BRIEF

This project indicates a dynamic way of expanding from a flat surface into a fabricated system. The whole system shows different situations of density, which forms various spaces inside and outside. This dynamic system includes components, skins, structures and illustrates a smooth change in the fabrication of architecture. Users would treat this not only as constructed object but also as an integral enhancement of the site. Our concept "Symbiosis" in a way reflects this very phenomenon. This project begins with an investigation into topological surfaces, different modules will be developed that could function both as surface and structure. The developed modules will allow for numerous connection combinations which enables behavioral characteristics within the system including, bending, torquing, flipping, splitting, and lifting by alternating component connections/ units and scale in order to adapt to various site parameters like user density, sun, wind, precipitation and noise. At some parts components morph into flat panels which merge with the ground. This will allow the system to act both as floor, wall, and roof, while blurring the lines between these conditions.

INTERVENTION

Our intervention will be a path through the park linking different uses. These uses will be walking, cycling, skateboarding, lounge area’s indoors and outdoors. This path will be a three-dimensional spatial structure that is shaped/molded/wrapped/warped according to the use. The structure will be interactive with its environment and its users. The primary task of such a structure as providing a sense of semi-enclosed space for people, alone or in groups, to feel comfortable while sitting, eating, transiting, conversing and/or reading along it. Linkages are conceived to allow for almost constant spatial experience when switching from one path to another. The user is in a state of constant arrival to the same destination repeatedly and this view is mediated and controlled by the imposed view angle of the space, enclosure, openings and speed of motion. While performing the intervention, we need to take into account few other factors as well, like:

[exploring the design, rules and functioning of a multi component system in detail]

[exploring temporal structures]

[creating a place of linkage within the urban void]

[instrument for activating the present landscape]

[material/component re-usability or extension after completion of structure's life cycle]

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SITE ZONING BASED ON ACOUSTIC, WIND, CIRCULATION LINKAGES, FUNCTIONAL FIELDS

MULTI-COMPONENT SYSTEM RESEARCH

PATTERNS AND GEOMETRY

We experiment with patterns which generally find references to the nature. A self-organization pattern as the one we will use is dynamic and gets developed over time. Based to the principles of self-similarity (the fundamental principle of a self-similar structure is the repetition of a unit pattern on different size scales), we can create a structure which theoretically can be extended to infinity and to adapt to every site.

PARAMETERS

For our project we are collecting two kinds of parameters.

To create our structure we are collecting parameters from the site and its environment. We are using the average value of the wind and sun seen over a year. Further we collect information from the existing pathway and linkages.

The parameters for our components are real time collected. We will place sensors on our components that will collect information which will be directly processed.

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INTRODUCTION

There are two branches in physics that were explored separately in this stage.

Kinematic is a branch that studies different movement of body parts in relationship to its joints without considering the external forces that are needed to activate the movement.

Kinetic is a wider branch in a sense that this branch is concerned with not only the motion of bodies but also the forces needed to cause motion. In the case of architecture, kinetic can become very complicated. Computerized software and hardware will then need to be synchronized to achieve this goal.

METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

FOLDING

As a generative process, folding architecture is an experimental system. The relationship between each crease, fold, score, and cut give an infinite possibilities for form and function. Origami is the traditional Japanese form of paper art. This basic system is only using mountain folds (fold up) and valley folds (fold down). When origami changes to a larger scale, folding is no longer applicable. We then use rigid sheets and hinges. In this case, it is not required for the structure to start as a flat surface. This branch of origami is called “rigid origami” also named “Deployability”.

HYBRID SYSTEM

A Hybrid system is the integration of two or more different systems which otherwise have not been previously used within a single system. In the rest state, the material has no structural capacity, however, when in a pretension form through geometric formation the material works as a structural membrane supporting its own weight. Pre-tensioning the material changes its property and helps to store some energy which can later be used in correlation with various mechanical actuators. As a result, the exchange communication between the material, sensors and actuators creates a dynamic hybrid system with emergence behaviour.

EVALUATION AND PROPOSED METHOD

The System Branching

This diagram explains the methods and techniques that will be applied though out in order to achieve a “Responsive Kinetic System”. As previously noted, there are two different categories that will be examined. First, a Structural Responsive System capable of shape change in response to various functional needs. Second, an Environmental Responsive System that transforms based on several environmental conditions. These two categories are studied simultaneously on separate explorations. Eventually, these two systems will merge as collective behavior; performing and complimenting each other as one compound system.

MODULAR PATTERNS

Knowing the strategy within simple patterns, we move onto more complex patterns. Modular patterns are usually asymmetrical; however, the patterns consist of smaller modular components that can be repeated on the surface. Modular patterns can be deployed to form different volumes while remaining as a surface when retracted. Due to its triangularity,

twisting and deformation is not visible at this scale. Modular patterns have a smaller ratio of expansion in the X and Y axis, however, they make up for it due to their greater volumetric expansion. From experimenting with the paper model, it seems that these patterns have the potential to control expansion independently from each other’s axis.

COMPLEX PATTERNS

The second type of patterns are the complex patterns which can be considered as difficult patterns when folding due to the variety of repetition from ridges and valleys from one point its immediate neighbour through faces. Once folded, the transformation of the surface is more difficult to control and to predict.

After exploring different patterns in this category, it becomes the most interesting due to the intricacy of the surface and the volume that it creates. Starting by holding the two sides, we can expand the surface by pulling it apart and at the same time create surface curvature on the other two sides. Its very flexible and deployable in nature. The only difficulty which we came across is the connection to the adjacent components.read more >>

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

From all of these pattern explorations, we selected a pattern. Using the concept of rigid origami, paper folding is replaced by rigid surface panels and joints for greater force resistance and structural integrity. To test this, larger scale models are required.

This MODULAR pattern component was chosen due to its expendability, control points, modularity, and the ability to create volume. From our previous hypothesis, it is important to check the expansion depending on X axis and Y axis. Because this surface transforms from a surface to a volume, we can conclude that it exhibits high potential to generate architectural spaces.

Positive aspects:

1)Independent control on each direction resulting in more form possibilities.

2)To control local displacement, 2 actuators per component are needed.

3)Non-triangulated elements increase the possibility of non-planar elements.

Negative aspects:

1)Complex system connections irrespective of simple local actuation principles

2)Integration