rui duarte | Spatial Mathematician » rui

8.365/12 (folding paper)

rui — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:27:16 +0000

Today I finally got around to learning how to “fold paper” (I mean really folding paper). The art of origami has been an interest of mine for a long time, especially how it relates to the world of architecture, nature and structural compositions. I recently started the book Folding Techniques for Designers from Sheet to Form: by Paul Jackson, a renowned expert and educator in the field of origami. The first fold of 16 linear divisions (lower right) took me by surprise, as if I knew how to do this already… I really didn’t. The basic lesson was learning to fold/crease the paper only once and not having to bend back any particular fold. The next (top left) is a 16 rotational division fold similar to the first in technique. The other 3 are symmetrical repeats with transformations and beginning to get difficult like the first time a student of architecture is asked to draw a ceiling plan (by laying down on the floor and looking up). I’m looking forward to learning more about this art form and incorporating a broader knowledge of folding geometry in my architectural designs.

7.365/12 (ruiduarte.com goes mobile)

rui — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:44:07 +0000

Today I launched a mobile device version of my website (blog) using WPtouch for phones and tablets. Next time you are online have a look and bookmark it on your device…

6.365/12 (guitar friday)

rui — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:33:35 +0000

Today I introduced another 6-string to the family, made some adjustments and spent a few hours making sound.

5.365/12 (LineArtist Racing)

rui — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:27:00 +0000

Today I made myself feel better by resting a cold and taking inventory of several thousand images acquired last year. A particular set of photographic quality images produced by the PS3 video game Gran Turismo 5 (GT5) has really stood out as a new interest of mine. The game is more of a simulator rather than an arcade style points collector, and throughout the 2011 year I have made plenty of friends on the track with online gaming. These images are from actual racing in the game that were saved as replays to review races. The replay mode offers a photograph mode that allows full control of camera options and the ability to pause the race on any lap to frame a photo. I’ve been interested in photography since high school and have maintained a good camera and a modest knowledge of photography since then. GT5 offers plenty of realistic racing and perhaps the best in-game photographic capability, here are some of my GT5 photos.

[[view slideshow]]

LineArtist Racing is an online racing league on the PS3 game: Gran Turismo 5
LineArtist Racing on Facebook
LineArtist Racing on Flickr
LineArtist Racing on YouTube

4.365/12 (heatlh insurance)

rui — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:03:42 +0000

Today I made a major change to my health insurance coverage. I’ve been covered as a small business owner since 2006 by a big company and researched heavily back then at the limited availability of options regarding health care coverage as a sole proprietor. Now I’m covered by a “domestic partnership” option through my fiancee’s employer and will received more for less. As a result I will be able to save on the cost of mailing a monthly payment back to the company and start saving up for one of these…

Subaru 2013 BRZ

3.365/12 (curtain wall “fly by” details)

rui — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:57:11 +0000

Today I re-designed curtain wall details for the Patricio Office Building Project. The 2 story lobby of the building is wrapped in Kawneer curtain wall on 3 sides with a patio above on the third level consisting of a perimeter railing. One leg of the curtain wall at the outside corner is also extended by 4′. The trick in designing a “fly by” detail (plan and section in this case) is to maintain continuity, moisture control, thermal conductivity and curtain wall specifications such that neither system is compromised. As originally designed, the curtain wall went continuous at both section and plan locations and generated questions regarding waterproofing and roofing terminations. With this re-design, the 2 story lobby curtain wall is isolated from the roof patio and also from the “wing wall” at the corner. Subject to team review and approval, I believe these details are more realistic than before.

curtain wall “fly by” details

2.365/12 (Rebirth for iPad)

rui — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:03:59 +0000

Today I made some noise using my new iPad with an old friend named Rebirth by Propellerhead Software. About 14 years ago I discovered Rebirth and was instantly addicted to making electronic music (never said I was good at it). ReBirth is a digital version of the “Roland TB-303 Bass synth and the Roland TR-808 and 909 drum machines” and is now re-issued as an iPad app. Over the years Propellerhead Software has emerged as a leading music production software company. I recently upgraded to Reason 6 and will be using it to record more conventional songs and my guitar playing with a full entourage of synths, drum machines and other interesting instruments.

010212 Rebirth.mp3

Rebirth was amazing for 1997 in comparison to other “design software” of the time: intuitive, innovative and easy to use. Unlike cad back then (and even today), Rebirth was light years ahead in terms of functionality and user interface. I didn’t realize it back then but Rebirth made a strong impact on what design tools I picked up in the future.

1.365/12 (design/make)

rui — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:21:31 +0000

Last week during the annual countdown to the new year I was asked, what is your new year’s resolution? It’s a question I generally don’t consider too seriously but somehow starting thinking about it too much in the last few days. Last night during a game of ”Apple’s to Apple’s” it suddenly hit me to design/make something new each day. Today I posted the idea on FaceBook and a few of my design friends put me up to the challenge. Dave Rizzolo suggested I blog my progress and Greg La Vardera mentioned “… and if you get the blog up by the end of the day you’ll be on schedule.”

Seems like they were reading my mind. I’ve been absent from my blog for some time and wanted to make a stronger effort to communicate design ideas and continue blogging. Well, here I am.

I’ve made a blog category “365/12″ to reflect my resolution and post a design and/or materialized idea every day, and look forward to all your comments. May the games begin!

4×10 Luxury Lofts [concept]

rui — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:57:59 +0000

Location| Southern California, South America / Dubai, UAE
Type| multi-unit residential
Size| 5 stories, 40 units (2,400 sf)

Status| concept

Part 2 of a modular series of housing concepts is the 4×10 Luxury Lofts. This housing concept is based on the common unit used in the 2-4-6-8 Luxury Residences project and is configured into 5 story residential components with shared open air circulation between the units and parking below. A total of 40 units are available with private parking and swimming pools. Like the 2-4-6-8, this concept is intended for a mild to hot climate typical of Southern California and parts of South America, Africa and India. The 4×10 concept is also the design model featured in the previous “Augmented Reality” post.

Please review the first part of this series > 2-4-6-8 Luxury Residences [concept]

design images

[view picture list]

[[view slideshow]]

Augmented Reality: the future is now

rui — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:53:38 +0000

I few weeks ago while watching the SYFY channel, I noticed the terminology of “augmented reality” being put to use as two mechanical boxers faced off in a ring while the human controllers were off on the sideline with a “piece of paper” on their backs recognized by a digital camera and fed into a computer capturing body movements. I’ve been aware of motion capture techniques for many years, especially for computer animation and film. Today I found a post on one of my favorite forums PushPullBar referring to a plug-in for SketchUp that would transform a digital computer model onto a piece of paper and capture my movement of the paper back into a composite video signal of me moving the paper with the computer model on it. I tried the plug-in made by Inglobe Technologies and it worked!

This technology has been around for a few years (I believe), however seeing it work on my desk is nothing short of amazing. I find it difficult not to use the F-word in expressing how easy and accurate this process works. 1. download the plug-in (trial version) 2. install the plug-in 3. run SketchUp 4. load a model 5. initiate the plug-in from the SU plug-in menu 6. select a cam source from a menu 7. AUGMENTED REALITY !!!!!!!!!

I also made this short video to illustrate the process and demonstrate the real time usability aspects. Now I’m beginning to consider how to implement this technology into client presentations and maybe take it one step future. Maybe in another 10 years we will not only be able to spin, pan and zoom but also create architecture in this type of virtual environment. Please leave a note with your thoughts and first impressions.