P erformativeA rchitectureS tudio

2 0 1 1

generative art

complexity

scripting

processing

behaviour

emergency

geometry

materiality

fabrication

hardware

software

digital

interactive

imaginative

innovative

responsive

operative

systematic

parametric

swarming

evoking

immersive

narrative

inflatable

Table of Content

Precedent Research

Set Tasks

Individual Proposal

VLS Competition

Group Installation Reflection

generative art

generative art

complexity

complexity

scripting

scripting

processing

processing

behaviour

digital

interactive

imaginative

innovative

responsive

operative

systematic

parametric

swarming

evoking

PERFORMATIVE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO, 2011STUDIO LEADERS: STANISLAV ROUDAVSKI, GWYLLIM JAHN, ROGER ALSOPSTUDENT: EVA CHEN 324134

emergency

geometry

materiality

fabrication

hardware

software

immersive

narrative

narrative

inflatable

inflatable

Table of Content

Precedent Research

Set Tasks

Individual Proposal

VLS Competition

Group Installation Reflection

behaviour

emergency

geometry

materiality

fabrication

hardware

software

PERFORMATIVE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO, 2011STUDIO LEADERS: STANISLAV ROUDAVSKI, GWYLLIM JAHN, ROGER ALSOPSTUDENT: EVA CHEN 324134

PROLOGUE - a retrospect, body, space, and technologyPROLOGUE - a retrospect, body, space, and technology

This is a question being explored through-out whole semester. In retrospect, the definition and understanding of Performa-tive Architecture has changed and deepened through the learning process in this archi-tectural studio.

I have always been interested in installation art. Three dimensional exhibition space and real scale fascinate me. Walking through the dark curtains into an exhibition space, the mechanical intallational works mov-ing around the space just like robots. At a sudden, we start to stare at them and feeling immersed into another world, our senses are activated, we hear, we smell, we view. Such a space does not belong to a time frame, but it is there to recall an-other mind.

Digital design is totally a new field to me. Previous knowledge on creating a performa-tive space is emphasis on materiality and sensibility, creating an emotional journey and unique experience. The intergration of graphic design, interactive sound and light system, parametric form together into one project completely broadens my view to-wards contemporary intallation art. The body of visitor, the space of installation, and the techonology involved are the per-forming narratives in this show.

Inflatable structure is another interest-ing component in this studio. The nature of such a structure is simple and differ-ent, however instantly creates an spatial atomsphere. It challenges the definition of a traditional architectural space, adds a sense of dynamics. Even without live projec-tion, the lightness of inflatable structure allows movements and sound to be produced from itself and being alive.

The other techniques we learnt from this course, such as video mapping, MAX/MSP interactive system, Maya natural dynamic modelling assist to reveal the interactions. I guess the aim of this studio is to ex-plore and experiment spaces that perform as interfaces between users and the art world, and the relationships between in-dividual perception of space and exsiting digital information.

What is Performative Architecture?

PROLOGUE - a retrospect, body, space, and technology

two mindsArchitecture & Art

1PRECEDENT RESEARCHPRECEDENT RESEARCH

SWAS TENT

This bubble structure designed by Tie Fan is a conceptual design for emergency inflatable shelter. The design consists of a double-walled tent, which is inflated and kept rigid by a solar-powered fan. The geom-etry of the structure, informed by the principle of natural ventilation, helps to cool the internal space during the day.

translucent materialluminousorganic form

ARCHITECTS OF AIR

The vast ‘luminarium’ is made of thin, grey plastic with colour-ful translucent seams, to create a unique sensory experience of light and sound. The luminaria are dazzling mazes of winding paths and soar-ing domes inspired by pure forms of geometry & nature.

light & shadowsound

MATERIALITYMATERIALITYMATERIALITYMATERIALITY

D - TOWER

Architecture becomes part of larger interactive system of relationship. The project consists of a physical structure, a questionnaire deals with daily emotions and a website. At night, the computer concludes all the repsonses and lights the D-tower in the color cooresponding to that emotion.

luminousinteractive

DJ LIGHT INSTALLATION, LIMA

This light installation conducted by Cinimod Studio brints an exhilarat-ing and interactive experience which gives visitors the power to orches-trate a performance of light and sound across public space. The conc-pet is that anyperson can control of 85 giant globes of LED-powered light as a ‘guest DJ’. Their gestures are detected and translated at real-time into beautiful movements of light and sound across the entire space.

