This project presents a design system using discrete parts to develop and construct a timber structure that uses mortise and tenon joints. It explains how, through the use of point cloud, a wide range of projects can be formed, from monument to pavilion to a building. The parts to whole relationship, and creating a possibility of an interchangeable architecture - that is the true digital architecture. Through an open-ended design system, discrete parts are being generated and instantly responsive to user’s decision on its attributes; new parts can be created to customize needs such as floors, stairs, façade, windows, etc. This idea brings a revolutionary change in the interpretation of architecture, compared with the first digital age that was only able to affect the layer of façade, while leaving the structure, core, staircase untouched.

Instructor : Jose Sanchez

Exhibition : Graduated Thesis Exhibition | Selected Exhibition

Publication : INDEX 2017

Special Thanks to : Harry Bairamian (Physical Model)

The ZCB Bamboo Pavilion is a public event space built for the Construction Industry Council’s Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) in the summer of 2015 in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong. It is a four-storey-high long-span bending-active bamboo gridshell structure with a footprint of approximately 350m² and a seating capacity of 200 people.

It is built from 475 large bamboo poles that are bent onsite to shape the structure and that are hand-tied together with metal wire using techniques based on Cantonese bamboo scaffolding craftsmanship. The shape is a large diagrid shell structure that is folded down into three hollow columns. These columns rest on three circular concrete footings. A tailor-made white tensile fabric is stretched over the structure and is brightly lit from inside the three legs.

The project is the outcome of the concerted efforts of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and different contractors. It was designed by a research team led by Prof. Kristof Crolla at CUHK School of Architecture. The research investigates how computational design tools can be strategically inserted into existing construction methods to allow for a more engaging and innovative architectural outcome. The ZCB Bamboo Pavilion showcases this and illustrates how the endangered craftsmanship of bamboo scaffolding construction in Hong Kong can be expanded through the introduction of digital form-finding and real-time physics simulation tools.

The project’s design is based on an architecture student design internship held at the CUHK School of Architecture. The design was developed further by the research team in collaboration with structural engineers and bamboo consultants, using digital physics simulation engines, physical model making, and large-scale prototyping to derive its final form.

Bamboo is a widely available, environmentally friendly material that grows abundantly and at remarkably high speeds in the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and the Americas. It is an excellent renewable natural resource which captures CO₂ and converts it into oxygen. It is strong, light and easy to process and transport. In Hong Kong, bamboo mostly appears in temporary theatres, scaffolding, or structures for religious festivals. Globally, it is usually applied as a surrogate for wood or steel, rather than in ways that utilise the material’s unique bending properties and strength. In contrast, the ZCB Bamboo Pavilion presents an alternative architectural application that maximises these latent material properties.

The pavilion is geometrically complex. Bamboo has widely varying geometric, dimensional, and performative properties, and the scaffolding industry does not use conventional architectural drawings for its intuitive constructions. Building the project, therefore, challenged the boundaries of the architect’s design control. In response, new methods were developed that merged precise digital design systems with inconsistent natural resources in order to deal with these unpredictabilities.

The ZCB Bamboo Pavilion promotes innovative and ecological architectural design to the broader public and design community. It will be used to host exhibitions, performances and events that advocate low carbon living, construction, and development. By promoting sustainable, light-weight building methods for large span architecture, the project seeks ways for traditional Cantonese craftsmanship to evolve for the 21st century.

AWARDS & PUBLICATIONS

Refer to Awards & Publication

CLIENTS

Project Client: Zero Carbon Building of the Construction Industry Council
Project Location: 8 Sheung Yuet Rd, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong

CUHK DESIGN RESEARCH TEAM:

Principal Investigator (PI): Prof. Kristof CROLLA

Co-Investigator (Co-I): Prof. Adam FINGRUT

Research Assistants (RA): Mr. IP Tsz Man Vincent and Mr. LAU Kin Keung Jason

Consultants: Dr. Goman HO and Dr. Alfred FONG (Structural Engineering), Mr. Vinc MATH (Bamboo Consultant)

Authorised Person (AP): Mr. Martin TAM

Registered Structural Engineer (RSE): Mr. George CHUNG

Project Documentation: Mr. NG Ka Hang Kevin (Photography and Videography), Grandy LUI and Michael LAW (Photography), Mr. Ramon VAN DER HEIJDEN (Drone Photography)

CIC/ZCB CLIENT PROJECT TEAM:

Executive Director, CIC: Dr. Christopher TO

Publicity, ZCB: Ms Yan IP

Technical Services, ZCB: Dr. Margaret KAM

CUHK DESIGN WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS:

