e n each sect ion ing p ieces. I t represents Melbourne with tall buildings. The left par t is lower but denser. The superposition of wave pieces produces a sense of dynamic and movement towards Wyndham. However i t is hard to prefabr icate in Grasshopper. GH09X_WaffleType3 can only create connector for two pieces placed in 90 degree. It worked will in the second attempt but not for this one.


Design Proposal & Improvement

Fourth Attempt


T h i s i s t h e f o u r t h outcome – composed with two main waves across the highway. In this attempt the shape of this sculpture firstly response to the logo o f W y n d h a m C i t y . Secondly it symbolizes the a r t ac t i v i t i e s i n W y n d h a m . W e p u t the image of the City logo into Grasshopper

definition to generate its specific effect (As the Grasshopper diagram shown). The outcome of this image was satisfied. The shape is cool but we cannot just simply copy the shape.

A t th i s s t age, a f te r several group meeting and discussion we finally generated our design

proposal: our main focus is to evoke an interesting spatial experience of movement for the drivers on the highway; The design is also a sculpture which responds to the local ar t culture; We are creating a dynamic structure which would encourages people to explore the space and have ongoing interests in


this area; The sectioning with its formal flexibility and dramatic visual effect is the ideal approach for this project.

Several sketches and d i ag ra m s s h ow th e spatial relations between the sculpture and the

site. It not only produces dramatic visual effects bu t a l so p l ays w i th shadow and light. The direction of the structure was not random. On 6th Oct every year the shadow on the ground would be parallel to the two separate roads. The

direction of light and time can be set in Rhino. By entering the location of the site the program can calculate the position of sunlight via different time automatically. The date 6th Oct is the founding date of Wyndham City. The shadow of the shape


is arrogant but on that date it will be disappear and hide in the road.

Two immense curves going across the two oppose roads (as the site plan shown). The direction of di f ferent

roads can be eas i l y identified (as shown in front view). The direction of the sectioning panels is a lso fo l lowing the sunlight. However at this stage we didn’t have time to test the thickness of each panel and see what

kind of shadow it would have on the ground but ideally we expect the direction each panel facing is also parallel to the direction of the road in order to create a subconscious of leading.


Prototype & Response to feedback

Fifth Attempt


However the fourth attempt was too conceptual. When we tried to prefabricate the digital model we found that it is almost impossible to stand. We tr ied to put a curve beam to connect those sectioning panels but it would definitely destroy the beauty of the sculpture. Therefore in the fifth attempt we created a new one based on the fourth attempt. This outcome is following the same design proposal and principle. However it is much easier to prefabricate and make.

In my own opinion this outcome is too simple. Every sectioning piece is the same and the gaps between each other are also the same. The fourth one is much more beautiful and full of meaning but due to the time limitation we could only make this one first. In the following weeks we will have more attempts and try to find a good method to prefabricate the results.

Furthermore we could not explain why sectioning is necessary for this project. We are missing the concept of sectioning. The

material of this structure is not considered well. Some feedbacks during the presentation show that plywood may be impossible to form this immense curve shape. Also the detail of joists of panels is not designed. Although we can use glue to connect them in model making process, in real life the joists takes the job instead of glue.


Model Making Record


1:5 footing detail


The diagram above is the 1:5 detail drawing of the footing system of the sculpture. Originally w e u s e d s t e a l L beam on both sites of the panels to make i t s tab le. However this method may be abandon because it

may not take enough w e i g h t . A m o r e suitable footing system is required for the final outcome. A lso the joists between each panel require detail design as well. During the mode l mak ing

process I simply used glue and thick papers to c o n n e c t t h o s e panels. It was easy to make using th is method but it will not work with this method.

Detail Drawing & suggest Improvement

part b

Documents

concept of sectioning

0matrix8 case

process of design

design proposal

design focuscase

design ideas

characteristic of sectioning

dynamic movement