surface grammar

Surface Grammar Course Synopsis

2009-08-25T01:17:00.000-07:00

Butterfly house :-)

2009-07-30T13:24:00.001-07:00

2009-07-11T03:57:00.000-07:00

ESTEBAN PACHECO'S FINAL PRESENTATION:

.

Claudia_FinalPresentation

2009-07-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

2009-07-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

Cameron Tross Papilio_Opuntia

2009-07-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

Alice_final Presentation

2009-07-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

2009-07-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

mahmud_FINAL DRAWINGS

2009-07-04T02:39:00.001-07:00

FINAL PRESENTATION

2009-07-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

Huge quality and other files available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alecboivin/sets/72157620910732534/

Finally the plans, sections, elevations & renderings!

2009-06-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

The butterflies are in the right scale!!!

mahmud_exterior

2009-06-29T04:25:00.000-07:00

Alice_problem

2009-06-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

I have problem with batch rendering. I have set up a camera moving around my building. However, I can only have proper mentalray rendering if I render the current frame of the camera view. Once I use batch rendering, I only result with a bunch of images with black background. and I got and the following error message when I try to tick the checkbox of batch render

// Error: Object's name is not unique: mentalrayBatchRenderLayout

Does anyone have an idea why?

Claudia. Butterfly House

2009-06-25T12:16:00.000-07:00

To develope the project I used to layer, the interior one is a torus's latice that it will be used as a path trhoughout the interior space and as a bar area, and the second layer, a torus as well with an envelope, that eclose the butterflyhouse. The second layer will support the latice layer. I like the conditions that are created by this too layer, from inside the bar has a defined curvilinear enclosure that contrast with the not defined curvilinear shape and remeshing of the butterfly house. My concern right now is about the evelope shape. I like the way it looks like from the main entrace -pic 2 and 7-, however, i don't really like the shape of the shell from the street - pic 3 to 5. If you have any coment please, let me know.

CATMULL-CLARK ::: APPLICATION

2009-06-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More clark

Relatively to my MIDTERM PROJECT this PROJECT present these improvements:

1- Now the outter shell, the inner shell and the circulation spaces are now connected to form ONE UNIQUE OBJECT = connection inside/outside. I will explain that soon.
2- A Modern theorical geometrical logic is now included:
3- A remeshing recursive (= fractal), non-uniform, remeshing method (catmull-clark) is apply to the whole project to obtain a =>
4- A gradient beetween the sharpened, straight and opaque outside AND the smooth and transparent inside is now performed
5- The structure (piers, beams, apertures, windows) and the aestethic of the building are created by the same method
6- Technically, the butterfly space is enlarged. tempered spaces will be create for them.

That's why I think it's a convincing responce to "the intricate relationship between surface articulation structure and affect" the principal aim of this studio!

But my question is: however, is it a convinging proposition to a XXIth Century architecture???

CATMULL-CLARK ::: PROSPECTING

2009-06-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

PART3: Catmull-Clark as a surface pattern

Open publication - Free publishing - More sudbivision

PART4: Application of Catmull-Clark Method to my project.
contain only the smoothing remeshing part.
the drawing pattern (see in the PART3) will follow.

Open publication - Free publishing - More clark

CATMULL-CLARK ::: ANALYSIS CONCLUSIONS

2009-06-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

You will find there my conlusions about my catmull-clark subdivision surface analysis.
The Second Part "application to my project" will follow soon.
Have a good night.

PART1: UNIFORM SUBDIVISION SURFACE

Open publication - Free publishing - More uniform

PART2: NonUNIFORM SUBDIVISION SURFACE
Comments: The most important part (application) is still missing

Open publication - Free publishing - More surface

2009-06-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

the problems are that i didn't produce the good pattern and good form in the skin or in the landscape.i did many attempts using different dencity and scale,but i still don't like them.i will try more and decide it before this wednesday.can u give me some suggestion？

2009-06-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

i study the opening density and try to express the activity character in the skin,

this is the grammar in the rhino,i use it in my project.

enclosure

2009-06-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

process:enclosure and bridging two layer

2009-06-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

mahmud_refinement

2009-06-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Trying to incorporate 2 existing walls of the site into the design. Also trying to create an open public gathering space intergrated with smooth amphi-like form which might be used as night night time activities (i.e small concert etc.)

Alice_Surface Grammar_refining

2009-06-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

My main goal before the final is to deform the modular system of QC structure and address the sensibility as being contemporary architecture.

