University of Nottingham Session 20010/2011
School of the Built Environment Semester 1
K14AD1-5 COMPREHENSIVE DESIGN PROJECT (30 CREDITS)
Digital Architecture and Fabrication
TUTORS
Chantelle Niblock Chantelle.Niblock@nottingham.ac.uk
Paul Kelsall paulkelsall@hotmail.com
CRITICS/ADVSIORS
Professor Michael Stacey Michael.Stacey@nottingham.ac.uk
Sean Lu Chunxiao.Lu@nottingham.ac.uk
PROJECT BRIEF – Exploration of performative geometry and experience of space through the design of a Transitory Event Building
Unlike buildings with skins that are mediatic display surfaces, a new structural synthesis combines bones and skin similar to an integrated industrial design object...
This definition of structural creativity is ever more evident in today’s culture of technology where non-Cartesian, non-hierarchical and asymmetrical forms require an expanded structural syntax, both spatial and performative, for these increasingly integrated, complex projects involving collaborations between engineers and architects.
Nina Rappaport, A Deeper Structural Theory
“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception”
Aldous Huxley
MODULE AIMS & OBJECTIVES
The aim of the module is explore architecture through perfomative geometry and experience of space. The module will facilitate, through design work, engagement with issues of complex geometries relative to urban context, architecture as a link between psychological and environmental needs and the experience of space and structure. The module will promote the integration of the knowledge and understanding of the use of digital media and manufacturing tools through the exploration of architecture.
Engaging with the design project will enable you to develop digital and manufacturing skills to an advanced level. The skills will help you to share and communicate directly to manufacturer. In particular, you will develop a deeper understanding and knowledge of:
• Specialised skills in digital and manufacturing design tools.
• Application of digital media in architectural practice and research.
• Innovative digital design methodologies used in the critical practice of architectural design and development of digital design strategies for individual projects.
• An awareness of site and social context when dealing with complex architectural geometries.
• Digital architectural theory and approaches to architectural design.
• Digital exploration of architectural issues such as; performative, generative, environmental and structural design.
• How to document and manage data for the purpose of analysis, idea generation, evaluation and communicating ideas during design development and presentation stage.
• Different types of representation and its appropriateness during the communication of ideas in the digital and physical realm. Clarity of representation to yourself and other team members during design exploration and final rendering.
• Self directed research of a particular area of interest relative to digital architecture such as; scripting, rapid prototyping or performance-based design.
BACKGROUND – Developing digital architectural methodologies
Computer Aided Architectural Design (CAAD) started by imitating conventional tasks when computing was employed as a tool to manipulate data problems. Early systems of computer technology were intended as quantification tools and gained credence slowly. There has been a parallel development of digital media and cognitive science with interconnected threads of investigation that have resulted in new ways of structuring and thinking about design information (Eastman, 1999). An interest in new tectonics, topological geometry and material expression reflects an implied critique of the formally motivated complexity of the previous generation. New design concepts are emerging that are related to models of generation, animation, performance-based design and materialisation synergised between emergent technologies, design and architectural theories (Oxman, 2008).
Emergent architecture engages with the exploration of complexities parallel to innovative technologies and the ability for theory and practise to converse within a digital design context. Changes in practice have led to a shift in the architectural theoretical discourse. ‘Folding in Architecture’ by Greg Lynn (2004) addressed the combination of diverse theoretical, philosophical, methodological, technical and professional sources that characterized the discourse of digital design in its first decade. Many leading architectural offices have made pioneering methodological and technological advances that have developed digital design thinking.
Developments in fabrication and computer aided manufacturing have significantly influenced design methodologies and theoretical understanding. Frank Gehry’s office has been deeply committed to researching the potential role of digital technologies (Lindsey, 2001) and has evidently become a pioneer of digital design. Zaha Hadid predominates digital architecture in her continual evolution of heterogeneously parametric themes (Oxman, 2008). Other architects, like FOA, have developed ‘hyper-continuity’ concepts, explored in the Yokahama International Port Terminal.
The conventional architectural process invited engineers to contribute in the latter rationalisation stages of design. Development of new methodologies allow for creative engineering solutions at the beginning and throughout the whole of the design and production cycles. Digital models explore design using complex models of topography, geometry and materiality in a way that could not have been done using conventional paper-based conventional methods.
PROJECT AIMS
The brief is to design a transitory event building in Nottingham. The building is a permanent structure yet houses a temporary function. Your design should take into consideration how the building will be re- used after an event. The ‘event’ is determined by individual students based on their research context. The Olympic Park 2012 is an exemplar of precedent buildings that celebrate complex geometry and functional adaptability. The design of the event building should celebrate architecture related to the experience of the space and how a building creates connections between spatial realms.
