Project 3 - 300 words

Web of North Holland (2002) / ONL (Kas Oosterhuis)

The Web of North Holland was designed as the pavilion for the North Holland for the Floriade 2002, the international exhibition of flowers and gardening. The project was realized through digital techniques where the 3D model was manipulated like digital clay using various techniques from 3D digitizer to modelling surface sculpture tools and using the milling machine. The pavilion introduced a new structural principle of “One Building, One Detail”. By utilizing a 3d triangular grid of flat and folded steel plates, each unique in shape and size, the structure and skin merge into one coherent architectural image. There is no repetition of elements. This approach of non-standard architecture was a revolution in the building industry at the time. The design is a pure example of Non Standard Architecture where if there are two similar components, it is not on purpose and not relevant. But all exceptions take place in a rigidly defined parametric design system. The statement “one building, one detail” applies here. The engineering of the geometry was developed at ONL. ONL is entirely responsible for the precise data for the hundreds of integrated elements. For this purpose ONL has programmed an effective File to Factory process through the writing of project specific scripts. This data is read by the software controlling the production machinery. There is a direct link between the 3d model of the architect and the production machines of the manufacturer. 

ONL makes use of fully parametric modeling programs and has developed a new approach to parametric architectural and constructive detailing. ONL basically develops one complex parametric detail for each new building. ONL are heavily in the movements of nonstandard architecture and hyper architecture Oosterhuis believes that the traditional building industry needs to urgently change from within its existing and new environments.

Statements:

One building, one detail

Technical design is key for innovation and construction

File2Factory - design to production
ProtoBIM - BIM and beyond

Mass-customization for parametric modeling 

Sources:

http://www.onl.eu/?q=about

http://www.onl.eu/?q=projects/web-north-holland

http://www.onl.eu/?q=research/new-journal-next-generation-building-announcement-and-call-papers

Week 11

In the modern age, open source architecture is an emerging field that combines collaborative effects in order to reach the final desired goal. The process behind construction, design and operation of buildings, spaces, and infrastructures are all taken account behind all sorts of individuals, but the main difference is that it’s shared and available to everyone. Design tools such as Grasshopper and Revit changed the way we are able to customize components and elements which the knowledge behind the overall design can be viewed by people across the web. The idea of exchanging ideas allows users around the world to experience designs on their own terms, this gives a range of flexibility in terms of whether you want to help improve or gain information out of the open sourced building.

Information which can be shared is not something that is new as we seen throughout the World Wide Web where users can voice their opinions at ease. In Carlo Ratti’s article for Domus, he states that open source architecture relies upon amateurs as much as experienced professionals where he describes this philosophy as “the genius of the mass as much as that of the individual”.  Open source architecture can be a revolution in each of the traditional building progresses however new economic models such as funding through crowd funding which is not the traditional means where financing private projects is increasingly moving towards the public domain. The possibilities are endless with open sourcing, however it is up to the users themselves in order for this particular field to grow and change. 

week 10

Parametricism as a term is fairly modern when it was coined by Patrik Schumacher, an associate of Zaha Hadid Architects who themselves are one of the leading firms that showcase parametric design in their many projects. Parametricism as a definition is the new great style after modernism proclaims by Schumacher, in the context of architecture is when all architectural elements and complexes are parametrically malleable. Principles such as forms that are soft in favour of rigid forms and functions that are parametric activity scenarios. In the text of Parametric Patterns by Schumacher, he goes to depth of how articulation is the central core competency of architecture where patterns are a key element as being innovative and dynamic. Patterns have evolved with the use of technology as techniques such as texture mapping having been replaced by scripting. In the modern age of buildings, we mainly see the use of parametric patterns in the façade, where instances such as light and shadow can be controlled through its responsiveness behind the design of various patterns.

Schumacher is very vocal and idealistic in his views of what he perceives the future that is built upon parametricism. He states this quote in his manifesto " There is a global convergence in recent avant-garde architecture that justifies its designation as a new style: parametricism. It is a style rooted in digital animation techniques, its latest refinements based on advanced parametric design systems and scripting methods. Parametricism according to Schumacher can be flexibility for the 21st century as it accommodates not just architecture but also urbanism and other design disciplines. Urbanism is a expanding field as the world grows day by day and the cities of the future maybe be only sustainable if it were to be parametric. Parametricism brings malleable components into a dynamical play of mutual responsiveness as well as contextual adaptation.Computationally design wise, these can be designed through geometric, positional and material elements which are associated with this style. 

