Thesis Study - 6th Year of Architecture

It is my final year at University and I am working on my thesis project. My chosen thesis is about the impact of sustainable living in an urban environment and how an 'Urban Village' might achieve such a goal as providing food for its occupants.

Follow me on my journey as I complete this project and maybe even win a prize, gain some sort of recognition, or maybe you'll just enjoy looking at the pretty pictures I produce! Either way, I hope you enjoy looking at my work and the comments I have to share.

Also, visit and join my facebook group - 3D Architecture

Sunny :p

Thursday 26 August 2010

long time no see (well... blog!)

Hello everyone!

Yep, as the title suggests it has been a long time since I last blogged (just over 6 months to be exact!) and the reason is a mixture of uni work, uni work, relaxing, getting married, and then a tiny bit more relaxing! Yes you read correctly I got married - and was in Paris during graduation lol. (if you'd like to see some photos from the second part of my honeymoon in the Maldives, click here)

So what about your thesis project??

The good news is I successfully passed my Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture so part 2 is complete (*i smile smugly while typing this*). I'll do a separate write up of my project in the next week or so and i'll attach some pretty images too.

The bad news is the recession, meaning its going to be difficult to find a practice where I can continue my development and complete my second year of work. In fact the firm which sponsored me for my Part 2, Bond Bryan Architects based in Sheffield (an amazingly awesome firm by the way) has had to let a lot of full time staff go, so obviously it wouldnt make sense to keep a student on board let alone offer him a job after his part 2! Im not too worried tho, as I have a few other business ideas i'd like to pursue while the recession has us architects with our pants down..

The first of my ideas (as many of you already know) is Architecture4d - I just need to get the ball rolling a tiny bit (anyone reading this know a firm wanting 3D visualisations doing?lol :) All in good time...

Thats all for now,
Stay tuned for an in-depth review of my thesis project, Holbeck Urban Agriculture Centre.

Sunny :p

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Best 3D/CAD Software?..

Hello everyone..!

I get asked all the time about which 3D software and CAD packages are 'best' to use. There isnt really a specific answer. Its just whatever works best for you! I use Cinema 4D for any 3D modelling and Archicad for detailed CAD work because they both work (excellently mind you) on my Mac. They also work on the PC too and have no incompatibility issues with any other software packages at all. Plus the layout and GUI of Cinema 4D is much appealing compared with almost any other 3D app out there. For my needs (architecture, design and motion graphics) this coupling of software is brilliant. Oh I also use Sketchup now and then for quick and easy models.

Should platform dictate what software you choose? Well in short.. no, not really.

Macs and PCs both have their pros and cons. However most creative industries (especially film and design) tend to use Macs because of their superior stability (in terms of OS and 'hanging') beside the fact that the top end Macs are generally better priced than comparable machines from different manufacturers. In fact not only was my Mac Pro significantly cheaper than an equivalent Dell at the time of purchase, it was surprisingly better spec'd! Plus with Boot Camp (click here for more info) there really isn't a need to buy a Windows based computer any more IMHO. 
PCs do have a strong advantage for 3D/CAD users, though, as AutoCAD and 3DStudio Max are industry standards and to this date only run on the Windows. (but obviously if I were required to use any Windows based software i'd just boot up into Vista/7 and go right ahead!) So in short, if you have an Intel Mac (post 2006/7) then well done. If not, I guess you're lumbered with Windows! (only kidding, Windows 7 isnt too bad!) Ok i'll quit with the Mac vs PC stuff now...

But which software?..

Going back to what I was saying about software... 
3D packages are generally very similar. A Maya or Cinema 4D user will be able to use Blender (a FREE application you should get if you want to get started!), Lightwave, 3DS Max and vice versa. The fundamental aspects of 3D software are interchangeable with any other 3D software - the only problem is learning the interface/command structure. When I first learnt how to use 3D Studio Viz, I found the layout and interface quite tedious and a bit too 'Windows' for my liking. The same went for 3D Studio Max. Plus having bought a new PowerMac G5 I wasn't able to use either. Thats what helped me make my decision to learn Cinema 4D. At that time Sketchup was in early development and (I think) only just came out! Again, it wasnt for Mac. I still had a Windows PC so I learnt both C4D and Max in parallel. 

My conclusion was that for me personally, C4D was a clear winner in the 3D category due to its easy(er) learning curve, instant results and cross platform compatibility. For CAD, namely plans/sections/elevations etc, Archicad is my decided software of choice. The top three reasons are, 1) cross platform compatibility, 2) numerous plugins/export options for rendering/3D software, 3) you can build in 3D at the same time as drawing plans - and often a LOT quicker than doing plans in AutoCAD. For me its all about workflow and ease of use. This combination works for me but it might not for you.

