This physical model was created in collaboration with Nicholas Malyon, Leonardo Quinones and Oliver Petrie @ UTS Sydney.
The model was used to describe the project Bondi Train Station (HEX) for the UTS Graduation Show INDEX (2011). It involved digital modelling in Rhino 3D, horizontal slicing, collection, nesting, laser cutting, and assemblage. The proposed Bondi site model is made from varied ply types which was intended to create variation in colour and surface treatment for the surrounds. The scheme was cut from 3mm white card and painted a matt white. All cutting was done by KINK Studio .
MA Architecture project in collaboration with Nicholas Malyon, Leonardo Quinones and Oliver Petrie @ UTS Sydney
The Hex building project proposes a new train station for the suburb of Bondi, Australia. In doing so we considered the train station as an architectural type, its effect on a location like Bondi, and the future of beach suburbs in Sydney as a whole. Our scheme provides a train station for a new speculative Bondi of increased density providing fine grain market and civic functions that allow temporary and permanent activity for local residents. The scheme provides a new public space within Bondi that creates an additional focal point to that of the iconic beach.
As of 30 June 2010, the Population of Sydney was 4.5 million. With the projected population set to reach approximately 5.5 million by 2026, and 7 million by 2056 the western sprawl created by the CBDs close proximity to the coast will become an even less sustainable solution as commute distances increase and with it congestion. Congestion is expected to cost Sydney $7.8 billion by 2020 by the COAG review of urban congestion. Strategies of densification within Sydney must be considered in order to reduce congestion through public transport and create a balance between live / work distances, property prices and access to resources.
While we feel a train station for Bondi would naturally create an increase in visitors, it would have a greater influence on its residents. Currently Bondi experiences an influx of up to 4,000 people a day at the weekend during the summer, increasing its population of 10,400 by almost a half. The extreme fluctuation of population results in transient uses of its space across daily, weekly and seasonal cycles and program that favors the more economically extravagant visitors. These functions then provide little use for residents and experience unsustainable reductions of income. The proposed station provides support functions for the increased numbers of local residents. Fine grain market and civic spaces facilitate temporary and permanent program to adapt to local demand.
The introduction of a station would activate property market forces driving prices up as demand increased further. Our future scenario of Bondi is one of a semi autonomous hub, part of a connected series of high density beach suburbs, and linked into the existing city rail network. Testing of line positions within the ground of Bondi and our treatment as the station as a transit station led to placement of the station within the built up area. This allowed us to explore the introduction of a public square into the centre of Bondi and with it a potential for an additional focal point to the beach. This would create a new charged zone between the beach and station via a selection of pedestrian routes. Connection to bus stops into the corners of the square and circumnavigation of vehicles to surrounding streets allows the central space to be an uninhibited pedestrian precinct.
New transport and its potential for increased density can enable new living and working opportunities next to the beach. In doing so we have taken a polemic approach to the introduction of a station within a new context, removing the political conflict that has so far restricted its progress.
The incorporation of underground train line into a sunken public square has been introduced to create a continuous public space mixing station, markets, civic and surrounding activity.
Investigation of space filling geometrical systems led us towards the use of the Truncated Octahedron. Its suitability for the project arose from an initial analysis of market typologies, and the potential recognised for both market and civic functions to occur within its faceted geometry. In order to create spatial variation and add scalar differences into the fabric of the scheme an extra layer of complexity was applied through a deformation of the base geometry grid. This was in response to movement of people from the surrounding activity spaces as well as residential fabric.
Strategies of erosion were explored through digital experiments utilising bottom up local agent behaviour, to carve out space based on top down decisions of cellular hardness. The erosion of space filling geometry allowed creation of articulated space around islands of activity. Vertically the geometry dissolves to form undulating surfaces and cavities within the surface to allow light to flood into covered spaces. Our intention was to provide explorable spaces of different scale, mixing different types of market functions to achieve a market in two parts but of equal importance.
The transition from square to train is such that users do not have to wait underground. Instead they can enjoy the square and markets knowing that they can make it to the train as it arrives.
The erosion of the geometry allowed creation of articulated space around islands of activity. Vertically the geometry dissolves to form undulating surfaces and cavities within the surface to allow light to flood into covered spaces. Our intention was to provide explorable spaces of different scale, mixing different types of market functions achieving a market in two parts but of equal importance.
Ground floor activity is integrated and different spatial conditions are created through changes in scale, sight lines and light qualities.
The station, square and markets work in harmony providing a place to relax, play, shop, and wait for transport. Vegetation and water are intended to soften the space creating an attraction in itself. Within the market the user can experience different spatial scales, and undulation of the timber surface. Different scaled market units work in amongst space for informal activity to take place. Over head the lit pixels swarm off towards the edge of the building, leading users into the surrounding pathways, to activate other temporary street activity.
