250 words writing for week 8

 Practice vs Project: 1: Materials and Techniques

Antoine Picon “A Different Materiality”, “Material by Design” start off by discussing about the time before the industrial era. An era of material that appears to be more complex, comparing to this era, we are more focus on solution of material design rather than structural design. Material properties meanings, what does it mean to be hard, waterproof or durable? Each of these term went through a processes, an example of this process it’s a reinforce concrete, the appearance are seen as a structural system, than gradually in time it became a material. Picon strongly believe that materiality are like nature, it’s about the way we see, touch, hear, smell and taste. Picon also discuss about the way technologies and machines provide the means to transform the environment and change our perspective view in society. He gave an example of an automobile, a richness of walking and absorbing the surrounding environment to the simplified feel during a car ride, illustrating a loss of materiality in a car ride. This theory was also discussed in the article “Architecture and the Virtual” also by Antoine Picon, where he compared the approach of hand and computer draft design and how that correlates with the contrast between walking and a car ride. Fundamental notion of digital architecture are not only meant to close the gap between subject and object, but it supposed to bring together the absorption of characteristics in computing and the materiality of architectural experience. Digital architecture expresses broader trends to architectural practice.

250 words writing for week 7

How to Think about Technology and Culture

Chapter 3 of Human-Built World; How to Think about Technology and Culture by Thomas P. Hughes talks about the rise of both machines and technology from the time of industrial Revolution during  the nineteenth century to the present day. Machine at the time of the nineteenth was seen as a technology that would transform modern society in many ways. He also discuss a lot about the creation of inventions. These inventions allow society to explore new concept of creating new ideas of physical things.  Invention of the past such as electric elevators which were made of high-rise architectural beneficial and extensive subways were introduced after the introduction of electric power. This allow society to utilise technology to create a physical environment suitable for everyone at present that had led to current culture. Critics on the rise of machines such as Mumford, mention that by industrializing society too much, we are risking of eliminating the organic, and we should all follow the organic process of developing the site or materials as organic forms. This correspond well with the essay of “Hacking” by McKenzie Wark where he discuss about the notion of hacking, he mention that everyone is not a hacker but still everyone hacks. Hacking may appear as a negative action, the information that are given out may led to a knowledge advancement through collaborating of ideas and judgement. Wark mention that information wants to be free but is everywhere in chains, illustrate the point of barriers in information due to owners copyright of private information.

assignment 2.2

TRANSFORMABLE AND RESPONSIVE SYSTEM

Chuck Hoberman theory behind Digital technology was the use of computers in a context of exposure to technology and engineering discipline. As you can see with his projects of expandable and transformable structure, technology was always there as an enabler of what he like to think about. His idea are about mathematics, geometry and what computer did for him now and didn’t do it for him then, is that there are complexity with magnetics design and the ability to visualise a particular units and expand into a larger scale. Hoberman theory was to take elements that had material thickness otherwise called solid models and figure out how those would rotate through each other with complex inch points and rotation. This was done by him writing program to basically say that this is the thickness that he want and visualise it exactly how he wanted. Most of his work are based on performative concepts which are inspiration by a simple scissor like method such as elevator and how this method can transform a small objects such as toy into a larger scale objects such as buildings (Hoberman 2013 pp. 273-327).

Hoberman methods are similar to Polymorphism methods of defining an aspect of designs, to allow regular variables to function (Stevenson 2010). In Metapatch project by Joseph Kellner and David Newton supervised by Michael Hensel and Achim Menges shows that simple rectangular wooden elements attached to a larger sheet of timber can be setup and activate. Four bolts are used to attached rectangular elements to a larger patch, two of the bolts are permanently fixed creating a diagonal line, and other two remain adjustable. By stiffening two adjustable bolts together, it creates a bending force to the patch (Menges 2013, p.169).

This method is very similar to Hoberman project of toys. This project is focused on the concept of transformable objects, objects that and change size and shape. His idea behind the toy project was to expand the shape without changing its original form. The materials are made of plastic, metal and mechanisms. These mechanisms can somehow simplify relationship between parts without colliding into neighbour component. Hoberman uses the scissors like system with 2 straight lengths where end points are parallel, when the connection points between the two lengths crosses over the midpoint, it create a changing angle. By angulating the lengths, when the object fold or unfold the angle that they included, this create a folding ring that begins to speak of transition in from mechanism to structure (Hoberman 2013, p.276).