5

LIGHTINGLIGHTING

BOTOX CLOUD

This reactive modular lighting system propagating like cloud structure is an exploration of architectual plural-ism. Each paper modular are folded and cut in a certain way, lights are intalled inside an react with visi-tor movement. In this project, the complexities of weather are demon-strated through the abstract compo-sition of paper models.

modularmateriality

SNOW

Feathers fly around this 15 meter-long tank installed by Japanese de-signer Tokujin Yoshioka. The concept of this project is to integrate the phenomena and low of the nature into design.

‘Seeing the hundreds kilograms of light feather blown all over and falling down slowly, the memory of the snowscape would lie within people’s heart would be bubbled up.’

naturephenomenon

GEOMETRYGEOMETRYGEOMETRYGEOMETRY

1PRECEDENT RESEARCH

LIGHT RAIN

This interactive installation is de-signed by visual design studio WOW. With the theme of water, audience physicially enters and experiences the file. Raindrops fall with a va-riety of rhythms, contacting the audience’s shadows and bursting with beautiful tones. This is made with Processing and OSC communication.

motion detection

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT

This interactive wall-mounted in-stallation by German media artist is mainly made out of ordinary garbabe bags. Controlled by a microcontroller each of them is selectively inflated and deflated in turn by two cooling fans. It reacts by drawing back and tentatively following the movements of the observer.

motion detectioninflatable

7

INTERACTIVEINTERACTIVE

22SET TASKS

Agent Behavior Processing Sketch

In the start of this semester, we are introduced to two digital graphic and multi-media soft-wares - Processing and Max/MSP. Small tasks have been set weekly to learn the digital toos, and to understand the basic language of graphic and visual coding. The approach of digital design is a thinking process of decomposing and assembly. Thus it tends to have more flexible, dynamic and reasoned outcomes.

In the start of this semester, In the start of this semester, In the start of this semester, we are introduced to two digital graphic and multi-media soft-wares - Processing and Max/MSP. Small tasks have been set weekly to learn the digital toos, and to understand the basic language of graphic and visual coding. The approach of digital design is a

Small tasks have been set weekly to learn the digital toos, and to understand the basic language of graphic and visual coding. The approach of digital design is a thinking process of decomposing and assembly. Thus it tends to have more flexible, dynamic and

wares - Processing and Max/MSP. Small tasks have been set weekly

PROCESSINGWWW.OPENPROCESSING.ORG

MAX 5.0HTTP://CYCLING74.COM

singleobjectproperty

- color- shape- initial position

addmotion & variable

- speed- color change- form change

array & matrix

create repetitionof a single objectin certain defineddatabase.

interaction

multiple elementsinteract and affecteach other’s behaviors - complexmodeling.

parametric control; 3D motion visualizing; biomimetic behavior modeling;

9

messagemessagemessagemessage

INPUT OUTPUTOUTPUTOUTPUTOUTPUT

message

previewpreviewpreviewwindowwindowwindow

displayattributesattributes

objectobject

toggletoggletoggle

message

TASK 2.1

ATTRACTOR POINT SKETCH

This processing sketch varies the sizeand vertical position of a grid of 2D shapesbased on their proximity to the mouse.

General Process:* Define Global Variables* Setup * Draw Loops ( key steps: diameter = mousePos. dist (shapePos);

pushMatrix; popMatrix -> shift coordinates )

Modified sketch

Besides Processing’s own learning reference, browsing through openprocessing forum is also a way to learn from other people’s codes, and get inspirations.

This modified version changes original color mode into a sequence of neon colors, decrease the transparency value and rotates 90 degrees.

RIGHT:Attractor Point modified sketch

2.1SET TASKS

11

TASK 2.1

FLOCKING BEHAVIOR

Process: * create a class (Agent) * define the variables of this agent * create functions for this class * create a arraylist of this class * create a loop to pull out the agents from arraylist * run the agent function

2.2SET TASKS

13

CREATIVE EXPLORATION

15

TASK 2.1

GENERATIVE ART

Different forms of ‘agent’ are experimented in those sketches to explore theeffect of generative art. The codes of rotating lines (left) and noise curves(right) are cited from Generative Gestaltung.

Parameters/global variables are adjusted/contrained within the set range as an elaboration of the original flocking behavior.

// ALIGN if (agentDist < align) { PVector addVec = a.velocity.get(); addVec.mult(falloff/agentDist); velocity.add(addVec); velocity.normalize(); }

// AVOID if (agentDist < avoid) { PVector addVec = a.location.get(); addVec.sub(location); addVec.mult(falloff/agentDist); velocity.sub(addVec); velocity.normalize(); }

* REAL TIME CAPTURE

* DELAYED VIDEO

* COMBINED VIDEO

2.3SET TASKS

17

TASK 2.3

VIDEO DELAY & REAL TIME VISUAL EFFECT

Using MAX to record the real time video record, and setup several windows to adjust visual effects and scales. This could also be done interactively with real time sound or pre-recorded music.

