Design Proposal/ Digital Tooling System

A pseudo code for the final design proposal was written in the form of a flowchart. To enable the application of the material system on different sites and conditions, digital models have to be simulated for testing purposes. A digital algorithm that allows for recursion is needed to produce different iterations to constantly re-evaluate the generated outcome. Within the intelligence algorithm the material behaviour of the system and the possible spatial limitations have to be taken

into consideration.

Since fluidity of the transition between static architectural elements is the main objective, the

function of these spatial conditions has to be considered in the pseudo code of the design process. The values of areas of space to satisfy certain program are the main initial input.

The performative function of the architectural elements to be introduced, as realized by the previous

material investigation can be quantified and fine-tuned to modulate the thermal comfort within the interior spaces. This optimization process could also benefit from the recursive nature of the architectural parametric tool. The intention is a digital tool where the input is program areas and the outcome is fabric patches that could be materialized using digital fabrication tools. This could aid in bridging the gap between the designer and the construction worker to minimize error in the construction of complex concrete structures, and thus simplifying the process of forming and materializing such buildings.  

                                                   

For a better resolution of the video please see the Vimeo link: http://vimeo.com/35645176

After writing the algorithm that incorporates the main plan generation of the proposed building, the extraction of restrain points from that plan, and the dynamic relaxation script of the roof shell, the algorithm is started to generate an initial iteration. Starting with the site, a topography that corresponds to the programmatic organization scheme is introduced. Pathways that are also the result of the circle packing and Voronoi generation of the plan are mapped onto the surface of the topography.

The centers of the polygons of the main program areas is also extracted to mark starting points of the solar chimney vectors. The vectors are tilted towards the leeward wind direction and away from direct solar radiation. Those instructions are carried forth according to environmental pressures of the immediate site and the spatial needs of each program under each solar chimney. The heights of the vectors are the result of the previous extraction of the height to area ratios of the conical form of each program, as explained earlier.

The interesting part of working with the digital mesh relaxation algorithm is its capacity to be morphed using similar methods of forming as the physical fabric to achieve similar tensile formations. The mesh is cropped for holes digitally, and restraint points are marked corresponding to these openings to create the architectural elements investigated earlier. Restraint points are also marked around the edges to create arch-like openings to bring in light and create entrances. After these conditions are set the mesh relaxation algorithm is started and continues running to find an optimized morphology.

DigiHYBIOS Mesh Relaxation

BETTER RESOLUTION: http://vimeo.com/33411827
A numerically calculated mesh was used to simulate a 'hypothetical space'. The script calculates the roof enclosure according to the HYBIOS material system and stops when the minimum span has been reached (red square).  Spatial and lighting needs are taken as driving parameters dictated by the program. Faces of the mesh are culled according to area (blue) (curvature of enclosure to create the light pixelation effect to create different lighting experiences. Currently our efforts are geared towards forming the spaces according to per formative criteria, such as channelling wind speed and pressure, and ventilation.

DigiHYBIOS 1.0 & AnaHYBIOS 3.0 / New Approach: From Digital FormFinding to Analogue Methods

With the latest HYBIOS, we adopted a new approach. This time the experiment was based on a digital FormFinding algorithm using Daniel Piker's Kangaroo Plugin for Grasshopper. The new experiment also resolved some of the issues of the previous experiment. 

A cellular grid was used to generate a frame for pathways to have a more even floor to walk on. This time, the modeling was done to scale. Points were restricted at the pathway edges to create ramps on the raised platform. The mesh was relaxed within the grid cells to create blob-like forms by restricting the outlines of the grid. The roof membrane was stretched towards the center of the cells. The idea is to create a circulation path within the space, where depressions within the grid cells could be used for seating etc. Although more control was gained over the digital FormFinding process, there were a lot of restrictions with using the algorithm. Material behaviour and mesh qualities could not be embedded within the logic of the algorithm. Deforming the mesh was not done in real time either, which was a major restriction. We would like to create a script eventually that solves the problems of the current tools we are using and calculates the forces as output.