Bamboo Design Workshop (9 to 20 June 2014, CUHK School of Architecture): CHAN Wai Kan Wilkin, Chi To Leung Mark, Chan On Ki, CHENG Man Lai Karen, DU Qiongwei Winnie, CHAN Hansen, HO Chun Sing Jason, WAI Hon Lam Joshua, TO Hon Yin Ernest, YAM Ka Kit Kevin, YIM Yu Ching Ben, HO Yuen Ling Elaine

1 to 4 Scale Prototype Construction Workshop (23 April to 4 May 2015, CUHK): Students from the CUHK School of Architecture: CHOI Lai Fei, IP Wan Chin Sharon, LA Chu Tung Jetson, NGAN Wing Sze Gillian, SO Ling Sum Evangeline, WONG Laipan Elpis, YUEN Suet Ying Circle. Participants from the CIC Sheung Shui Training Centre: Mr. TANG Sung Yuen, Mr. CHOW Kin Fai (Instructors), IP Wai Nok Calvin, AU Leong Kai Kong, YIP Ka Leong, CHAN Kai Mo, HUI Wai Kit, LAM Wai To (Trainees)

CONSTRUCTION TEAM:

Main Contractor: W.M. Construction Ltd.

Bamboo Construction: Sun Hip Scaffolding Eng. Co., Ltd.

Fabric Contractor: Ladden Engineering Ltd.

Lighting: CONA Technology Co. Ltd. and Brandston Partnership Inc.

WEBSITE

Archdaily

Architizer

Dezeen

World Architecture

CUHK

LIGET BUDAPEST 2018

EUROPE'S NEW CULTURAL TOURISM DESTINATION

Budapest’s beautifully renovated City Park, with its series of brand new and cutting edge Museum Buildings, transforms Hungary’s Capital into one of Europe’s brand new cultural tourism destinations.

As part of five new museums, the FotoMuzeum Budapest and the Hungarian Museum of Architecture simultaneously function as architectural emblems and as gates to the park for visitors arriving from one of the city’s main axis. 

Two organically undulating, colourful roofs lift up their edges, inviting people to explore and discover the unique and precious collections carefully housed inside.

The FotoMuzeum Budapest and the Hungarian Museum of Architecture are two sister buildings, similar in form and appearance but unique in content and personality. They communicate with each other and nearby buildings, using the Ötvenhatosok Square as a focal point for dialogue between City and Park.

A highly innovative and efficient structural roof concept is applied to allow for the easy construction of the Museums unique organic external appearance, providing a dramatically unique interior visitor experience.

Internally the Museums strike a balance between freely shaped areas and more rational spaces. While the entrance lobby spaces are organically formed, and operational areas adopt a more standardized layout strategy, the Exhibition spaces buffer between the two typologies. Underneath the curvaceous roof, visitors discover the flexible and open Exhibition Spaces that allow for a variety possible gallery configurations. Fully integrated climatic controls and technology provide perfect exhibition conditions without visual distraction. An efficiently organised back-of-house system allows for the easy access and handling of artwork.
CREDITS

Design Team (LEAD) :

Kristof Crolla, Julien Klisz, Vincent Ip, Alex Ng, Albert Lo, Amos Chan ( Phase 1 )
Kristof Crolla, Julien Klisz, Adam Fingrut, Harmony Wong, Emily Yan, Vincent Ip, Elspeth Lee (Phase 2)

Consultant

Buro Happold (Structure, M&E), FRONT (Façade), Sentient – Budapest (Quantity Surveyor), Checkpointmedia (Exhibition Consultant)
Client

The Liget Budapest International Design Competition, Museum of Fine Arts Budapest and Városliget Zrt. LOCATION, Budapest, Hungaria

WEBSITE

Archdaily

Liget Budapest

For centuries, capitalism and free market has always been boast about its ability of transforming human society, able to provide a free base for everyone to compete freely for their resources. Economist had always claimed the market can always balance itself, but the fact is wealth is being moved from the pockets of the poor or workforce, to those billionaires and international companies. Wealth is dominated by the rich, or to be more specific, the richest 1% of the 1 %. The poor has never been able and will never be able to gain the opportunity to move up to the middle class, while the middle class is also shrinking in the society. Recent study done by Oxfam shows that the world’s richest 62 persons, owns the amount of wealth half of the world’s population combined. Isn’t this fact shocking enough for us to realize the capitalism and free market haven’t been working as what we though. From the graph below, shows the average real income of the top 1 % has increase while the bottom 90 % have almost didn’t experience an increase since 1913.