I have two main tasks

1. simplify the composition of the cubes in different scales according to the functional needs so that spaces are clearly defined, and not just intersecting each other without control. Therefore, I took away those cubes that are not useful or in chaotic situations.

Right now, the butterfly house is in between the inner and outer skin. Within the inner skin, spaces in different sizes are used for exhibition room, restaurant, entrance and dark spaces.

2. make apertures.

In the first attempt (1st & 2nd images), I treated each surface a bit more individually, and the idea was to strengthen the different directions of QC cubes, but the overall pattern doesn't have gradual change and looks rather fragmented.

In the second attempt (3rd - 8th images), I tested with part of the outer skin (highlighted portion) more as a whole....which means the apertures change from large at the entrance point to small at the other end which inner side of the skin is actually connected to the inner path. I will follow this approach to make apertures with other part of the skins. However, I think the pattern right now is still a bit too regular, expectable....and somehow still lacks elegancy and surprise. I am trying to see if I can loose it up more and more...

Outer skin

Inter skin

Recurcive and Adaptive Catmul Clark Subdivision Surface ::: C&C Basis

2009-06-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

C&C Basis ::: Purely Geotrical Researches

My goal is to achieve a recursive, non-uniform & adaptive catmul-clark subdivision face script in Maya/Mel/Python.
In that way I hope have a control about the remeshing method face by face.
Recursive means that Catmul-Clark Subdivision method use several iterations.
Non-uniform means that I want to achieve a gradient between a staight (zum beispiel: a cube, c&c subdiv=0 figure 1) and a smooth geometry (zb: a cube, c&c subdiv = 1).
Adaptive means that I want to adapt this subdivision to my geometry.

So first, let take a look inside the Catmul-Clark Subdivision. How does it work?
Sources: Rapid Evaluation of Catmul-Clark Subdivision Surfaces, by Jeffrey Bolz and Peter Schröder

Exact Evaluation of Catmul-Clark Subdivision Surfaces (At arbitraty parameter values) by Jos Stam

The Catmull–Clark algorithm is used in subdivision surface modeling to create smooth surfaces. It was devised by Edwin Catmull (of Pixar) and Jim Clark in 1978 as a generalization of bi-cubic uniform B-spline surfaces to arbitrary topology. In 2005, Edwin Catmull received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement together with Tony DeRose and Jos Stam for their invention and application of subdivision surfaces. Wikipedia.

Catmull–Clark is a recursive algorithm using this following 4 steps refinement scheme:
Step#01: Draw the Face-point F
Add a Face-point F, as a centroid of all original points for the respective face.

Step#02: Draw the Edge-point E
Add an Edge-point E, as the average of the two neighbouring face points, and of the two original vertex of the edge.

Step#03: Draw the new Vertex V
Step#03.01: Add a point P, as centroid of all surrounding vertices of the face

Step#03.02: Add a point Q, as centroid of all surrounding Face-Point F

Step#03.03: The new vertex V is the centroid of these tree points, P (weight=1), Q (weight=1) and S (weight n-2), where S is the position of the original vertex and n the number of edges of this vertex.

Step#04: Create the new edges of the polygon
Connect the point E, with the two points F and the two points V

Variante #02: This remeshing method is not necessary uniform. We can for example subdivide all the neighbouring faces, and keep the middle face without any transformation. This face is called an “open face”. In this case, the calculation is a little bit different.
Step 01#: In this case, the point-Face is the same as the original method for all the faces except the open-face : Add a Face-point F, as a centroid of all original points for the respective face.
Step 02#: In this case, the Edge point is simply the middle of the edge.
Step 03#: New Vertex Vi
for each original point of the open face, Si, draw a new point Vi, centroide of Si (weight=6), Si+1 (weight=1) and Si-1 (weight=1). With Si+1 the next point of the open surface and Si-1, the previous point.
Step#04: Create the new edges of the polygon (in the case called “soft-edges”)
Just draw a line between the Face point F and the Edge point E, and two lines between the Edge point E and the two new vertices, Vi+1 and Vi-1.

Clau_work in progress

2009-06-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

I started working with the initial body created in top mod creating two different items: the interior structure (the bands/torus) and an envelope (an elliptical sphere). I realized that the bands where doing nothing, so i went one step backward to create the interior skin (torus). In the first step, i didn't modify the original shape, just to know how it will look on the site. Parallel to this i was trying the remeshing method i should apply on the surface.

The next attempt was to modify the original shape, mainly in one direction.

The first two attempts didn't convice me, so i try an intermediate body.... not too round, and not two elliptical, but just to the interior body. This is the one i chose. I applied some remeshing methods as well...