For the majority of architectural practices, however, the Autodesk suite of applications will tend to dominate - with few practices using less expensive software such as MicroGDS (which isnt too bad!) and perhaps Allplan or Vectorworks. Following closely will be Google Sketchup - as many practices will simply download the free version and will still be able to produce excellent results via render plugins such as VRay (industry standard), Podium and Maxwell Render to name a few. 

The bottom line...

I strongly recommend using Sketchup if you haven't used any 3D software before, it is simple to use and you can generate excellent results. If you want better renders (for free) check out the trial version of Podium; a plugin for sketchup, or try Blender 3D - it will help you develop transferable skills that you can then pass on to any other 3D app you may choose to use in the future - and you dont need to find a 'crack' copy either. Its strictly legit. 

Sunny

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Sunday 17 January 2010

Global Warming report used by Governments based on a telephone call?

So now its come out that the 2035 prediction of the Himalayan glaciers melting was based entirely on speculation of one man, 8 years prior to when the IPCC issued their report in 2007...  It was a phone call made by New Scientist magazine interviewed Syed Hasnain, Indian scientist, over the phone in 1999 for an article on the subject - he merely speculated that the Himalayan glaciers could melt by 2035. A few years later, the IPCC base a report which was based on another report, based on the New Scientist article, and say that the chance of it happening is greater than 90%. 

Insert foot firmly in mouth.

Oh scientific community, how are the mainstream media going to take this now?.. Not to mention Global Warming activists around the world! I was looking forward to increased taxes and turning my computer/tv off at night in order to combat this (fake) man-made global warming.

Looks like the global warming fiasco has yet another dent in its highly bullshined exterior. 

Any comments? 

Sunny

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Saturday 16 January 2010

Boston Gets a Boa?

"Boa is a floating city within a city, and is technically feasible..."

This seems like a very interesting endeavour to build a floating city.  Although it wont solve the overpopulation crisis (predicted to be very apparent mid-century) the design aspirations are nonetheless quite interesting. Golden rectangle proportions, plentiful green spaces and the use of 'floating concrete' make this project somewhat aesthetically pleasing as well as technically challenging. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

Click this link for more info! 

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Wednesday 13 January 2010

Hot and Cold

This has nothing to do with Katie Perry, but more the current 'climate change' issue.

It has come out over the past few months that weather and climate data from many global scientists had been skewed beyond belief in order to allow a hysteria of man-made 'global warming', there are actually many who believe the Earth is cooling. Obviously they arent just picking a fight for no reason - they have statistics that contradict even Al Gore's panic-inducing global warming data. Apparently, not only is the Earth cooling, but it is doing so just as it would if man didnt even exist. Some would argue that because of man-made Co2 the Earth has avoided a mini-ice age for many years.. however, that time could well and truely be upon us.

As more people wake up to the idea that governments and mainstream media are feeding us one sided stories mixed with exaggeration and a side of BS, there will be people who stand up and argue for the truth.

Like this guy..



What has this to do with Architecture I hear you ask? Quite a lot really.. a eff-word-load. The northern hemisphere has seen temperatures at the lowest they have been for decades - in some places for over 100years. This is the year 2010 and our meteorologists didnt even see it coming. Whos to say there wont be a continuation of this extreme 'arctic' weather? For all we know this could continue, it could get worse, or maybe it was just a blip. Either way the architecture we currently have may or may not sustain these kinds of conditions.

My project, Holbeck Urban Village Urban Agriculture Centre, looks at how food can be grown via alternative and futuristic methods. A sector focuses on climate, hot and cold, where research is carried out on GM foods which can sustain subzero temperatures, blisteringly hot climates and even areas of low or poor water concentrations. This type of research is undoubtedly a key area not only for local produce, but also to avert a global food crisis.

The research done in one area would be carried out in practice in another - even in other countries. My scheme would facilitate such research and provide a practical means of testing, growing and advancing agriculture for generations to come. Who knows, maybe one day it will serve as a test bed for food growth on another planet?

Over and out,

Sundeep Osahn, Leeds Met PostGraduate 2 Student.

Sunday 10 January 2010

Posterous.. the beginning..

This is my very first post using Posterous! :)Just making sure all my settings are right and it updates my blog as well as my facebook.
Here's a pic to start it off from one of my 'slowmo' vids.

Sunny :p

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