B5 Technique: Prototypes

Cut fabrics by tracing the laser cut piece

Cut fabrics by tracing the laser cut polypropylene.

Fabric is laminated in between the polypropylene frames.

Cells are overlapped with strips to create a grid.

3 cells overlapped with strips. Their joints are made of pins, simulating bolted joints.

Here we can see how the layers are overlapped with one another.

I want to achieve the ability to bend and sense of lightweight by cables and cardboards.

The method below explores joints that allow flexing of the frame structure.

Metal cables are laminated in between the cardboards. 3 cells completed

Laminate fabrics with the laser cut frames of card board.

One cell is completed

Process Documentation

3D printed cell in one module. The lofted surface is welded to the frame.

Joints of the modules to allow connection by rods.

3 modules are connected by rods and they are welded. 3D printing allows the creation of dynamic geometry of the openings that is difficult with laser cut method.

Timber frames are connected by lap joints. Thus joints are cut this way for lapping on top of eachother.

The fabric is bolted to the timber frame.

It is supported by a timber , jointed in the same way.

I want to create a shading device by fabrics. The structure is light and flexible and can be suspended by cables.

The model’s ability to shade is tested here. The fabrics effectively reduce the light while the opening allows light in.

Light source is in the middle distance from the model.

Here the model’s ability to bend vertically is tested.

This model is successful in creating shading and achieve a strong structure that allows bending and suspension.

Model is moved closer to light source.

Light source is moved close to the model.

Selection Criteria and Testing

I want to test the shading effect under a different type of connection and material system. This structure is bolted to the ground instead of suspended

The light source is moved close to the model.

The model’s ability to flex in the horizontal direction is tested here.

Overall, the model is successful in creating more controlled shading. This model has the ability to flex horizontally by the bolted joints.

The amount of light getting through the opening is less than the area of the opening due to the twist motion of the fabric and opening.

In contrast to the previous model, the strips are visible here as compared to the cables which are invisible. Also, the opening is created to twist. The shading effect is more controlled here.

3D printed model can create more interesting and dynamic shapes of the openings. Ie, the half moon opening.

However, the mesh of my model has pushed the limited in 3D printing that the machine left some unintended opening of the loft surface that affects the shading effect. Also, the frame also left shading on the ground.

The model’s ability to torque at the joints between 2 rows of cells.

Overall, the model is successful in creating a rigid structure, providing shading, However, it has not produced a flawless model as expected as they are some holes on the loft surface.

Shading in different directions. The frame leaves a bigger influence on the shading.

The model’s ability to flex here is tested. The frame can cope with the motion easily. However, one of the fabric connection has disconnected.

The model’s ability to resist live load is shown. The timber fin is strong to resist the vertical load due to the depth of the frame.

I want to use the cells I have created in my technique to create a pattern on a surface that wraps around a bridge structure, with the aim of reducing the noise pollution of the traffic and creating shading if possible (fig. 10, 11).

We can see the noise pollution created by the bridges in fig. 7. I also want to track the sun path for the openings of my cells as a secondary goal.

I want to look at the how the bridge (fig. 9) creates a form with the overhead that creates shading. Except that I will focus on using the cells I have developed to apply on a structure like this. Not only does this bridge creates shading, it also creates scenic viewing for pedestrians and cyclists. 7 Maybe it can be something worth looking at also.

B6 Technique: Proposal

7 See http://www.e-architect.co.uk/singapore/singapore-bridge

Fig 9. South East Asian Crossing Project, IJP Corporation, Landscape Architects

Fig 5. Existing bridges at Merri Creek where it joins Yarra River

Fig 6. Sun Path

Fig 7. Noise pollution by traffic

Fig 8. Existing walkways and cycling paths

Fig 10. Noise diffusion by cell developed in patterning technique

Fig 11. Noise reflected on the facetted surface.

In this sketch, I have used graph mapper to distort the lofted surfaces created by field lines. The field lines are created by merging several fields together and evaluated.

I have used extensively the field in my technique exploration and the graph mapper to create shapes that inform my proposal at the end, a bridge system.

Points on a surface are used as inputs for the image sampler and then circles are drawn at these points and the radius according to the image. What is different here is the radius of the circles are further controlled by replacing the radius with 4 numbers, thus enabling a higher degree of control.

I have used this to explore my iterations to create different shading areas with an image of my choosing.

In the course of Part B, I have learnt to develop many design possibilities by exploring different cases of patterning and combining some grasshopper definitions to further develop the possibilities. I have explored deeply into how data works to create more advanced patterns. Data matching was a whole new concept and language to me in learning grasshopper so I have learnt it in an adequate amount. I learnt by experimenting with

B7 Learning Objectives and Outcomes

B8. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

definitions and getting help on grasshopper3d forum. In making the iterations, I always step back and think about how to satisfy the selection criteria of the site so that I could produce something that may be useful for part C. So I have learnt to merge computation design(generative design) with composition design methods. I was partly aware of what I am making and partly open up for possibilities. I think computation is to aid the architect to design but not to become the primary driving force. A balance should strike between.

I have also learnt to fabricate different prototypes for my