Here i found the way to translate the ribs technique into the whole body. Basicaly i inserted edge loops in one direction of the surface, then translated to top mod, remeshed it and bring it back to maya.

This are is the same body, remeshed before in top mod with doo sabin, then translated to maya, insert an edge loop and remeshed again in top mod. Because of the first remeshing in top mod i obtain a blur effect of the body and the pattern repeat similarly in along the whole body.

This are the first attempts to apply the technique to the envelope. I still have to controll where should i insert the edges loop.

Next steps: I will decide which body will have the remeshing, the interior, the exterior, or both. And also work in the interior space and the connection with the site.

Some comments will be helpful.

The work continues.....

Alice_Mid-term Poster

2009-06-06T06:17:00.000-07:00

Midterm Presentation

2009-06-06T03:36:00.000-07:00

2009-06-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

Mid Term poster

mahmud_optimization according to the topography

2009-05-31T07:32:00.000-07:00

The significant feature of the site is its rocky profile. Now the structure penetrates into the site( 4m from the entry level) so that the overall form will be the integrated part of the hill. The butterfly house main now has the rock surface where butterflies can take rest ( few old butterflies like dark rock surface) . On the entry level there are winding walkways where people can see the butterflies from different perspectives. The structure contains 2 'wings' facing the cityscape. one is bar & cafe with outdoor terrace. The other one is a small insectarium/ museum which contains the images as well as audio-visual facilities of butterfy forming ( from moth to butterfly).

Pods

2009-05-31T05:13:00.001-07:00

Continued investigation into the root structure to enable access to the Site and Pods, expansion of the interior environment are my next steps.

2009-05-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

Next Steps: Surface detailing and the outer shell of the building, in order to cover the pods, with a structure inspired in a SILK COCOON (Technic: weaving 5 layers).

Layout Midterm Presentation

2009-05-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

I will send you tomorrow the layout for the midterm review next week.

Good luck and keep up the good work, and for those who have not posted yet..
Please post so I can see the progress and give you some advice.

Best,

Matias del Campo

Vicky_in between process

2009-05-27T10:10:00.001-07:00

2009-05-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

I would like to ask about some suggests.I tried three different form and thickness.Each of them gives different sense of the structure.I am some confused about with which one i should continue.

2009-05-25T05:20:00.000-07:00

butterfly house

2009-05-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

I was working in the process of rigt form and adapting this to the site.I tried to create three levels which are:butterfly house and interior structure and exterior structure.However, i have difficulty in creating enclosure structure and translate this to the site.i am working on it still....

Alice_in between process

2009-05-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Moving on from the previous trial, I have basically controlled how to deflate and grow my quasi crystal structure. Now, I am trying to adapt to the site, and build up the internal circulation. For the mid-term, I would have general layout of the building in plan, section and trials for surface perforation. I would produce series of diagram to explain the logic of the arrangements.

Clau_work in progress

2009-05-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

These are some of the attempts I have done in order to create the greenhouse. I want to keep the two layers for my building, but I want to skip the piramidal shape. In order to do so, I used the Multiface handle tool for three different parts of the building, however, the problem I found was that the exteriors layers of every section intersect to each other, so the topology of the buildign becomes dirty. I have to work in the proportions as well.

In this attempt, i could manage better the interior space, however, i still have an overall envelope as exterior layer. It's like a big rounded stone.

The work continues....
Any comment will be helpful.

Alice_quasi deflation into different scales

2009-05-16T07:09:00.001-07:00

Opposition ::: Oposición ::: Gegensatz

2009-05-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

An "Happy Mistake" which really looks like Lebbeus Woods.
It's Incomprehensible but I LOVE IT.

PROJET ::: Explanations will follow

2009-05-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

mahmud_concept + form

2009-05-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

Park Guell Site ::: Panoramas

2009-05-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

Site Panoramas Photos:
6 images - IMGP8908 - IMGP8913.jpg
6 images - IMGP8922 - IMGP8927.jpg
6 images - IMGP8950 - IMGP8955.jpg
5 images - IMGP8956 - IMGP8960.jpg
5 images - IMGP8895 - IMGP8899.jpg
5 images - IMGP8929 - IMGP8933.jpg
10 images - IMGP8935 - IMGP8945.jpg
5 images - IMGP8974 - IMGP8978.jpg
3 images - IMGP8961 - IMGP8963.jpg
3 images - IMGP8891 - IMGP8893.jpg
2 images - IMGP8903 - IMGP8904.jpg
6 images - IMGP8968 - IMGP8973.jpg
4 images - IMGP8946 - IMGP8949.jpg
3 images - IMGP8964 - IMGP8966.jpg
2 images - IMGP8900 - IMGP8902.jpg
3 images - IMGP8905 - IMGP8907.jpg
3 images - IMGP8916 - IMGP8918.jpg
4 images - IMGP8702 - IMGP8705.jpg

flickR album link ::: click here
feal free to use all the them, no copyright, no watermarks