The penthouse typology first came out in 1920 in NY, owned by a woman named Marjorie Merriweather Post Hutton, the owner of 1107 Fifth Avenue. She sold her land to the developer who promised her to give her the top three floors of the newly constructed building. It has 54 room within the whole penthouse, and it occupies the whole floor with setback, creating terraces and gardens. These living environment is more desirable to some of the rich people as its closer to the city amenities, while it’s also private and safe.

This tower is named the pent-tower, not because of the phenomenal of pencil towers all over the world, but it is about a symbol of extreme wealth within the society. It all goes back to the WWI which get US the richest economy of the world by loans to the Europe for reconstruction. People begin to move back into cities, with jobs like the white collar that just exist after the war. An increase in demand of housings and office space drive the demand of skyscrapers, which they created skyscrapers like the Empire State Building.

This symbolization of wealth continues all over the world, where most towers now will have penthouses on the top. By building a tower of penthouses, it’s to critic the enormous wealth gap that exist in the economic system now. These rich people will be having their own elevator, garden, garage, swimming pool as if they are having their house in the countryside. They live off their live to show to the world their wealth every single day, in the elevator, which is also the garage, that brings their car up with them. Enjoying an incredible 360 view and nature on their penthouse.

Instructor : Ma Yansong, Alvin Huang

A City in a City

Instructor : Kim Coleman

Team : Tsz Man Vincent Ip, Xiayi Summer Shen, Xiaoqi Chi Tang

University of Southern California

Bhartiya City aims to be the future of what a smart city can be.  In exploring what that might mean, we were first inspired by the computer game, Block’hood, and used the game’s methodology to summarize the city as a diagram, showing the flow of resources, energy, waste and, most important, life-style of the people who live and work there.  Through an understanding of these elements, we aimed to create a complex that would not only satisfy the functionality of a financial center but also become a one-stop live/work/play environment in Bhartiya City.

1/ Armature of Activity

Through an investigation of activities that attract people to the complex and would help to provide a life balance for tenants, creative functions have been organized in an armature of activity.  The design of the connective strip attempts to enhance the entire work environment for the financial district. Employee amenities, such as shopping, restaurants, day care for children, health clubs, are all located within close proximity to offices.  These spaces are shared among all types of office configurations --  traditional offices, flexible office space, live work space --  such that tenants will not need to build their own amenities for their staff, as they would need only to pay a fixed amount each month for use.  The armature is designed to thread through the complex, connecting all the cores and providing a walkable and cycle-able connection that increases the proximity from the offices to these activities.

2/ Landscape Idea

When we visited India, the step wells were a fascinating structure for us. Integrating this element into our landscape design allowed us to provide a landscape that also enhanced public activities.  Also the road connecting the north and south part of Bhartiya City has been submerged from the ground plane, forming the hotel drop-off and freeing up the ground for the park and pencil park extension to the financial district. This increases the connectivity between the financial district and the technology hub to the west.

3/ Modular construction panels and structural system

The proposal integrates the flexible construction modules that they can be moved according to their need. To achieve that, the core is a pre-constructed core, structural grid in 9m, and the spine will be constructed in the initial phase.  Through the light-weight prefabrication construction method, construction time will be significantly reduced, providing the client a quick response to the demand of housing, hotel and various office spaces for the fast pace development in Bangalore.

Part 1

Inspired by the Cloud Gate at Chicago, this installation is aimed to achieve the astonishing effect of the Cloud Gate in another approach. In contrasting the advance technology of cnc milling , polishing and 5 axis milling using in creating a seamless effect. We tried to use flat panels, flat rods with just a complex 3d print node created in millipedia with a topological optimization. 

The reflectiveness of the panel is given by a dichroic film that is stick on the lasercut panels with great care. The colourful glare created by the film creates unique experience in every angle the viewer are looking at, and even in the time the light shines on it become a critical control of how this installation is being viewed. Hence we try to achieve another unique experience in compare with the Cloud Gate while using fractions of the cost.

As shown on right, there are two types of hexagonal panels that will be produce in the panelization of concave and convex surface respectively. When the surface changes from concave to convex or vice versa, it is quite easy for the panels to be deform. Also , when we choose only a small part of a geometry to do our panelization, it would have only a small amount on controlling how the surface can deform. 

Therefore after several testing , we decided to use the easiest form sphere, with cage-edit in rhino, it can be deform into more interesting shape, with more gesture, while it can still achieve the hexagonal panelization.
 

