A PROPOSAL FOR MORPHOLOGICAL OPERATORS TO ASSIST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

1. 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°694 Architecture 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

2. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 2/20 Outline • 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

3. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 3/20 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)

4. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 4/20 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 Mayer Representing the deformation by Frank O’ Gehry

5. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 5/20 Morpho-semantic operators in architecture : Ellen Do et Al. Study : • 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 The joining of all drawings appeared on a relation map. [10] page 6 Array of transformations [6] page 10

6. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 6/20 Morpho-semantic operators in architecture : 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

7. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 7/20 Morpho-semantic operators in architecture : 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

8. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 8/20 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.

9. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 9/20 Morpho-semantic operators throughout a few examples : Objective : • 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. Method :

10. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 10/20 Morpho-semantic operators throughout a few examples : 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.

11. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 11/20 Morpho-semantic operators throughout a few examples : Santiago CALATRAVA : • 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. Turning torso building

12. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 12/20 Interpretation and definition of a model Operators classes : • 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

13. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 13/20 Interpretation and definition of a model 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. Unary operators

14. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 14/20 Interpretation and definition of a model 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. Subtraction operator Machining effect example Fusion operator

15. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 15/20 Interpretation and definition of a model Examples of relationship between idea and operator : • 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 Origami hippocampus Customs of Hohenhems (Austria) by R. Drexel

16. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 16/20 Interpretation and definition of a model 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

17. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 17/20 Interpretation and definition of a model Example of morphological transformation process : • Simulation of the modeling process of Calatrava’s « Turning Torso » Calatrava’s building « Turning Torso »

18. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 18/20 Interpretation and definition of a model Modeling of Calatrava’s building « Turning Torso »: • A comparative approach : • First method :polygonal modelling • Second method :use of operators First method Second method

19. Introduction - Morpho-semantic operators - Examples in architecture - A model - Conclusion 19/20 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.

20. A PROPOSAL FOR MORPHOLOGICAL OPERATORS TO ASSIST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Thank you very much for your attention www.crai.archi.fr wetzel@crai.archi.fr Authors : J-P Wetzel, Pr J-C. Bignon, Dr S. Belblidia MAP-CRAI Team UMR-MAP CNRS-Culture N°694 Architecture 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