As the topographic map was not very precise, the site is builded in stairs of 2,5m. The height of buildings is rough as well.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Photos bonus ::: Parc Güell under the rising sun.
3 images - IMGP8217 - IMGP8219.jpg
5 images - IMGP8183 - IMGP8187.jpg
8 images - IMGP8190 - IMGP8198.jpg

flickR album link ::: click here
feal free to use all the them, no copyright, no watermarks

Back in Dessau

2009-05-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Students,

It was great seeing you in Barcelona!
I hope you enjoyed as much as we did. We will be in Dessau next week to
see your inbetween results. This will be the last time before the midterm
review june 3rd. I hope you can make some progress till next week. I encourage you
to explore the opportunities of the design techniques to full extent. Make yourself a time plan. Organize the time for model making right now, order time at Mr.Schuellers Lasercutter, 3D printer etc. Remember that having a model is a must this sememster.
Post your most recent results so we can comment on them.

All the best, and see you soon..

Matias del Campo

Visit Modeling Lab Sagrada Familia

2009-04-28T22:39:00.000-07:00

Today 9:20
Here is where we are going to meet for the Visit at the Sagrada Famila Modeling Lab:

Visit Mediatic Cloud9

2009-04-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

tomorrow 28.04.09 morning we have a scheduled visit to the construction site of the Mediatic by Cloud9:

We meet at 10:00am

Carrer de Roc Boronat 117
(cross sterret: Carrer de Sancho de Avila)

Metro: Red Line, Glories

Dear Students,

See you tomorrow!

2009-04-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Students,
as I saw in your itinary you will start your city walk tomorrow afternoon at 13h. So I would suggest we can meet at the main entrance to the Park Guell at 16h. Is that allright for you? We can check out Gaudi there and then visit the site in the park, and after that go for a coffee somewhere..
All right, happy to meet you in Barcelona and have a save trip...

Here is where we are going to meet:

2009-04-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

Skin - 4

2009-04-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

Skin - 3

2009-04-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

Skin - 2

2009-04-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Skin - 1

2009-04-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

Other try-out

2009-04-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

Some other experiments

2009-04-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Remeshing and more

mahmud_before optimization

2009-04-26T04:09:00.001-07:00

Living organisms optimize themselves according to a specific situation, location and climate. Here are few radiolarian images of the project before optimization. The project ( structure, form & space) could be optimized according to 2 principles: 1) physical condition of park Guell, topography & specific functional needs 2) climatic issues : such as the thermal condition of the green house which could be determined by the help of softwares like ECOTECT ( if the studio permits).
Then the form and space will optimize according to the output of ECOTECT and specific functional needs.

Progress in the design...

2009-04-26T02:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Students,

thanks for posting your results. It seems like all of you are getting more and more familiar with the TopMod Software. Now its time to apply this knowledge and start working on a design proposal that will become your final result for this semester. I think that most of you gained enough control over the software to achieve various surface and spatial conditions. I would suggest two things: First out together the program you have to fulfill: It is a Butterfly House and Bar combination. Here is an example of what Sandra and I mean by that: http://www.palmenhaus.at
It does not need to be the same size as the example, can be also smaller.
Second: Build the site in 3D and start modelling right on top of it, so you get a better feeling for it. We will visit the site together next week when you are around. Don´t forget to bring your Cameras along!

For those who want to start modelling right away, this is the site: http://floralobsession.blogspot.com/2009/04/site-location.html
and here it is also marked in the topographic map:

icosahedron/shell

2009-04-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Alice_Concept (Description of my Project)

2009-04-24T04:28:00.000-07:00

clau. Work up to date

2009-04-24T03:14:00.000-07:00

soccerball/curled

2009-04-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

soccerball/shell

2009-04-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Park Guell Topography ::: Work in Progress

2009-04-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

Park Güell Topography (original scale 1:1000)
64-70 Avinguada del Coll del Portell

more information here
Catalan website.

