Assignment 3 - Grasshopper Definitions

Definition Images:


Without Comments:








With Comments: 

Link to definition.

Assignment 3 - Digital Model

Iterations:

Final Model:

Assignment 3 - Physical Model

 The physical model is a series of horizontal sections through my form, laser cut into roughly 520 pieces held together using a series of struts, then stuck together to create a contoured version of the final structure.

Flat-Form:

Construction Phase:

Final model:

Assignment 3 - Poster

Poster:

Text Transcript:

Idea

My original study was into the cross-over between reactive architecture and topography, which led me to explore such forms as the Aegis Hypo-surface and the Water Pavilion at the FreshH2O eXPO, which react to the movement of the people in and around them. I decided to create a large roof structure, similar to an enormous shade-cloth, that would react to the paths of people walking through it. After much experimentation, mostly exploring how the roof form could be created in such a way as to react to the occupants, I designed the system which is described below.

In the laser-cut model, this dynamic reactivity was virtually impossible to achieve, so I chose a path for the roof to react to and inverted the relationship, so the roof defines the path of the occupants, instead of vice-versa.

 

Process

1.       A theoretical path is established over a random arrangement of reactor points. The path is based off four control points and can be dynamically shifted at any point in the process.

2.       Each reactor point is examined and the distance and direction to the line are used to create movement vectors that push each point away from the line, with closer points being moved a greater distance than distant ones.

3.       A regular grid of points is placed over the reactor points, and then shifted vertically in accordance with its total distance from all reactor points. Thus, points further from the reactor points are shifted higher than those close by, creating an undulating form with a ridge-line along the path. Two-dimensionaly

4.        

Result

The resulting shape, unintentionally, resembles a cloth draped over a series of poles, with the poles along the path being taller. From a top-down view, it looks similar to a voronoi diagram, which, upon reflection, is unsurprising, given the process used to generate it.

The path, when viewed from under the roof, is quite clear, and while it does not completely restrict movement outside of the path, there is a sense that the spaces along the path are public, while those off the path are more private.

Implementation

I chose the site opposite The Domain for this installation since the structure I was attempting to create was not a particularly tall one, nor did it serve a definitive function such as office tower or shopping mall. The roof serves to define a space that can be used for many different purposes, such as a place for markets, an exhibition space, or even less formal uses such as a skate-park or playground.

The intention behind this was to create an area that, through its flexible and dynamic usage opportunities, would renew cultural and community interest in the area in more ways than any single-purpose building could. It also extends out over the road, with the hope that this will germinate interest from passers-by in the structure and its current purpose.