Yuhan(Psyche) Hou
Supervisor: Dr Paul Loh
Digital Naturalism
This thesis explores the application of swarm intelligence in architectural design and construction. The project reinterprets the notion of naturalism in the digital age. This thesis proposes a system of swarm robotics, which following simple rules to generate a free-form volume through subtractive fabrication methodology. The resulting void spaces will become the mould for casting concrete. By using the bottom-up approach of design, this thesis explodes blending nature with architecture. I recognized that both nature and architecture are synthetic. The intent is to create a synthetic environment for nature to coexist with architecture, as a form of naturalism. The swarming algorithm works as the gene of the new form which expresses the effect of roughness of the material.
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Thesis Structure: To explore the hypothesis of digital naturalism, I will investigate bottom-up approach. Roughness. Swarm intelligence in form finding and construction. Site will be used as testing ground. Finally, the thesis propose a synthetic environment. -
Swarm Behaviour: The key to using the bottom-up approach is that the form is built from the relationship. It is important to study the basic principles of relationship. In flocking system, individual tends to cohere, separate or align with its neighbour. Varied combination of behaviour contributes to varied spatial organisation. -
Swarm Robotic Design: In order to construct complex structure and maintain the rough quality, thesis propose a new swarm robotic construction method. It is new swarm robot will tunnel into soil. It consists of expandable drilling bit, forefoot and wheels to move forward fibre mesh as tail. -
Architectural Catalogue: After understanding the future condition of site. I will propose a few architecture catalogues. This section is about giving the agency to the agent based on context. The first catalogue is elevated walkway locates at the in-between space highlighted in yellow. The input is the size of the road, location of support, type of support and possible connection between supports. The system able to change in height and created varied surface condition responding to solar exposure. -
New Swarm Landscape: Here is new swarm territory. The elevated walkway along the primary open space, connected to future proposed building and bridge. It split and flow down to the ground when meet the exiting building and re-unite at the back. the landscape is integrated with flooding issue on site. -
Plan in Heavy Storm Scenario: Plan shows elevated walkway along the future building, the structure emerged from wetland to the bridge. In flooding period, structure able to engage with the water level change and ensure the use of walkway, the Fisherman’s Drive and major activity area. -
Section_Flooding Strategy: There are few flooding strategies embedded in system. The surface of the bridge is stepped down to the park. The timber deck is elevated ensuring the use of the walkway in flooding period. The road surface underneath the bridge is inclined to lead water to the detention underneath each column. Ensure the use of pedestrian path. The ramps are water channel lead the rainwater from bridge to the wetland. The structure works as network. The wetland is major retention area to hold water for a period until the storm water level has fallen and water can be discharged by gravity. -
Section_Swarm Robotic On-site Construction: The construction procedure is proposed based on the existing system. The Peri panel hold contains soil. The soil is excavating from the park which later will form wetland. Two sizes of robot work at the same time. Red as the primary structure, the robot in blue providing surface condition. The system is very similar to the logic of the secant piling wall. The expanded fibre mesh will hold void spaces. We will pump self-compacting concrete with Helix micro reinforcement58 to flow into all tunnels. -
Section_Digital Naturalism: The purpose of the proposal is examining the hypothesis of digital naturalism and performability of the swarm technique. Here is the view from new swarm territory to the future campus. The structure is the trace of agents also indicate the construction procedure. The gaps between structure allow nature to infill. -
Section_Swarm Connection: It is the view from the car underneath the bridge. The inclined stone walkway extends park seamlessly to the campus. It brings a certain level of enclosure and openness between the park and building. -
Section_Swarm Topography: This is image is a future projection of new swarm topography in the background of the existing urban environment and future campus. The structure humbly sprawling from the ground and flows between the building and nature. It is a design for the future, embedding a solution to climate change and indicate how human adapt to the environment. Also, it indicated a new condition that architecture and nature not just co-exist but facilitating to each other as one synthetic part. -
3D Printed Model: Models show 3 cut section. One shows the varied interfaces layered to form bridge, gaps between layers allow nature to infill. Second one shows the groove of ramps that divert water. The last one is the structure above the wetland, and agents flow along the change of topography. The detail highlights the rough quality of the surface and unique aesthetic created by swarm robotic.