Alice_Itinerary update after last meeting

2009-04-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

Direction for getting to the centre from Airport by bus:

The bus is called the "Aerobus" - and they stop just in front of every terminal in the airport and they leave every 5 or 10 min to Plaza Catalunya which is the very last stop. The ride takes about 40min and costs around 4,5euros. Please check out your stop.

Suggested Meeting Point and Time on 27th May

13:00 @ Sant Jordi Diagonal Hostel | Av Diagonal 436, Entr., 2ª

we will start with city walk in the afternoon

(Matias and Sandra, when and where should we meet you? )

According to the last meeting, many of us are interested in going to Zaragoza together. Below is the bus schedule on 30th April. It's the cheapest way getting to there. The bus station is Nord coach Station.

https://www.alsa.es:443/portal/site/Alsa/

Alice_physical model exploration

2009-04-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

After the study of 2D penrose pattern, I am trying to investigate how the 3D structure is organized. Moreover, how the deflation behaves in 3-dimensional way, I am very interested in the first image, but I haven't figured out its logic.

Firstly, I made physical models to explore, and meanwhile, I am learning how L-system can generate the pattern via the code and how to modify in order to generate something else. Following website shows some possibilities

http://www.cgl.uwaterloo.ca/~csk/software/penrose/

I have made rhombus in different scales and try to put them together following the rule of deflation happens in 2D penrose....unfortunately, holes will form and I am not sure how to solve or deal with this situation.

Matias and Sandra,

Actually, I can see the coherence but still not so sure how to combine this with my last project. Especially, how to integrate this idea for the studio project this time. I want to find out the structural and material aspects of this geometry before implementation. I hope to answer questions like,

what are the advantages of using this component?

What is the architectonic meaning?

What is the ornamental quality of this component?

How does it behave and generate its own form (part-to whole relationship)?

hope to hear your feedback

thx, alice

soccerball

2009-04-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

tetrahedron3

2009-04-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

tetrahedron2:looking for enclosure system

2009-04-21T07:52:00.001-07:00

tetrahedron/flower

2009-04-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

dome

2009-04-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

Site for Butterfly Pavilion, Park Guell, Barcelona

2009-04-20T23:50:00.000-07:00

Avinguda del Coll del Portell 64

Park Guell, Barcelona

The site is actually between Avinguda del Coll del Portell 64 and 74 and is basically a high rock that thrones over Barcelona. Check also out the blog entry from the Students in Barcelona: http://floralobsession.blogspot.com/2009/04/site-location.html
It is the site marked as B, the trapezoid. I will post images of the site as soon as possible.

Please commence working on your project asap on this particular site. You may need to draw a plan of the site based on satellite images from google earth. Also try to find a topographic map to make clear which kind of height differences are present on the site. The entire site is sloping from north to south towards the street below.

Also I highly recommend to build a 3D model of the site to better understand the topographic conditions as well as potentials for the design of your Butterfly House.

As we discussed the program will be a combination between Butterfly House and Cafe/Bar. An example for this combination is the the Palmenhaus in Vienna. Here is a a link where you can see a bunch of images of the ancestor of your project: http://www.palmenhaus.at

Time to start designing on the site!

Keep posting your results so I can evaluate them,

Good luck,

Matias del Campo

2009-04-19T05:59:00.000-07:00

beginning to experiment with stretching and pulling structure starting from a single source to imply a physical movement used to create the form. this is beginning to give the impression of a tensile structure without a support frame

mahmud_monocoque structure

2009-04-18T04:25:00.000-07:00

The intention here is to explore the possibility of monocoque structures using topMod +Maya. Primarily I have taken the structural morphology of radiolaria as a source of inspiration : its structural pattern, propagation, formation of 'thorn', 'needle' & 'spine' whenever it is required , thick struts & thin mesh and so on....

The 'thick strut' of the project could be made of fiber composite material which is used in bulkhead construction of ship building . The 'thin mesh' (membrane) could be made of ETFE foil/ cushion.

hooks

2009-04-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

soccerballX:looking for some layers....

2009-04-17T07:55:00.001-07:00

2009-04-17T04:31:00.001-07:00

Latest Postings

2009-04-17T03:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Students,
first of all thank you very much for posting the results of your explorations so far. I would ask you to please also describe the process and the potential result of your explorations in a bit of text. It makes it also easier for you to understand your own projects in a discoursive environment, and to develop a langauge to describe your project. Consider it also part of the task this semester to understand how you describe your project, not only with visual means of representation but also with language.

