DD39

CONFIGURATION OF THE STRUCTURAL LATTICE

FACT FILE SALT DEPOSITS ON THE MESH OVER THE SPAN OF TIME possibility of an architectural realm which
in its core strives to create a unique building
PROJECT : GEOTUBE TOWER in a saline water solution and allowed to air dry. system that mimics the natural evolution of the
Through repeated washing and evaporation, a environment.
LOCATION : ZABEEL PARK, DUBAI, U.A.E. solid salt skin formation was observed. These
observations became an integral part in the With an open structure and an exposed
PROGRAM : ICONIC TOWER FOR THE CITY OF DUBAI design concept evolution. membrane skin, the vertical planes of the
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION GEOtube tower are continually misted with
SPONSORED BY THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR CO. The ‘building skin’ is the core of the design local salt water via an external vascular water
concept which evolves, in an unpredictable system. The result is a continual uniform
ARCHITECT : THOM FAULDERS fashion over the passage of time. It is entirely growth of salt crystal deposits upon its vast
grown rather than constructed; is in continual and highly visible surfaces which gradually
DESIGN TEAM : FAULDERS STUDIO formation rather than fully completed; and over time evolves from a transparent veil to a
is created locally rather than imported from
TEAM ASSOCIATES : JASONCHANG, CHARLESLEE afar. Through its existence, it explores the

TEAM ASSISTANTS : DEVINRUTZ, SCOTT BLEW

PROPOSAL : 2009
COMPLETION

July 2017 | Design Detail 51

FAULDERS STUDIO

An amalgamation of concerted efforts
to architecture, urban research, public
art and a keen interest in museum
installations and exhibitions, the
FAULDERS studio, is a multi disciplinary
practice based in Oakland, CA.

Led by architect Thom Faulders, the
FAULDERS studio believes in creating
structures that is well in sync with
the context and explicitly delivers the
features of the environment in which
it is considered. The studio utilises the
properties of materials to the fullest to
create innovative spatial formations.
Keen observation and study of the
natural and artificial life systems has
directed the minds of the FAULDERS
to deliver conceptually and technically
sound projects.

FAULDERS STUDIO has been presented
at various art centres & institutes and
has received various architectural and
design awards for their exponential and
dedicated efforts.

Professor at CCA/California College of
Arts in San Francisco, Thom Faulders is
world renowned academician as well.

4) Double layered, laterally 5) Evolution of the
braced structural lattice building skin over time
made of fiber reinforced from a transparent veil
ploymer (FRP) steel tubes to a solid vertical plane

52 Design Detail | July 2017

4

vibrant white vertical plane. GEOtube provides GEOtube uses solar energy to responsibly
5 an identifiable architectural icon for the city, a meet its energy needs, thereby addressing the

specialized habitat for wildlife that thrives in this concerns of high energy demands required

specialized environment, and an accessible skin for to propel the processes associated with its
harvesting the crystal salt. functioning.The open air salt water distillation
pond contains photovoltaic panels that float

The minimal regional rains and the annual upon the top surface of the pond via a custom
sandstorms constructively aid in cleansing and pontoon system. Photovoltaic pads are tethered
washing away lose particles from the forming salt to the bottom of pond with enough slack to
skin. Besides natural forces, the salt skin requires allow for random clustering. Panels are wired to
minimal human maintenance, similar to the the energy grid via a tethered conduit.

necessities of window washing for other large size Air saturated with healthy negative ions,
buildings and structures. produced by the salt crystals has a profound

health impact. With the therapeutic values of

An extensive study of the climatic features of the salt caves and their positive influence in the

site has helped them in creating a building system treatment of respiratory diseases being well

which not only comfortably resides but also researched and studied upon, the GEO tube
thrives in the local climate. tower has one more aspect to its highlight.

The pattern design for the structural system was The Faulders studio has succeeded greatly
created by tracing the planar surface deformation in addressing the negative impact of carbon
generated by the large wind tube openings. The intensive construction techniques through
highly redundant structural lattice made of steel their design philosophy which relies entirely on
tubes of variable diameters comprises of two layers the possibilities and limitations of the context.
per wall. The layers are interconnected with lateral
structural bracing via the wind tubes. The steel With a unique structural and aesthetical
tubes are sheathed in fiber reinforced polymer
(FRP) material to protect against salt corrosion. framework and intelligent use of the

