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JOY GONG

Hello, my name is Joy, a second-year undergraduate at the University of Melbourne, major in architecture. I was born in Shanghai, China, and moved to Melbourne since I was 15. My passion for drawing and designing was triggered by Japanese comics and animations, while my interest in architecture was nurtured by my engineer parents. For me, architecture is a way to lead to a better space and a better life quality. I believe that architecture was never a pure piece of art, but instead it serves to human beings. through the art of planning.

My proficiency in ditigal design tools is somehow limited, as I was not exposed to many modeling softwares before commencing the bachelor degree except AutoCAD.

Entering to studio Air excites me a lot as it introduces a new algorithmic tool Grasshopper to assist ditigal modeling. I was amazed by its efficiency and accuracy, which I think are crucial to testing our models at different stages. I am looking forward to acquire a new skill and hope to gain more confidence.

SHANGHAI / MELBOURNE

PART.ACONCEPTUALISATION

ABOUT

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A.1. DESIGN fUTURING

AERIAL ROBOTIC BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.

In Tony Fry’s book - Design Futuring, he calls attention on the pressing need to change the way we live, act and engage the world since we have reached a critical moment, when our world is under terrible conditions. He argues that ‘sustainability’ can be achieved by design.

THE BRIDGE

Relating to Design futuring, the project of the Aerial Robotic Bridge Construction, will be the first case study I'd like to explore, as it contributes to the idea of “a future secured by design” from its technology breakthrough. This AA.DRL project uses drones to automatically arrange threads into a suspended geometric cocoon shape. The marriage of drone technology and 3D printing result in unlimited possibilities

Even though it is a not ‘built’ project but only a prototype, its inspiration on future architecture is much more meaningful than the building itself. It is not a show off on the new technology, but instead, it changes the way people think how architecture is done, from traditional planning and drawing, to programming. For me, the bridge is revolutionary as it suggests that the role of architects might be shifting from master builders, to expert coders.

The bridge appears as a pathway between two natural cliffs, where is extremely risky and almost impossible to build a bridge if it was in a traditional way. However, the new technology enables it to become possible, to create a common spcae for people and the deep mountain, and it allows more possibilities in future to explore the opportunities to connect human beings and the nature.

I believe a harmony in the relationship between people and the nature is the key to the balance of ecological system. The aerial robotic bridge project succeed to act as a beacon to the possibility to create a more intimate relationship between mankinds and the nature.

SUSTAINABILITY

INSPIRATIONon structures for designers to envision beyond the traditional construction method.

This way of conctruction cuts a large proportion of cost on labors, which brings significant economic and social benefit, espically in a ageing society where labors are valuable resources. Besides, as the construction phase generates almost no waste or CO2 emission, it helps to ease the terrible condition of global warming. In addition, the real-time feedback function further improves the efficiency and accuracy during the construction process.

fUTURE

THE THREAD

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THE CRYSTAL, LONDON

THE CRYSTALThe second case study related to design futuring I will look at is The Crystal in London, designed by Wilinson Eyre. The Crystal is a global exhibition building for the future of cities. It sets the benchmark for sustainable building design, as it runs entirely on electricity, which the majority is generated by photovoltaic solar panels. Besides, the building’s roof collects rainwater, while sewage is treated, recycled and re-used onsite.

SUSTAINABILITY

When people talk about sustainability on architecture, I think the focus should not only be given to the construction stage, but considering the whole life cycle, also the maintaining stage. In other words, a sustainable building should be a ‘long-life’ one.

The reason I chose the Crystal as the second case is that I would consider it as a ‘breathing’ building, having a whole energy recycling system running through itself, just like human body metabolism. And, the building puts itself into a larger natural ecological system, where it merges into the water cycle, instead of only taking resources from the nature selfishly.

fUTURE

The concept of energy-saving building system engaged in the Crystal will be surely appreciate and widely used in future architecture projects. Tony has pointed out in his book, ‘the relation between creation and destruction is not a problem when a resource is renewable’. I think the Crystal has been a role-model in utilizing renewable recourses such as solar energy, and it expands more possibilities on incorporating

recycling system and architecture. There are some existing designs on wind turbines and rainwater collecting building, and I believe it’s a certain trend in future architecture buildings.

INSPIRATION

how efficient the energy system works. However, at the designing stage when the building was not yet built, the planning of details and calculations are also important. The Crystal inspired me on designing something functional to people, and meanwhile ecological friendly to the natural system.The Crystal is quite important as a built

project, because it allows examinations on

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