DETAILED DESIGN

PART C

C.1. DESIGN CONCEPT

C.2. TECTONIC ELEMENTS AND PROTOTYPES

C.3. FINAL DETAIL MODEL

C.4. LEARNINGS OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

28 DESIGN CONCEPT

The design is developed even further during this phase. The design now is not just a cocoon-like structure that surrounds a tree and function as a canopy the the users who stand under it. However, it became a stucture that directly interact with the users through their senses (sight and touch)

The design is a cocoon tree that evolves around a tree which allow the users to explore the tree from a different perspective that is above the ground and under a tree by climbing and crawling in the structure. It projects the surroundings view through the openings of the structure. The design is intended to enhance the relationship between people and nature by projecting the nature through the combination of the use of nature itself and technology.

Nature is very important on the site as they are preserved in the surrounding area. Also, they are used as the material for the labyrinth which is bluestones1. These are the reason why I incorporate a tree near the labyrinth as the area is well-known, often visited by people and structurally load-bearing.

Furthermore, the use of technology is used in the design to achieve the form of the cocoon. It is inspired by the cocoon structure of Zaha Hadid’s Chamber Music Hall. However, instead of having an opened cocoon, the structure is now enclosed but the skin creates the openings for the cocoon.

the cocoon tree

DESIGN CONCEPTC.1.

FIG.1: MERRI CREEK LABYRINTH (PHOTO: METANIAWATI LIMANTO)

DESIGN CONCEPT 29

PROPOSED TREEPROJECTED VIEW

PROJECTED VIEWPROJECTED VIEW

30 DESIGN CONCEPT

DESIGN CONCEPTC.1.

design development: kangaroo

Kangaroo is used in the design development to achieve its form. This technique is different to the Part B’s design proposal as this one only used one curved that is lofted and blown by Kangaroo to achieve the hollow section. The main iterations are on the pressure level and stiffness of the mesh. Also, there is a point attractor that affect the height of the loft.

DESIGN CONCEPT 31

form finding

1005

The curve of the tree projects to different views of the surroundings. The curve also consider the branches of the trees to ensure its load-bearing capacity able to hold the load. Then lofted to a certain height so that after it is blown by grasshopper, it can create a space where people can go in.

32 CASE STUDY 1.0

TECTONIC ELEMENTS AND PROTOTYPESC.2

The cocoon tree mesh then divided to a few segments to act as the structure of the form. The structure is made of hexagonal elements that is formed by the kangaroo. Each segment is one meter apart to give te structure form flexibility as each hexagon will be connected by using circle notches, top and bottom plate, and rope. The rope gives the structure flexibility to allow movement and openings.

design development: kangaroo

CASE STUDY 1.0 33

The structure is made of hexagonal segments which are connected to the top and bottom structure by using notches. Each of the noches are unique due to the different angles and positioning of the hexagonal elements.

34 CASE STUDY 1.0

TECTONIC ELEMENTS AND PROTOTYPESC.2.

The fabrication process used MDF board. Each elements are prenumbered and stacked to increase the speed of production. Without the ropes or strings, the structure is not rigid enough to stand by itself. The rope does not work only as the skin of the form, but also as the connection for the structure to hold them together.

CASE STUDY 1.0 35

36 CONCEPTUALISATION

TECTONIC ELEMENTS AND PROTOTYPEC.2.

This is a picture of the prototype in 1:5 scale. I hold it as if I act as the tree. Some of the hexagonal segments will be tied to the branches to lift the cocoon up above the ground. The ropes also allows flexibility of the tree to grow as it does not block the branches.

The hexagonal segments was first meant to be steel structure. However, during the presentation I was suggested to change the material as it is too heavy to be holded by the tree.

Moreover, the hexagonal segments could actually be more organic such as a circular form and the ropes does not have to be connected in ordered.

CONCEPTUALISATION 37

38 CONCEPTUALISATION

The final model is developed from the previous prototype. After I did some research, I would like to use timber as the structure as it is lightweight, durable after some treatment and enhance the concept of nature in the design. The material allows the cocoon tree to blends in with the nature.

Furthermore, it is held up to the tree branches using steel rings and steel cable. This will allow the structure to stand and hold the loads.

FINAL DETAIL MODELC.3.

the cocoon tree

CONCEPTUALISATION 39

40 CONCEPTUALISATION

C.3.FINAL DETAIL MODEL

:: OVERALL PROCESS :: DETAILED PHOTGRAPHS

CONCEPTUALISATION 41

:: FINAL MODEL

42 CONCEPTUALISATION

C.4.LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

This subject has taught me so many things. It made me realise that the combination of design and technology has a lot of things to offer. Design computation may brought the future to present as the unlimited possibilities can be achieved.

IDuring the design process, I learnt a new way of approach in designing like how a computer or a program could work with my own parametric combination. How a simple things could be done differently and becomes very fast with the use of parametric.

The thinking behing the construction process also lead me to a more realistic design. Having this task makes me realised that not everything can be build. Every types of connections and materials has their own characteristics. Each of them works differently.

CONCEPTUALISATION 43