environmental resources, GEOtube’s wide

acclaim is very well justified. dd

July 2017 | Design Detail 53

RENDEZVOUS

1

54 Design Detail | July 2017

2

RENDERING Virtual Reality is almost a
THE FUTURE Greenfield area in India. Tell us
about how Memesys got involved
1) The Memesys Photos: Memesys Culture Lab with VR.
team rigging a
drone for an aerial Memesys Culture Lab is a cinema and We have, for a long time wanted to create a space
VR shot new media studio at the intersection where like-minded people can come together to create,
2) The Memesys of science, philosophy and culture. It experiment and make things. Memesys Culture Lab is
Aerial Rig airborne was formed on 14th October, 2015 a product of that intention.
during a shoot by Khushboo Ranka, Pooja Shetty,
Neil Pagedar, Zain Memon and Anand Memesys is a collective of filmmakers, writers,
Gandhi in Mumbai. In a conversation engineers, journalists, architects and drop outs
with Team Design Detail, Pooja who have self-educated over the years. This inter
Shettty delves into the unexplored disciplinary system allows us to share knowledge
realms of virtual reality, and explains and allow for experimentation. We want to create
how it could be used extensively in stories that can reach out to more people, films that
architecture. can critique our social institutions, designs that can
make lives not only aesthetically pleasing but also
usher in change. But to do all this, we need the right
kind of tools. Aids that can help us translate what we
want to say in the most efficient way possible. Just like
you need a pen to translate the ideas in your head in
a more tangible way, VR became one such important
tool for us. We realised the potential VR has in
helping us translate our ideas. So we got to work on it
immediately. I remember the first time I saw a film on
the Google cardboard. The experience felt completely
immersive and exhilarating.

July 2017 | Design Detail 55

Could you tell us about your top
two experiments/applications with
VR? About the biggest opportunity
as well as the biggest challenge you
faced in each.

Our most important project has been a result of our
experiments with VR – the ElseVR magazine. When
we started producing results with VR, we realised that
one of the most effective uses of it is in journalism. VR
is a really good empathy machine - it transports you
to new environments and it allows you to have a new
perspective. It comes the closest to allowing you to have
a first-hand experience of a place, story, or person.

For each story in ElseVR we made a director-writer
team. A writer for the long-form narrative piece and
a director to make a visual story. It’s been interesting
to see how different directors take to VR. We have had
a lot of interesting people collaborate with us on this
- AnandPatwardhan, Faiza Ahmad, Nishtha Jain, to
name a few.

Another interesting project we are doing is in
augmented reality (AR). We are bringing Gandhi in all
our bank notes alive. For this AR piece, you have to take
your phone, and aim your camera at a 100 rupee note;
you then see a recreation of the Salt March with Gandhi.

3) Engineer 4) Poster for 5) The
Rohan Raut “Submerged”, an proprietary
testing out a head ElseVR experience DLSR 360 rig by 3
mounted 360 rig
by Memesys Memesys Lab

4

56 Design Detail | July 2017

5

July 2017 | Design Detail 57

Big Architecture Practices globally
have been using VR for a while
now. What are the opportunities
for architects that VR offers?

Like I said before, VR is a great tool to have to translate
your ideas.
Once you have your design ready, it becomes a task to
be able to translate the idea in the crispest way possible
to your client or even to your team; which is why we
resort to making models in Maya and Revit or making
physical models, and taking really low angle shots so
that we can translate scale. Even after all that design,
scale and light doesn’t translate. VR solves that. There
are so many plug-ins that convert a 3D model into a
VR compatible walk- through that translating vision
is easy.
But apart from the end product, VR is really handy
when you are designing. You can insert sun paths,
textures and people. Now you will know exactly
what kind of shadows your building will leave and if
a certain decorative façade would work. It’s the most
6 effective way of experiencing what your design would
look like once it’s built. It’s a life size walk-through.

7

58 Design Detail | July 2017

6) Team 8) The wireless
Memesys at their camera bot built by
studio Team Memesys
7) The custome 9) The Memesys
designed power camera bot on a
distribution shoot
circuit board for 10) Co-founder and
the Memesys CDO Pooja Shetty
camera rigs

8 10

Could you share information about
9 perhaps two practices that you are

familiar with who are making
great use of this technology?

There are a lot of interesting applications that are
emerging with virtual reality. It’s such a new piece of
technology that everyone’s trying their hands out and
seeing how they can mould the technology for their
use.

One application that I find fascinating is using VR to
treat different phobias. You have arachnophobia? Here
are a few simulated spiders running on your hand
which might help in combating your fear. There are a
few research institutions like the California University
that are using VR to treat PTSD.

Another application that’s fascinating is a VR tele-
presence device. With this you can be in Bombay
hooked to your Oculus or Gear and have a device in
Paris which is a VR camera rig attached to a remotely
controlled moving robot. You can now explore a
foreign city from the comforts of your home, or attend
a conference without being there. We recently built
one at the office.

July 2017 | Design Detail 59

“Virtual Reality” sounds like a 11
scary inhibiting term. How easy/
complicated is it for an emerging
architect to start using it? Could you
provide a simple five step primer?

Virtual Reality is pretty simple once you get to it. There
are already, so many software online that help you
navigate through almost everything you want.

HTC Vive’s Tilt Brush is amazing to design with. You
can paint, draw, sketch in a 3D environment. Walk
around a drawing, change the environment etc.

Leap motion is an amazing controller. It’s a motion
sensing device that lets you see your hands in VR.
Because it can track your hands, you can create
objects, sculpt, move, pan, and do anything you want
in Autocad, Revit, Maya and such.

There are so many software and plug-ins now that
take your 3D models and make them compatible with
VR. Enscape, Playuptools, IrisVR are a few plug-ins
that I can think of.

You are a trained architect
yourself, now working on multiple
media and tech. I’m sure there
has been much cross-pollination
between your training and your
interests. Could you talk to us a bit
about how architecture enriches
your current work in art/film and
vice versa? And what technology
brings to all of this?