Hoberman Associates along with engineering firm Buro Happold to form the  Adaptive Building Initiative in 2008, the design was to optimize their configuration in real time by responding to environmental changes of adaptive buildings in new age of innovative architecture. Hoberman Adaptive Building Initiative has produce a new product called “Intelligent Surface” that focuses on locally responsiveness panels. Hoberman designed each panels to have a unique geometric patterns of opening. Both the Adaptive Fritting and Tesselate are based on a making of perforated screen that can change its opacity when you shift different layers of screen relatively to one another. The function are an arrangement of modules that rotate around a central pin creating a diversity levels of transparency. As these patterns align and diverge, the visual effect of geometric patterns of hexagons, circles squares and triangles are created (Hoberman 2015).

Hoberman theory are very similar to a method called hypersurface. Hypersurface is define as the reaction of visual, acoustic and atmospheric device activated by electronic sensors of the building, not only just the physical moment inside the building but also the environmental surrounding and meteorological data. A project called FreshH2O Expo, Zeeland, The Netherlands, 1994-97, generally known as Fresh Water Pavilion, has been based by a concept of liquid. The entire project has an effect of classic merging of hardware, software and wetware, this was demonstrated not only by shape and material use but the interior environment as well. This design was attempt to have the curve connection of the ellipses structure been ripped, bend and burst by an exterior force of nature and still maintaining the smoothness to the interior. The interior of the Fresh Water Pavilion are covered with different sensing devices to create an atmosphere of waves. As you are walking or running through the mesh, you are creating more wave effect in a wireframe projection due to the activation of sensors. The sensor also respond to a different action of people jumping up and down causing a reaction of pushing away the sound and activating moving lights along the interior. this building also has a complex computational system to lid up the building inside out, as you can see below, this is the reason why the interior is so blue (spuybroek 2013, pp. 108-116).

This observational analysis of transformative and responsive structures, examines the experience of Hoberman and relevant source perspective. The research on shifting transformable and responsive structures, focuses to understand how to realized structure that can range in shape and size, was rewarded into several clients registered under the name of Chuck Hoberman. Testing ideas on various scales, from cities and environmental to materials and physical properties. Collaboration of experimentation using both digital and calculated technologies. Each project are designed to suite its specific environment and culture while addressing modern theme of transformative, responsive and interactive architecture. This new approach has resulted in projects such as “Metapatch”, illustrate different methods to a façade, “Toy”, demonstrate Hoberman theory of transformative based on fold and unfold hinges, “Tesselate”, shows the responsive interaction of a façade and the “FreshH2O Expo” illustrate different sense of movement in the interior space.

Reference List

Menges. A 2006, ‘Polymorphism’, in M Carpo (ed), The Digital Turn in Architecture 2013, Wiley, pp.167-180.

Hoberman. C 2013, ‘Expanding Sphere and Iris Dome’, in G Lynn (ed), Archaeology of the Digital 2013, Sternberg Press, Canadian Centre for Architecture pp.273-327.

Hoberman 2015, Simone Centre, viewed 13 April 2015, http://www.hoberman.com/portfolio/simonscenter.php?projectname=Simons+Center

Spuybroek. L 1998, ‘Hypersurface’, in M Carpo (ed), The Digital Turn in Architecture 2013, Wiley, pp.108-124.

Stevenson, A (ed) 2010, Oxford Dictionary of English,3^rd edn, Oxford University Press.

Image Reference List

http://www.hoberman.com/portfolio/simonscenter.php?projectname=Simons+Center

file:///C:/Users/mark/Downloads/Field%20Files-Hoberman%20(1).pdf

http://reader.eblib.com.wwwproxy0.library.unsw.edu.au/(S(xropo4mbtqesfevq5awobu4f))/Reader.aspx?p=1215827&o=503&u=eZib8lsQ33%2bF1nKpvRA2Og%3d%3d&t=1429450245&h=8EA19B5BC80F73DAF955A2051785DCA0625899B9&s=35661129&ut=1531&pg=111&r=img&c=-1&pat=n&cms=-1&sd=2

http://reader.eblib.com.wwwproxy0.library.unsw.edu.au/(S(phk4dcmhaj0esdfmr2su2zrh))/Reader.aspx?p=1215827&o=503&u=eZib8lsQ33%2bF1nKpvRA2Og%3d%3d&t=1429453287&h=8F0A3D380C69E8E935C22BD48F0B8418B0E58854&s=35661129&ut=1531&pg=168&r=img&c=-1&pat=n&cms=-1&sd=2

250 words blog for week 5

Morphogenesis and Emergent

Morphogenesis is a group of methods that employ digital media for form-making and adaptation and presentation, often in an aspiration to express or respond to contextual processes. Morphogenesis in architecture links to a number of concepts including emergent, self-organization and form-finding. The article talks about the difference between emergent properties in life and in computation, and a gap between nature and mechanic production. In the article Menges talks about ‘performative’, an apparent combination of form and performance, and how natural materials such as timber can be calculated to a certain extent structure made of these material can be design and fabricated by digitally controlled machines.