Key Messgaes:

jit.brcosa adjust an image’s brightness, saturation and contrast

jit.rota 2-dimensional scaling and rotation for matrices

3.1INDIVIDUAL INSTALLATION PROPOSAL V1 GROUP WORK WITH YIN LIH THAMGROUP WORK WITH YIN LIH THAM

PHENOMENAL CAVERN

CONCEPT:‘Phenomenal Cavern’ is an interactive environment designed in simulation to natural phenomenon (i.e. water environment, raining, draught, and snowing scenarios).The intention behind this installation is to create an ultimate user experience where natural entities are able to interact with human being and responding to the people’s movement. An abstract cavern form of space is deliberated to resemble a natural setting. This scheme seeks to challenge ones illusion and belief, and it is further enhanced with the effect of space distortion created by projec-tions whenever the scene changes.

FUNCTION:The presence of a visitor in the cavern is detected by sensors. Agents of natural phenomenal (i.e. water ripples, rain droplets, draught cracks and snowflakes) will react and attracted to the location point of the visitor. The movement of visitors are tracked and followed by the agents with dif-ferent quality of consequences. Different agents behave in a different manner as according to its natural characteristics in the real world. The agents will however attracted to a point when scene changes and moving away from visitors.

19 physical setting normal projection interactive agents visual distortion

3.2INDIVIDUAL INSTALLATION PROPOSAL V2 GROUP WORK WITH YIN LIH THAM

WATER BUBBLE

NARRATIVE:

‘Water bubble’ is an extended version of our previous ‘phenomenal cave’. Visitors are invited to a ‘total experience’ in the designed setting, to feel, to react, and to meditate in different atomspheres. From physical form to programmed agent system, an abstract nature is portrayed through graphic and sound.

GEOMETRY:

Dome is the geometry chosen to be the enclosed hosting space. It is a double-layer inflatable structure, with transparent ma-terial as the exterior layer and translucent material as the interior layer, filled with material as the interior layer, filled with contanst air.

INTERACTIVE:INTERACTIVE:INTERACTIVE:INTERACTIVE:INTERACTIVE:INTERACTIVE:

Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside Interactive appliances are installed inside the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of the dome to detect the hand movements of visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position visitors. Agents move towards the position of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.of detected hand gesture.Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of Sound intensity changes the level of brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking brightness of projection, create a ‘blinking effect’. effect’. effect’.

INDIVIDUAL INSTALLATION PROPOSAL V2 GROUP WORK WITH YIN LIH THAM

21

3.2INDIVIDUAL INSTALLATION PROPOSAL V2 GROUP WORK WITH YIN LIH THAMINDIVIDUAL INSTALLATION PROPOSAL V2 GROUP WORK WITH YIN LIH THAM

PROCESSING SKETCH

‘+’ is the replaced agent form in this sketch to re-semble water particles. The attractor is meant to be the location of visitor’s hands detected by camera. In the stable mode, the brightness of ‘+’ changes ac-cording to the background sound volume (droplet sound creating a blinking visual effect)

high pitch sound no sound

MAX PATCH ON SOUND AFFECTING IMAGE

23

REFLECTION:

Technical issues are the biggest challenges in this proposal. The interactive pro-cedure requires a system connection in between Processing and MAX/MSP. Kinetic detection and positioning of camera and sensors are another difficulties we encoun-tered.

4VLS COMPETITION GROUP WORK WITH YIN LIH THAM

PROJECTION MAPPING:

VLS is a video mapping competition we par-ticipate during the semester. The aim is to create narrative motion graphic produced in Processing, cooperating with interactive sound system in MAX, eventually video mapping onto the given geometry in 3D Max and editting the video clip in Adobe After Effects.

Precedent: ENVISIONMapping installation by Alcatel-Lucent for Mobile World Congress 25

NARRATIVE:

Marching Lines

Boxes are hiding in the darkness. At a sudden, light evokes the space.Animation of vertical and horizontally lines are mapped on the boxes surface,creating a ‘marching effect’. The second phrase is ‘chaos’, a noise value added into the scipt to produce a crossing-line effect. As music approaches the climate, the third phrase is lines imitate the agent behavior, bloom from the center. Scene darkens again. the agent behavior, bloom from the center. Scene darkens again. the agent behavior, bloom from the center. Scene darkens again. produce a crossing-line effect. As music approaches the climate, the third phrase is lines imitate

5PAS FINAL INSTALLATION

27

“ The first group meeting was during our mid-semester break, one night the studio members gathered together in Room 308. Fabrication team, Geometry team, Pro-cessing team, Interactive team and Docu-mentation team feedbacked on the each’s progress...Nothing is there yet...”