Architecture is a great educational foundation to have.
12 In the five year that you study architecture you also

study art, culture, history, economics and politics. It
allows you to be aware of how each of them affects
the other. This cross-disciplinary education sets a good
foundation for your life after school.

Architecture has been integral in almost everything
I do. I can’t seem to escape it! Our first big production
from Memesys is a science fiction television show
that Neil and I are creating. We want to create a
fictional world using architecture existing in our part
of the world. We have such a diverse landscape in
architecture with little to no exposure in mainstream
media. So the show seemed a good way for us to
keep the conversation alive, reinvent spaces, and to
reinstate how design affects our living.

60 Design Detail | July 2017

11) A close-up of the 13) Engineer Rohan
Memesys camera bots Raut tries out an
stabilizing system early prototype of
12) Poster for “When the POV 360 rig
all land is lost, do 14) Poster for “Cast
we eat coal?”, an is not a Rumor”, an
ElseVR experience by ElseVR experience
Memesys by Memesys

What is Memesys currently 13
working on vis-à-vis VR?

There are a few exciting projects that we are doing
with AR. One is Gandhi in currency notes. We have
the VR tele-presence robot. Our ElseVR magazine is an
ongoing project. We recently had Sooni Tarapoorewala
collaborate with us on a film.

Technology can be seductive.
What must the new user be careful
about/aware about?

When I was studying architecture, in the third year we
had to switch from doing hand drawn drawings in our
Architecture Design class to using only Autocad. And I
distinctly remember how everyone’s design style suddenly
changed. From really imaginative and wild designs it went
to very rigid and safe design aesthetics. We all had allowed
AutoCad to dictate our design language. I remember
making a conscious effort to not allow a software try to
dictate my style from thereon. Technology is like that, it is
alluring and it makes your life easy, but you should always
remember that nothing preludes creativity. Technology is
just a tool to help you achieve your vision.

Does Memesys have plans to involve
14 the architecture community

(practitioners / students) in the VR?
Any plans you would like to share?

I’ve been meaning to do an Architecture VR series
for a long time. Everywhere in the world architecture
tourism is an entire industry. People drive out of their
way to see a pavilion. We don’t seem to have that
culture here. Even when I was studying architecture,
visiting most of these places were difficult and
inaccessible. But imagine having documentation of all
the interesting buildings on VR. A student studying in
Coimbatore can visit the Villa Shodan.

After the recent destruction of the Hall of Nations,

a building part of our modern heritage and parts of

B.V. Doshi’s CEPT being taken down, it has become

imperative to at least have documentation of it. Almost

like a time capsule. dd

July 2017 | Design Detail 61

AESTHETIC GROUNDS

THE
OCEANIC
EFFECT

Text : Team Design Detail / Photos : Balmond Studio

Situated in a premier location of the
capital city of Colombo, Srilanka
with views of the Indian Ocean,
“Waterfront” is a mixed-use
development project that includes a six
star hotel, apartment blocks, a large retail center
and office buildings. It is a ‘city’ within a city.
The designer Cecil Balmond has employed an
algorithmic approach to the design of various
features of the structure. Its rippling façade has
a complex form with a fractal organisational
system creating non-repeating patterns of
self-similarity which occur on infinite scales.
These generative arrangements resemble
the movement of the ocean’s waves that the

62 Design Detail | July 2017

July 2017 | Design Detail 63

development overlooks. The bold ‘scallop’ shape
of the main building echoes the idea of a guard
stone and a gateway to Sri Lanka’s past and
traditions.Simultaneously, the project tends to
accelerate the possibilities of ambition, drive
and growth for the future of the country.
The project’s interior design is also based on
algorithmic principles, fusing the inside with
the outside. Its light installations will follow
a generative pattern. Designing with these
organizational systems does not limit, but

64 Design Detail | July 2017

FACT FILE

PROJECT : WATERFRONT
PROGRAM : MIXED DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION : COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

ARCHITECT : CECIL BALMOND

DESIGN TEAM : BALMOND STUDIO

CLIENT : JOHN KEELLS HOLDINGS

AREA : 422,000 sq. m.

COMPLETION : EXPECTED 2018

BUDGET : $650 MILLION

EARLY SKETCH

July 2017 | Design Detail 65

66 Design Detail | July 2017

CECIL BALMOND

Pioneering the crossover between
advanced art, architecture and science,
Balmond has challenged the limits of
industrial fabrication and transformed
the relationship of designers to the
built environment. His interest in the
philosophy of form and space has
influenced his radical look at the world
around us and led to a re-thinking of
structure to look at the interior forces
shaping forms, rather than simply
looking at the solid form. He is widely
considered to be one of the most
significant creators of his generation,
known for making the “impossible,
possible” on some of the world’s most
stunning architecture projects

rather liberates the process, opening up new
possibilities. Although technology has played
a large part in the structure, the base of the
project is a simple and conceptual sketch that
then leads to a digital trial. This interchange
of high technology to ‘low’ traditional craft is
essential to create a form only possible through
iterative work.

Balmond Studio is responsible for the project’s
architecture, engineering, cost-control, project
management and site supervision, as well
as elements of the interior design and all
public spaces. Balmond’s Sri Lankan heritage
makes this a particularly personal project so
when designing he wanted to engage with
individuality, universality, functionalism and
aspiration.

