Tutorial 4 - Framework Form

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from the project brief.......


//Intent// The intent of tutorial 4 is to introduce the Power Copy as an intelligent form of advanced replication. The Power Copy function initiates the discussion of complexity and variation for the semester.

//Tasks// Find a project that uses a series of panels or tiles to defi ne a surface. Develop a powercopy based on the panel. As the framework changes what type of intelligence is embedded within the part?



(world architecture news)

for this tutorial, i chose to use jean nouvel's tower in manhattan, along the hudson in chelsea. i chose this project, as it's facade is constructed of a series of prefab panels containing glass panes floating at varying angles and in different sizes, floating in an extruded frame. i was curious if by utilizing the power copy, i could create a simple plane, and then, based upon the locations of the points in the z-axis, if the power copy reproduction would respond to plane changes, or if this would create issues.


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framework.


in making the panel layout system, i first constructed a framework of a portion of the facade. the framework was laid out as a 10'x10' grid, with the spacing for the vertical dividers being 1/3 the length, while the horizontal dividers are at 2/5 the height. the exterior perimeter utilizes a length parameter, allowing for easy adapting, and as the dividers are linked to the length, they will also change in accordance with the perimeter's changes.


from the base grid, the glass panel pieces are laid out.


the facade has (to some extent) three heights within the frames that the glass attaches to. to account for this, i created a height guide (linked to a length parameter) with points at each and, and one in the middle.


i created a power copy of this height guide and placed a copy at each corner on the panel system, allowing for the variations in angles and layouts of the facade system's glass.



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glass panels.


to create the glass panel, i created a rectangle, from the 4 points on the height guides. to create unique conditions, i then created an offset on each side, linked to a parameter, to remove it from the center of the frame line (with the idea that the rectilinear metal frame of the facade system could be added later). i also gave the length of the rectangle a reference dimension, and created a fillet between each corner, with a radius equaling the reference dimendsion multiplied by a created radius multiplier parameter. this allows the radius of the fillet's to be in direct relation to the length of the panel as the power copies change in size.


the profile of the sketch was turned into an 'output profile,' and by using a 'fill' the surface was created.


the original panel was then power copied to the other locations, and, by choosing different heights along the height guide, i was able to give each panel its angle, as per the facade system in nouvel's tower.


an error occured on a few of the power copies where the offset was somehow swapped, and instead of offsetting internally, it offset to the exterior. to fix this i clicked on the 'swap location' button, which inverted the offset. i then re-filleted the corners and the problem was resolved.



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variations.



with the height guides linked to a parameter, it is easy to change the vertical orientation of the panels within the overall framing system.



similarly, with the corner radii linked to a parameter, the corner situation is adaptable.




finally, the offset from the center of the frame is also controlled though a parameter, and can easily be adapted to accommodate changes in frame size.