Today, we’ve studied ways of representing multiple data structures in Grasshopper at ARCH 362. As of our last week’s experience, sometimes (most of the time actually) we’ll need to work with vast amount of data. We’ll have to control them in order to open door for further explorations. Today’s exercise was a good example of this “sustainable” process of data management. All functionality of Grasshopper is based on data matching. From short-list, long-list matching, to the structures of data trees….

This is the basic definition of one point attractor on a grid of points. Here, the fundamentals of data tree matching can be studied. A hexagonal grid is exploded into points and new polygons are created there. Instead of a standard point distance relation to polygon size, this time the distance factor affects the rotational angle of these polygons. Although the structure of data trees is getting complicated, this has no difficulty in such definition, because the operational complexity is still very…

Maybe a huge kitsch for contemporary architecture, I know, but a good example of a fundamental problem of constructing geometric relationships. In ARCH362 today, we’ve examined the geometric modeling process that opens us to parametric relationships just by converting it into a diagram of design history. You may follow the construction of such a diagram step by step and see the possible parameters emerge from it. The only rule of this construction is the connection from the left side of…

Whenever we try to define something suitable for our design intentions, it became somehow closely related to the design tool. The contemporary theory of computational design (or design computing) has many definitions. In this website, we look at that from the perspective of method and its theory underneath, not the tools; however, it finally comes to a point that we -again- start to talk about “tools”. Whatever, the purpose is “the process” or the associative geometries, even a diagram is…

Here are some of the results of first assignment, “Reptile Skin”. Generally, we couldn’t manage to develop innovative solutions to the problem. But this became a good starting point for understanding the method of “skins of components” in contemporary digital design. Before going into any control over the flow of data, it’s hard to maintain associative geometries. We usually feel stuck within the capabilities of the single commands or procedures. That’s why, digital design deals with “processes” much more intensively…

In recent years, computational approaches in architecture started to change the scope of the architect’s work. He/she is not any more a passive tool user instead, became a casual tool developer. Conventional CAD systems that focus on geometric representation of a designed artifact, are transforming into systems in which the design is represented as a parametric process. By increasing utilization of these systems in architectural design process, parametric modeling is integrated not only as a new medium of design representation, but also as a design method. Designing the design implies…

Here are three technical tips, that might help you model in Rhinoceros faster. In most cases, you’ll find CTRL+F1,F2,F3 and F4 very helpful in modeling and transforming objects in digital space. These key combinations will focus you on Top, Front, Left and Perspective views (maximized) respectively. Also, when you try to express your design process (especially supporting geometries) using different linetypes, it’s possible that you’ll never like those preset linetypes. By choosing Tools / Options, you’ll have the opportunity to change and add new…

That was about six months ago, our study for a design competition required a spatial allocation algorithm. An office building with a rectangular plot and a strict functional requirement forced me to the good old Voronoi diagrams, subdividing a surface. However, there were other design parameters such as the sunlight and orientations of each functional cell. Combining a couple of graph components helped me create diverse solutions later used in the functional-formal interpretation phase. Unfortunately, later on, the competition was…

This is the old-method Parametric Truss definition. Interestingly this quickly became a solid solution, used and taught for years. I couldn’t find a better answer yet. As Grasshopper updates, some of the components in this definition change but the overall structure remains. Subdivision of a free-form surface and addition of geometric components has, of course, a wide range of alternatives. Maybe we should combine this with different problems and solutions we’ve talked about earlier on this website. The same solution…

This is a rather traditional geometry exercise we used to make in MaxScript. Grasshopper is also quite capable of associative geometry and real-time parametric designs of objects. The exercise of designing a furniture family should be based on design research, followed by shape alternatives and sketches (both digital and hand), then might be finalized using this parametric design environment. However, the example presented here is one of the most simplistic solutions to furniture family. This may be further developed regarding…