Towards the North and South of the scheme the edges of the space packing geometry reads as an uninterrupted edged box, softened through a surface treatment and fenestration into the civic functions. The hard exterior of the edge has contrast with the timber treated market and square material language. The new Public Train Station of Bondi creates a new space that balances the extreme pull of the beach, and in doing so activates a new densified fabric of the beach suburb allowing residents of Sydney and Bondi to live and work next to a beautiful beach.
“Animate Networks” is the re- imagination of the Mill Owners Association Building by Le Corbusier in Ahmedabad. The project is conceived through three interconnected spatial journey experiences, configured through a self-arranging system of programmatic desires and cinematic narrative structures. Synthesis of the projects ambition is achieved through the form found interaction and turbulence of strand components, influenced by an codified field of internal and external forces.
Revisiting The Records by Chrisbamborough on Mixcloud
I recently got my old vinyl from the UK digitally recorded so decided to have a trip down memory lane using Ableton Live to make a mix. A couple of extras were thrown in there as well but I promise I do have the Clash on vinyl!
Summer Oz Mix 2007 by Chrisbamborough on Mixcloud
I was previously using Sound Cloud for posting mixes but they have reduced the minutes available for subscriptions. Instead I’ve tried out Mix Cloud, here’s my first mix there.
+ http://thestudiosessions.co.uk/?
+ http://winksound.com/pages/ableton
+ http://createdigitalmusic.com
+ http://www.musicsoftwaretraining.com/
+ http://musicproductionvideos.blogspot.com/
Check out more of my other bookmarks at DELICIOUS
++ I do love a good list, and here are five.
+@chrisbamborough/architecture
+@chrisbamborough/skateboarding
+@chrisbamborough/music-production
FOLLOW ME @ chrisbamborough
Boxes are 3-Dimensional Rectilinear Geometry objects. They are a sub-type of BReps or Boundary Representation Objects. In Rhino, BReps are understood as Solids. In Grasshopper, Boxes can be operated upon as both Box and BRep types – see groupings of components in definition. Box geometry is a primitive 3D data type. Unlike the ON_BoundingBox class in OpenNurbs, box primitives can have any orientation in world space. A Box is defined by a Plane and three numeric intervals. Box parameters accept data in multiple formats. When confronted with any kind of non-box geometry, the world boundingbox of that geometry will be used to instantiate a new Box. This Box Primer constructs a box and operates on it as both a Box and BRep object allowing user interaction as well as generating live visual feedback.Grasshopper | Boxes Introduction
I have been reading up on current visual technologies and have been impressed by the work being achieved with projection mappings. This technology involves the fitting of projected images via multiple light sources onto surfaces to achieve dynamic three dimensional animations. The effect can be extraordinary and aim to appear to create new space from existing flat or textured surfaces.
Possible uses
Projection mapping can be used to alter the appearance of a surface and space and can additionally include data / information within the mix.
I am currently working with the polymedia pixel and have been thinking about how image sources could potentially be contained within the media pixels and project onto other surfaces within the space. Alternatively an image could be projected into a field of media pixels to create the appearance of the image surface.
Advantages / Disadvantages
A very useful aspect of projection mapping is the ability to augment actual space without the need to alter the architectonic. However it is mainly a visual effect and without human audience participation it is limited in its impact.
As part of the studio Computer = Architecture run Hank Haeusler of Urban Aid I have been looking at the XBox Kinect. The Kinect interprets 3D scene information from a continuously-projected infrared structured light, this structured light involves the projection of a predetermined pattern of pixels onto objects.
The unit combines an RGB camera, depth sensor multi-array microphone sensor to track full-body movement and the users’s voice to enable advanced gesture, facial and voice recognition. The Kinect is capable of simultaneously tracking up to six people in order to allow interaction with Xbox games.
Whilst the ability to control movement in games is interesting it is the opportunity to develop applications through a non-commercial Windows SDK that has Architects interested.
The SDK can access;
• Raw sensor streams: Access to low-level streams from the depth sensor, colour camera sensor, and four-element microphone array.
• Skeletal tracking: The capability to track the skeleton image of one or two people moving within the Kinect field of view for gesture-driven applications.
• Advanced audio capabilities: Audio processing capabilities include sophisticated acoustic noise suppression and echo cancellation, beam formation to identify the current sound source, and integration with the Windows speech recognition API.
With the opportunity to manipulate the working of the Kinnect somes some interesting possibilities. The motion detection capabilities of 3D structured light provide the potential to map all people detected within it’s field of view. If this is increased a crowd of people could potentially be tracked to measure human density, or use movement to inform another output device.
Still my favourite skateboard company … (Blog | Stereo Sound Agency | Stereo Skateboards)
Being a student means that I’m currently not able to stump up for Max4Live, instead I’ve been looking at midi scripts in order to access the Live API, still not sure what’s going on but found this very good resource (via Quick Tip: Enhance your Ableton Live Experience with MIDI Remote Scripting)
Keep coming back to Frederic Brodbeck’s graphic style for my presentation work, his project “Cinemetrics” is a great example of seeing through a style 100% in every aspect of the project.
