Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Final Project
Introduction
This research is based on the exploration of experimental built architecture in order to obtain new methods for the architectural work. Experimental architecture has been materialized through a new orientation and utilization of quotidian materials such as wood, providing a sense of matter and craft, and the touch of the human hand.These concepts and ideas have been applied for the development of my sister house’s main façade.
I have generated two main design ideas to be developed and explored using recent modeling software techniques. The first idea is based on kinetic art works and the second one is inspired from an eco packaging material called GEAMI. Different systems and component pieces were analyzed, modified and digitally reproduced in order suit the architectural demands and bring the textured surfaces to life. Joints and interlocking systems were also considered for the construction.
Digital Media Software has been explored in order to find different techniques to represent and generate these ideas through 3D digital modeling. At the same time, such as laser cutters are taken into account in order to find more accurate ways to mass reproduce the different pieces.
Literature Review
My first idea was inspired from Venezuelan kinetic artist Jesús Rafael Soto. This artist is considered one of the founders of Kinetic art. Kinetic art involves motion, generated by motors, by natural phenomena or by the spectator’s action. The Kinetic movement was developed in Paris beginning in 1950. One of the principal promoters of Kinetic art was Denise Rene. Her gallery became the central meeting place for Kinetic artists, such as Soto. Kinetic artists thought that movement was an essential part of the universe and for that reason it had to be integrated into works of art. The idea of creating art with movement emerged in the beginning of the 20th century when the Futurist movement required the incorporation of elements of the new modern industrial life into art, such as movement. Kinetic art was especially important in Venezuela because it represented the first radical break with academic and representational art. Three of the most significant Venezuelan Kinetic artists were: Jesús Soto, Carlos Cruz-Diez and Alejandro Otero.
1 11st Idea:
Architecture + Kinetic Art
At the beginning of this exploration, design ideas where focused on the combination of architectural forms and kinetic art work in order to create a sculptural wall that could contain motion triggered by spectators’ movements. In lieu of exploring a more organic form this idea also proposes a piece of furniture as part of the façade. This would provide homeowners and visitors an outdoor place where they can sit, read or just remain.
The wall was conceived as different irregular structural panels. A frame that contained an array of horizontal dowels with dark and light wood tones on each side formed each of these panels. A glass sheet was designed in between the two layers of dowels in order to isolate the inside from the outside of the house. The next step was to materialize a final idea of the house’s façade. A 3d digital representation was undertaken using AutoCAD Software and Photoshop Software in order to achieve an approximation of the final design idea. The Surfaces palette, specifically the Edge Surface command was implemented in AutoCAD in order to create all uneven panels and a piece of furniture.
The interior space of the house was also experimented utilizing the same façade’s morphology in order to test lights and shadows in the main entrance of the house. Various panels were also hung from a glass roof in order to explore different qualities of the interior of the house, providing a space for contemplation and reflection.
- 2nd Idea:
Geämi Eco Friendly Paper
I felt attracted to explore this product since I found it very interesting in terms of its texture, modular pieces and organic surface. Different pictures were taken utilizing natural and artificial lighting in order to study illumination for the interior of the house.
Components were analyzed independently and created as modular pieces; they were digitally copied and later rotated and mirrored in order to find associations with the Geami paper.
3D Digital sketches were reproduced in order to create the whole wall. The idea of providing pieces of furniture as part of the same façade’s organic form was also explored, but was difficult to model it in an accurate manner.
Lights and shadows simulations were also experimented first through sketches and finally using daylight shadows in SketchUp. This was a great tool since I could interact with the digital model and envision how shadows would appear in real life. Other elements such as light fixtures, house number and a mailbox were also considered in this idea. These were later reproduced in SketchUp and rendered using Podium Plug in. A final representation of how this façade would look was accomplished using Sketchup and Photoshop Software. Surroundings, human scale and artificial lighting were represented in order to envision the façade’s final image from the outside of the house.
Conclusion
Both design ideas aimed to seek different ways to utilize quotidian materials in order to experiment with architecture and space. Modeling software collaborated to reproduce ideas and to explore different ways to perceive ordinary surroundings.
In contrast to AutoCAD Software, the SketchUp Interface provided more flexible and organic tools that were applied in order to create and sculpt irregular surfaces. It is also capable of providing an approximation of working with natural lights and shadows, input shadow settings that contained geographical location and solar orientation.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Simulations
From the lectures:
http://continuingeducation.construction.com/article.php?L=5&C=406&P=1
Energy Software to Link Design and Science by B.J. Novitski
http://www.architectureweek.com/2000/0705/tools_1-1.html
Computer Visualization as a Tool for Critical Analysis by Mark Maddalina
http://www.architectureweek.com/2000/0705/tools_4-1.html
One of the features on this software is that is able to create high level performances evaluations even from a schematic design process by developing " smart defaults”, which means that the software automatically fills in the gaps of missing data in the project from data developed by the Department of Energy.
At the Queens Museum of Art in NY natural light illumination has been considered in its galleries interior spaces. Architect Renzo Piano has designed a skylight ceiling where blinds can be programmed during non-operating hours and to be closed during summer early morning and late afternoon hours. But there’s a huge disadvantage in this design since the north –facing part of the ceiling diffuses light condition that do not provide uniformity; for this reason the design team have used an illumination vector analysis in order to evaluate drawbacks and their solutions.