Verdant evokes lush greenery and vitality, capturing the essence of this parametric roof redesign that transforms a mundane urban building into an organic canopy. Inspired by the delicate structure of bamboo leaves, the project employs randomly oriented gold-anodized louvres to create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, mimicking sunlight filtering through foliage. This modern intervention honors natural forms through computational tools, materials, and climate-responsive strategies, blending tradition with innovation to foster inviting public spaces in the city.
Ingredients
The design draws from four key elements that form its foundation:
- Bamboo Leaves Inspiration: Randomly oriented louvres in gold-anodized finishes to generate an organic play of light and shadow, evoking nature’s dynamism.
- Parametric Geometries: Chaotic yet beautiful shapes derived from mathematical patterns like strange attractors.
- Form-Finding Techniques: Physics-based simulations to evolve rigid meshes into fluid, natural forms.
- Structural Integration: Seamless connection to existing columns and systems for stability and harmony.
These ingredients, pulled from course assignments, create a roof that’s not just functional but evocative, turning urban rooftops into verdant oases.
Inspirational Projects and Ingredients The project builds on explorations in parametric design, similar to how natural systems adapt, using tools to discover geometries that feel alive and integrated.
The roof evolves through layered development:
Design Layers
- Base Mesh and Entries: Initial geometry from Python-generated patterns, setting entry locations.
- Relaxed and Stripped Mesh: Fluid forms via relaxation, simplified into ribs for structural logic.
- Noise Variations: Perlin noise for wavy, organic spectra, adding depth and variation.
- Material and Integration: Gold louvres and connections to existing structures for a cohesive whole.
Strategy: Start with a flat roof and refine into 3D undulations, preserving the building’s framework while introducing a new, nature-inspired language.
Market Levels Though focused on the roof, the design enhances interior shop spaces with filtered light, creating a forest-like atmosphere for circulation and activity.
Form Finding
Explorations focused on iterative renders: Starting with strange attractor frames, progressing to frame lines and ribs, iteration surfaces, tessellation, Perlin noise panels, variation surfaces, and the colorful final output.
The tri-hex or similar patterns were tested for louvre orientations, establishing a dialogue between rigidity and fluidity. Solar considerations could group elements for light control, transforming the roof into a responsive skin.
Materials
Gold-Anodized Aluminium for louvres and frames (durability, light reflection, sustainable). Colors: Vibrant spectrum (rainbow hues via Perlin noise, recalling bamboo’s vitality).
Palette implications:
- Culturally: Evokes natural growth in urban settings.
- Sustainably: Enhances light diffusion for energy efficiency.
This bridges computation and nature, with materials that adapt and endure.
Section & Elevation Views, Part 1 Section & Elevation Views, Part 1: Long section and north elevation, highlighting wave profiles and layered colors.
Section & Elevation Views, Part 2 Section & Elevation Views, Part 2: Short section and front elevation, showing undulations and bold forms.
Further Work and Reflections
Future refinements could include structural analysis, acoustic simulations, and rainwater harvesting for the roof. The multi-layered louvres enhance light effects but may need optimization for fabrication feasibility.
Top View & Circulation Top View & Circulation: Plan with pedestrian paths flowing around the organic form.
Interior Shop Views Views – Interior Shop: Luminous canopy with light filtering like forest sunlight.
