Solid & Void
Generating Ideas through Process.
Focused on developing grasshopper skills to uncover new potential designs. Comprised of two parts, panelling a waffle structure and generating solid and void 3D prints.
Surface and Waffle
The surface and waffle component introduced me to parametric modelling and its capabilities. The matrix to the left shows the exploration I had with the grasshopper script. Notable explorations where taken when creating the surface via the arch component. I wanted to explore how lofting between two different and opposite curves would look. I also experimented with the waffle structure, making it be homogeneous with the surface by adding curvature to the z contours. When it came to panelling the model, the vertical nature of the structure was a crucial element I wanted to explore thus the sharp element of the modules used. However, there was issues with making these extreme shapes thus a more rational approach was taken with the panels. Each row varies depending on the direction that is encouraged. This exploration of direction in facade as well as a smooth transition between modules in each row, combined using the dispatch component created a directional focused facade surrounding a curve based waffle. The end product can be viewed in many scales, either as a building standing upright or lying down it could be a entrance way to a subway station or tunnel. It could also be a soffit lining to a pavilion as shown in the opening figure.
Curves was the main concept behind this model. Initially however, the exploration was focused on loft between straight lines. I then modified the script to create arcs instead and this started to create some interesting surfaces. I decided in the end to look at double curvature with the surfaces and the result had a strong relationship between the two surfaces. Moving to the waffle structure, it seemed wrong to have straight edges, so the curves concept was again applied to the contours. The panelling of the surfaces was aimed to focus on the verticality that the structure and this is shown in the photography to the right. In order to provide this emphasis, I had a gradient in modules up and on the opposing side it was down to provide a contrast between the two sides. The shape used to panel itself is focused on verticality and how a shape morphs from a 2D geometry to a substantial 3D geometry.
Solid and Void
This section of the module was exploring and learning how to 3D print in an exercise focused on the relationship between solids and voids. After an initial test print to gain an understanding on the process of 3D printing, I wanted to explore how a sharp triangulate geometry could be cut out of a solid. I looked at this with different scales of objects and different 3D grids. The second iteration produced a few small openings and this provided great interest as well as the interplay each of the planar surfaces had. In the end, the exploration created a fragmented cube which has been explored through photography to see on different scales what this shape could be. From a street facade providing shade to pedestrians or to secluded meeting spot, this block has created many possibilities for a design. I utilised one of the voids in my final module to experiment with this idea.
