Morphogenetic Bus shelter

Below are images of the morphogenetic bus shelter, a few of them are the the images, which for some reason or other, were not visible in my previous blog. Towards the end are the latest designs.

Unit 17

Assignment Title: Morphogenetic shelter structure for the Valletta Bus Terminus.

 

 Brief Restrictions:

• The structure has to be based on a modular design pattern.
• The shelter has to follow the morphogenesis process.
• The main material to be used is moulded wood.

Study of Valletta Bus Terminus

My first steps towards starting work on the bus shelter was to surveyed the area of the Bus terminus. To do this I went on site and observed and photographed the people at the terminus waiting at the bus stops. Whilst observing the area I noticed certain things which should be changed or improved up on.

Through my study of the Valletta bus Terminus, I have noted a number of aspects, which should be worked on. The first and most important factor is that there is no actual shelter at the bus terminus; expect for a few canopies and protruding roofs from the surrounding stands, there is absolutely no shelter. The people are exposed to all types of weather. The bus stops also have no seating area, this is something I feel should definitely be resolved. All flooring in the terminus is in some desperate need of renovation. In my opinion, the stands around the bus terminus are an eyesore and should be terminated. As for information on bus routes and schedules, there is none. To indicate where to wait for your transport there is simply a number on a sign at the top of a pole, and these seem to be nearly randomly scattered everywhere.

 On the whole there is not much to the area apart from a few chewed up pavements. The place also feels quite chaotic, with no sense of order as to how the bus system works.

Morphogenetic Design:

The Bus shelter I will design must be inspired by morphogenetic design as clearly stated in the briefs restrictions, therefore my second step was to research what exactly morphogenetic design entails, and how I may be inspired be this process. A brief description of morphogenetic design:

Formation of the structure of an organism or part involving differentiation and growth of tissues and organs during development. 

The structure of morphogenetic design from what I understood, is formed in a repeated pattern which is constantly evolving. This evolution takes place at a slow and steady pace. Once I grasped the understanding of morphogenetic design I searched for organisms, which mimicked this structure and upon my research I stumbled across something which grabbed my attention, this was water waves. 

 

Inspirational Source:

The Structure of Waves 

I chose the structure of a wave to be my inspirational source as I believe that the forms created from waves, displays the morphogenetic structure. Waves are not a living organism however the way they form, displays a repeat pattern, which is constantly being evolved, broken down or rebuild.

I intend to stylise the waves bringing out the forms I feel will best attribute to my design. I also intend to keep the cylindrical form the wave creates as it ripples over. This form will be the foundation to construct the bus shelter. I will then morph and manipulate this form to create a more aesthetic interesting look.

The flowing curves, which I will use to create my design could be easily mimicked using moulded wood. I am considering using interlocking methods to fix the joints of my structure. Mechanical fits may also be an option to the construction of this shelter, as I am using the material moulded wood. I may use a second material in my design to enhance aesthetic quality. At the moment I am thinking about using transparent Acrylic or glass. 

The piece will be modular as it may grow as large, or be reduced to the required areas needs. This may be done by adding or reducing certain components. The modular function will be further explained throughout the sketches.

To sum everything up through my inspirational source my wave will ultimately become the bus shelter.

Some initial Sketches

First Sketch

For my first sketch I basically simplified the wave down to just a few ripples. I took the ripple form and repeated it a few times to create the form of the shelter. I placed two people to get an idea of proportion. The curves will be placed on different planes to get the aesthetic effect I am going for. Only the largest curve will provide the actual shelter. The other curves will be there for aesthetic purpose and I was also thinking they may be used as a area to place information on bus schedules. The smallest curve will be used as a seating area. When asking a lecturers advice on this design, it was suggested that I further develop the inner curves of the bus shelter either through an aesthetic point of view or a functional one. I have given this some thought and so far, have come up with maybe using different materials for some of the inner curves to hence aesthetic quality but I still feel that I can obvious take it further being my first sketch.

Second Sketch 

For my second sketch I kept the curved forms but have change the smooth surface into a wavy textured effect. I decided to add the texture to the surface of the waves, to add an interesting quality to the aesthetics of the design, however I feel I have instead gone backwards rather then forward in my progression towards my final design; as I am not fond of the surface texture with the over all form being put together. The smooth surface with the wave form I found was more appealing.

Fifth Sketch 

For this sketch I was merely trying to display a concept. I have placed the waves further apart so that the people may walk in-between the waves. This concept will make the terminus interactive; this is an added feature to the design, which appeals to me. If I intend to keep this concept I shall place a number of waves around the bus terminus area to create an over all design using the waves. The waves which people will waiting behind (while waiting for a bus) will be smaller so that the people may see over them or may be made out of a transparent material. The wave being spread out over the terminus will add extra shelter as the people will be shielded from the front and back protecting them from the ongoing traffic and weather. Some of the waves will be used as information boards and some as seating. When asking a lecturers advice on this design I was told that the concept was very appealing therefore I will probably keep it for my final.

Test Pieces done on 3D Studio Max

Sixth Sketch

Seventh Sketch

For these two sketch I moved completely in a new direction from what I was working on before. These designs were inspired from larger rippling waves. The form of these bus shelters is more dome like, completely curving over to the floor from one end. To let the people be aware of what is happening (if waiting in the enclosed part) there is a transparent wave flowing all round the structure. This design probably gives the most form of shelter so far. Seating will be adding into the structure. Comparing my sketches so far I first designs of the open bus shelters appeal to me more, as I feel they will be more adequate for the Valletta bus terminus.

Eighth Sketch 

For this sketch I was just experimenting on altering the over all aesthetics of the design. I added more waves then to the previous sketch and experimented with altering the depth of the waves to create different shapes. I do feel I prefer the simpler version of this design with less waves and curves. I started to also think about finish if I would leave the raw wood showing or If I would cover it with a colour or texture. I do not think I will take this design any further as it did not appeal to me as much as my initial work.

Ninth Sketch 

Tenth Sketch

Front View 

This design was inspired by the above photograph. It is quite different from the other designs. It is a very open structure and may be expanded or decrease according to the required area. A low wave will be place as to create seating. The first or last curve will provide an information board. Aesthetically the design is the one I find most appealing. The arches will be made from moulded wood and for the ceiling, I am leaning toward making it transparent to let light pass through or covering it with solar panels. Cover the roof in solar panels is something I stumbled upon in my research, it is being implemented into new bus shelters so that information on bus routes may be dispatched electronically using the solar panels as an electrical supply.