CODE1110: Week 10 Summary

‘Parametrics Explained’, an article by John Frazer, analyses and discusses a project in 1995 which involves the usage of virtual environment technology and testing. He explores the generation of structural forms with regard to its integration with the environment and how it interacts between one another. This is another big stepping stone in the relationship between coding and visuals while including concepts and theories of morphogenetics.

The main concept of this event was to allow people to contribute their ideas and demonstrate a large variety between concepts and ideas. He made it possible through the internet, he wanted to have a code that was produced through genetic language that would be used to generate forms for different structures.

He had a master computer that was connected to three other computers, the master computer handling the entire generated model itself. The other computers were used to record images and generate evolving animations as the entire model was being built and coded. 

CODE1110: Week 9 Summary

In Mario Carpo’s, ‘Introduction to Versioning’, he discusses how the term, ‘Versioning’, explores the concept of technology allowing people to showcase their unique capabilities as design software is easy to learn. He says that it is advantageous to create an “open model of practice”, meaning is used to show unique traits of a particular architect and allow them to demonstrate skill in other areas of society.

Furthermore, Carpo analyses the purpose of Versioning, where it depends structurally sound geometry that has sturdy joints that are not easily affected by external forces. He explains how he believes that technology has ultimately benefited architectural design and deepening its complexity.

Moreover, Frederic’s text, ‘In the Order of the Non-Standard’, his theories and concepts are related to the mathematical and algorithmic methods of Alan Badiou and Gilles Deleuze. He analyses the merging of engineering and architectural design software have allowed complex designs to be practical with computed calculations to show people that a certain structure is physically possible.

Both Carpo and Frederic question the true definition of unique architecture and how people use mathematical theories combined with design software to think of new ways to perceive ‘modern’ structures and how to change the ‘meta’ of how a building is formed. 

CODE1110: Week 8 Summary

Snooks article, ‘Self Organised Bodies’, explores the concepts “Woven Composites” and “Swarm Matter”.

Woven Composites: This concept revolves around the idea of complex topology, linking objects or materials together to create a woven structure. This was created by a multi-agent algorithm to generate these kinds of topology. This is shown as an example through the evolution of surfaces from being a uniform or consistent structure to be a combination of different objects to create a surface.

Swarm Matter: This concept relates to the creation and development of ornaments, it explores the relationship between components, surfaces and lines. Snook claims “while there is no hierarchies encoded into the can be extracted that through ornamental design and the application of complex geometries, there is a hierarchy that develops through the deliberation of the design”.

Furthermore, in Picon’s ‘The Surface as Architecture’, he discusses the idea of hypersurfaces and how it allows a bridge to be created between an architectural surface and cyberspace. Picon explains the variety of hypersurfaces, comparing them to different cultural factors such as clothing fashion.

Both Picon and Snooks view surfaces as a design feature or element that creates unique spaces and gives a structure a complete form as well as representing a place, depending on the intention of its placement and design.              

CODE1110: Week 7 Summary

Picon’s ‘A Different Materiality’, explores the concept of materiality and how it applies to the nature of the environment as it surrounds us as people, thus being essential with regard to materiality. He focuses on the First Industrial Revolution when analyzing materiality as a concept, he says it cycles back to the natural human material structure. He questions the way we perceive materials, which is what materiality is about.

In addition, Picon also shares his opinion on the impact of technology on architecture in his article, ‘Architecture and the Virtual’. He says it has helped advance architectural design and made it more mature, he believes that architecture is still yet to discover everything about design and effective usage of certain objects and plans. He discusses the usage of hand drawings and CAD and metaphorically compares to the difference between walking and using cars. He uses the car to demonstrate the pace of technology advancements and ability to easily create better designs, as well as how simple it is to pick up by architects. He claims “Rather than dematerializing the world we inhabit, the automobile has instead transformed our notion of materiality”, meaning that technology has had a positive impact on society, improving quality of life. 

CODE1110: 300 Word Statement

Open Source Architecture: The Hylomorphic Project

The ‘Hylomorphic Project’, conducted by Open Source Architecture, explores the parametric and fractal design through the theories of material manipulation and systems thinking. The purpose of this project was to envision the possibilities of automating design solutions through the use of computational designs, and being able to create a form that can create its own structure in various kinds of spaces. Its’ simple and skeletal allows it to be a multipurpose structure and give it the ability to push the boundaries of its own design. 

Material manipulation in this case, refers to the concept of its flexibility and mesh form factor, which has then been transformed into its fractal design. Its use of ball bearing joints give the perception of free movement, portraying its flexibility and ability to morph into any geometrical shape within certain boundaries. This simple design also adds levels of possibility and extension to the structure, where unique interactive spaces can be created, allowing for effective use of an area. 

Furthermore, the theory of systems thinking refers to the synergy between major and minor components joining together to create an overall structured and complete form. The combination of small spherical steel bearing and timber beams allowed for a complete form and sturdy structure.

Similarly, the theory of geometric cohesion also closely relates to this project, where the form or structure of an object can be transformed and perceived very differently between people, creating more opportunities for effective design manipulation.

Its implementation of technology has been used through 3D modelling programs and digital fabrication software, stress tests were applied through a smaller 3D printed version as well as having multiple prototypes and frameworks. It uses parametric capabilities to be able to determine the positioning of the beams and bearings so the weight distribution is even between the structure.

The Hylomorphic Project effectively represents how the application of computational design can influence people to create such simple and applicable models and give them purpose in the real world. It allows people to theory-craft and think about what more can be done to allow this structure to be more practical and aid people in everyday life. 

ARCH1101 EXP2: Final Renders

View From Inside A Car On The M7 Highway

ARCH1101 EXP2: Grasshopper Script

I used grasshopper to create the "torch" as it allowed me to have more control over my design parameters.

ARCH1101 EXP2: Final Design Explanation

My final design uses the theme of the olympic event, symbolizing the Olympic torch as the main marker, showcasing the location's significance as well as being visible from a long distance away. It also adopts the environmental texture theme from Neri Oxman, using the hedge and timber materials to represent a natural space. In addition, it also uses her concept of organic form, with a curvilinear rising above the ground. Furthermore, Cedric Price's concept of flexible spaces is also represented with the fractal and frame-like base of the marker, giving a stable base to the "torch".

ARCH1101 EXP2: 36 Custom Textures

ARCH1101 EXP2: Axonometric and Parallel Projections in Lumion

Axonometric Model

Parallel Projection

ARCH1101 EXP2: Parallel Projections

Statement 1: Flexible space is naturally created through the design of organic forms.

Statement 2: Environmental designs seamlessly blend with responsive buildings, allowing textures to be used for multiple uses.

Statement 3: Temporary structures can be easily changed through the use of effective material ecology.

ARCH1101 EXP2: 6 Axonometrics