Interpreting Nature by Digital Tectonic

• Main Authors: Yi-Liang Ko, 柯宜良
• Other Authors: 陳珍誠
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/83487657796169520162

碩士 === 淡江大學 === 建築學系碩士班 === 102 === Continuing advancement in design media has produced many new ideas in architectural design and fabrication processes. De Architectura states that architecture should satisfy three standards, Firmitas, Utilitas, and Venustas. The digitalization of design leads to significant improvement only in Venustas. 3D operations on a screen are in a dematerialized and zero-gravity environment. As a result, many scale-free and conceptual architectural designs are generated, with no reference to Firmitas and Utilitas. In view of this, this study begins by reflecting on new digital design media, and finding solutions for the problem of setting up a complete and rational process from digital design to fabrication. Different dimensions of “digital fabrication” are explored. The present study focuses on three areas of digital fabrication: constructability and fabrication methods, material and structural behaviors, spatial experience and poetic expressions. The study returns to the human scale for the convenience of investigating the constructability of digital design. There are two main directions of study. One is to combine digital design with nature - observe forms in nature and use digital design to interpret it. The other is to consider digital fabrication and poetic expression – search for the meaning of digital fabrication through different fabrication methods, materials, and the created spatial experiences. In the early stages of design and development, parametric modeling of Grasshopper and its plug-ins are used to interpret “nature”. Such a maneuver surpasses intuitive simulation of natural forms. Instead, it starts at a microscopic scale, for example, the study of the logic of generation of natural forms from configuration at the tissue and cell scale. Utilizing the advanced functions of digital tools in deriving geometric figures, the aforementioned natural forms and existence can be connected with the underlying rules of generation, providing the key to integrating digital design with nature. Through these approaches, it is possible to achieve “representing of nature”. At a later stage of design, three pavilions with different rules of configuration and forms are developed based on outcomes in the early stage of the study. With the help of CAD/CAM software and hardware, models shown on a computer screen can be constructed in reality, thus achieving “digital fabrication”. This study combines digital design and digital fabrication. With the help of digital design media, the possibility of incorporating nature into digital design and fabrication is explored on a true scale. With “representing of nature” as the design approach and “digital fabrication” as the bridge between modeling and construction, the gap between visual design and actual construction is re-examined and questioned in a complete process from design to fabrication. In an attempt to close the gap between visual digital design and actual construction practice, problems encountered and experiences obtained in using the new design tools are recorded and organized. It is hoped that with continuing advancement in digital design software and hardware, the aforementioned gap can be gradually filled.