Work began on the site in March 2014 and

will be complete in 2018. The project is sure to

become an icon for Sri Lanka and a beacon for

Sri Lankan architecture. dd

July 2017 | Design Detail 67

In a brief interview given to Team
Design Detail, Cecil Balmond talks
about his approach to work in general
and how far technology could be
applied in architecture.

Balmond Studio’s work stands out
for its “Algorithmic approach” to
design. Can you expand a bit on
this approach?

I would say that the work represents more of an
‘Emergent approach’ with algorithm being one facet
of this methodology. Looking at solid form is only a
part of the picture; there has to be an emphasis on the
interior, the internal forces shaping these forms – the
coded systems shaping the world around us. This is the
paradigm of emergence. To put it simply, algorithm is
a kind of rule or action – an instruction. It starts, feeds
back into the system, then repeats - feedback repeat,
feedback repeat - over and over again. It appears that
a basic rule of something adhering to another similar
idea, repeated, leads to stabilities. I believe that this
is a function of relational data sets, linked to rules,
leading to many forms. In this world there are no fixed
outcomes, only a moment of arrest at the appropriate
time and scale.

Mr. Balmond and Balmond Studio While high end technology has
have invested deeply in pure obvious advantages, the Balmond
mathematical research, in service design approach often shifts
of engineering and architecture. between the high end software
Could you talk to us about some of work and traditional hand
the key research questions that are drawings. Could you talk about
being pursued? this back-and-forth between
mediums?
I am continuing to use mathematical research
to investigate non-linear geometries, geometries Everything begins with an abstract idea. In other
that surpass Euclidian geometry. The Non-Linear words, I have a very loose idea in my mind of what
Systems Organisation that I direct at the University form I want before I start using any technology. This is
of Pennsylvania School of Design focuses on where I sketch - a freehand exploration of the abstract.
experimental thought, applying new computer based Once I am visually in the right kind of territory, I
mathematics of complexity to actual systems in the
material world. Its underlying mathematical principles
are as relevant to cutting edge studies of business
systems as to self organizing mechanisms in biology.
We should all be able to talk to each other at levels
more fundamental than those that define specialism
of our inherited disciplines.

68 Design Detail | July 2017

begin to look for a particular organisational system Technology is nothing more than a tool. Software has
in which to operate. Only at this stage do I bring in
computer software to start generating the actual form. no built in sense of aesthetics. It is purely functional –
Forty years’ research into these systems helps me
instinctively find the appropriate one. only doing what it is programmed to do. In emergent

Technology can be seductive. form, the designer isn’t omnipotent, form making is
What must the architect and
engineer be careful/aware about a tension – an engagement, a push and pull between
in their use?
instinct and process. But it is still the designer’s

intuition and vision that drives the whole design.

To rely on technology to design is nonsensical. To

understand the mathematics, data sets and number

matrices allows one to then manipulate the technology

to reach a design objective. dd

July 2017 | Design Detail 69

INTERIORS

1

70 Design Detail | July 2017

2

THE NEXT
BIG THING

Text : Ar. Meenu K / Photos : Jeff Maeshiro

“Architecture is a visual art,
and the buildings speak for themselves”

The pursuit of architects and – Julia Morgan. 1) Digitally fabricated
designers in creating unique interior feature wall at
expressions of their design technical data, lending their services to all work WEC, California
philosophies has been a journey platforms worldwide. 2) Moire like
since time immemorial. effect produced by
Holding a stature in this new wave of inteference patterns
As the technology strides ahead, the physical technology assisted data analysis, IBM Watson’s
representation of large volume of technical project requirement for the design, challenged
data, both structured and unstructured has the pre-determined notions and practices of the
become a necessity of different fields of work. design community.
IBM Watson Analytics has emerged as the
leading commercial technology platform in The project requirement was to create a
this regard, becoming the pioneer in providing dynamic architectural feature that provides
meaningful insights from the analysis of the an identity and enhances the visual and spatial
experience of visitors to the Watson Experience
Center, while simultaneously providing a

July 2017 | Design Detail 71

3 uniquely spatial marketing narrative that
4 highlights Watson’s ability to analyze large
quantities of unstructured data.
72 Design Detail | July 2017
Synthesis Design + Architecture (SDA) and IBM
Watson collaborated in a multi-disciplinary
design process which challenged IBM to utilize
Watson’s cognitive computing capabilities
to provide relevant data analysis to drive
a generative design process. The resultant
architectural feature, the Data Moire, stands
as an architectural expression of the digital
data successfully integrating data analytics,
parametric modelling, and digital fabrication
providing a unique identity to the center.

The importance of Data Moire is exemplified
in the context that it merges the territories of
‘Data Visualization’ and ‘Data spatialization’
and sets a constructive example for the
design community, especially the architecture
community.

