A PROPOSAL FOR MORPHOLOGICAL OPERATORS TO ASSIST

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

J-P Wetzel, Pr J-C. Bignon, Dr S. Belblidia

MAP-CRAI Team UMR-MAP CNRS-Culture N°694Architecture School of Nancy, France

Architecture School of Strasbourg, France

8th International Conference on Design & Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning / 4-7 July 2006

– Introduction : the context of our work

– Morpho-semantic operators in architecture

– Morpho-semantic operators seen throughout a few examples

– Interpretation and definition of a model

– Conclusion

Outline

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

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Introduction

• Since the early 80’s,CAD tools have provided new means for architectural representation.

• 2D replaced by 3D software.

• New tools for complex geometry.CAD 2D software (autodesk autocad)

3D modeler software (3dsmax discreet)

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Introduction

• For Ph. Boudon's postulation

“The process of conception is a diachronical one that implies a progressive transformation of what a project is” [5]

• Hypothesis :

“the shape production process can rely on the application of semantic operators on “seed” elements to transform them in “target” shapes.

Picture, Thomas MayerRepresenting the deformation by Frank O’ Gehry

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• Study of a collection of drawings of a bungalow project by the architect Neimann,

• Classification of the elements

• Identification of the variations between each sketch.

• Identification of simple transformations :

– rotation, – Translation, – symmetry …

• Result : mainly based on geometric operators

Array of transformations [6] page 10

The joining of all drawings appeared on a relation map. [10] page 6

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Ellen Do et Al. Study :

Morpho-semantic operators in architecture :5/20

Dominique Raynaud Study :

• Study about architectural conception [8]

• An empirical analysis of a series of 162 architectural projects.

• Definition of 20 different schemes : – contain, turn, go up, radiate,

cover, go through, open, begin, cut, descend, wave , unite, enclose, go out, link, repeat, end, surround, diminish, cross, battle, grow up

An example of representation of the undulation scheme on two projects [8] page 89

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Morpho-semantic operators in architecture :6/20

Carlos Barrios study :

• Development of a parametric model allows to generate complex forms,

• Experimentation on a column of the side-nave of the Sagrada Familia (Antonio Gaudi),

• Definition of shape operators such as “twist" and "intersection“.

• Use of combinations of operators, generate complex forms,

An evolution [10] page 5

Parametric variations [10] page 6

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Morpho-semantic operators in architecture :7/20

Morpho-semantic operators in architecture :

• These morpho-semantic operators ≠ geometric functions of a modeler

architectural sense.

• We define a morpho-semantic operator as :

A morphological transformation of an object(s)with a symbolic representation.

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Morpho-semantic operators throughout a few examples :

• Precising the notion of morpho-semantic operators.• Defining some parameters of these operations.

• Restricting the corpus to the « non standard ». architecture• Working with archives of sketches or model pictures

• Sorting these documents in a chronological order

• Knowing the architect main ideas is not necessary.

Objective :

Method :

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Frank Gehry :

Nationale Nederlanden Building, Praha

• This building illustrates the use of new forms in architecture.• The key concept in this project to symbolise Ginger Rogers and Fred

Astaire dancing.

• First spacialization geometrical primitives functional needs. • Morpho-semantic operations used :

– blend, press, stretch, smooth, etc.

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Morpho-semantic operators throughout a few examples :10/20

Santiago CALATRAVA :

Turning torso building

• S. Calatrava often registers motion in his projects(Example : TGV station in Lyon)

• The morphology of this building a turning torso.• This idea has been translated by the « twist » operator.• The « Bulge » operator used more locally.

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Morpho-semantic operators throughout a few examples :11/20

Interpretation and definition of a model

• First strategy represented by a slug : – Morphological transformation but not topological– Example of operators such as twist, stretch or pinch. – Transformation through metamorphosis

• Second strategy represented by a lobster :– creating forms through adjustement and combination– made of unitary forms that we are going to add, juxtapose, superimpose. – transformation by composition

The lobster and the slug by Francis DK Ching

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Operators classes :

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Unary operators :

Unary operators

• The unary operators : – translation, rotation,

symmetry,– Scaling,

– all the similarities. • Transformations at a higher

level, in modelers “deformations”, or “modifiers”

• Modify the morphology of the various objects,

• Carry a symbolical meaning.

Interpretation and definition of a model

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Binary operators :

• Binary operators link several objects

• Tranformations : – superposition,

– juxtaposition– other alignment operations

• The composition operators :– Boolean operations (union,

intersection, subtraction)

– fusion, a variant of union– “machining” effects by applying

a movement to the subtracted object.

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Interpretation and definition of a model

Machining effect example

Fusion operator

Subtraction operator

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Interpretation and definition of a model

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Origami hippocampus

• The “fold” operator like an expression of an idea:

– The origami uses folding to create any form

– Folding an expression in a building, example Customs of Hohenhems by architect Drexel

Customs of Hohenhems (Austria) by R. Drexel

Examples of relationship between idea and operator :

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An example of parameter definition :

The “fold” operator parameters:

- the solid to be folded

- the reference plan

- the folding angle

- the range defined as a distance to the reference plan

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Interpretation and definition of a model16/20

Example of morphological transformation process :

• Simulation of the modeling process of Calatrava’s « Turning Torso »

Calatrava’s building « Turning Torso »

Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion

Interpretation and definition of a model17/20

Modeling of Calatrava’s building « Turning Torso » :

• A comparative approach :

– First method : polygonal modelling

– Second method : use of operators

First method

Second method

Interpretation and definition of a model

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Conclusion :

• We have attempted to :

– Demonstrate the pertinence of morpho-semantic operators, – Define their role of in the process of creating forms. – Evaluate the impact of some operators and parameters on the resulting

shapes.

• Future work :

– Identify and classify more operators,– Enlarge the analysis corpus,– Explore HCI to define the use of operators.

– Design an intuitive 3D modeling tool to explore new morphological expressions.

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Authors : J-P Wetzel, Pr J-C. Bignon, Dr S. Belblidia

MAP-CRAI Team UMR-MAP CNRS-Culture N°694Architecture School of Nancy, France

Architecture School of Strasbourg, France

Thank you very much for your attention

www.crai.archi.frwetzel@crai.archi.fr

A PROPOSAL FOR MORPHOLOGICAL OPERATORS TO ASSIST

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

8th International Conference on Design & Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning / 4-7 July 2006