RESEARCH « Portfolio Categories « österlund | Computational design and architecture

Oulu city logo – graphical algorithm

The new visual appearance of the city of Oulu, Finland includes a graphical texture behind its logo. This texture is generated by a visual algorithm that is based on the Mobius strip. We developed a custom software tool for the Advertising agency Työmaa Oy, which generates a large variety of different and distinct shapes that are still based on the same algorithm. The shape itself is three-dimensional and can even be 3D-printed as a jewelry design.

The main logo uses one variation of this graphic and different variations are used by other departments of the city administrator.

PROJECT INFO:
CLIENT:	Advertising Agency Työmaa Oy
YEAR:	2013
TYPE:	commission
PROJECT TEAM:	Toni Österlund

The new visual identity can be seen in many places in the city of Oulu.

The tool creates three dimensional shapes.

3D print of one of the Mobius strip created with the tool on the left. Next to it a different design that is not based on the same algorithm.

Early draft versions of the graphical algorithm.

20 Sep 2014

Toni Österlund

A system for designing complexity – NILAs

One process with many surprising outcomes

For our NILAs sculpture, we developed a system for transforming simple geometric solids, through iterative subdivisioning, into complex geometric objects. The subdivision process produces intricate fractal geometry. The process is both manual and automated. Through a series of tests we developed an intuition for how to generate interesting geometries. The process runs step-by step. We start by creating a simple solid consisting of only few planar faces. The scripts that we wrote are working with these faces by manipulating their geometries and at the same time subdividing them into smaller and smaller units.

The in-between steps of this process have a big impact on the final outcome. It is easy to end up with just clutter, in a similar way a painter ends up with grey when mixing all colours in a colour palette. The designer is in control of the process, delicately guiding it towards the desired results. We tested the computational design tools with a very simple geometry. By executing the subdivision steps in different order and with different parameters, we gradually developed an intuition of how these would affect the final outcome. The iterative subdivision process can be used to produce almost infinitely intricate complex geometry. The resulting forms resemble of biological systems at very macro levels. The digital design explorations created at this point of the design research do not yet consider the limitations of the different fabrication methods.

The final form of the sculpture gradually emerged through exhaustive testing and re-iterating the design process. The simple base geometry has a big influence on the final shape and much time is used in modeling its form. The same design process can produce infinite amount of variation.The final design has a smooth and less detailed surface, compared to some of the design explorations done during the design research process. This was due to the chosen fabrication method of laser cutting 2mm acrylic sheets and the material properties of the clear acrylic. The smooth and clear object refracts light in a similar fashion as melting ice, creating playful light patterns on surface. The sculpture is a direct reference to the themes of the exhibition; nordic & light.

PROJECT INFO:
CLIENT:	The Finnish Museum of Architecture
YEAR:	2012
TYPE:	research
PROJECT TEAM:	Eero Lundén Markus Wikar Toni Österlund

21 Nov 2012

Toni Österlund

NILAs sculpture

“NILAs” is a sculpture for the ”Light-houses – on the Common Nordic Groud” exhibition at the Venice architectural biennale. It represents an approach to building systems where skin, structure and technical appliances are all integrated into one responsive building tissue. The model for multifunctional building systems comes from organic systems such as plants.

“Nila” is a Finnish word for phloem which is the living tissue that carries organic nutrients (known as photosynthate) to all parts of the plant where needed.

The process

The aim of the NILAs project was to research and develop computational design methods, in order to design an intricate sculpture for the Architectural Biennale in Venice 2012. The process sought inspiration from natural form-creating systems and their organic, fractal nature. We set out to design a fluent, yet at the same time complex, three-dimensional sculpture – a Light house, keeping with the theme of the Nordic exhibition. The design process aimed for the creation of a physical object; design methods were carefully selected and considered to support the manufacturing methods. The key was to find the delicate balance between organic complexity and artistic representation.

A simple mesh-based geometric object is used as an input for a subdivision process. The subdivision algorithm itself is very simple and the complex nature of the object is derived through its use in multiple iterations. This creates intricate and fractal geometry, which surpasses in resolution and detail even the most accurate manufacturing methods.

This sculpture, NILAs, represents architectural vision and creative digital sculpturing, combined with the possibilities of computational design and manufacturing methods.

More information from:
www.nilas.fi

PROJECT INFO:
CLIENT:	The Finnish Museum of Architecture
YEAR:	2012
TYPE:	Commission
PROJECT TEAM:	Eero Lundén Markus Wikar Toni Österlund

20 Nov 2012

Toni Österlund

Methods for morphogenesis and ecology in architecture: designing the bothnian bay cultural center

This work employs algorithmic design methods in a process that uses natural phenomena as the basis of its architectural morphology. It implements digital morphogenesis in reaction to ecology and selected forces of the building environment. The resulting design is a combination of the application of these forces and the use of more traditional design methods. With the help of algorithmic design methods, my goal has been to find new techniques and inspiration in the aid of architectural design. The use of computational methods in architecture have the ability, not just to aid in the design, but to aid in the search for inspiration for the design as well.

This written part of this work (see the link to the publication) is divided into two equally important sections; the description of the process and the case study. The description of the process demonstrates the different methods that were used and the theory in incorporating nature’s influential elements as part of the creative task. The case study illustrated the outcome of that process – an architectural design. Both sections are equally important in evaluating this work. Without one, the result of this research would be incomplete and uninformative. Together they describe a fluent process from concept to design and as such, the distinctive parts complete each other.

Soft-touch integration

My intention was to study different possibilities in which algorithmic aided design could develop the process of architectural design. My intention was not to reach a final and definitive answer to the design problem just by creating a set of design tools and then pressing a “start” button; the methods used in this diploma work offer a more soft-touch integration of computational methods as an extension of our inspiration and sketching processes. Algorithmic design methods offer new ways of searching for information and motivation to reinforce our design intentions.

The final case design is a digital representation of an organic architectural form. I have avoided the use of pre-learned mannerisms and direct references to existing solutions. This offered the possibility to be inspired by the location, its ecology and the design problem itself, rather than just looking into recent architectural publications as source for inspiration. These new techniques offered me a way to break free from the limitations of my own mind, and truly search for alternative solutions through the inspiration of nature.

Diploma project was nominated for the Archiprix International 2011 competition for best gratuation projects and the Gerda ja Salomo Wuorio Award.