DATA SURFACE - THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF MOBILE ON DIGITAL SALES 3) Patterned double 4) Entry to
layered perforated the feature
aluminium panel wall
illustrating the data
analysis

FACT FILE

PROJECT : DATA MOIRE

PROGRAM : FEATURE WALL

LOCATION : SAN FRANCISCO, USA

ARCHITECT : SYNTHESIS DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE

DESIGN TEAM : ALVIN HUANG (PRINCIPAL),
MO HARMON, FARNOOSH RAFAIE

COLLABORATORS :

IBM WATSON ANALYTICS (DATA ANALYSIS)

ARKTURA LLC, LOS ANGELES (FABRICATION)

GENSLER, SAN FRANCISCO (INTERIORS)

CLIENT : IBM WATSON

YEAR : 2016

AREA : 35 sf

MOIRE EFFECT - CIRCLES OVERLAP TO CREATE MOIRE Data Visualization encapsulates the process of
DESIGN SKETCHES - TRANSLATING CONTOURS TO CIRCLES pictorial representation of abstract data. Data
visualization derives necessary and useful
information of patterns, trends and correlations
from the large volume of data which is of
utmost importance in today’s business world
where critical analysis of the inside data is used
for performance enhancement of companies
and their employees. Infographics, dials and
gauges, geographic maps, sparklines, heat maps,
and detailed bar, pie and fever charts are few of
the examples of data visualization entities.

A relationship between the fields of data
visualization and architecture has existed for
hundreds of years. Architecture has always
been a wordless manifestation of aspirations,
dreams and philosophies. So the essence of ‘data
visualisation’ is not an unfamiliar genre for the
design community.

Data spatialization can be understood as a
natural extension of data visualization which

July 2017 | Design Detail 73

VORNOI - DELAUNAY PATTERN uses computational design tools to generate
MOIRE EFFECT formal and spatial constructions with large
quantities of information. With regards to
74 Design Detail | July 2017 architecture, spatialization adds both depth
and dimension to architectural concepts and
presents considerable opportunities to create,
materialize and envision signature design
elements.

It has emerged as the term to describe novel
architectural materializations that utilize
computational design processes to generate
novel architectural expressions and spatial
opportunities informed by Big Data.

The relationship between data visualization
and architecture, as well as the interplay of
data spatialization in architectural design is a
fascinating one and Data Moire is a prodigy in
this regard.

DESIGN SKETCHES - CONTOURS AND HATCHES

July 2017 | Design Detail 75

DESIGN SKETCHES - OVERLAPPING CIRCLES, MOIRE EFFECT

VORNOI - DELAUNAY PATTERN
MOIRE EFFECT

The wall stands as an architectural illustration
of technical data of the monthly spending
cycles gathered by the mapping of large volume
of data associated with the growing influence
of mobile devices on digital sales from 2013-
2015. The data is materialized as a CNC milled,
double layered aluminum, back-lit screen wall.
Two mappings of the same data are overlayed,
creating a moiré like effect showcasing a unique
and distinctive visual at the IBM Watson
Experience center.

PATTERN UPDATE - AVOIDING CONFLICTS
76 Design Detail | July 2017

VORNOI - DELAUNAY PATTERN
MORE EFFECT

SYNTHESIS DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE Data Moire becomes a prelude to a new
architectural paradigm of ‘Narrative
With an experience of 15 years in producing innovative Spatialization’ that not only is able to illustrate
design work internationally, Synthesis Design+ Architecture the findings of the data which produced it (the
is a dynamic and visionary multi-award winning design firm chronological metrics of e-commerce affected
based in Los Angeles, California with architectural licenses in by mobile sales), but also serves to highlight
California, Arizona and Colorado. the technology that produced it (the cognitive
computing of IBM Watson).
Their design practice culminates computational,
technological and material innovation to create innovated The IBM Watson Experience center at San
architecture in the scene of the contemporary creative design Francisco is a former among a series of Watson
culture that also purposefully enlivens the public, conveying Experience centers (WEC), launched by IBM
the quintessence of architecture to a wider audience. in an effort to showcase the capabilies of their
cognitive computing services. Each of the WEC
Alvin Huang, AIA, the Founder and Design Principal of focuses on a particular commercial market,
Synthesis Design + Architecture and an Associate Professor with the WEC at San Francisco focussed on
at the USC School of Architecture is an award-winning retail and commerce industries.
architect, designer, and educator. Named as one of Time
Magazine’s 20 Best Inventors of 2013 and with many other Data Moiré capitalizes on two computational
awards and recognitions to his credit, his work has been paradigms: the capacity of cognitive computing
published and exhibited widely and has gained international and machine learning to analyze and provide
recognition with over 30 distinctions at local, national, and insights into massive amounts of unstructured
international levels. data and the ability of generative design
processes to drive geometries that are informed
Alvin received a Master of Architecture and Urbanism from by data. However, it is not the analysis nor the
the Architectural Association Design Research Laboratory geometries themselves which are the impactful
(2004) in London and a Bachelor of Architecture from the products of this project, but rather the capacity
University of Southern California (1998) in Los Angeles. of the analysis and the geometry combined that
are able to communicate this information to a
wider audience.