“The outside is not a fixed limit but a moving matter animated by peristaltic movements, folds and foldings that together make up an inside: they are not something other than the outside, but precisely the inside of the outside.”
Deleuze – Foucault
The overall aim is to produce a public building, which can be recognised alongside current architectural aspirations in terms of its geometric complexity, spatial organisation, social context and technological advances. The challenge is to develop a digital methodology that supports current architectural explorations and social/political issues.
The resultant design/products should be appropriate to the site and function. At the same time the building should celebrate the complexity of architectural geometry, innovative design strategies and be a desirable space for visitors to experience.
SITES AND SITE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
The brief is to design an Event Building that will be located in the city centre of Nottingham. The site is to be determined based upon the buildings present and future uses. You are free to select a more appropriate site for your project, but suitable justifications must be explained. Issues of how the building will be integrated within the urban context should be fully explored.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Your design should aim to achieve an exploration of architecture that deals with complex geometry and transitory function using digital media and fabrications tools to represent your developed design. You should consider the following:
• Design quality and geometric complexity. In particular, consider how the geometry of the building responds to the social/contextual parameters over a short and longer period of time.
• Cultural and social issues relative to the chosen site and building typology. Consider the social implications and how this building will be used in-between events.
• Adaptability for building re-use after an event. Think about the building lifespan and changes of use for future flexibility.
• Spatial organisation. Consider how the building facilitates changing scales in terms of large and small social groups.
• Experience space from inside and outside. Consider how the experience of space is affected by the nature of the building type and its relationship to time.
• Structural performance (that deals with facade and materiality)
• Environmental strategy
• The benefit of digital design and fabrication relative to the embodiment of design in digital and physical realm. Investigate the manufacturing processes and construction techniques necessary to realise architectural designs.
• Managing design information through Building Information Modelling software (BIM).
• Communication with consultants at design conception and detailed development.
• Critical reflection on individual design process and the methods used. The social effects of digital technologies on how we create and interact with the built environment.
• Research of existing methodologies/buildings used within the multi-disciplinary architectural design process.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND FORMAT
Each presentation and the final submission should include a
• Digital presentation to explain the narrative of the digital design strategy adopted that includes:
o Specific software utilised relative to individual exploration
o Visualisation and/or a movie to represent the experience of space within the urban context (exploring the transition from outside to inside spaces)
o Three-dimensional drawings scaled to best represent the building in context and detailed design.
• Physical model (part model and contextual model) to best represent your design ideas from conception through to detailed design. This will include models of various scales.
STUDIO
Group work:
• Initial stages of the project will involve pairs or individual students undertaking site surveys and analysis, and background research; preparing digital drawings; and making a precise site model. The site data will be recorded digitally.
Individual work:
• Develop a brief that best explores the issues surrounding transitory space and complex geometry in architectural design.
• Develop an individual design and methodology to compliment your research area of interest within the digital architectural context.
INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
Design/Building Typology
Hensel, M. and Menges, A., 2008. Versatility and Vicissitude: Performance in Morpho-Ecological Design (Architectural Design) John Wiley & Sons (7 Mar 2008)
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Facade/Material
Addington M. and Schodek, D., 2004. Smart Materials and Technologies in Architecture: Architectural Press
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Detailing/Construction
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Collaboration
Ashby, M and Johnson K., 2002. Materials and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection in Product Design: Butterworth-Heinemann
Beesley, P., Hylozoic Soil http://www.philipbeesleyarchitect.com/sculptures/0913Medialab_Enschede/enschede_1.html
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Brown, A., 2001. Peter Rice (Engineer's Contribution to Architecture), Thomas Telford Ltd (1 July 2001)
Kara, H.,2010. Architectural Design; On Design Engineering, AD Vol 80, No 4, July/August 2010, pp 46-51
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Theory / Computing in Architectural Exploration
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Liu, Y.T. & Lim, C.K., 2009. New Tectonics: Towards a New Theory of Digital Architecture: 7th Feidad
Award: 7th Far Eastern International Digital Architectural Design Award, Birkhauser Boston (Aug 2009)
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Online Resources
http://www.paraclouding.com/WP/?p=458
http://blog.rhino3d.com/2008/07/grasshopper-tutorial.html
http://www.grasshopper3d.com/video/video/search?q=tutorial
http://designreform.net/2009/07/rhino-grasshopper-parametric-truss/
http://www.rhino3d.com/resources/
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ecotect+tutorial&aq=f
