Inspiration for Plan

Zaha Hadid's Riverside Museum:

PLAN

 SECTION

Modified version of the Riverside Museum, intertwining the plan numerous times in order to create a spanning structure (to act as a bridge).

Jorn Utzon's Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House inspired the implementation of arches into the university bridge, reinforcing the theme of a curvaceous, smooth-flowing structure. 

Mashup of Engineering Articles

Bridges have long captivated public imagination, their bold and dramatic contours boldly defying gravity as they span harbours, valleys, rivers – even oceans...[they] represent a substantial communal investment [and] understandably bring a sense of pride for the towns, cities, or nations they help connect and grow. The balance, though, between artistic design and sound structural engineering is delicate, for nothing quite defines a skyline like these massive projects. [Integrated within this equilibrium are the aspects of efficiency, with significant consideration towards performance and cost].

[Aesthetic design cannot be permitted to outweigh structural stability such that modern bridges are in danger of failure. For example,] over ten percent of the bridges that we cross on our outing are deemed structurally deficient...The American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. roads a grade of D-minus. Research says that one-third of those roads are substandard, and a quarter of our bridges are falling apart...Of the 607,380 bridges included in the [latest U.S. civil structures report], 20,808 are judged to be fracture critical, meaning that they have no structural redundancy. If just one component on a fracture-critical bridge fails, it puts the bridge at risk of immediate collapse. [The occurrence of natural disasters may further trigger critical failure].

[As technology continues to advance,] it is possible to simulate real-life disasters on the 3D model and visualise how a particular structure is responding to the disaster effects. Such simulation enables greater learning of the environment to create a suitable maintenance plan, or in the event of an actual disaster, it allows emergency responders to be more prepared and be able to deal rapidly and effectively with emergency situations.

How much will it take to bring these iffy bridges up to snuff? A mere $3.6 trillion by the end of the year 2020 ought to do it; [but is this worth the burdensome economic constraint? Structural engineers must conduct research and calculations with precision and caution in order to reduce the possibility of failure but still provide aesthetic pleasure to viewers.]


References

Gianluca Lange, "Making cities more resilient in the face of natural disasters," The Star, http://www.thestar.com.my/Tech/Tech-Opinion/2013/10/16/Making-Cities-More-Resilient-in-the-face-of-Natural-Disasters.aspx/ (accessed 20 May 2014).

Richard Read, "US Bridges need $3 Trillion in Repairs, Study Finds," The Christian Science Monitor, http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2013/0919/US-bridges-need-3-trillion-in-repairs-study-finds (accessed 20 May 2014).

Jon Walton, "Bridging the Gap: Aesthetics and Infrastructure," Digital Construction, http://www.constructiondigital.com/architectural_design/bridging-the-gap-aesthetics-and-infrastructure (accessed 20 May 2014).

THEORY OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

This mashup of 3 articles reinforces the over-arching theory of structural analysis and design of a structure. The theory implies that any engineering structure must satisfy the functional and structural aspects of design, possess a sufficient degree of performance, a reasonable economic budget and should be aesthetically attractive. The purpose of structural analysis and design is to enable the architect or engineer to design the most optimal structure with regards to strength, stiffness and stability without taxing the aesthetic and economic factors.

Essentially, the theory revolves around these indicators of efficiency:
- Performance/Safety
- Utility
- Economic
- Time

Experimenting with Moving Elements in Lumion

Below are two snapshots of a bus and a man travelling on my Lumion landscape. 

The first image shows their initial positions with respect to the mountainous environment.

The second image exhibits the final positions of the Lumion 'objects' after travelling in a straight line.

Preliminary Lumion Landscapes for Experiment 3

For Experiment 3, I have been inspired to create two landscapes on Lumion 3 with relation to my home country, Indonesia.

Therefore, my first draft landscape resembles the Gunung Rinjani (shown below).

A preliminary, rough attempt at emulating this environment is exhibited in the screenshots below:

My second draft Lumion landscape attempts to replicate the Gunung Semeru, illustrated below.

A draft Lumion landscape of Gunung Semeru are portrayed below.

Final Submission of the Experiment 2 Monument

ELECTROLIQUID AGGREGATION QUOTATION:

"Not only does creativity bless materials and structures with emotion and expression, it also evokes power into architecture".


Below are five Fraps screenshots of my Google Sketchup Monument within a Lumion landscape:

1. The void space in the rectilinear component (shown in image below) triggers an emotional response in the viewer as it is an empty area in an otherwise full monument, leading us to question whether problems have occurred structurally. However, it is situated there as a lower meeting point for clients and guests.
The use of a dark texture on the walls of the void space highlights strength as black is commonly seen as a 'heavy' colour (as opposed to white, which is seen as 'light').

Therefore, this void space has been strategically placed in order to invoke a certain expression/question from viewers whilst also providing an aura of strength.