With Data Moire, the design team at SDA
presents ‘Narrative Spatialization’ as the new

perspective for the design community. dd

July 2017 | Design Detail 77

IN THE MAKING

78 Design Detail | July 2017

ELECTRIFYING
ARCHITECTURE

Text : Team Design Detail / Photos : Arch Group

Arch Group, a design independently producing electric
practice based in power without the help of any of
Moscow, has come the traditional and natural sources
up with a highly such as wind, sunlight, water or
innovative concept tides. But, the energy came from an
which was presented during the obvious source for every building –
international contest organised the people.
by Evolo magazine, 2016. They
showcased the idea of a skyscraper Skyscrapers are always inhabited
“Teeter-Totter” capable of by large number of people, who

July 2017 | Design Detail 79

constantly move inside and outside the building
resemblingatidalwave.Thischangestheweight
of the building, which can be used to generate
electricity during the day. In the morning, under
the weight of a huge mass of people and cars
in the parking lot, the building starts to move
down making generators work; at night, due
to a counterbalance, the skyscraper moves up
to its original position and generates electricity
again. This process is the operating principle of
the skyscraper.

For its functioning, the building would need
a huge counterweight. There is no point to
make it out of concrete or steel because the
cost of the counterweight will be similar to the

80 Design Detail | July 2017

VARIANTS OF SKYSCRAPER PLACEMENT IN THE CITY

July 2017 | Design Detail 81

SITE PLAN

TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN

82 Design Detail | July 2017

SECTION SECTION FRAGMENT

FACT FILE ARCHGROUP

PROJECT : CONCEPT OF THE SKYSCRAPER The architectural bureau Arch Group was
“TEETER-TOTTER” FOR EVOLO-2016 set up by architects Michael Krymov and
Alexey Goryainov in Moscow in 2007. With
DESIGN PRACTICE : ARCH GROUP both of them being the Union of Architects
members, Arch Group team consists of
ARCHITECTS : MICHAEL KRYMOV AND about 20 enthusiastic professionals. The
ALEXEY GORYAINOV main area of activity of the bureau is
designing public interiors,and buildings for
YEAR : 2016 different purposes.Arch Group performs the
whole scope of design works from the first
consultations and concept development
to the development of detailed design
documentation in all sections, as well as
the construction supervision.

Arch Group is the creator of modular mini-hotels for airports and train stations Sleepbox.
The Sleepbox has been recognized as one of the TOP-10 best ideas in the Dezeen Book
of Ideas according to the world’s most influential architecture and design website Dezeen.
Arch Group has also won International competition for the project of the Museum of
Science Fiction in Washington, the reconstruction concept of the Baking Factory“Prostor” in
Moscow, the national competition for the reconstruction of the swimming pool of Luzhniki
Olympic Complex in Moscow, and the International competition for the development of the
historic part of Kaliningrad city core.

July 2017 | Design Detail 83

cost of building materials since they have the componentsofthisstructurecontaingenerators
same weight. Therefore, water will work as that transform this flux into electricity.
the best counterbalance. In addition to its low
cost, water can be used for other purposes. The In order to allow people to enter the building
effort can be transmitted from the building to
the counterweight using a hydraulic system. from the ground level, long spiral ramps are

The building constantly moves up and down. designed that work like a huge spring. As a
This movement allows realizing a variety
of kinetic versions of the facade creating a result, people can always reach the building
“living” building. An exoskeleton, which is a
three-dimensional mechanical structure, is entrance level. A residential building can also
created around the building that compresses
and decompresses during the day. The moving act as a counterweight since it is subject to the

same processes, but it would move in anti-phase

to the office building. Moreover, it is possible

to create a city network of such balanced

skyscrapers, which will constantly re-distribute

their weight among themselves. dd

84 Design Detail | July 2017

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July 2017 | Design Detail 85

LITTLE BIG DETAILS

86 Design Detail | July 2017

Text : Team Design Detail
Images: Courtesy of Höweler + Yoon Architecture LLP
Photography: Matt Winquist

A PUBLIC The dusty winds of the desert sands,
the scorching heat of the sun and
a building landscape driven by the
forces of major industries, Phoenix
PARASOL of Arizona is a metropolis crippling
under the clutches of the urban sprawl.

Whether or not urban sprawl is a matter of

concern is a hugely debatable topic, still its

effects are evident and it needs to be taken

care of. The effect of urban sprawl is deeply

problematic for a desert region in particular

due to the lack of dependable resources and the

artificial environment which they necessitate.

Studies have demonstrated that creating an

artificial living environment through excessive

resource consumption is unsustainable over

time.

July 2017 | Design Detail 87

1

Since the past few years, Phoenix has been
impacted by the environmental consequences
of the current development pattern.

Policy makers, urban planners, reformers,
architects and environmentalists of
Phoenix have been actively involved in
finding a viable solution to this global issue.
One of the most promising and on going
policy in this regard largely focuses on city
revival through developments that involve
superior transportation systems, mixed-use
developments, parks, open space, and the ability
to walk to and from the surrounding facilities.

Shadow Play by Höweler + Yoon, is one among
the many developmental projects undertaken
by the City of Phoenix in the recent years as part
of its effort in the city revival. Widely lauded,
the project strikes a cord by transforming
the traffic median at Roosevelt Row into a
public place with an interesting and intelligent
architectural display that functions to foster the
pedestrian life.

