Part 1: Model geometry
Model Rendering:
Planning (1)
Norman Foster is one of my favorite architects. Some of Foster's most notable projects include the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Headquarters in Hong Kong, the Reichstag Building in Berlin, the Hearst Tower in New York, and the Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California. His designs are often characterized by their sleek, modernist aesthetic, use of technology, and attention to environmental sustainability. My inspiration is from his design of Bilbao's metro stations.
Foster's design for the Metro Bilbao stations prioritizes ample natural lighting and spacious interiors. The support beams and lighting fixtures exhibit a pleasing and minimalistic aesthetic. The extensive use of metal and glass throughout the stations creates a resemblance to Foster's airport design in Hong Kong. The entrances are especially unique. Nicknamed "el Fosterito," the entrances incorporate large glass canopies and striking geometries that emerge to the street level. The stations are characterized by undulating roofs, curved walls, and sleek modern finishes, contributing to a cohesive design language.
Bilbao Metro Station Entrance in Spain:
Model Geometry:
Front View: Side View: Top View:
Model Rendering:
Entire Dynamo Script
![image](https://www.notion.so/image/https%3A%2F%2Fs3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fsecure.notion-static.com%2F7a001ac0-d072-4747-86af-071f65d35c62%2FUntitled.png?id=4c64e77f-a905-4a3d-9352-a3065ff828b8&table=block)
Part 2: Model approach:
Defining Geometry and Placing Structure’s Elements (2) & Providing Ways to Parametrically Resize or Rescale Structure (3)
Step 1: The first step is to define the geometry and create the lines required for the geometry. Three lines are necessary for this form — two base lines and one vertex line. The implementation of integer sliders provides ways for designers to parametrically resize or rescale structure, including alteration of the width, length, and height of the metro entrance.
Adding Dynamic Geometry (5)
Step 2: Replace the vertex line with a sin wave. Also, the height of the sin wave can be further adjusted by changing the wave amplitude using the number slider.
Provide A Way to Change the Number of Adaptive Components (4)
Step 3: Divide three curves into small sections and transpose the points’ coordinates to create ribs for the structure. Moreover, I used an integer slider to help me change the number of ribs quickly. Furthermore, by dividing the rib curves into small sections, I was able to obtain quad points for placing panels. I also used an integer slider to change the number of panels on each rib quickly.
Step 4: Revit’s adaptive components were placed on the designed structure. The “3-point uniform tube” was used for the ribs, and the “Rect_Panel with Resizable Opening_Glazing” was used for the panels. I also added parameters to adjust the radius of the tube, overall colors for the ribs and panels, frame width & height percentage of the panel, and panel thickness (shown in step 5 figure).
Create a Simple Pattern with the Panels (7)
Step 5: Create a pattern with the panels that divide the list of elements based on their designation as even or odd numbered elements. As a result, the panels will alternate in features based on their designation, resulting in a checkerboard design.
Parametrically Change the Appearance of Panels (6)
Users can parametrically change the appearance of the panel elements including adjustable Panel Thickness, Frame Width Percentage, and Frame Height Percentage. In order to achieve alternating features, I created distinct parameters for both the even and odd-numbered panels.
Overall, my metro entrance design creates a sleek and modern appearance. The use of large, sweeping curves helps to create a sense of movement and flow. Moreover, the entrance is designed to integrate into the city's existing architecture, which helps to create a seamless transition between the metro system and the surrounding urban environment.
The parameters that can be used to flex and dynamically change my structure including:
- Length, height & width of the structure
- Number of ribs of the structure, number of panels on each rib
- Radius of the tube
- Frame width & height percentage of the panel
- Panel thickness
- Overall colors for the ribs and panels