3D Modelling

This week I experimented with some 3D computer modelling to create some building massing diagrams:

Basic layout showing existing site buildings.

New linear forms to be punched through existing site structures.

3D volume of HSW buildings

Next stage of 3D massing.

  

Final 3D massing of proposed buildings.

Seating Design

Seating Design Option

The planter would be incorporated at the top of the seat also providing a backrest for users.

The fresh green planter pot has a built-in microbial fuel cell that is capable of generating enough energy to charge small electronics, giving users an additional reason to bring the outdoors in.

Microbial Fuel Cells are able to utilize the metabolic energy of microbes present in soil, converting it directly into electrical energy at a continuous rate. The current charge achievable is 1 watt per cubic meter of soil, but test conditions have shown that 10 times that amount is possible.

Site Analysis Diagrams

Site plan showing the landscaped site layout, including two paths at the rear of the site. One of these is for pedestrian travel and the other for bicycles. A narrower path runs through the middle of the site for local access. 

Diagram showing paths of access in and around the site. Transitional visitors can pass through the site on either of the two paths at the rear. One is provided for pedestrian travel and the other is a designated bike path. Visitor can also access the site along the main boardwalk along the riverside. A smaller path runs through the centre of the site which provides access to the landscaped gardens, cafe, gallery and wellness centre. Access to the tenancies is provided on both sides (internally and along the boardwalk). 



Stair Planning Options

I was having some issues with the planning of the stairs and lift to get up to the second level. This was resolved at the tutorial session with the help of my tutor. This is as the planning works on the first level however once up on level 2 the building has been rotated and so the stairs and lift do not translate well into this area.

After trying several different alternatives it was worked out to place the stairs and lift at the centre of the gallery space. While this may appear to block the view in some ways it also creates a glimpse of the view from beyond which can only be fully appreciated on approach. It also helps to draw the users upstairs by making a feature of both of these elements.

This also worked in most effectively with the design and the angular forms of the plan. 

Green Roof

I looked at some details of various green roofs to work out what would be the best way to construct one.

Flat Green Roofs

Knowledge of green roof construction methods and the benefits of incorporating them in building design is steadily becoming more widespread in the UK.
Unlike pitched green roofs, flat green roofs can either take the form of
extensive (consisting of a thin layer of turf or sedum matting), or
intensive (characterised by a greater soil depth that can even
accommodate shrubs and trees). This more frequently takes the form of
roof-top gardens, providing valuable secluded green space in urban
settings.

Flat green roof build up

The build-up of a flat green roof will vary depending upon the intended use. We therefore suggest that you contact our technical department early on in the design process. However the diagram below shows a typical build-up for an extensive or semi-intensive green roof:

A standard roofing membrane and insulation layer is laid onto the underlying roof structure, then a studded, perforated drainage membrane such as Oldroyd Xv20 GreenXtra is used in addition to provide a drainage layer with reservoir capability. A filtrating drainage layer (Oldroyd Tp filter fleece) is laid down before adding the required soil loading and plantings, as shown in the diagram above.
In situations where the roofing membrane does not offer adequate root resistance a Safeguard Root Barrier layer may need to be included between the roofing membrane and the Oldroyd Xv20 Green Xtra drainage layer.
Other examples of typical green roofbuild-ups can be found in our library of CAD drawings.
For roof-top gardens, concrete decking is often used to provide a suitable load-bearing construction, whereas substantial reinforcement is not usually required for a lightweight flat turf roof.

http://www.safeguardeurope.com/applications/green_roofs_flat.php

Flow Diagrams

Gallery and Wellness Centre

Flow diagrams showing access in and out of the heritage and new building form.

- Integrated with landscape of site.

- Cafe tables spill out into the landscape.

- Tenancy spaces have access both sides and internally.

Water feature provides a marker for orientation around the builidngs. The water feature acts to link the buildings together and becomes part of the building fabric. It also assists with wayfinding as follows the path of the Brisbane River.

Emerging Technologies-Further Research

Solar Power Breakthrough Could Render Photovoltaic Cells Obsolete

Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a discovery about the behavior of light that could change solar technology forever. Stephen Rand, a professor in the departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Physics and Applied Physics and William Fisher, a doctoral student in applied physics, discovered that light, when traveling at the right intensity through a material such as glass that does not conduct electricity, can create magnetic fields that are 100 million times stronger than previously thought possible. In these conditions, the resulting magnetic field is strong enough to rival a strong electric effect.

The result is an optical battery, which could lead to a new kind of solar cell without semiconductors and without absorption to produce charge separation.

Lecture Week 11- Computing without computers

Computing without computers

This weeks lecture was given by Professor John Frazer.

- How nature stores information - stores it in DNA.
- Gets imported into seeds, such as the acorn. Every leaf is different. Each tree is different.
- This is affected by climate, water, sun.

What would be the architectural equivalent of DNA?

Back to the beginning: Cellular and genetic structures 1968

- No good access to computers in the 70's
- Good programs where introduced in the 80's
- Not accepted until the 90's

End of the 60's - no software, no display screens, John Frazer hired a machine by the hour. It could do an enormous amount however it was quite difficult to work it out.