These clusters of shade structures, with
its meticulous design composition, offers
considerable relief from the desert sun,
becoming a public parasol to the streetscape of
downtown Phoenix. Shadow Play’s hovering
canopy is formed from an aggregation of
identical geometric modules, with a geometry

SUNPATH DIAGRAM
88 Design Detail | July 2017

SECTION

UNIT DIAGRAM

1) The folded steel cells 2) Origami used as a
manipulates the intense cost effective design
sunrays to create an tool for structural
interesting display of optimsation studies.
shadow patterns

2

July 2017 | Design Detail 89

Höweler + Yoon

Höweler + Yoon, founded in 2005, is
an award-winning multi disciplinary
architectural practice recognized for
innovative work across the domains of
architecture, urban design, public space,
immersive experience, and design strategy.
H+Y is as much a laboratory as a studio,
transforming speculative ideas into built
realities across scales ranging from an
installation to a city street, to a new
cultural institution, to a campus.

Höweler + Yoon is engaged in academic,
institutional, civic, and cultural projects
across the United States, Europe and Asia.
From their acclaimed Audi Urban Futures
project to their White Noise White Light
plaza for the Athens 2004 Olympics, H+Y
has demonstrated that they can transform
speculative and imaginative ideas into
extraordinary built realities.

Their work has been exhibited at the

3 Museum of Modern Art in New York, the
Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary

Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art in

Boston, the National Art Center in Tokyo,

and the Museum of Contemporary Art in

4 Chicago. Their work has been published
and reviewed in Architect Magazine,

Architectural Record, Domus, Interior

Design Magazine, and I.D. Magazine,

The New York Times, The Boston Globe,

The Financial Times and published in

the following books: Expanded Practice

(Princeton Architectural Press, 2009),

Young Architects Americas (DAAB 2007),

Material Process: Young Architects 4

(Princeton Architectural Press 2003).

FACT FILE

PROJECT : SHADOW PLAY

PROGRAM : PERMANENT PUBLIC SPACE

LOCATION : PHOENIX, ARIZONA

DESIGN FIRM : Höweler + Yoon

CLIENT : CITY OF PHOENIX

YEAR : 2015

90 Design Detail | July 2017

5

3) The angular canopy that maximises the production of shade Power generated by the photovoltaic panels is
of open cells aids in and shadow while allowing for breeze and stored in batteries, allowing the canopy to be
creating a micro-climate air movement. The impeccable and precise illuminated from within in the evening time.
in the shade. function oriented structural framework has The firm designed metal benches utilising the
4) Traffic median been derived by the in depth analysis and study same basic geometry as the parasols.
rendered as an urban of the context: climatic, social, historical and
social platform cultural. The firm conducted initial studies using folded
5) Energy efficiency origami paper, and structural optimisation
acheieved by the optimal The steel fabricated modules of Shadow play studies were undertaken to bring about a
use of the photovoltaic are visually lean but structurally rigid. They cost-effective way to span between supports
panels are aggregated in a particular fashion to form without compromising on the porous nature of
clusters that span between vertical supports to the canopy.
create an angular canopy of open cells, casting
shadows on the ground and creating local Shadow play flirts with the desert sun of
micro-climate in the shade.
Phoenix, to embody the purpose of its existence
Photovoltaic panels are mounted to the top
surface of the canopy, taking advantage of the by the magnificent display of shadow plays
optimally oriented geometry of the steel cells.
creating an expression of contemporary

architecture which ethos the spirit of the City

of Phoenix. dd

July 2017 | Design Detail 91

COLLOQUIUM

©Pexels, a Creative Commons Zero Licence image

Part I The article falls first in a series on an
investigation done by Design Detail on
thepossibilitiesofopensourcesoftware

THE OFTEN UNEXPLORED
WORLD OF FREE AND

OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE

1 Text : Ar. Nipun George
©Nipun George
Architecture today is a profession
that relies heavily on software.
The quantum leap from hand
drawing and drafting to that
of computers has been often
criticised for its lack of ‘emotion’. Contrarily,
digital tools have enabled architects to envision,
analyse and build a host of buildings that has
redefined architecture. It is no doubt that going
forward, the design workflow using software
will be a crucial arsenal for the architect to be
more efficient and produce more meaningful
work. But, are all software crafted keeping
individual architect’s special need in mind? Or
is it developed with the most common set of
features that most architects are likely to use?
This question is at the heart of open-source
software development.

What is open-source software?

Open source software refers to that software
whose source code is open for anyone to modify.

92 Design Detail | July 2017

2

©Yorik Van Havre

1) The interface for It means that if you want to add a new feature source. In certain cases, you may have to buy the
FreeCAD software, or remove certain content, you are free to do source code from the company – and only then
an open source, 3D so without breaking any copyright issues. In a can one alter it. The free software is made by a
modeller with Bim-like proprietary software like Photoshop, the source propriety company which still owns the code,
features. code is hidden and can be altered only by the but the software is free to use by the user. The
2) The Blender company that issued the software – Adobe. In Free software foundation formed in 1985 as well
interface showing the an open source application like GIMP, the code as the Open Source Initiative of 1998 details the
scripting panel and the is open for the user to modify and it opens up differences and similarities between them. A
modelling window. possibilities for enhanced user productivity and Free and open source software (FOSS), as the
a customised workflow. name suggests, is that software which is free
and the code is open for modifying.
Scripting and coding have recently gained
popularity among architects. Most schools offer So how are open-source software and free
coding workshops as part of their academic software funded? Will they sustain in the long
curriculum. Scripting Languages like Python, run?
Processing, visual programming software like
Grasshopper for Rhino and Dynamo for Revit Daniel H. Pink, in his best-selling book – Drive: The
are becoming integral in promoting a culture of SurprisingTruthAboutWhatMotivatesUs, writes
tailor made design solutions. an interesting case of Microsoft Encarta and
Wikipedia. Wikipedia, a free, open, web-based
Are all Open-source software free? encyclopaedia started by a bunch of enthusiasts
with no pay, grew in popularity over the much
It can be often confusing, but not all open-source funded, backed and the popular Microsoft
software is free and all free software is not open- Encarta. Pink argues that it is not money alone

