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DIGITAL INNOVATION IN
ARCHITECTURE AWARD
STRUCTURAL INNOVATION
IN ARCHITECTURE AWARD
techniques. The next step is via a
number of digital tools where the
final structure is parametrically
form-found using software
including Weaverbird, Karamba,
Grasshopper and Rhinoceros.
The final step was the creation
of a large scale plywood model
of the shapes joined together to
form the pavilion.
The design process is interesting
as there has been innovation at
each stage of the process. That
is, the design has evolved as a
result of each of the steps to
the final structure. Even in the
final stage the team introduced
a ribbed construction with gaps
in the fabric to play with the
introduction of light to the form.
The Triaxial Pavilion is a
modular structure created
by the combination of three
hyperbolic shapes. The structure
makes use of a pure structurally
efficient form to generate an
interesting, practical and modular
architectural form. The structure
could be used to create shade
and interest in parks and other
public meeting places.
The proposal is innovative in
its journey to create the final
structure. The team started by
investigating structural forms
with physical models, stretching
fabric to create a variety of
hyper shapes. After selecting a
preferred shape the team then
constructed a full-size model
of the shape, experimenting
with materials and construction
With the possible exception of
parliament houses, few building
typologies are so imbued with
the evocation of cultural spirit
(both as evidenced in the past
and projected into the future)
as the modern embassy. It is a
building type inherently fusing
the intangible with the pragmatic,
the conceptual with the prosaic
and the future with the past. The
contemporary embassy must
provide a framework for the
machinations of diplomacy, cultural
interaction and commerce. It must
project a confident, welcoming,
open countenance while being one
of the most overtly and covertly
secure environments possible. By
its very nature it must be many
things to many people.
In coalescing this inherent
complexity into a clear conceptual
Triaxial Pavilion
Max Hu, Harry Henshaw-Hill & Hongkai Yuan
University of Sydney
Field Embassy
Victor Martinez-Contreras
University of Technology, Sydney
idea, Victor has utilized a variety of
digital tools, each chosen carefully
as part of a rigorous exploration
of the possibilities that live within
the brief’s inherent contradictions.
The brief is interpreted through a
conceptual gradation of electric
fields (representative of layers
of high security) interacting with
magnetic fields (signifying public
spaces and functions). Interactions
represented as metadata become
the genesis of form within Rhino
software. 3d printing facilitates a
process of analysis, interpretation,
modulation and iteration, which
lead to refinement in the tectonics
of the eventual building form. The
final digital presentation illustrates
a clear relationship between the
built form and its generative
electromagnetic fields.
SPONSORED BY TURNER.
2015 NEW SOUTH WALES GRADUATE & STUDENT AWARDS
73