All the best,

Matias

cubeW

2009-04-17T01:43:00.000-07:00

icosahedronX

2009-04-17T01:40:00.000-07:00

cubeY

2009-04-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

cubeM

2009-04-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

Alice_Quasi Crystal Study

2009-04-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

Clau. First excersices

2009-04-16T04:13:00.001-07:00

This are the first approches in Top Mod. My intention is to create a core(s) and an envelope departing from one component and throughout a process of different remeshing methods. In the process many layers can be created and therefore, each of them can have different functions: structure, enclosures, skin, and so on. I must say that these are the first attempts and I am still looking for the "successfull objects".

Combined Geometry ::: Part 1 ::: Model 10 > Model 20

2009-04-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

Combined Geometry:
Model 10>14

Model #10 + Model #11: link
Model #12 + Model #13: link
Model #14: link

All screenshoot and high resolution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alecboivin

Combined Geometry:
Model 15>20
Model #15 + Model #16: link
Model #17 + Model #18: link
Model #19+20: link

All screenshoot and high resolution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alecboivin

mahmud_remeshing 3

2009-04-14T02:35:00.001-07:00

Clau. Jugendstil

2009-04-14T00:34:00.000-07:00

I started my studio project reading about Art Nouveau, an art movement of the end of the 19th Century and begining of de 20th. I post a summary of the information I got, for whom is interested to read about it. Of course you can find much more information and images on internet. My next which begin Today is TOP MOD excercises.

2009-04-12T21:40:00.000-07:00

Core Experiments:
Continuation...

mahmud_remeshing 2

2009-04-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

Basic Geometry 002 ::: Model 06 > Model 08

2009-04-11T11:33:00.000-07:00

Basic Geometry:
Regular Polyhedron

Model #06: Soccerball
Model #07: Icosahedron
Model #08 part1: Tetrahedron
Model #08 part2: Tetrahedron

All screenshoot and high resolution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alecboivin/sets/72157616560396332/

Alice_Excursion Itinerary

2009-04-11T04:44:00.000-07:00

Hi, everybody! I guess it's better to make use of the blog!

This is just an initial attempt for organizing the excursion trip, so nothing is absolute! I am collecting flight schedule and accommodation information from everyone (please write me back if it needs to be updated). Later on, I'll add contact method of each one, so that we know how to find each other over there since we will arrive on different dates and stay at different places.

It's also a reference for everyone to have a brief idea what you can see in Barcelona. It's would be great if you have more interesting spots and we can exchange ideas. Zaragoza is another city west of Barcelona, which held an Expo last year. I may go for a day if it works out, welcome to join me.

I suggest meeting on Tuesday 3pm (as Monday is still holiday) at the studio to discuss more in detail and other arrangements. Besides, in case anyone has questions about Topmod and Maya. We can talk and help each other out. Please leave your comment no matter you can come or not.

Happy Easter. alice

Alice_In-between Process/Topmod

2009-04-11T04:20:00.000-07:00

Still searching for ways of creating openings and topological space, meanwhile observing the effects on space.

To be continued...

p.s. currently, also working on the study of Quasicrystal.

remeshing_mahmud

2009-04-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

Scultures by Bathsheba Grossmann

2009-04-10T05:06:00.000-07:00

Real Metal, Plastic, 3D Laser OR SNOW Scultures by Bathsheba Grossmann
for more detailed photos, 3d models and instructions visit his website here

2009-04-10T04:01:00.000-07:00

TOPMOD:
First try-out:

Probe - Haus: This drawing is an attempt to create closed spaces.

Diatom-1: Trying to follow the nature of the Diatoms

Seed - 1 and Seed-2: Two Different attempts to create forms with a central core

Probe-Haus ^

Diatom-1 ^

Seed-2 ^

Seed-1 ^

First Post ::: Regular Geometry ::: Model 01 > Model 05

2009-04-09T13:39:00.001-07:00

Basic Geometry:
Regular Polyhedron

Model #01: Cube + Cutting Edges
Model #02: Cube + Octahedra Extrusion
Model #03: Icosahedron + Handle
Model #04: Dodecahedron + Rind Mod.
Model #05: Octahedron + Colum Mod.

All screenshoot and high resolution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alecboivin/sets/72157616560396332/

High resolution:
Model #01 // Model #02 // Model #03: // Model #04: // Model #05:

Surface Grammar Course Synopsis

2009-04-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

DIA Dessau Institute of Architecture
Advanced Architecture Studio

Prof. Matias del Campo & Sandra Manninger

Surface Grammar
- the intricate relationship between surface articulation structure and affect.

The Park Guell Greenhouse.

