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      • Quantum Point Cloud Workshop - Spring 2011: Feb 25th - March 15th

      • Author
      • By: Nimish Biloria
      • Date
      • 25.02.2011
      • Keywords
      • design + build, parametric design, genetic algorithm, Quantum Design, fabrication, Nanjing University, hyperBODY, Msc1, Msc3, full-scale pavilion
  • Quantum Point Cloud Workshop
    Collaborative workshop between HyperBODY TU Delft and School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Nanjing University
    Spring 2011: Feb 25th - March 15th


    HyperBODY is invited to give a parametric design & fabrication workshop at School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Nanjing University (NJU), China. Students from HyperBODY's MSc1&3 program are embarking on this intensive 2-weeks workshop trip, where, together with students from NJU, we will design, fabricate and construct a full-scale pavilion at the NJU campus. The workshop is lead and directed by Dr. Nimish Biloria and Ir. Han Feng from Hyperbody.

    Workshop underpinnings:

    This workshop aims at creatively fusing parametric design approaches and subjective design inputs. Parametric design approach, as for its accuracy and efficiency, has been widely implemented in advanced architectural studies for deriving relational logics embedded within complex geometries. However, beyond such strictly defined parametric routines within the computational domain, certain aspects such as subjective thinking/abstraction and intuitive opinionating of formal/aesthetic qualities cannot be easily parameterized and broken down into logical sequences of reasoning.


    The workshop will thus be focusing on how to adopt subjective design intuition based reasoning within a parametric design environment by setting up open-ended parametric design questions, which have multiple rational design solutions. An evaluation process, which ranks the priority list of these multiple solution spaces and helps designers to visualize solution sets which are selected and further processed by individual will also be introduced within this workshop. A collaborative relationship can thus be envisioned between a designer and a design algorithm that synchronizes the strength from both entities.


    As a design + build workshop, a set of cost, time management and fabrication constraints will also be introduced to the students. The constraint of cost and time management will be converted to control parameters such as total volume, surface area and volume count and will be visualized at all times in order to direct the student's design decision making. The fabrication constraints are tackled with a genetic algorithm based solution that optimizes machine tool path so as to ensure an economic production of designed components based on the chosen fabrication machine. This synergy between problem solving and exploration oriented design strategies may very well address a new design paradigm; Quantum Design thinking, which advocates the construction of non-deterministic design algorithm that interacts with designers to deliver creative design outputs.


    As the title of this workshop states, students will be working around a 3D point cloud as a real-time interactive interface between their design concepts and the final built form. The design concept shall be centered on user behavior (physiological and psychological), interaction routines, social behavior as well as ergonomic data pertaining to the physical body. The students are encouraged to make abstraction for the concepts as regards movement, scale, patterns, function, structure etc into 3d curves and/or surfaces, which will serve as the generator of a redundant quantum point cloud, which will be later on converted to a 3d Voronoi system for further selection. The concept of redundancy, as an argument to direct translation between design concept and output, provides opportunities for reflecting on initial design concept and releasing creativity in a way that is not coined within the initial concept. During this exploration - selection process, students will be supported with global parametric constraints to make their design development practical. The entire design process can thus be understood as blurring a crystallized design image and then re-create design solution on top of a vast probability field. This workshop is based on hotwire cutting of EPS material. In total, we will be using 35 cubic meters EPS. A grasshopper definition is prepared to automate the machine tool path optimization and drawing, which will be explained to students in detail.

     

    Cutting path projection based on case study

     

    Tool path sequence

     

    Selection tool interface