Honorable Mention: Innovative Minds 2013 – Virtual Context
Systems Culture: Virtual Scales
Yunlong Chen (Leo), Yiming Li (Lucas)
The University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Chapter 1: Summary
In our project we have explored how individual “kits” fit together to produce affects similar to those of Ai Weiwei’s “society machine” as seen in “Forever Bicycles”. We have used 3D simulation of reaction diffusions and the 3D printing process as tools to explore this theme. This exploration has produced an architecture characterized by complex spatial interconnections, amorphous forms, transparencies and complex tessellation systems.
Chapter 2: Context
• Ai Weiwei’s project “Forever Bicycles” represent Chinese people who try to behave extremely modularly with limited freedom. And somehow, people become mechanical kits that assemble an interesting society.
• The motive behind this project is that how the complex large-scale “social machine” may emerge from cogs and local rules.
• We use 3D simulations of Reaction Diffusion system because they represent the motive.
Chapter 3: Systems & Scale
We investigated RD algorithm to produce affect on different architectural scales: Spatial arrangement; Form generation; Ornament.
3.1 Spatial arrangement:
We use RD to create architectural diagrams because it naturally generates spatial void, solid and spatial interconnections.
3.2 Form generation:
Organic shaped Column; Layers of Atrium; Feature Wall; Bridge
Inspired by the 3D printing process, we use scaffold to create layers of transparencies, limitations and structures.
3.3 Ornament:
We apply characteristics of 3D printed RD prototype into ornamental tiling system. These individual 3D modules form a big image by tessellation systems and wrap around surfaces to archive semi-transparent affect. We also purely use the reaction diffusion form to build a feature wall for entrance.
Fabrication of tiles: 3D printing is chosen as fabrication method, because this particular type of 3D printer has its distinct logic of creating “side affects” which produces sub-structures and characteristics:
• Regularity and modularity of grid scaffolds
• Intensity of construction methods create different transparency
• Contrast of smoothness and roughness
• Flatness and carved voids
• Contour lines forming double curve areas in contrast with parallel filling methods
• Perfection and Imperfection throughout a physical simulation of a digital model