Synopsis

Surface Grammar explores the opportunities present in the morphologies of surface articulation as point of departure for the design of architectural conditions. Inherent qualities such as spatial subdivision, components, organization, structure and circulation form the ground for a variety of speculations on architectural conditions. The sensorial and spatial experiences co-notated with the manifold qualities of contemporary, algorithm driven intricacy, starting with their topological qualities to the distribution of components and patterns forming the structural body, are scrutinized for their architectural qualities and incorporated in a project.

The speculations are casted in a project that serves as proof of concept. To get to this point the course relies heavily on computational design tools. The application of topological mesh modeling softwares as well as Algorithm driven, scripting techniques will result in a manifold of projects based on the same set of rules. Finally the projects are presented with a set of, common ground, architectural representation media.
The project will be a Greenhouse for the Park Guell in Barcelona.
A site will be provided for the design.

Studio Outline:

The studio comprises of three elements:

1: Discoursive Research
2: Speculations on opportunities in the outline
3: Design Elaboration

It is encouraged that the students visit the Advanced Technology Electives in order to elaborate an expertise in advanced design tools, and techniques, which will be applied in the Studio, such as Maya Fundamentals and digital fabrication techniques (Lasercutting, 3D printing, CNC milling etc.)

Design Process:

1: Finding an external and internal logic for the establishing of the Surfaces geometry
2: Subdividing and/or populating the surface
(Part to whole, whole to part relationship)
Aspect of Geometry and design sensibility
3: Establishing a material and manufacturing logic
Laser Cutting, Milling, Vacuum Forming
Research aspects, understanding and evaluating advanced forms
of architectural articulation
Evaluation of geometries is relation to varying manufacturing
Processes.
Material aspects (Manuel de Landa, Gilles Delueze)
4: Reevaluating the Initial design
5: Manufacturing of a part of the surface in specific scale
(scaled artifacts) depending on availability in the DIA.

Lunch Talks:
The studio will include a series of lunch talks. Lunch talks are brief introductions into specific issues of the studios culture such as Design Rigor, A Brief History of Digital Design, introduction into Biomimicry, Advanced Fabrication Techniques, Vagueness and Spatial Conditions, Critical Design Culture, Topological Spaces in Architecture….

Blog:

Part of the studio culture is the application of ubiquitous communication techniques. The studio Blog serves as hub for information on the design task. Interesting sources on discoursive issues as well as technical questions concerning the design tools are also available on the Blog. It is highly encouraged that the students participate in the blog in order to create a basis
for the speculations present in the studios environment. The Blog also serves as communication tool with Prof. Matias del Campo.

Digital Design Techniques

Throughout the history of computational design techniques we can perceive the presence of one specific desire: the desire to create seamless continuous bodies as well as sleek and unarticulated surfaces. In this course we are going to tackle this problem with a different approach, opposing the before mentioned desires, and embarking on an exploration of the surface grammar. This explorations of the countless variations; of possible, in depth articulations of the surface, offer novel insights into possibilities of spatial differentiation, structure and form. This three components, differentiation, structure and form, can be read as archetypes of architectural conditions, simultaneously unfolding in novel spatial experiences trough the use of advanced computational design techniques that enable us to explore other geometries.1

The Greenhouse

Royal Greenhouse Laeken - Brussels 1874
The main task of the course will be the creation of a Green House on the premises of the Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain. More precisely, the studio will focus on one specific type of greenhouse: The Exotic Butterfly House. This example of greenhouse can be found on the premises of the Hofburg in Vienna, or the Faust Park in St Lois. This task serves as a launching pad for a multitude of ideas on issue such as surface geometry, internal logic and subsequent form. The systematic investigation of a series of geometric conditions contributes to the array of opportunities within the surface grammar.

What we perceive, or understand as a surface grammar, can be described as the means to generate all the valid strings of a specific surface language; it can also be used as the basis for a recognizer that determines for any given string whether it is grammatical (i.e. belongs to the language). To describe such recognizers, formal language theory uses separate formalisms, known as automata.
A grammar can also be used to analyze the strings of a language – i.e. to describe their internal structure. In computer science, this process is known as parsing. Most languages have very compositional semantics, i.e. the meaning of their utterances is structured according to their syntax; therefore, the first step to describing the meaning of an utterance in language is to analyze it and look at its analyzed form (known as its parse tree in computer science, and as its deep structure in generative grammar).