July 2017 | Design Detail 93

94 Design Detail | July 2017

3) Toyo Ito and Cecil
Balmond designed
the Serpentine Gallery
Pavilion located at
Kensington Gardens,
London in 2002, which
had the complex
geometry developed
with generative
techniques.

that motivates a person – it is a creative urge, an with remarkable propositions on employing
‘intrinsic motivation’ that drives most people to do software to suit their design philosophy.
extraordinary work. The open-source software is
usually compiled by enthusiastic individuals who Mostproprietarycompaniesshiptheirsoftwares
after solving a problem, decides to share it with packed with features for diverse needs into
the community. a single package, which makes the software
buggy to use and comes with heavy hardware
Most open-source software companies sustain and software requirements. They are also
themselves by charging for support and services known to implement ‘Planned obsolescence’- a
to the clients – in the form of on-site help or 24/7 policy of planning or designing a product with
helpline. Some of the founders/original coders a limited life so that it becomes obsolete after a
compile code for other companies’ software or certain period of time, prompting the user to
features for a pay. There are also sponsors who have repeat purchase of the same product. In
use the open-source software and are willing the case of software, the older devices with old
to pay for its continual upgrade. Some software hardware configuration are left out of newer
also goes the way of crowd-funding. Selling software updates with better features, forcing
extensions, accessories, conducting workshops, the user to upgrade their hardware.
paid training sessions are also different methods
by which they sustain. The greatest advantage that the open source
software has is the ability to alter the code which
The free software is provided usually by frees the user from relying on the company to do
companies having other products to sell. it and add features as and when required. Since
Sometimes the free version is usually a small most Open-source software is run by smaller
promotional version of the original software, firms, bugs and fixes are patched in a matter of
which does the basic task by limiting some few hours. The open-source software updates
features. Users usually have to pay to unlock are designed such that they are more efficient
these features. in running on older hardware and incremental
upgrades also mean that the software stability
Why should an architect go for open-source and speed are not compromised.
software?
And, the price paid for setting up an architectural
Every architect, whether it be in the office
of Glenn Murcutt or Frank Gehry, uses the office or a school with fair number of softwares
software in a different way. Architects who had
shied away from the avant-garde movement is huge. Simply consider the single licence cost
of the 90s have slowly adapted the software to
suit their unique take on architecture whether of genuine drafting software, the OS, the 3d
it’s Toyo Ito or Herzog and De Mueron. They
have employed parametric design elements to modelling software, rendering software, office
realise their projects’ efficiency. Scripting has
opened up new avenues in design – resulting in application, image editing, PDF editing – it’s
an unparalleled expansion in the development
of software. Open-source software provides the a long list. Most open-source software is free
access code to enable this. Students, freelancers,
schools, small firms and large firms all come up or costs very low compared to the suites of big

companies. And you don’t have to pay for all the

unnecessary features of software. dd

3 Part 2 : Alternatives for popular proprietary
©Balmond Studio software bundles – OS, CAD, BIM & 3D Modelling

July 2017 | Design Detail 95

CITY COMFORTS

CREATING
IDENTITIES

Text : Team Design Detail | Photos: Bernard Khoury Architects

Amajor challenge of architecture is to create
structures that adapt to the topography
of the location. Located on a 535-square-
meter parcel with a steep topography in
Kferdebian, Mount Lebanon, Plot 4328 is
a residence that creates its identity with a unique façade
which has a ten meter drop between its road frontage and
the lowest point on the site.

1) The slanting 1
façade with a

seven meter depth
forms the identity

of the buiding

96 Design Detail | July 2017

July 2017 | Design Detail 97

2 The south façade connecting the project to the
3 access road has an inclination that starts at
ground level and slopes upward in the northern
98 Design Detail | July 2017 direction. This inclined plateau acts as the roof
as well as a street façade. Deployed on an
oblique angle, it steps up to an elevated pool at
the northern tip of the slope. The sloping plane
also leads the visitors up to the main entrance,
located at mid-level on the eastern and western
edges of the roof.

The north façade has a glazing texture from
floor to ceiling on all three levels and is open
to long and narrow balconies overlooking
spectacular views of the valley. The eastern and
western façades have limited openings which
provide access to intermediate terraces that
define the eastern and western edges of the
property.

2) A side view with 4) The slope that
an entry to the car leads to one of the
parking space entrance
3) The façade also 5) The façade steps
forms a roof for the up to an elevated
building pool

4
5

July 2017 | Design Detail 99

RECEPTION/ENTRANCE FLOOR

MASTER BEDROOM PARKING FLOOR

100 Design Detail | July 2017