At least someone was spending their time constructively. Field recordings of the London riots.
I managed to get to this years Serpentine Pavilion whilst over in the UK to see Peter Zumthor’s only UK project to date.
First impressions were mixed as the scheme breaks from a fine history or interesting formal / facade designs. This year the form is a monolithic black cube that contrasts with the surrounding parkland blocking out the Serpentine gallery from the road.
The pavilion employs an enclosed colonnade which offer changing levels of light, this feeds into a central garden courtyard. The darkness of the entry produces a stunning effect as your eye has to get used to the light of the courtyard. The garden is an enjoyable experience offering an alternative nature experience to the grass park, and surrounding seats provide great conditions for contemplation or friendly commune.
Although formally this years pavilion lacks the punch of previous years it shows an enquiry into materials with Zumthor’s interesting combination of ply and hessian textiles. The monomaterial of the architecture purposefully aims for anonymity in order for the garden to achieve maximum impact.
My only disappointment is that the sound quality produced by the hard surface of the pavilion is very poor and fails to create a space of serenity, talking voices reverberate to produce a sometimes annoying layering of noise.
Of all the pavilions I have experienced at the Serpentine it is the first to employ all the senses in it’s conception, in this respect it is a sophisticated, controlled and expected approach by Zumthor.
Whilst working on our strategy and geometrical research Rasmus and I have been learning the computer language Python to programme in Rhino. We intend to programme an emergent logic into the planning of our scheme which will hopefully result in multiple and unexpected solutions. As our rules increase we expect the convergence of spaces to create an optimised outcome. This is script arranges spaces manifested as spheres into an arrangement based on desired floor areas and connection strengths according to programmed journeys. We intend to elaborate on the programme to realise a circulatory path based on journey, programme relationships and changes in pressure / use. Another work in progress.
Friday saw the second assessment for the Computational Environments studio and was a presentation of concept development. The main aim was to communicate the development of our concept form strategies and show how they are being translated into coding intelligence. The feedback pointed towards the weakness of our diagrams and clear understandable spatial relationships which as a result are holding back our formal logic. Frustratingly there was a bit of confusion from the panel in how we were using the original schemes our briefs were drawn from. It became evident that they felt we should spend more time analysing the precedent of the Mill Owners Association Building to see what Corbusier intended and learn from it. This goes against the studios intention to use the building simply as a brief, with our own digital explorations allowing a different scheme, rather than working along the same lines of 20th century space forming techniques. However in order to know what we are trying to beat, we do need to analyse the precedent. There were a few things we urgently need to address, - Initial analysis of the building (why we chose our recombinations) and what we intend to beat, we touched on it but did not show the rigorous exploration. This would also introduce other aspects of the site in which to introduce later. - User journeys rely to strongly on programme divisions creating segregation and homogeneity : we need to look at narrative in relation to architectural devices or splice the journeys up to mix casts. - Our sequence space catorisation is confused and the resulting conceptForm does not achieve what we want, a diagrammatical analysis of the sequences in the original building should give us a better understanding of how we can use it to create a robust strategy. We also need to be much clearer on what our sequence space concept will achieve for us and make sure we are not forcing a weak idea. - As our diagrams are not yet working our resulting coding intelligence is not yet ready meaning that we are currently coding simple aspects such as length and space. We need to look at emergence theory and look at a spatial logic for each user narrative, through the coding of simple agent choices we can hopefully expect complex relationships to develop rather than a basic packing arrangement as we currently have. Opportunities - Create geometries for each journey and allow their mixtures to control material transfer. - Design of a strand that can achieve multiple material conditions and performances.
I’ve started a new studio run by Dave Pigram of Supermanoeuvre at UTS and its aim is to project alternative architectural futures by redesigning the modern masterpieces. The point of departure for the studio is to attempt to rectify the unnecessary dissociation of serious formal research and provocative programmatic and/or performance based enquiries. The studio as a whole will aim to realise architectural design through the programming of emergent behaviours through Python programming in Rhino and to realise these in the real world through physical prototyping. I have partnered up with Rasmus Holsteren and we have chosen to review the Mill Owners Building by Le Corbusier. Our first move was to analyse plans and model the building to understand its spaces, the ultimate goal was to create an exhaustive area schedule for the building as is, and try to understand some of the strategies Corb employed. From the analysis we felt that he was really interested in the users of the building (workers, Mill Owners, and the public), the route through the building (entrance ramp/promanade/roof) and the playing with inside/outside spaces.
I’m going to be starting a new design studio in March which will look to re-imagine a modern “masterwork”. To prepare I’ve been looking at the below buildings. Showing images of the buildings is a bit misleading as the studio is concerned with understanding the theory, concepts and strategies involved in the architecture in order to re-interpret their forms using algorithmic design techniques and computational strategies. The studio is being run by Dave Pigram who is one half of the architecture/design practice Supermanouvre. Seagram Building La Tourette First Unitarian Church Rovaniemi Library Neue Nationalgalerie