In this sense we are using geometry as the basic grammar of the surface explorations. To rigorously investigate this condition the course relies on a contained set of geometrical rules, or strings of information. This container is formed by specific tessellations. In general a tessellation refers to a system of
Repetitive plane figures that can fill the plane without creating overlaps or intersections, they can do that also in higher dimensions. In this course we will
apply techniques of delamination to achieve the three dimensional expansion of the tessellation. This two conditions form the rules of the surface grammar:
Tessellation & Delamination. These two conditions alone can create a thriving array of variation.

Which brings us to the second set of the Syntax. In a second cycle the students will explore how surface populations can be formed. The created components that comprise elements of the Greenhouse can be read in varying systems. On the one side they can follow the rules of aggregation created by the chosen tessellation system rigorously, repeating the conventions of the mathematical rules. On the other hand they can also explore what can be described as geometrical artifacts. Errors in the tessellation systems that can result in spontaneous, surprising geometric conditions unfolding in novel formations. The characteristics of these novel conditions are expressed in subtle variations within the matrix of connections between the components. These subtle, open-ended, variations of the angular vocabulary of the projects result in differentiated, continuously expanding spatial articulations. Despite the fact that the project is of small scale,
the scale of a Greenhouse, the appropriated rules can be translated to any given scale, providing the students with a set of planes of thinking that enables them analyze and tackle architectural problems from any given perspective.

An interesting example of delamination technique, the delamintion process is applied both as structural system as well as spatial articulation. (Cast Iron Bridge, Central Park NY)

Population thinking

Another aspect of surface populations can be the theoretical implications present in the idea of Population thinking, as formulated by Gilles Deleuze2 and propagated by Manuel de Landa3, the Mexican Material Philosopher. As the task asks for a specific population of components, the planes of population thinking can be applied. This plane of thinking will be valid in this semesters approach in a twofold way: On the one side we have the before mentioned geometrical constraints of the project, consisting of Tessellation and Delamination.
This set of rules generates a high variety of possible populations in any student’s projects. Nonetheless this population of varying project Originators, are under evolutionary pressure, so every one of these possible projects needs to pass this pressures. This can start from performative issues (does it fulfill the goal of the conditioning a space for specific botanic specimens, how does it perform as an as architectural space?) to geometric pressures (is the geometry clean, is it possible to get fabricated?) The second part of this population thinking is observed in the response of the singular component to the allover population, or number, of elements. i.E. How does the aggregation of components, forming a population, act as a whole.4 Aspects of the whole to part
And part to whole relationships form a layer of discussion within the conversations on population thinking.

An interesting example of Part to Whole relationship, comprised of highly articulated, intricate components. The individual components for the seaweed like appearance of this wrought Iron Gate at the Palau Guell in Barcelona, Spain. Architect: Antonio Gaudi

Sensibilities,

The Surface Grammar includes a specific aspect that offers the challenge of contemporary sensibilities. Part quantifiable special effect, partially non-quantifiable affect; the topic of sensibilities can be plotted on the charts of contemporary atmospheres. These atmospheres, comprised of intensive forces that form the ground for the design, find their main trajectory on the grounds of proportions, chromatic effects, transparency, opalescence and the qualities of curvilinear bodies. Entering uncharted grounds, it is difficult, if not impossible, to predict the results of these explorations into the realms of sensualities generated by digital environments and computer controlled machineries.
In a way Sensibilities refer to an acute perceptions of or responsiveness toward something, such as the emotions of another. This concept emerged in eighteenth-century Britain, and was closely associated with studies of sense perception as the means through which knowledge is gathered. In this extent it can be considered as a plane of thought on the multitude of opportunities present in computational design to conceive emotionally responsive conditions generated by form and surface condition. In the Surface Grammar, the aspect of sensibility performs as a nonlinear way of perceiving intensive forces, and it will be interesting to add these conditions to the syntax.

This cast iron Balconies of the Hotel Guimard in Paris demonstrates an exquisite example of specific curvilinear sensibilities. Design: Hector Guimard.

1: The implications of this plane of thinking can be read in the essay Other Geometries by John Rajchman. John Rajchman, Constructions, The MIT press 1998, P. 91 – P .108

2: Gilles Deleuze, Difference and Repetition, translated by Paul Patton (New York: Columbia University Press, 1994)

3: Manuel de Landa, The use of genetic Algorithms in Architecture, 2001

4: See also: Manuel de Landa: Virtual Environments and the Emergence of Synthetic Reason, Manuel de Landa in Virtual Futures, Cyberotics, Technology and Posthuman Pragmatism edited by Joan Broadhurst Dixon / Eric Cassidy, Routledge 1998