By the end of the 60's the cafe grey screen became available. - He had access to the only machine at Cambridge University.

Tried to find ways to simplify using the analogy of the acorn.
- Encoded all elements and left the machine to do the development work
- Was able to use nature  and evolution as a powerful tool.


Building Brief

Generator project: Cedric Price 1976
- Client wanted flexible centre - poetry reading, camp for kids.
- This needed to be rearraged accordingly
- The idea of a crane was used to move the parts of the building around on a day to day basis.
- Embedding electronics (micro process)
- Electronic model of self organising
- Parts would be intelligent and reconfigure itself through computing
- Publishing as 'first intelligent building'.
- Personal Electronic Transactor (PET) If the users didn't change the building enough- it would make the building change itself.

Concept of Boredom
-Provoke interaction with system
-Active/passive computing
-Active is interested in engaging.
-Massive computing allows temporal compression of space and spatial compression of time.

Universal Constructor 1990 AA
Diploma Students

Michelangelo
- made his own tools precisely how he wanted them
- He would also go to the quarry to select his own stone
- Preparing mentally

Students were required to design & construct their own computer and design own software
- Each cube has a micro processor in it.
- Message passes up and down inside it
- Cubes could represent a city, architectural column or a door etc.

Netherlands to Pave Roads with Solaroad Solar Panels

Netherlands to Pave Roads with Solaroad Solar Panels

In addition to being one of the most bike-friendly places in Europe, the Netherlands is about to make their bike lanes even more green — by paving them with solar panels. The initiative is part of a larger plan to pave all of their roads with solar panels but the Dutch have elected to start the experiment with two-wheeled transportation lanes. The technology is called SolaRoad developed wby Dutch firm TNO.

The actual make-up of the SolaRoad is a layer-cake of sturdiness and energy. They start with a layer of concrete, then place over that a centimeter of silicon solar cells and then finish it all off with a layer of strengthened glass. It is estimated that the Dutch road network is comprised of 85,000 miles of roadway with the potential for generating 54 kWh per square yard.
Each SolaRoad panel is comprised of concrete, solar cells, thick glass. TNO is working with the government on this pilot program and hopes to expand after testing the SolaRoad in Krommenie.

The energy produced from the road can be hooked up to the grid and will be used to power streetlights, stoplights, businesses and homes.

Lecture Week 10

WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE?

Yasu's Story

Confucious

"tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I will understand"

AA Workshop

Yasu explained of his experience as a student utilising the workshop to build models and furniture encouraging us to utilise our own workshop facilities as it is through this construction process that you will learn how things are put together, and enable you to design more effectively.

He also spent much time submitting to international competitions.

Junction Space

He became interested in internet & progamming however still missed the tactile nature of physical forms and being able to touch what was made.

Triggering Events (2001)

Found that he didn't learn very well from textbooks. Instead offered to do an installation at a museum in Hong Kong. Made from toughened glass sources the piece measured people moving through space, which then sent a message back to the computer.

Later the discovery of an electronic circuit prototype was made which enabled the ability to experiment straight away without studying electronic engineering - world of controlling electronic devices. Prototype called - Parallax BasicStamp Development Board.

Kinetic Pond (2002)

Hypothetical idea for a bridge/pond, created as a 1st year student exercise. This was a relatively short project to figure out a very simple idea of how it could be done. Models were built with lego pieces.

This idea then led to Kinetic Cube 2002, which was a continuation from the first idea. The interest was in it being an interface the people play with.

ACTIVE BUILDINGS

What can we do about buildings that simply stand still?

- Take a huge amount of resources to build a building
- Huge waste of resources when demolished
- Need to provide a more creative solution
- Next 21, Osaka Japan  - Components are modular, panels can be recycled or reused.

Nakagin Capsule Tower

- Movement called Metabolism
- People don't utilise modular buildings
- Take away the capsules to refubish and rearrange
- None of the capules have utilised this capapbility to date
- Was built to be very sustainable  as it can renew itself
- Major design flaw - have to take away all capsules above before you can remove ones below

Next 21

- A huge research project run by a gas company
- Sent researchers to the building to explain how the building works and what it can do.
- At the moment this is successful while the researchers are there to explain the functionality of the building however once this is stopped it may not be quite so successful
- The user therefore needs to be provided with an interface

Office Space in Margaret St

- This building is quite limiting in terms of what could be done with the environment for individual users
- The idea was to create an interface so that people could control their own environment.
- Achieved through the controlling of blinds. An electronic device was attached to the manual window control which allowed the blinds to be controlled remotely.

This was done through Pachube, a server available to the general public for repository of data. Allows access of data anywhere in the world.

Cedric Price described architecture as  "a kit of parts, not a building".

In essence this encourages designers to think about creating something else and to really think about different aspects of what architecture really could be.

Final Modelling

Planning Options Building 1 (Gallery/Cafe) & 2 (Wellness Centre)

Building 1 - Gallery Planning Option

It was decided to combine the cafe with the gallery space as these are more active areas, where as the wellness centre is a quieter space.