Instructor : Kristof Crolla 

Team : Amos CHan , Alex Ng , Albert Lo , Vincent Ip

Part 2

SmartNodes is a research project that is part of the Independents’ Group (IG) of which Kristof Crolla received the first Fellowship in 2013. The research project is hosted at RMIT University, Melbourne, in collaboration with industry partner Arup, and explores the potential for pairing unique, high-tech, weight optimal node components with off-the-shelf, standard beams and fixings to accomplish customized and complex building form. It addresses the challenge of designing and prototyping a lightweight canopy structure. The system is underpinned by a series of custom manufactured structural nodes, designed and optimized with digital algorithms and produced using the latest 3D metal printing technology. These link simple beams and planar panels. Through the customized geometry of each node, the system has the potential for a broad range of design outcomes without significant cost penalties.

Architectural Design :  Assist. Prof. Kristof Crolla, Chinese University of Hong Kong / Laboratory for Explorative Architecture & Design Ltd. (LEAD); Nicholas Williams, Assoc. Prof. Jane Burry, Prof. Mark Burry, SIAL , RMIT University.
Structural Analysis and Consultancy :  James O’Donnel, Ben Sitler, Andrew Maher, Arup.
Structural Analysis and Benso Design :  Hamed Seifi, Prof. Mike Xie, Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials; Daniel Prohasky, SIAL, RMIT University.
Additive Manufacture - Selective Laser Melting (SLM) :  Aaron Pateras, Prof. Milan Brandt, Advanced Manufacturing Precinct (AMP), RMIT University.
Additive Manufacture - Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) : School of Architecture and Design, RMIT University.

Fabrication & Research Assistance : Brendan Knife , RMIT University ; Vincent Ip , LEAD, The Chinese University of Hong Kong 

Part 3

Tangential Plane Intersection

When we are doing the Topological Optimization Nodes & Tangential Plane Intersection (1.3), we have experienced a difficulty in the tangential plane intersection that cannot be used in all geometry. Inspired by the prototype building “ Landesgartenschau Exhibition Hall “ of University of Stuttgart, I tried to convert the tangential plane intersection script into an agent-based system , where there are rules set bottom up for the whole geometry to populate. This system is helps to achieve several goals : 

1 / Solve the polygonal subdivision of complex doubly
      curved geometries using planar building elements.

2 / Ease the difficulties in the joint system as each
      vertice will only connect to 3 rods only.

3 / Allow more control on the dimensions of these panels, 
      that are limited to the local material size.

Agent-Based Modeling

In the agent-based modeling for plate structures, the control on the panels are more flexible than the top down modeling system that we used before, it will be not be limited to the UV subdivisions on the surface, and also it will allows the control on individual plates to solve the difficult intersections when the curvature of the surface reaches approximate zero. 

Controls on the Agents : 

1 / Repel Between Agents ( Control on Distance )

2 / Attraction to Edge / Gaussian Curvature = 0 Curve

3 / Rotation on Surface Normal to find intersection

4 / Offset of Surface to find Intersections

Instructor : Thomas Chung

In a high dense city like Manhattan , the Central Park-  a green space that provides precious Green Spaces as a public icon and space, while in another high dense city -Hong Kong , the development have neglect the respect of public life. In the “backyard” of Hong Kong -Sai Kung. Although had completed its development for more than 5 years , have not yet present itself with a public icon and space. In this studio, I am going to focus mainly on how to integrate scattered Green Spaces or courtyards to make this city more complete as a whole. 

Green Spaces in other countries are not simply planters with trees and bushes. But in Hong Kong, we seldom see these spaces. Green Spaces in Hong Kong are inaccessible, or protected from stepping on them. These spaces are growing more and more important as inaccessible Green Spaces cannot satisfy the need of people to get into Green Spaces. As a node of Green between the residential area and recreation area, a large plaza in front of the building will not only integrate Green Spaces between districts, but also creating a variety of spaces for both locals and non-locals to enjoy. It will act as an extension of the Waterfront Park which have not done much in intergrating with Waterfront.

Initial thought of the form comes from a folding, which folds between the two main spaces - the Concert Hall and Group Performance Hall. This aims to create an enclosed Concert Hall with a opening; while the Group Performance Hall can be open up to facilitate different type of perfomance. To accommodate with supporting functions, the building is further divided into three strips. Thus it creates a dramatic form with a dramatic function for a Concert Hall in Sai Kung, the backyard of Hong Kong. Furthermore, targeting to the sea view and the waterfront park, balcony are placed to face these sides, for both performers and visitors to engage connection with natural environment.

