Week 6: Sources

1.The Free Surface Flows In the last decade numerical simulation has stood out as a vital tool for environment hydraulics, through the concerted action of two important trend: 1. Technical progress, with, on the one hand, exponential progress in the speed and memory capacity of computers and on the other hand, the advent of new algorithms and numerical methods. 2. the rise in requirements brought about, on the one hand, by a reinforcement of legislation (stocking of hydrocarbons, emergency plans, decrees on intakes and discharge, compensation water, etc, ) and, on the other hand, by a series of so-called natural catastrophes origin (greenhouse effect, regional development) cannot be overlooked, and requires re-examination of the hypotheses on the sizing of structure . Reference: Jean-Michel Hervouet. Hydrodynamics of Free Surface Flows: Modeling with the Finite Element Method. England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2007.

Comments: I chose the Free Surface Flow for the more technical aspect theme. To be honest, I don’t really understand how the graphs are created by mathematical equations and software. It is too professional and complicated, and also beyond my major. However, the forms of these graphs really catch my eyes. The reticulation formed graphs change every second, sometimes quite compact, sometimes spreadable. I am surprised by how something so academic can create these so natural, like wave flows.

2.La Grande Mosquee De Srasbourg by Zaha Hadid.

The project is organized as a matrix set up the axis set up by the axis for prayer or quibla in one direction and the curvature of the river in the other. Where the two directions intersect, they fractalise and generate volume. The focus, or the apex of this directional filed is the mosque itself. Its spatial significance is seen therefore above and beyond the individual elements that comprise the building. Materiality: fractal space and geometry We have taken the idea of an Islamic geometry to generate a fractal space. The fractal gives the reinforced concrete arches as our primary material. This in turn supports a secondary layer of interspersed concrete paneling, glass and ceramics. The effect is to generate a mosaic or fragmented skin which provides an unexpected composition of light and sound. The coloration of the building us achieved by black and white pigmented concrete, hints of turquoise ceramics and translucent glazing elements. Design Concepts Emphasis has been placed I the treatment of the overall design to ensure the reflective quality of enclosure, which the culture and spiritual nature of this brief and project demands. The distinct seclusion of the main prayer halls, the focus of the project, has been taken into account creating a distinguished space removed from clamour of public interaction. The use of the courtyard space articulates the visual separation enhancing the privacy between the men and the women’s prayer spaces while providing for additional prayer space if required. The delineation of the quibla wall taking the longer side of the prayer hall, takes into account accommodating the ‘prayer rows’ in the favorable orientation towards Mecca. The women’s prayer area is here suggested as a separate hall, as opposed to a mere secondary gallery space. This enriches the innovation perception of the scheme while acknowledging the contribution of women’s spiritual and material culture in Islamic society in particular, a role they have maintained since early Islam.

Reference:

Indice Contens: 1996-2001 Zaha Hadid. Editor y Directiores.

Comments: I chose Zaha Hadid’s La Grande Mosquee De Strasbourg for one of the aspects of design. Zaha is famous for her abstract and surreal designs. In my point of view, this building influenced me by its fractal look, with a rhythmical and volume touch, and the structure is quite like animal bones framework.

3. Actelion Business Centre in Switzerland In contract to the densely built-up surroundings with rapidly declined shaped, the new Antelion Business Centre is an open structure comprising beam-like elements, stacked on top of one another. Which change their appearance depending on the angle from which they are viewed. The space between the beam structures allow for visual connections inward and outward to the adjacent laboratories, nearby office buildings and sports fields. The apparently random arrangement of office beam not only provides unusual view within and to the outside, but also terraces and courtyards in lots of different sizes and qualities are available employees for work, break, meeting and planned or unplanned meetings. The office work spaces are arrange in linear pods, exposed to an plentiful supply of daylight in the upper storeys. The modular layout column-free areas satisfy the needs of various office typologies and different sized offices.

Reference:

Herzog & De Meuron: Programme, Monument, landscape. Editores y Directores.

Commons: The Actelion Business Centre is the second source for the aspects of design. The building is composed with large number of beam-like structures in the first impression. I am impressed by this design with it geometrical look. It just like several beam falling down randomly and stacked on top of one another. This large geometrical structure creates several contracts: the contract between isolation and opening spaces. The contrast between light and shadow inside the building. 4.Taichung Metropolitan Opera House Located in a park that is in turn set in a part of Taichung with a high density of housing, the building is generated by the contiguous convexity and concavity of two curvilinear surfaces in movement. The use of variations on this single geometric grid at some points makes it possible to maintain the vertical and horizontal continuity of the internal spaces and generates a relationship of macro-porosity with the out side, so that the structural model of the building is extended in the design of the greenery and the stretches of water in the park.. Reference: Manolo Verga and Michele Nastasi. Lotus International 122. Pierlugi Nicolin.

Comments: The Taichung Metropolitan Opera House is the third source for the aspects of design. The Building design comes with a organic look, which fit perfectly in a centre of a park with irregular figured gardens and water ponds. The form of the building is a foam-like structure, with two curvilinear surfaces stacked one each other, which created pipe-like open spaces to connect one side to the opposite one.