The results of experiment phase two: using computer

Subject A

Subject A takes 59 minutes to complete the phase two of experiment. After reading the source material, he chooses one of sponge’s tubular structures “Leuconoid” to be his main design idea. Secondly, he also use the concept of the water folwing which water enter spongocoel through incurrent pore and flow out through osculum transfer into aerial currents of the living space. Then he generates his design with 3Ds Max.

Fig 3.3.2.a Subject A’s design result

As the beginning, subject A imitates the sharp of sponge. He established an arc-shaped object, and hollows out the object. In order to edit different level, he multiple several copies of the same object,

Subject A edits every object to generate the pores, the skin, skeleton framing, etc. He uses one model to complete his final conceptual design. Finally, he establishes an animation (Fig 3.3.2 b). This animation symbolizes the sponge’ abilities “morphing” and “reproduction.”

Fig 3.3.2.b The animation

As far as the analogical ideas are concerned, at first he just applies one or two analogical ideas to his design. When he generates his design in different stages, he adds new analogical ideas into his design. For example, when he edits the surface of object and excavates many holes (Fig 3.3.2 b Left), he put the analogical transfer “tubular structures” into the design. When he builds the skeleton framing, he stimulate the special structure of sponges’ skeleton (spicule) (Fig 3.3.2 b Right). All analogical ideas happen in different stage of design process. Every move the designer do sometimes means that they put new transfers into their design.

Fig 3.3.2.b (Left) excavating many holes (Right) skeleton framing

In addition, Subject A has several evaluating situation, which means he spends more time on testing different parameters or functions. He tries to find the most suitable form or functions.

This situation occurred in several design stages. The time is long or short.

“When designers generate their design with conventional media, what they draw affect their next step of their design. It is a step by step process that the final design result is decided by the previous study. However, computer allows the designer to explore numerous creative solutions to problems. When designers adjust a parameter or input a command, they can find novel points and the design may become a new look that they cannot imagine before it. At the same time, it also means more time consuming because designers must study with different parameter and find the suitable result they want. ”

Subject B

Subject B spends 60 minutes to complete phase two of experiment. At firstly, he quickly reads the source material, searches some keywords and writes them down in Power Point. The two main analogical ideas that he apply to develop his design is the ability of reproduction and the tubular structures.

Fig 3.3.2.c Subject B’s design result

Then he uses 3 Ds Max software to generate his design. At the beginning, he use simple cube to establish the unit and he modify the cube to make it become free-form and possess many holes. He multiples the unit and arrange them in circle. Then he links every unit and makes them have some common paths. He establishes a relationship of mutual links between every unit. Later, he multiple the group of units and stacked the new group below the original group. After that he links the every unit and two group again He repeated this process many times until his design like a hollow barrel.

“I produce a unit and copy many units. I think that the relationship like Single-cell reproduction. The source material discusses “Sponge, also called Protozoa, is more than the most primitive cells in the animals, the most simple of a group. Therefore, I apply the analogical ideas and transfer it to my design. Not only the concept of Single-cell reproduction, but also the Structure of sponge are my analogical ideas. The sponge has spongocoel which the hollow body, so my design concept is a hollow building. Many pores appear in my design that likes the relationship of porous sponge.”

Fig 3.3.2.d Subject B’s design process

Then, Subject A tries to generate the opening above the building. In this process, he spends much time on evaluating. He tests five or six parameters (Fig 3.3.2.e) and wants to find the best one.

After complete one building, he multiplies several copies to transform the concept of flocking together. He takes a lot of time to establish a base and render to some conceptual images.

“I think it is a multiple family dwelling. I use the concept of sponge’s tubular structures to connect every unit and offer a new concept of housing. Every unit or whole group reflects the tubular structures. The opening comes from inside to outside or from outside to inside.

There is no floor and it like the growth of organization.”

Fig 3.3.2.e Evaluation: he spend much time on testing different parameters

At the design process, Subject B begins from one or two simple analogical ideas and then adds some new ideas at different stages of the design process.

Subject C

Subject C spends 52 minutes to complete phase two of experiment. When he reads the source material , he uses Word to record the keywords, which sponge’s tubular structure ”Asconoid”, velocity of current affecting the shape of sponge and movement of sponge , and osculum flowing out water

“When I find that the sponge could swing by Water flows, I imagine that housing needs the light and ventilation. Asconoid is the simplest structure of sponge and at the top of asconoid has a opining. I think it could be transformed to the top of housing has light and the air can outflow from the top opening.”

Fig 3.3.2.f Subject C’s design result

Then he uses his habitual application Sketch Up to generate his design concept. He spends much time on trying to generate the form in his mind, but it does not work. It is difficult to generate free-form organic surfaces by Sketch Up, so he use the application 3Ds Max to build the form which he imagines in mind. However, he is not familiar with 3Ds Max. Thus, after completing to build the form, he imports his model into Sketch Up and continues his design.

“I am not sure that it is restricted or not to generate my design with Sketch Up. In fact, because of the limitation of this software, it has already decided what my design looks like. I know 3Ds Max could help me to design something that I really want, but I am not good at handling 3Ds Max. Moreover, the limited time forces me to reflect my design to more direct analogical relationship.”

Then he starts to design other parts, including the metaphor of sponge’s Osculum and incurrent pore, the movement affected by time or seasons, and other spatial functions, such as staircase or floor. He not only put the analogical ideas which he captures at the beginning in his design but also considers problems of architectural functions and space. Then he tries to connect the analogical ideas with his architectural functions.

“I think the relationship between current velocity and sponge swing by Water flow could transfer to the movement of building affecting by the different time or different season. The building has a main pole. The building would be rotated or tilted by the main pole. The top opening is moved by different time. For example, the midday sun is very hot, so the building tiles to one side to keep the sun off. Because the temperature and light are changed by diverse time, the building could move to the suitable angle. Therefore, I reflect every analogical ideas I gain at the beginning.”

Fig 3.3.2.g Subject C’s design process

Finally, subject C manipulates the relationship of color and scale. In addition, Subject C multiples many copies at the base that symbolizes the flocking relationship of sponge. As far as the analogical ideas are concerned, Subject C capture four or five analogical ideas as the direction of design development at firstly. He chooses one idea to start to develop his design and then he adds different idea at every phase of design process.