Queen Victoria Garden Pavilion
The creation of Computer Aided Design has allowed digital models and technical drawings to be much more precise for architects and engineers. In Scheurer’s Parametric Space, he discusses the three principles of Computer Aided Design (CAD); Abtraction, Reduction, and Normalisation. Abstraction is the process of representing reality as closely as possible while using the least amount of time, materials and steps to achieve it. Reduction is the repackaging and reorganising of information in order to make effective use of storage and transportation through the ‘elimination of redundencies’ and ‘optimisation of descriptions and processes.’ This concept then relates to Normalisation, which refers to duplicates or repreated information that may lead to complications with the modelling process. Therefore, it is noted that some redundencies during the modelling process can be intentionally kept while ensuring consistent update to avoid these issues. These principles and techniques are explored in this project through my pavilion design, Crystal Cove.
Site Formation
Matrix Development
Iteration Matrix
Decisions for the final design were made for the structure to appear organic and random, but still kept clean and retain some kind of pattern. Using principles of biomimcry, I based the overall design on geodes and crystal caves. Hence, I decided on using two types of diamonds as the basic geometries to work on as they appear more like organically formed objects in nature in comparison to pyramids and cubes. Next I decided on the placement of the connection lines and centre points in Wasp. I adjusted some geometries to connect with each other from the middle, while some were attached at the edges, corners, or slightly offset faces. This is manipulated to achieve the pavilion’s dome shape. Finally, I manipulated the various factors, including centre-point sizes and rules for the most optimal shape. To finish, I made four randomised clusters following the same rule to use as seating around the platform.
Isometric Model
Isometric section model
The key idea of my drawing is for the structure to resemble a crystal cave, and aims to show how this is achieved through the many different alternations of the ‘crystals’. The key elements, defined by the individual diamonds vary in shape, scale, and rotation. The way these geometries are aggregated allow more flexible circulation and light travel. To create the isometric drawing, I first made the pedestal in Rhino with a cylinder, then created the clusters with wasp using a simple code. Using the clusters as experimental subjects, I developed the code further in order to manipulate the scale, connections, as well as the rule, thus creating the main structure. To finish, I executed Make2D in Isometric view before exporting it into an Adobe Illustrator file for line weight and scale adjustments.
Circulation and threshold models
Lasercut model
The method of lasercutting is chosen for the typography of the site as the layered effect can better demonstrate the slope of the site. In addition, it will save more material and time overall since it requires less time to cut boxboard compared to printing out of HIPS or PLA. This makes assembly easy as it only needs to be stacked. This part will be made with 3mm boxboard, which can also be an advantage as it provides a flat surface on top for the model to sit on.
3D model
The 3D print fabrication method is selected because of the complicated and random aggregation patterns of the design. 3D printing enables better accuracy in terms of creating the geometries of various shapes and sizes. It also allows easy assembly in comparison to other fabrication techniques like lasercutting. Aluminium is selected to produce the model so it can stay close to the original design. The pedestal on the other hand is printed seperately with HIPS so there is a distinction between the platform and the main structure.
Textures
For my design, I have selected grainy concrete, and reflective aluminium for my materials. The grainy concrete adds extra texture and colour to the surfaces, which increases realistic effect. Aluminium is chosen for the pavilion as the seatings underneath the sun can absorb heat during the day while the ones under the shades can stay cool, which can cater to different needs. In addition, the reflective surface of the aluminium plays with the lighting, which work together with the many gaps in the structure to light up the interior of the structure. To create the UVW maps, I first applied Enscape textures to them, added the masks then unwrapped the objects. Next, I used the UV editor to adjust the surfaces to line them up and appear seamless and connected.
Processed images
To create these images, I used objects in the Enscape assets menu to build the scene by adding people in the background, as well as adding objects like bushes, trees, flowerbeds, and benches to reflect the actual site. To expand on the trees and bushes, I analysed the site on Google Earth and made adjustments to the different scales in order to make the overall result more realistic. Then, I manipulated the whole site by adding a photosphere with a view of Queen Victoria Gardens and adding grass, as well as tweaking details like clouds to reflect the real conditions of the environment. Since the majority of the site is rather empty and repetitive, I waned to hide most of the empty horizon with the pavilion, while only accentuating the interesting features like the palm trees. The first three images depict the seminar taking place at the pavilion in the morning, while the latter three show the musical performance in the evening. In Adobe Photoshop, I adjusted the opacity and mask hues to better fit the atmosphere, such as making the saturation higher, lowering contrast opacity, while tweaking the shade to a warmer one for the morning views.
