Saturday, February 7, 2009

Context | Objectives




arch 352 _ design III COMPLEXITY

Monday/Wednesday / Friday 1:00pm – 4:50pm
Lectures / Workshops / Pinups/ Desk critics/ Discussion.
Location: TBA

Yeshayahu Shai shaiy@siu.edu,
Quigley hall 406 ; MW 9-12 and by appointment .

Appiahene-Agyei, Kwame; Barth, Christopher Timothy; Brothers, Nicholas Scott;
Corte, Daniel Robert; Daugherty, Rhonda Christina; Garnett, Brandon Paul; Haney, Dempson Jerry, III;
Lockhart, Derek Colby; McGregor, Mitchell Lee; Medsker, David Alan; Ogrzewalla, Adam Robert;
Oliva, David Joseph; Perkins, Gregory Austin; Wegler, Jack Louis


Course Description Completion of complex design projects in varied environmental settings. Rapidly paced projects designed to provide the maximum exposure to complex architectural typologies. Analysis of facility program toward management of complex patterns. In addition as a direct continuation of 351 context, our studio will explore the study of contemporary architectural phenomena’s as they relate to environmental settings and complex architectural typologies. Prerequisite ARC 351, 381 and major in architectural studies or consent of SOA’s director
Course Objectives
1. Learn architectural design by experiencing a series of appropriately complex architectural projects.
2. Obtain the ability to make a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of a building, building complex or urban space.
3. Apply basic organizational, spatial, structural, and constructional principles to the conception and development of interior and exterior spaces, building elements, and components.
4. Acquire an understanding of the basic principles that inform the design and selection of life-safety systems in buildings and their subsystems.
5. Reinforce the issues of sustainable design, as one aspect of the design of complex architectural typologies, through repeated application of the principles.
6. Acquire an ability to identify and assume divergent roles that maximize individual talents, and to cooperate with other students when working as members of a design team
Course load
5 Credit hour = 12 hours/ week studio time +30 hours/ week of your
Input time outside class. i.e. reading, drawings, model building etc….
Attendance Attendance is expected in the design studio at all times. Any more than one absentee will result in a grade drop per incident. An absence will be excused with documentation for; medical reasons, family emergency, etc. and student must present verification of excused absence at the next scheduled class attended. Likewise early departure/ late arrival will be considered as an absentee.If you fail to show to studio, it is your responsibility to obtain any missed information. Evaluation Grades will consider the originality and appropriateness of the idea, the project's completeness, the quality of presentation, and the effort put into the submission. Both content and presentation format are crucial to the evaluation of design projects. It is based on the general quality, clarity, and development of the design, as well as how the student and or group addressed specific issues in each new project. Evaluation of presentation will consider the quality, precision, and craft of the presentation, as well as the effectiveness and clarity of the formal presentation - this includes the verbal presentation of your work. Thus, neither merely completing all the presentation requirements, nor merely having a good idea, will be enough to achieve a good grade. Curiosity and inquiry, ability to respond to criticism, ability to generate and criticize your own ideas, responsibility, and work ethic all play a role in the evaluation process. Submission of Work Assignments and projects must be turned in at the specified time and place. Late projects with an excused absence, as defined by the university’s guidelines and with prior notification to the instructor may be accepted. Late projects with an unexcused absence will be penalized by deducting one grade for each day the project is late, including weekend days.
Grading
Writing 15% 12 blog entries
#1 20% grasshopper; GC week 1-3 Nature up close - parametric modeling
#2 25% Dfl week 4-6 Operative - fabrication and assemblage
#3 40% thematic project week 7-13 h2O
Week 13-15 Studio Installation and summary publicatio
{More about each project will be discussed in due time. }
Grading Scale 92 -100 = A; 83 - 91 = B; 74 - 82 = C; 65 - 73 = D; 64 or less = F
