Modeling

I took a day off work today to get the computer modeling done since the drawing for Tech 2 took me longer than expected.

I have chosen 6 concepts from the 20-something that I generated and am working on modeling them in more detail for the presentation. Once I get the first one done it will go pretty quickly as they are all based on the same components. There is also a lot of radial arrays in the model so I generally just have to model one section and rotate it another 5 times.

I am using paper tubes for the skeleton similar to Shigeru Ban's paper designs. I have made a wooden block out of a truncated equilateral tetrahedron (I think that's what it's called) which the paper tubes are joined to with a metal rood going down the centre connecting them. The roof was going to be similar but that may change. I like the detail of a roof Richard Rogers did for an airport, which I may incorporate into my designs.

Having read through the handout Ruwan gave us on presentations I also chose some sentences to sum up my design before I got too much into the details of my concepts. It actually did help me in that I have been refering to these sentences as I have been designing the details.

The temple design uses different arrangements of a modular system of parts to create concepts appropriate to different situations and contexts. (create join design, glazing, solid panels)

Each design reflects a response to it's unique situation. (choose other designs and finalise)

The temples provide a calm, tranquil space for residents of para/site, whatever district they may be in, to meditate or sit quietly in.

The materials used in the concepts reflect the need of users for a serene quiet environment. (paper/bamboo, roof - ?timber, bamboo, leaf, )

Each temple fits within only one gride space, taking up minimal room.

The temples provide a space free of distractions from life outside. (minimal interior, views only of river, etc)

I have also been thinking about the presentation layout. For the first page I will have all of the concepts shown in isometric in a grid, kind of like that image keeps coming up of the designs for Parc la Villette. Then each page after will be dedicated to a different concept, the hero image being a rendering showing the design in context. I may also have a page for the different modules that make up the design, not too sure yet as I'm still thinking about what I will put on the slides.

Image below shows the detail of the joining block. Also the Richard Rogers roof. A bit of chamfer will make the block detail look good but I think I remember there being an easy way to do that in Max.

(our dog is OK now, she gets the bandage off on Thursday)

Still to Come

I had planned to finalise my designs this afternoon so I could work on the presentation without worrying and start thinking of the model. I thought I would take my dog for a walk first but she tore off a nail when it got caught in a gap in the footpath and split a major blood vessel. I have spent all afternoon (and $250) at the vets and cleaning my car, clothes, carpet, towels.. and not started on my design yet. Looks like another late night. At least the dog is OK. My wife and I had planned to go out for dinner as well.

I think I have most of the basic design work done though. I still have to think of a hanging version, but apart from that it's coming along OK. After todays tute, instead of going straight into details of the designs I will plan the presentation and that should give me the drawings I need to produce, since I won't have the time to produce anything I am not going to use.

If you ever find yourself with a lot of blood you need to clean, just use cold water, no soap, and never hot water. Hot water and soap and cleaners make the blood coagulate and then it will be there forever. A good tip from the vet.

Bunch of Temples

Some OK some not so 

Good. Need some details. A

Lot of work to do.

Variations

Some simple variations on the initial concept skeleton just using mirrored instances in Max. The idea may work but I think I need to develop the skeleton more. Maybe my design should just use the skeleton with options of stretching a fabric over them or glazing or something else. The temples could be made up of different variations on arrangements of skeletons with interchangeable add-ons to create shelter, entrances, windows etc. 

Still not sure how I would make the skeleton. Bamboo or paper rolls with metal joins like Shigeru Ban's design may be a way. Or they could be made of folded metal. This decision is probably a good one to make now...

Moving

I had an idea after seeing this TED video of Theo Jansen to give my temple concept the ability to move around the site and adapt itself to each site/situation. I played around with some ideas for moving crab legs on the temple and being able to squish itself to fit in different places. With only a couple of weeks to go though it would not work. I need to make some variations on the initial concept. Similar to the what Ming Tang did in the designs below.

Multiple Temples

I haven't posted here for a while due to the Arch and the City project getting drawn out longer than I thought it would, I was hoping to finalise all of this last weekend. My design will be now be 6 different versions of my temple concept. The temples will be spread out over the site with different neighbours and different situations.

Temple 1:

Hanging under the roof structure of the retail neighbourhood, which contains, I think, a retail space and a bar.

Temple 2:

Also in the retail space (shopping must be stressful to put a bar and a temple with the shops) the second temple will sit on top of part of the retail section. 

Temple 3:

The third temple is in the health neighbourhood. It will be next to the spa and the rehab centre. As this neighbourhood is in the river, Temple 3 will be a floating temple.

Temple 4:

This temple will be in the entertainment precinct, most likely hanging onto the side of one of the levels of the water park.

Temple 5:

The fifth temple will be perched on top of the gallery in the education/cultural area.

Temple 6:

The final temple will be balanced in top of the Storey Bridge.