We deployed the same logic with the analogue prototype. The results were approximately similar, although we have more control over the shaping process, which enabled us to generate more interesting archi-tectonics. The idea of the developed formwork is that the floor grid could be reused to cast several other HYBIOS. The model was constructed to a scale of 1:50 for a 20m x 20m space. Essentially the point of this experiment is to control the reusable formwork to form the structures.

New Approach: From Digital FormFinding to Analogue Methods

We looked at the paper entitled 'Linking Hanging Chain Models to Fabrication' by Axel Kilian as a source of information and inspiration to carry out our next experiment. The next experiment mainly had to focus on utilizing digital form finding methods to add to our methods for producing the next prototype. 

Axel Kilian, Ph.D. Candidate in Computation, Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

SUMMARY OF PAPER

Fabrication output is an integral part of the iterative process and not a post design process.

The relationship between form finding model and the translation into volumetric form was explored in a series of small models.

His Motivation :

Equilibrium solutions can be scaled if the proportional distribution of mass is kept and the geometry of the lines of forces is scaled proportionally. This holds true even though mass does not scale proportionally to geometric dimensions.

A major disadvantage is that a physical model is hard to measure accurately and

in reasonable time, as measuring requires physically accessing the model. The

measurement of forces within the strings of the model is even more difficult, as it

requires the installation of strain gauges, which is time consuming and can potentially

disturb the model. In addition, the measurements are not part of the design process. The

design is frozen to allow for iterating through the load measurements throughout the

model in one given state

The digital version, in contrast, allows simultaneous measurement and creating/editing of

geometry. These measurements can directly drive other dimensions in the model. In the

digital model, editing and creating the string weight is less limited by the availability and

preparation of the physical material, which in the case of a very complex model can

substantially slow down the process. Furthermore, the use of generative techniques

allows for the rapid placement of complex string constructs and observing their behavior

before investing time into an elaborate physical model

The self-weight of the load-bearing member contributes only negligible

amounts to the structure locally and therefore does not substantially affect the hanging

curve form. If there is no load present other than the weight of the structure itself, the

self-weight becomes the dominant form giving factor. The cross section has to provide

enough area for the forces traveling through it. A further optimization of the structure, for

example with the aim of achieving uniform compressional loading throughout the same

material, which would be possible by varying thickness, was not undertaken by Gaudi.

Islers Conclusion : page 8

Isler identifies instabilities in his shells as follows: First, at the

supports second, due to general buckling; third, due to local buckling of the free edge (for

which the counter curvature is so important)

Designing in dynamics vs. analytical approach. Design by discovery : Page 10

Structural and dimensional evaluation of form is not an afterthought but an essential of

the design process. This is where the learning by discovery enabled by interactive tools comes into play. In interaction with a live, force-geometry linked structure, a designer can directly observe the range of structural responses while exploring possible forms. This encourages an explorative approach to design and supports unconventional solutions that integrate and respond to the designer’s intent.

NEXT STEPS>>>>>>>

1. form finding,

2. topology finding,

3. load path finding,

4. material distribution

5. testing for structural redundancy

6. optimization.

Form finding techniques in an interactive digital modeling environment can support the

design process by giving continuous feedback to the designer, allowing the designer to

integrate structural principles into the creation of form rather than to structurally optimize

the finished form at the end of the design process.

Digital FormFinding: Mesh Relaxation

"A physical model (as verb) is excellent because, bound as it is in actual reality (AR), it is qualitatively rich: full of dense information about physical forces and strains, construction sequence and detail. It is very difficult, however, to get quantitative information out of this kind of model.1 Digital models, on the other hand, are excellent because they are rich in quantity: indeed, they are composed of quantities, and this content makes them invaluable in any building culture that must calculate before constructing." Mark West/ CAST

We experimented with digital formfinding methods, simulating the process of making the analogue prototypes. Different generations were produced, as well as the assembly logistics of the building components

We experimented with digital formfinding methods, simulating the process of making the analogue prototypes. Different generations were produced, as well as the assembly logistics of the building components

FormFinding

A great research paper by Philippe Block. Formfinding has been used in architectural models to create spatial forms that are optimized for structure while in the design phase. The Phd Thesis proposes a digital formfinding tool as an alternative to traditional formfinding methods adopted by Frei Otto and Gaudi. The paper gave us a lot of insight on how to start with our design experiments.