“Not sure since when level 5 common space becomes our ‘studio workspace’...Sewing machine was running all days to produce the prototypes; the Interactive team members jumped up and down the table to test the camera and sensors...”

“That morning’s studio, when geometry team members came with puffy eyes, i knew they spent the whole night in the computer lab to produce the templates...”

“17th Oct, 7pm, we finished our 1/2 size model, everyone got inside, lights were setup to give some atomsphere...we knew from that moment, its gonna to be really impressive at the final...”

“We walked passed the smoke, squeezed through the 1 diameter wooden rings... lattern looks so virgin on the ground... “

THIS IS MORE THAN ARCHITECTURE.IT IS ART.

5PAS FINAL INSTALLATION - FABRICATION TEAM

As a whole studio, we gather ideas together, critize problems and design As a whole studio, we gather ideas together, critize problems and design As a whole studio, we gather ideas together, critize problems and design for solutions. It is interesting to learn from each others and share the for solutions. It is interesting to learn from each others and share the for solutions. It is interesting to learn from each others and share the knowledge from different backgrounds.

Mani, Lok and myself form the fabrication team. Instead of sitting in Mani, Lok and myself form the fabrication team. Instead of sitting in Mani, Lok and myself form the fabrication team. Instead of sitting in front of computers and try to make the codes working, our team spent front of computers and try to make the codes working, our team spent front of computers and try to make the codes working, our team spent

the past one and a half month working with our lovely companion - the past one and a half month working with our lovely companion - the past one and a half month working with our lovely companion - AN INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINE, finding precedents, site visit-, finding precedents, site visit-, finding precedents, site visit-

ing to present inflatable structure, and working with the ing to present inflatable structure, and working with the TIMBER WORKSHOP for customerized sub-elements.

Making a FULL SCALE MODEL is a great experience. Not only we is a great experience. Not only we is a great experience. Not only we have to estimate the amount of material required to order, but also to have to estimate the amount of material required to order, but also to have to estimate the amount of material required to order, but also to design an effcient fabrication method and procedure based on precen-design an effcient fabrication method and procedure based on precen-design an effcient fabrication method and procedure based on precen-dent studies and prototype testing. Every detail needs to be consider-dent studies and prototype testing. Every detail needs to be consider-dent studies and prototype testing. Every detail needs to be consider-ated carefully, the fan connection, the entrance, and the cable seams. ated carefully, the fan connection, the entrance, and the cable seams. ated carefully, the fan connection, the entrance, and the cable seams. This requires our team to have a close communication with the Geometry This requires our team to have a close communication with the Geometry This requires our team to have a close communication with the Geometry team, feedbacked on the designed patterns and fabrication templates.team, feedbacked on the designed patterns and fabrication templates.team, feedbacked on the designed patterns and fabrication templates.

MATERIALITY is also one of the highlights in this studio, inflatable is also one of the highlights in this studio, inflatable is also one of the highlights in this studio, inflatable

fabric tends to give people more SENSE of intimacy than hard materi- of intimacy than hard materi- of intimacy than hard materi-als. People feel it, push it with palms, lean against it. Transparent PVC als. People feel it, push it with palms, lean against it. Transparent PVC als. People feel it, push it with palms, lean against it. Transparent PVC is heavier than translucent nylon, hence the balance in the geometry is heavier than translucent nylon, hence the balance in the geometry is heavier than translucent nylon, hence the balance in the geometry pattern must be addressed.

Last important reflection for our team work is probably the respect for Last important reflection for our team work is probably the respect for Last important reflection for our team work is probably the respect for

CRAFTMANSHIP. 80 meter squares of fabrics being cut and stitched . 80 meter squares of fabrics being cut and stitched . 80 meter squares of fabrics being cut and stitched together with 3 cm-width seams requires energy but more about so-together with 3 cm-width seams requires energy but more about so-together with 3 cm-width seams requires energy but more about so-phisicated handcraft skills and understanding the collaboration between phisicated handcraft skills and understanding the collaboration between phisicated handcraft skills and understanding the collaboration between material and machine.

R.E.F.L.E.C.T.I.O.N.

PAS FINAL INSTALLATION - FABRICATION TEAM