Initial planning for Building 2 : Wellness Centre

Some basic sections experimenting with green walls wrapping the entire structure and rooftop farming.

View from the river inside the Yoga space. Clear glazing provides soothing views out towards the river space, whilst a green roof provides insulation eliminating the need for air-conditioning.

Initial Modelling

To investigate the 3D form I started some initial modelling with cardboard to see what I could create and come up with a building that was aethetically pleasing and dealt with the heritage structure.

I decided to focus on the forms surrounding the original building to have a minimal impact on the puncture of the historically significant structure.

At the same time the forms are reviving the older building, by drawing attention to it as it becomes a focal point along the river and once again giving it value.

I am interested to expose part of the roof so that the original timber framing can be exposed. As the corrugated iron roofing is very much dilapidated most of this would need to be replaced anyway and so it would no longer be original material. As this would be an immitation it makes it harder to determine was was the exisitng structure. Therefore an exposed roof or a new roofing system could be proposed so that it may be easily determined what is original and what is new. 

Lecture 08: Modular Architecture

PREFABRICATED & MODULAR ARCHITECTURE

FOUR MAIN CONSIDERATIONS

- IDEAS
- LOGISTICS
- AUTOMATION
- ADAPTABILITY

IDEAS

What kind of component would you prepare?
How do you assemble the components?

Lego (1932)
Revit, Archicad have component libraries which allow you to produce a building. The problem with this is that there is a limited number of components so the design can become the same and repeated.

The advantage of using Lego as a tool is its modular capability. It can allow you to be very creative.

Unité D'Habitiation (1952)
- Housing principle developed by Le Corbusier
- Extremely efficient by providing modular architectural design
- The modules can slot in to repeat the same thing.

Oil Rig Hotel
- Pre-manufactured components made cheaply and shipped to where they are needed
- Need to design how they can be shipped
- The elements are designed to the same dimensions of the shipping container otherwise it would be a very costly exercise
- This needs to be considered in our design


LOGISTICS

Infrastructure also needs to be designed
How they can be transported around? Its not just what people will see.
This is more relevant in the current digital age.
How will you construct the building?

1972 Nagakin Capsule Tower - Tokyo
- All the components of the building are modular, welded together
- Needs to fit onto a truck
- It is currently at risk of demolition, as the building sits on very valuable land. Many architects are opposed to this as the building was supposed to have a longer lifespan than a traditional building making it very sustainable.

One of the advantages of 3D simulation is that it allows us to see quite easily whether or not it can be built. (eg. Length of crane is enough to drop things onto the site?)

Walter Segal - Self Build System
- Council made available land for self building
- He designed a system so that normal people could build their own houses.
- A step by step construction using modular sizes of timber
- Successful in one way however it is not very active at the moment.
- Developed Calbuild Kit with John Frazer, a tool for calculating the cost of building (eg. depending on the number of glazed panels).

AUTOMATION

- Laser Cutting/Machining
- Pieces are generated using a CAD model
- Building components (Burst 2005)
- Building can be assembled on site


ADAPTABILITY

- People who are going to be using the building are the most important.
- Building must be designed to adapt to the changing needs of people

Muji House - Japan
-Order different modules for house.
- Same concept as Ikea

How can it be disassembled?
How can you minimise waste?
How can you re-use waste?
How can your building components be recycled at the end of the life span?
How sustainable is it?

Site Massing Diagrams

A massing diagram showing a rough layout of the buildings puncturing through the heritage buildings.

Calculating the buildable site area.



Acceptable site area with 3 buildings on site.

Decided to use a 2 building layout to enable more flexibility with the size of the buildings and allowing additional 1st and 2nd floors.

Rough layout of the buildings on site. The gallery is positioned closer to the CBD while the meditative spaces are located toward the quieter end of the HSW.

Week 7: Parametric Design

This weeks lecture by Ruwan provided some important demonstrations of software. He showed some of the main 3D modelling applications and proceded to give a demonstration of how the program works and how to create simple but effective models when designing.

These programs varied depending upon the type of contraints given by the design. Some of the programs he showed were Rhino, Grasshopper and 3D Studio Max.

This was very effective to give an understanding of in what situations the modelling program becomes effective. Some programs will not effectively support kinetic type architecture. He suggested that we go away and experiment with some new programs to find alternative solutions to the modelling process.

Sight Lines

A contextual analysis of the connecting suburbs, showing the transit routes from each to the Howard Smith Wharves. This is important in terms of how people will be accessing the site.

Sight lines from the proposed buildings. These lead the eye straight down the river path and take full advantage of the most aspiring views.

Showing the sight lines as people wander from the river toward the site.

Some initial planning investigating relationships between the activities. The gallery and yoga space are positioned directly on the riverfront.

Some interior planning options 

Use of a metal screen to create exciting and curious passages. This could be utilised within the design. Light is filtering to create shadows of repetition which lead the eye down through to the point at which they disappear.