2. The slanted curvilinear element has been coated with a 'wave'-like texture and resemble ripples of water, which symbolise unison, relaxation and conjures a soothing aura. In the shot below, a miniature beach is situated at walking distance from the monument and this proximity emphasises the theme of ripples and hence, emotional freedom and relaxation.
Ripples are not only soothing however, they can also build up into colossal surges of great power. This notion is also evoked through the relationship between the curvilinear element, the textures on it and the beach setting.

3. From the shot below, the slanted surfboard-like object protrudes through the two cantilevered beams of the curvilinear component, providing a vital support for an otherwise shaky construction. This element justifies the electroliquid aggregation concept of creativity (of the object itself and its placement within the monument) whilst also conveying stability and power (through the reaction forces it provides on the beams).

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Inspiration for Textile Designs

Coop Himmelblau's Martin Luther Church Hainburg

Coop Himmelblau's Dalian International Conference Centre

Coop Himmelblau's JVC New Urban Entertainment Centre

Antoni Gaudi's Casa Batllo

Antoni Gaudi's Mosaics

Links to Relevant Experiment 2 Dropbox Folders

Lumion 3: 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ihag49l4096eu3q/ijlFOCTKd3

Google Sketchup Model:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ujycox7xgk21o2r/le7YBaIMJq

Textures Used on the Final Experiment 2 Monument

TEXTURES USED ON THE MONUMENT

Medium texture: This pattern symbolises organic forms, which are in abundance in Antoni Gaudi's Casa Batllo. The use of this texture is fairly subtle in the monument as it is located at the bottom/base of the rectilinear structure. This texture is situated at the base as it is a connecting point with the natural environment, connecting the built and natural environment. Essentially, the base of the rectilinear monument has been 'stamped' by nature. 

Light texture: Like the texture above, this one is simply a lighter symbol of organic forms in architecture. When considering exposure to sunlight for the rectilinear component, the top and all facades of the structure receive a solid amount, resulting in the use of a lighter texture than the one above. 

Dark texture: This texture is utilised minimally within the sandwich-type element of the curvilinear component. The pattern evokes radical approaches and thoughts, which portrays Coop Himmelblau's creations.

Light texture: This one is essentially a lighter version of the texture directly above, but is in more abundance on the monument (along the outer surface of the sandwich element). By considering shadows, this lighter texture is applied more due to the exposure of the outer and inner surfaces to sunlight. 

Light texture: This 'squiggle' hints to the curvaceous methods that Coop Himmelblau employ into a lot of works, especially the Martin Luther Church Hainburg, which inspired this light texture. This pattern is draped over the surfboard-type element in the curvilinear monument. The 'squiggle' resembles a ripple of water, maybe along the ocean, that the surfboard is riding.

Dark texture: This series of 'scales' are located within the interior walls of the rectilinear model due to the consideration of sunlight (where this area receives scarce). The texture hints to the theme of uniformity and symmetry, which is pivotal to many of Antoni Gaudi's architecture. This theme is suitable with respect to its placement in the monument as each of the walls that this texture is applied to has axes of symmetry (and thus, a degree of uniformity).

 Light texture: This is the most dominating texture on the monument as it covers essentially the entire curvilinear structure. This arrangement symbolises intricacy within the boundaries, resulting in dynamic but stable outcomes that Coop Himmelblau strive to achieve.

Images of Google Sketchup Model for Experiment 2 Final Submission

For the final submission, screenshots of my Google Sketchup model are exhibited below:

36 Custom Textures for Experiment 2

These 36 textures explore the contrast and graduation from light to dark. 

Series of textures above are inspired by Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, specifically its unique spires.

The textures above highlight the intricacy of Coop Himmelblau's extensive range of work, where the firm pushes beyond conventional boundaries by creating complex, difficult but extremely successful architecture.

The textures above reinforce the idea of intricacy in the works of Coop Himmelblau. Not only are they complex, but they are also radical and dynamic-not afraid to transcend convention. With the construction of unique, awe-inspiring architecture, Coop Himmelblau often amalgamates organic and rectilinear elements seamlessly and is subtly hinted in the textures above. 

The series of textures above are inspired by Antoni Gaudi and his magnificent Casa Batlo. These textures emphasise organic and curvilinear forms, which are aplenty in Casa Batlo.

A theme that appears in a majority of Antoni Gaudi's works is uniformity, which evokes cleanliness and clarity to the architecture.

The textures above mimic the curvaceousness of Coop Himmelblau's works, which imply smoothness and relaxation. This series is inspired by Coop Himmelblau's Martin Luther Church Hainburg. 

Image Captures of Lumion Landscape Using Fraps

18 Sketch Axonometrics

This post contains 3 sets of axonometric drawings, consisting of both curvilinear and rectilinear components, where the addition of two axonometrics combine to create a monument.

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(Axonometrics below on the right are additional)

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(Axonometrics below on the right are additional)

       

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(Axonometrics below on the right are additional)