INC - Incomplete will be used only in exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the student and the student must be passing the course with a C or better at the time.
Grades will be given in person, usually within 72 hours of the date of submission. If you choose to contest a particular grade you must email me within one week from the date a grade was given.
Failing to comply with this time period will null your right to contest that grade.
Studio Culture http://www.siu.edu/~arc_id/Studio%20Culture.html This studio is your home for the semester, to avoid incontinences keep studio doors locked when last to leave. This space is dedicated for your use and benefit-so behave appropriately with special attention and care towards the furniture provided to you by SOA. No cutting is allowed on desktop. Cutting tables are assigned in each studio-if you don’t have one notify your instructor. Since we all share the studio space be sure to be attentive to your colleges and keep your surrounding clean. A $10.00 dollar deposit [cash only] is required to receive a key to the studio.
Collaboration and the Honor Code
<http://www.siuc.edu/~policies/policies/conduct.html> http://www.siuc.edu/~policies/policies/conduct.html <http://www.siuc.edu/~policies/policies/conduct.html>
The format of the course requires extensive collaboration with your classmates. The studio environment is the perfect setting for learning computer design skills – the “cross-fertilization” and intensity of studio will help each of you to learn from your peers and become experts in your area of interest yourselves. However when applicable, it is imperative that you complete all assignments on your own. If you receive assistance that you feel is above and beyond the call of duty, you must give that person credit in your submissions written description.
aDopt the Sooner than Later approach—asking the right questions is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT especially if you are unclear about the intentions or expectations behind any given assignment.
Required Material
Supplies 1 flash drive 2g or higher; 5 Blank CD-R , 3 Blank DVD-R
The flash drive will be used primarily for back-up and day-to-day data storage purposes. The CD-RWs will be used for graded submissions and long-term storage of your final projects. You are responsible for backing-up your own files-on. This should be done as often as possible. Always keep redundant copies on multiple disks and/or on your home directory accounts. Your name, studio, telephone number and e-mail address should be clearly labeled on all storage material.
1 NXT <http://mindstorms.lego.com/eng/Paris_Destination/default.aspx> set for the whole studio ; 1-3 Wii remote <http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/johnny_lee_demos_wii_remote_hacks.html> ; Soldering station; other electronics kits <http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/home.php> and parts;
Applied Sensors Parts and Text v2.0 <http://www.parallax.com/tabid/182/List/0/CategoryID/67/Level/a/SortField/0/Default.aspx> ; Board of Education (USB) - Full Kit <http://www.parallax.com/tabid/182/List/0/CategoryID/67/Level/a/SortField/0/Default.aspx>
Reading http://www.tigoe.net/pcomp/index.shtml; http://www.tigoe.net/pcomp/blog/archives/class_notes/intro_phys_comp/index.shtml
http://www.parallax.com/Default.aspx?tabid=362
; http://www.arduino.cc/;http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=24&cat=71&page=1 <http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=24&amp;cat=71&amp;page=1> ; and Selected ARTICLES in electronic format
Books
Architectural Geometry <http://www.architecturalgeometry.at/> - 1 copy in studio Selected books on RESERVE;
http://www.tigoe.net/blog/category/category/books/;
Erwin Hauer: Continua-Architectural Screen and Walls
Movies
Minority Report, Renaissance, Blade Runner Software Rhino, Grasshopper, Corel draw, PROCESSING, visual THESAURUS 3 months subscription
Recommended Books
Ed. ACTAR, Metapolis Dictionary of Advanced Architecture; city, technology and society in the information age.
Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software by Steven Johnson <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&amp;field-author-exact=Steven%20Johnson&amp;rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/002-3845370-6155230>
Digital ground; <http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?tid=10083&amp;ttype=2> Being digital <http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.02/negroponte.html>


