Project brief

In order to apply the features of RV2 in a realistic design scenario, you will be asked to use all the techniques we will have presented throughout the week to design a shell structure in one of the two public spaces in Zurich, Switzerland.

Site

Option 1 of 2 : Sechseläutenplatz, Zurich

Design a free-form shell for Sechseläutenplatz in Zurich. The surface of the shell may have a maximum area of 3,000 square meters. The shell may land around, but not in or on the existing site obstacles (umbrellas, trees and dark grey areas). The shell must be inside the red area shown in the second image below. The height of the shell should be at least 2.5 meters, so that it can be used as a passageway as well as a covering for the plaza.

Option 2 of 2 : Landesmuseum, Zurich

Design a shell for the courtyard of the Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum) in Zurich. Please pick one of the two regions of the courtyard as your site. The shell must be continuously supported on the boundaries, and it should not cover the trees or the cafe (tent) inside the courtyard.

In the Rhino file below, you will find the outlines of the two regions including within them circles corresponding to minimum clearance zones of the obstacles (trees and cafe). While the surface of the shell may not cover any part of these clearance zones, the shell may have landings anywhere on the ground level outside of these clearance zones. The trees and the cafe must be accessible on the ground level.

Although there is no prescribed minimum or maximum height of the shell, please remember that this a new "addition" to an existing, historical building!

To help the design of the shell, you will find the outlines of region 1 and 2 on the side of the model as shown in the picture below (layer "Outline_for_RV2"). Use them to generate the shell. After you are done, you can simply copy-paste your thrust network inside the courtyard and hide the "Outline" layer.

Tips, hints and questions to consider

  • For my given site and my design intent, which method of pattern generation is appropriate?

  • What types of existing boundary condition constraints do I need to taken into account?

  • How does my pattern generation and modification strategies influence my eventual fabrication and construction schemes?

  • How can I control and modify the geometry of the force diagram to refine the shape of the Thrust Diagram?

  • Have I considered how the landings and openings of the Thrust Diagram relate to the program and the intended use of the space underneath?

Deliverables

On the last day of the workshop on Friday, July 3rd, you will be asked to present your design proposals to the instructors and invited guests. Before the start of Friday's 1st session, please compile the material below into a zip file (YourLastName_YourFirstName.zip), and upload it here.

1. 8-10 images

  • 16x9 format, 1920x1080 resolution min

  • These images may include but are not limited to:

    • Site strategy diagrams

    • Concept sketches and design development

    • Pattern generation techniques and development

    • evolution and refinement of form and force diagrams

    • fabrication strategies and development

    • perspectives/renderings

  • YourLastName_YourFirstName_##.png

2. Presentation board

  • Presentation board (16x9 format, 1920x1080 resolution min.) summarising the the design project

  • This board can be an organized compilation or a collage of the 8-10 images from above

  • YourLastName_YourFirstName_board.pdf (or jpg/png)

3. .rv2 session file (s)

  • Final or a series of .rv2 session files

  • YourLastName_YourFirstName_##.rv2

4. .3dm rhino file

If available, it would also be great to have any Rhino files of the final design, including the shell geometry as well as any materialisation and fabrication developments.

Jury

In addition to the instructors, there will be a panel of designers and engineers to critique and review the participants' projects.

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