The Moonscape , pays tribute to this ancient form of celebration and seeks to bring it to life again before it becomes forgotten. The Moonscape is formed by the creation of a dome shaped canopy of sky lanterns, symbolizing the full moon. The sky lanterns have been arranged to create patches of light and shade, imitating the craters on the surface of the moon. From afar , visitors would see a gigantic moon , glowing in the dark. When approaching , visitors will realize that this moon is in fact composed of numerous sky lanterns. The moon has always been the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival and a symbol of harmony and unity. Now , through the Moonscape of Lantern Wonderland , visitors can enjoy the moon's presence from a close distance.

Team : Damian Chan , Dickson Wong , Otto Ng, Vincent Ip

Award : Lantern Wonderland 2013,  2nd Runner-up 

HYDRANGEA: an interactive installation to reinterpret our everyday object
 

Exhibition : with Damian Chan

The Hydrangea is inspired by the concepts of re-cycle, re-use and re-make.  It is an interactive installation created through a reinterpretation of our everyday object.  The Hydrangea is composed of two contrasting sculptures - the White Hydrangea and the Silver Hydrangea.  The sculptures are constructed by two distinctive everyday materials: the white Ikea bucket and the metallic helium balloon. 

The incarnation of the Hydrangea is inspired by its name and is represented by an aggregation of small flowers.  While its geometry might look simple, the challenge lies in how its component forms are joined together.  The aggregation process gives form its meaning.

Purple Hydrangea

By repeated cutting, tying and reshaping, the familiar Ikea buckets are now transformed into an interactive spherical sculpture.  The primordial form is elevated with pure and allusive affects.  Although the Purple Hydrangea itself is static in form, its motion-responsive LED lightings designed and embedded within the connection joints of the buckets invite our visitors to interact with it and have fun.  Its lights and shadows, driven and created by our visitors’ motions, transform our spatial perception and create effects which are beyond imagination.
 
Silver Hydrangea

The alter ego of the Purple Hydrangea comes the Silver Hydrangea.  The metallic helium balloons are tied together to form an enclosure.  Unlike the Purple Hydrangea, this shiny and reflective shelter sits on the ground where our visitors can interact with it through physical touches.  The incarnation of this shelter is continuously changed by the motions and touches of our visitors.

We hope the Hydrangea can inspire our visitors.  Anything, even those objects which seem boring, can be turned into something very interesting.  

For High Fidelity Partial Gravity Simulation

Initial Operational Capability(IOC) to Permanent

After almost 20 Years of exploring human physiology in micro-gravity and space environment in the ISS, and confirming musculoskeletal and permanent vital organ deterioration in astronaut crew, human space exploration strategy should turn over a new leaf. For NASA, other space agencies and private companies, Mars exploration has become the next ambitious goal in the coming years. There are still strategic knowledge gaps that need to be bridged

to reduce risk, increase effectiveness and improve the synergetic design and efficiency of robotic and human space exploration mission, for successful outcomes.  This project explores the possibility of developing a long duration high fidelity lunar surface habitation simulation to study the effects of partial gravity on the human physiology. Such a high fidelity simulation mission would provide critical, conclusive data about human adaptability on extraterrestrial planetary surfaces. Permanent habitats are,  proposed to be built inside lunar lava tubes , which would provide natural protection against radiation , micrometeorite showers, extreme diurnal surface temperature variations, as well as intermittent solar wind charging events . In this proposal, starting from deploying a small surface habitat , a phased approach gradually evolves the architecture to support ISRU and those materials are used to build out and eventually transform the habitation complex into a city , or perhaps even create a transition station from the Earth to Mars.

USC | ARCH 611

Instructor : Gary Paige , Doris Sung

TEAM : Jason Lo, Cheng Guo

Traditional gridshell structures are used to be anchored to the ground , whereas modern gridshell have started to lift off the whole gridshell structure with metal ring beams ,that will provide the same compressive strength as the anchors on the ground . This allows a higher amount of flexibility that allows the gridshell to meet on ground at some areas while creates openings and allow daylight penetration by uplifting the shell, instead of interfering the structure with a hole.

Although with the ring beam , lifting up the shell will create different openings , but the edge conditions have not change . The roof will become the ceiling , instead of only seeing the bottom structure of the gridshell, now we will be able to see the roof even when we are inside . This create an interesting experience of users together with different surrounding conditions when they are moving between spaces .

Between the three separated roofs , the space with the high slightly tilted walls forms a fluid canyon space. Bringing light into circulation space and allow gatherings between functions.

Instructor : Jennifer Siegel