IN THE INTERSECTION OF:


&


emerges a new hybrid, Eco culture — a complex form of existence with an inherit logic that befits our own digital_ being[1] <#_ftn1> .

eco __
The Eco_ logic studio will place an emphasis on design process (synthesis) and presentation (communication) of PREDEFINED architectural problems.
As such the studio work will be structured as a series of exercises/ projects, to rethink how current technologies {tools}
such as parametric modeling, physical computing and computer aided manufacturing, c
hallenge the way in which we conceive and design our built environment.
Thereby craft, as manifested through material selection, fabrication method and assembly logic,
will bare an enormous importance on our discussion.

As you can see this ‘phenomenon’ is multi- layered and hyper-faceted,
and requires one to engage in defining certain key terminology to better comprehend the magnitude of our operation.

Digital Logic 01011110 Digital logic is at the core of all digital computers, and yet it is entirely based on three fundamental operations, designated AND, OR, and NOT. Digital or binary logic has fascinated many people over the years how can a two-valued number system be the basis for the most powerful and sophisticated computers, seem astounding however the how and the why of this require some explanation. Everything in the digital world is based on the binary number system. Numerically, this involves only two symbols: 0 and 1. Logically, we can use these symbols or we can equate them with others according to the needs of the moment. Thus, when dealing with digital logic, we can specify that: 0 = false = no; 1 = true = yes.[2] <#_ftn2>
Digital Craft Craft, in general, represents an affinity between the maker and its immediate context, the environment. As such, beyond its traditional description or meaning, craftsmanship may be reinterpreted as a set of instructions combining knowledge and application, matter and tools—an operational framework for processing and re-organizing material constructs. Thus digital craft can potentially serve as a guiding instruction-set, a formalism, which merges knowledge based application with an instrumentality of material organization.[3] <#_ftn3>
Digital Culture A present condition, in which a society is increasingly dominated by digital communication and media. For us this has tremendous implication towards the design studio environment and the way in which we use such tools in the design process.
Digital Tools utilizing specific software and hardware, this course material will engage in broader questions related to technology, culture, and design.
Out PUT Digital prints, website or digital movies and 3d models using RP technology. In your exploration process make use of all tools known or acquired; still photography, digital video, illustrator, Photoshop, premiere or final cut, various 3D modeling/animation software, to create an expanding cartographic encounters that describe your idea process and synthesis.
Studio Format The design process is discussed in the studio environment and ought to be reflected through each student’s personal design pursue in the final design presentation. During studio time a combination of desk critiques, pin-ups, discussions and lectures, engage instructor and students in a constant design dialogue that allows independent and chronological increments of hands-on work and conceptual design development to flourish. Here, all design work including that of piers becomes design analysis and a method of design investigation that stimulates further design studies and independent design development.
[1] desk critiques are conversations, typically evolving around a student’s work to address independent design issues about a singular project or group of project.
[2] pin-ups are informal presentations were individual design proposals are openly presented to both classmates and instructor for critical feed back; to observe and compare your work across the classroom, to gain insightful understanding from studio interaction, and to advance your own design proposal
[3] all discussions demand that students prepare intellectually, and visually to advance the discourse of the required readings assignment and to diligently engage in a dialogue about such topics. Personal research and their relationship to your assignment or design goals are highly recommended.
[4] lectures in studio differ from traditional classroom dictation and avidly focus on question / answer much like forums that address design ideas. They will focus on studio assignments, research, readings, presentation techniques and more, and are meant to be provocative introductions to a complex host of issues.
[5] the studio blog will serve us as a platform to exchange and communicate ideas related to the studio theme.
Assignments
  1. Projects- our semester will be structured around two themes within the architectural discipline, technology and culture. Because each assignment is unique, they will be given as individual hand outs in due time. You will be expected to develop a body of work using digital tools such as AutoCAD, 3dMax, Maya, Rhino and other modeling software as well as Flash, Corel Draw, Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Illustrator. These parametric tools will aid you to express, develop and refine your ideas and from which you will carefully craft a set of 2d/3d representation [drawings] and fabricate operative [models]
  2. Writing – the studio is asked to maintain one class blog and each studio members will write one entry per week. The entry shall contain an edited text of no more then500 -words and additional materials. More on this will be discussed in studio.
SCHEDULING There are several prescheduled moments important to our semester: WEEK 3 is Field Trip week: faculty takes students on field study tours.
I am presently planning, for us, a trip to LA. More details will be discussed in studio
Unity workshop – not confirmed yet. ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM from the SIUC Undergraduate Catalog
The most basic human response to the earth’s environment has been the development of methods, which increase the probability of survival. The most obvious of these was the creation of shelters by which the impact of climate and the changing seasons could be controlled. From this simple reaction, architecture has evolved which reflects and promotes the cultural, economic and philosophical trends of our societies


