Concept
This bottom-up design consists of tectonics research and architectural design. The tectonics research is the initial phase, which principal purpose is transforming the plane into the stable undeveloped surface by means of patternized topology algorithm. Then in the second phase, utilize the tectonics to the free form architectural design.
First, in the research, the method of generating free-form surface is developed initially. The method is generating the centripetal tessellation pattern by laser cutting on the plane material. As a result, the areas divided by the cutting pattern clamp each other firmly which resemble the hooks. Under this condition, deformation caused by the application of a force while the panel remains robust. After that, the free-form surface unfolding process takes place through the rigorous computer calculation considering the transformation difference between lengths and angles. At the next stage of research, the bendable patterned panel becomes stabilized by doubling and offsetting the layer which is equivalent to form resistant structures. In addition, these panels are also supplemented with different kinds of sub-structures or fillers according to their material attributes respectively. Moreover, the patterned panels are able to be used as molds to produce free-form post-tensioned concrete units. In the end of the research, there is also a self-supporting prototype model which aims to demonstrate the technical accuracy and feasibility of this free-form tectonics system.
Second, religious space is chosen as program template to operate the architectural design and system assembly. Among all religions, the elements of nature represent the supreme beings generally. Take water for instance, many ancient cultural divine spaces closely relate to water, which is considered the fountain of life. This illustrates an idea that many religious spaces are inspired by the form of natural elements, and thus present themselves as non-linear spaces commonly. In sum, water is taken as a natural element in the project, and the previous curved surface fabrication technique in which is applied as well. The design concept is culled from physics phenomenon of fluid, which including stream, vortex, caustics, and splash, to develop form finding. In the end, sequence of detail drawings is presented to examine the feasibility of the tectonics in reality.
Consequently, new construction techniques always lead to a new province of architecture, and the avant-garde concepts always arouse the advanced technique. Through the parametric process, this project demonstrates a notion that tectonics techniques are able to improve the conceptual design, and vice versa.