Week 9 - 250 Word Writing

SHoP architects coined the term ‘Versioning’ as the way designers and architects use technology to expand in potential effects of design in our world. The new generation of digital architects have emerged and brought key ideas and fundamentals that place great detail on the applied use of technology where technique is favored rather than the outcome. SHoP feels that ‘versioning’ should not be seen as a ideology but it being a attitude for young designers as we bring aspect s from various disciplines such as finance or food to seek out inspiration and solve problems that are seen in architecture. Versioning creates the idea where it shifts from horizontal integration (designers as simply generators of representational form) to vertical integration (designers driving how space is conceived and constructed).

We come to understand non-standard architecture as being complex organic forms that would be extremely hard to design and construct without the aid of technology. With CNC machines, BIM technology and 3D printed components, designers and constructors are able to manipulate materials into interesting forms. The term non-standard has always been refereed in the field of mathematics in which algorithmic systems can be applied for example artificial intelligence or morphogenesis. Frederic Migayrou, a professor states that for non-standard architecture, it needs to go beyond the bounds of any assumptions about form. This idea of non-standard architecture being revolved around digital tools and algorithmic calculations can be describe by a quote by Greg Lynn where he states “Producing a geometric form based on a differential equation is problematic without a differential approach to series and repetition.  

Week 8 - 250 word writing

The ‘surface’ of any sort of architecture is what you tend to observe first and it is certainly one of the elements that bring out the wow factor. In the modern age of architecture, designers and architects are able to create aspects that were not been able since technology at the time was not as advanced. Surfaces have evolved into the practical approach due to the increasing importance of electronic media. This can been seen in giant displays that broadcast images or those which be interactive with viewers, the giant billboards is an example but in this case not as contemporary. Architect and theorist Stephan Perrella coined the term “hypersurface” which is defined as architecture that is conceived primarily as a surface of projection or a terminal. Antoinne Piccone believes that the current trend in architecture doesn't allow surfaces to challenge its traditional mode of presence for example the distinction of exterior and interior. 

With the tools that the digital age gave us, topological architecture is a field that can be achieved with ease due to the technology we have today. Topology is an abstract term designating a continuity of surface in the architectural sense. In Perrella’s point of view, topological architecture is not just the result of dynamic surfaces or forms, but the result of dynamic ‘form, structure, context, and program’. In topological design, during the process of design, some elements of architecture are designed to be controlled by some variations which when change, change those parts of architecture.

Week 7

In architecture, materials are one of key aspects based upon aesthetics, programming and performance, however it can be argued that computers have taken those aspects away as observed by Antoine Picon’s journal about how technology has impact the traditional practice of architecture. It is true that digitalization allows the architect to manipulate extremely complex forms and freely envision design modifications but what is more beneficial for the future is the question. Picon highlights this fact by comparing computer and hand design in the contrast between a walk and a car ride, in the sense that it is there to be used by the human being whether he has the technique to do it or not.  Computation design compared to the traditional practice is on a really broad level where some elements cannot be done by hand such as reflectivity and transparency or the instant manipulation of texture and lighting.

Digital architecture allows users the freedom of envisioning their personal designs come to life on the screen, however many architects don’t figure out its materiality until it’s too late. The traditional materials used in architecture could be classified as concrete, wood or steel as the most common ones but materials play a big part in the final design in many fields of architecture such as environmentally friendly or for it to be adaptive. Michael Weinstock researches on emergent technologies and new materials that can be incorporated in structures and buildings. The Watercube for example contains a total of four thousand “bubbles” in which variations are shown in the roof and walls. These “bubbles” were derived from soap bubble arrays, despite it being random the structure was highly rational and economically affordable. Computation design allowed the Watercube to be realized due to scripting and 3D modeling the structural integrity through 22000 steel members and 1200 nodes.  

Water Cube (2008) - PTW Architects and ARUP

Week 5

The so called machine age was brought upon due to mechanization and innovation, we can date these back to World War I and industrial revolutions where technology and the mass production has been incorporated in a modern economic and social context. One of the key figures during these times was Henry Ford, an American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company. He is credited with the term ‘Fordism’: in which mass production of inexpensive goods coupled with high wages for workers. This allowed the working class to afford technology such as automobiles through the means of labor. The rapid growth meant that unemployment was a leading problem which led way to the ideas of mass architecture in public housing in the Soviet Union. Leon Troksty, the leader behind the revolution wrote “Technological enthusiasts expected the machine to fulfill their visions, much as enthusiasts today envision the computer bringing a longed-for world.” This quotation leads back to today’s society where technology is abundant and crucial in our daily lives.

The digital age has given us personal computers however in Mckenzie Wark’s critical manifesto dubbed ‘A Hacker Manifesto’ Ward criticizes the commodification of information in the age of digital culture and globalization. Wark refers ‘hackers’ as creators who can bring new ideas into the world and this new information derives from the ‘hack’, Wark believes that whether you’re not a computer programmer or designer, any sort of information that is produced new is crucial however it is up to us on how we produce, distribute and consume these information.