03: Voronoi Structures + Natural World

As I reflect upon my practice, I have come across some of my previous work. This was part of a demonstration to a group of students, which I developed as one of my projects. I explored 2-D shapes and complex 3-D geometry, where the final exemplar explores undulating curved twisted levels and openings. The source of ideas and concepts were souced from the natural world, Voronoi structures. This concept originated from the mathematician Georgy Voronoi. His diagram is also known as tessellation, decomposition or partition.

Critically, I looked at this work and considered not only its aesthetic qualities but also consider the functionality, the purpose and durability. Could this 3D form provide other complex solutions for designers to assess performance, through the collection of data.  There needs to be greater in-depth research and development within my own practice, where the form is investigated through purpose, composition and innovation. Could the form give feedback to the given space, where the form is informative and maybe stores data or information? One area I am currently researching is parametric Voronoi cellar structure, where the façade could respond to the changing environment.

Within my own practice, further critical analysis and thinking is required to consider  the application of Voronoi diagrams. For example, the diagram is frequently used when locating a communal function such as a school or when locating a new service point for a community, where the diagram locates the central location at the quickest point.  

The cross-disciplinary application of Biological Voronoi diagrams are applied in aviation, engineering, and epidemiology, for example they can support the identification of  the source of infections. This principals of modelling are used to identify and solve complex problems. This reminds me of a quote by Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” (Ray, 2018, p.9)

The advances in CAD application and technology allows designers to consider these complexities in form and structure. This unlike our predecessors, such as  Antoni Gaudi, who created La Sagrada Família, who used handcrafted modelling to visualise and realise the prototype. Critically, it is sometimes the only way you would realise the potential of the structure and its limitations. La Sagrada Família was realised through its construction engineering requirements. How might this large expansive space support its tension and weight. The building structure was realised through placing weights on string to ascertain the tension and angles of the columns and also the direction of the columns. He placed a mirror underneath the model, which was reversed to see the elevation of the structure and angles of the columns (Antoni Gaudi La Sagrada Família, 2021). This helped him to realise his design and to communicate his ideas to other practitioners.

Critically, I looked at this work and considered not only its aesthetic qualities but also consider the functionality, the purpose and durability. Could this 3D form provide other complex solutions for designers to assess performance, through the collection of data.  There needs to be greater in-depth research and development within my own practice, where the form is investigated through purpose, composition and innovation. Could the form give feedback to the given space, where the form is informative and maybe stores data or information? One area I am currently researching is parametric Voronoi cellar structure, where the façade could respond to the changing environment.

Within my own practice, further critical analysis and thinking is required to consider the application of Voronoi diagrams. For example, the diagram is frequently used when locating a communal function such as a school or when locating a new service point for a community, where the diagram locates the central location at the quickest point.  

The cross-disciplinary application of Biological Voronoi diagrams are applied in aviation, engineering, and epidemiology, for example, they can support the identification of the source of infections. This principals of modelling are used to identify and solve complex problems. This reminds me of a quote by Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” (Ray, 2018, p.9)

The advances in CAD application and technology allows designers to consider these complexities in form and structure. This unlike our predecessors, such as  Antoni Gaudi, who created La Sagrada Família, who used handcrafted modelling to visualise and realise the prototype. Critically, it is sometimes the only way you would realise the potential of the structure and its limitations. La Sagrada Família was realised through its construction engineering requirements. How might this large expansive space support its tension and weight. The building structure was realised through placing weights on string to ascertain the tension and angles of the columns and also the direction of the columns. He placed a mirror underneath the model, which was reversed to see the elevation of the structure and angles of the columns (Antoni Gaudi La Sagrada Família, 2021). This helped him to realise his design and to communicate his ideas to other practitioners.

This building has evolved since its original construction in 1882 when methods of craftsmanship and stonemasonry were vastly different, and where handcrafted detailing stone facade was used in sections. Today the building is crafted through CNC laser stone cutting processes. Technology and computer modelling methods are used to streamline production, which creates less waste based on time and material application, while the construction engineer looks at safeguarding the building from earthquakes by reinforcing steel columns through each section of the towers.

The building visionary architect Antoni Gaudi would not have envisioned this methodology in construction. Controversially, the building stone materiality is highly criticised as its evolution quality resulted in differentiated stone colouration.

References

RAJINDERPAL, S. R. (2020). Voronoi Structure Development. [Image]. London: Own Private Collection.

RAJINDERPAL, S. R. (2020). NURBS Voronoi Structure. [Image]. London: Own Private Collection.

RAY, A. L. (2018). Fulfilling the Needs of Teachers: Five Stepping Stones to Professional Learning. United States: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

THOUGHTS, C., 2021. La Sagrada Familia. [Online]. chrispy thoughts. Available at: <https://chrispythoughts.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/la-sagrada-familia/> [Accessed 20 January 2021].