Week-1 1/12 brief# 1 begins 1/14 In studio/Pinup 1/16 Blog begin
Week-2 1/19 grasshopper 1/21 grasshopper 1/23 brief# 1 ends/ Blog entry
Week-3 1/26 Tentative Field trip 1/28 Tentative Field trip 1/30 Tentative Field trip
Week-4 2/2 brief #2 begins 2/4 In studio 2/6 Blog entry
Week-5 2/9 In studio 2/11 In studio 2/13 Blog entry
Week-6 2/16 In studio 2/18 In studio 2/20 Blog entry
Week-7 2/23 Final Review #2 2/25 brief #3 begins 2/27 In studio; Blog entry
Week-8 3/2 In studio 3/4 In studio 3/6 review
3/9 Spring Vacation 3/11 Spring Vacation 3/13 Spring Vacation
Week-9 3/16 In studio 3/18 In studio 3/20 Pinup; Blog entry
Week-10 3/23 In studio 3/25 In studio 3/27 In studio
Week-11 3/30 Model/drawing 4/1 Model/drawing 4/3 Pinup; Blog entry
Week-12 4/6 mid review Model/drawing 4/8 Model/drawing 4/10 Pinup; Blog entry
Week-13 4/13 pin-up Model/drawing 4/15 In studio Model/drawing 4/17 Pinup; Blog entry
Week-14 4/20 Production week 4/22 Production week 4/24 Production week; Blog entry
Week-15 4/27 Publication is due 4/29 Final Review 5/1 Final Review
Week-16 5/4 Exam week 5/6 Exam week 5/8 Exam week
References
http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1049
http://www.growingupdigital.com/

[1] <#_ftnref1>
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.02/negroponte.html
[2] <#_ftnref2> http://www.play-hookey.com/
[3] <#_ftnref3> http://ambient.media.mit.edu/transitive/ubicomp07papers/oxman.pdf <http://ambient.media.mit.edu/transitive/ubicomp07papers/oxman.pdf>

--
Shai [Yeshayahu] Assistant Professor
Director, d_f_ab l_ab
School of Architecture, Southern Illinois University.
Carbondale, IL 62901-4337
V:618.453.1112 F:618.453.1129




Post test from email

--
Shai [Yeshayahu] Assistant Professor
Director, d_f_ab l_ab
School of Architecture, Southern Illinois University.
Carbondale, IL 62901-4337
V:618.453.1112 F:618.453.1129


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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS_Brief 1

Brief 1: ‘What About’ Parametric Modeling [GH] | Fabrication [Unfold_ Rib] 101

• One board Size_24x36 or 36x48 _ full color [orientation optional]

LINE DRAWINGS
• One plan & One section cut @ critical location [more Plan/section optional]
• Descriptive sequence of process that reveal the transformation of your geometry [5-12 images]

RENDERINGS
• Top View; Side view; Section; and Perspective of the final object /structure_ [isocurves shown]
• Tiling Effect Simulation for the object in relation to human scale.

ANIMATION
• Frame by frame transformation of your component
or a real time simulation of the result from the tiling effect simulation [max 15 frames]

SUPPORTIVE
• Unfolded object & Rib fabrication files.
• Grasshopper built ‘prt screen’.

TEXT
• Your name here | ARC 352 |SP 2009 | Brief1 [‘What about’]
• Complexity Narrative [maintain original template]
• Script _ [use citation where needed; this is not applicable to all]

Board examples

Board examples from Rhino3D math plug in.

http://www.rhino3.de/album/math/index.shtml

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Another Website

-David Oliva

This is another blog which has projects that are similiar to what we are doing:

http://ncodon.wordpress.com/tag/rhino/

On this site are some Grasshopper scripts and a link to a plug-in called PanelingTools for rhino:

http://en.wiki.mcneel.com/default.aspx/McNeel/PanelingTools.html

PanelingTools is a free plug-in, all you need to do is provide your email, and it is installed by extracting the file then draging the PanelingTools.rhp into Rhino while it is running. This adds a new menu called PanelingTools which allows you to access the PanelingTools components. Located on th PanelingTools download page is instructions and examples of wat PanelingTools can do. Also, most of the projects located in the blog given above were created using PanelingTools.

PanelingTools may be eaiser to use than Grasshopper or using the script editor.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

complexity

Complexity
The human body the most complex thing


"Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things."_ Sir Isaac Newton






10/14/2008

Newton was quoted sayings this when talking about complexity in biology. Complexity is defined by Webster as a noun founded in 1661is something complex or the quality or state of being complex. In the present day world there are a number of complex things. These include computers, networking, and robotics. These things can become very complex but they are not the more complex then biological organisms. In other word humans and other organism at this time are more complex than anything else on the plant. An example of this is adaptive systems. Presently developers are trying to make computers and network system that use adaptive system, or are ability to learn, but they cannot. Humans on the other hand can. A good example of this is a baby learning the environment around it. Another example of this is just by looking at are bodies. Are bodies consist of a structural system made from bones, a transportation system including repertory and cardiovascular system, and the greatest computer and networking systems which includes are nerves and brain. It is just some of the things in are body which means we must be complex. These systems are so complex that we do not know are potential. Sciences are still puzzled at how are mind works and do not fully understand it. Also, because of are complexities sciences are having hard time find cure for cancer and other diseases. Considering all of this there is no computer system that can match humans at this. This remains me of a quote from Jan de Bont, “We're all complex human beings, and if some of that complexity shows through, I think it's advantageous for the movie.” _DCL & KW
References:

Picture
http://www.geekologie.com/2008/01/post_4.php

Complexity in biology. Exceeding the limits of reductionism and determinism using complexity theory http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v9/n1/full/7401147.html

Webster dictionary
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complexity

brainyquote
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jandebont372921.html
Adaptive Systems
http://srinivasreddy.wordpress.com/2007/06/16/adaptive-systems/



NXT

-B. Garnett , R. Daugherty

What is NXT?

Mindstorms NXT is a intelligent robotic building system produced by LEGO. This system imitates the senses of the human body by the utilizing various sensors to perform different functions. The use of simple software and building block skills a person can build and then train it to perform any task.

What Does the kit consist of?

NXT Brick (brain)
-The nerve center of your NXT bot.
It is a 32 bit brain that controls the operations that your designed bot can do.


NXT Light Sensor
-This sensor is one of two ways that allows the bot to see. Instead of reading colors like we do as red, blue, green this sensor reads the colors in a grayscale by the depth of the color

NXT Sound Sensor
-The sound sensor allows the bot to hear. By reading the decibel levels in a designated area. The sensor has the ability to read up to 90 db which is about as loud as a lawn mower. This allows the bot to have the power of the human ear.


NXT Touch Sensor
-The touch sensor allows the bot to sense when it is being touched.


NXT Ultrasonic Sensor
-The ultrasonic sensor is the other way that allows the bot to see. It operates by sending out a sound wave and then waits to see how long it takes for that sound wave to return. From this technology it can read something in front of or around it. It is the same thing that bats see.



NXT Servo Motors
-The servo motors are what drives the different operations you want your bot to do.


NXT Software
-The product software allows you to program your bot to perform a certain operation that you built it for.

Finish Products and Videos:
NXTacy.com Forum Site
-http://lejos.sourceforge.net
Complexity-Complexus
"Entwined" or "Twisted Together"

“Complexity necessarily depends on the
language that is used to model the system”
_Edmonds B.


1996


Complexity tends to characterize the level of difficulty one has to endure to complete a task. An intricate amount of variances in an assignment emcompassed in non-simple idea. Complexity deals with amounts, levels; like noted before, the more levels, variances and elements added into a pattern or idea the more complex the ides starts to evolve from. Edmond states that, “In order to have a complex you need two or more components, which are joined in such a way that it is difficult to separate them.” As a many of fact, he also states that in the event you try to separate them the idea is destroys because the meaning only exist between them and without one the meaning is lost. It starts with simplicity and ends with difficulty or complexity. Exploration is another important variant in complexity. What is the thought process behind the objective? What do I want to show or control, what information is significant, and how do I clearly convey all this information so one might understand the overall proposal. An artist by the name of Lee Jang Sub wanted to explore major cities around the world focusing on how urban cities transportation have spread out and evolved over time. He used patterns formed by roads in each city, combining the idea of natural and manmade systems. The image above is an abstract map of Moscow’s transportation systems. Korean born designer Lee Jang Sub is known for his complex graphic configurations. So in turn, the idea behind complexity in some artist’s works deals solely with illustration. Visual Complexity in a many of speaking, focusing on the artists work which refer to one variant, and a point of information which is another variant and when you put the two together they a form a cohesion idea that may be difficult to comprehend at first site. After the viewer investigated the work and the artist give an explanation of the piece, the viewer will see the image in a more comprehensive way. But there are other components to complexity such as understanding because it is one issue to solve; it is another factor to interpret. Interpretation can be a task that not many can achieve.
_rcd

References:

Edmonds B, What is Complexity?
http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/COMPLEXI.html

Image:”Complexity” (Image adapted)
http://www.visualcomplexity.com/vc/project_details.cfm?id=630&index=630&domain=