Process of morphogenesis and emergent are based strongly on mathematical complex forms, these mathematical forms can then be used for generating designs, evolving forms and structures in computational environment. Modern form-finding methods needs to be capable to change of adaptation that emergence demands. In an environmental perspective, Emergent provides models for life cycles, and the way in which different life cycles interact with each other in an ecosystem. In natural system, decision making and reaction are entirely local, and global forms are the products of local action with functionality in material itself. The article also focus a lot on geometry, patterns and behaviours, and the computational and material evolution of populations and species of architectural forms.

250 words blog for week 4

Computational Design Thinking

Computational design thinking has a both impact on perception and realisation of architectural form, space and structure. Computation in design represents an accumulation of multilayer concepts of system theory and cybernetics, Cybernetics stimulate the notion of how computers may be utilise to expand human intellect. Computational design thinking is the processing of information and interaction between elements to a specific field of environment. The book mention that parametric alone is an interdependencies of certain geometrical constraint and the concepts of form and transformation itself suggests how mathematical operation can become generative.

Morphogenesis provide both the forming and difficult concepts of formation and functioning of natural system. This aspect of theory in a computational design can be developed as a set of instruction regarding the process of formation. Morphogenesis also portray are the intimate and irreducible relationships between material and structure. Computational design process contain everything about material system apart from the system itself. In computation, response is the use of variation methods based in extensibility, the natural system function through the differentiation that develops in their morphogenetic processes.

The article also talks about the emergent computational design formation of complex material arrangements. Algorithms serve the role of possibilities while analytical measures apply to set the level of specific instance within the possibility. Emergence is not only property of pattern formation but rather a highly effective behaviour of fundamental nondeterministic process. The book discuss essential intellectual concepts that are fundamental not only for a discourse on computational design but also for its practice.

250 words blog for week 3

Digital culture in architecture

Computer-aided design and digital simulation have led to new forms as well as to an increasingly strategic approach to architecture and urban development. Designs was done by preliminary sketch all the way to final rendering. The book provides a profound introduction to the important role of digital technologies in architectural design and related fields. The introduction mention that Columbia university paperless studio is one of the first attempting large scale using computers for architectural design. In 1992 electronic equipment are a fast growing environment and that the impact been made have set to be profound, during this period architects are becoming more interested in the principles of parametric design. I think part of what we see today is an interpreted as a distance result of what happened with the emergent of formation base society in the 19^th centuries. Series of changes appear as a consequence on the rise of computers both as a machine and as vision of the world.  

Picon described that computers did not make the society of information, it is rather the evolution leading to the emergent of the society of information that made the computers both possible and at a certain stage desirable. Picon’s also talks about how traditional tectonic are being replaced with ornament. Development of digital architecture is not reducible to a mere use of new tools and architecture has not been passively subjected to a technological innovation coming from elsewhere and digital architecture is only an aspect of the ongoing changes.

250 words blog for week 2

The digital turn in architecture by Mario Carpo has gone through several stages to provide a complete historical timeline of the rise to pre-eminence of computer design and production. From folding to cyberspace, nonlinearity and hypersurfaces, from versioning to scripting, emergence, information modelling and parametricism. During the early 1990s many labour are afraid that activities and functions would soon migrate from physical space to cyberspace, and that the design of new electronic venues would soon replace the design of traditional building in brick and mortar. Mario Carpo mention that in the early 1990s, digital design does appear like a continuation of deconstructivism with digital means, and many of today’s star architects uses the folding theory to apply with current digital design illustrating the core aspect of design still matters.

 Mario Carpo mention Technology still to continue evolve, digital design went through major theoretical developments alongside adaptions.  In the late 1990s the shift from form making to process the adoption of new software for information exchange and for the management of building and construction tasks, this new family of software is known under “Building Information Technology” (BM) taking important design role in architecture. Mario Carpo information on digital aspect in architecture are very similar to the article “architecture or revolution” The article clam that the era of 1990 has brought great transformation, but with a fear of human tool and automatic  inducers of social needs only to slowly evolving changes, and that profound laws of architecture based on volume, rhythm and pro-portion.