ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO: AIR

2015_Semester 1

Stephen Yuen_641050

APPENDIXTutor_Brad Elias

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

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cover image: Tape Melbourne project reverse engineered

4 LOFTING + STATE CAPTURE5 TRIANGULATION METHODS8 SPOTLIGHT: OCTREE10 MESH GEOMETRY12 CULL PATTERNS + LISTS14 CONTOURS + SECTIONING16 CREATING GRIDSHELLS18 PATTERNING LISTS20 FIELD FUNDAMENTALS22 EXPRESSIONS24 FRACTAL TETRAHEDRALS26 EVALUATING FIELDS28 GRAPH CONTROLLERS30 GRADIENT DESCENT33 FRACTAL PATTERNS34 SPOTLIGHT: KANGAROO PHYSICS36 PLANARISATION38 PATTERNING A SURFACE40 IMAGE SAMPLING42 LIVE DATA FEEDS44 RADIATION ANALYSIS

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CONTENTS

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

how many squares can you fit in a circle?LOFTING + STATE CAPTURE

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Subheadingloft me like you do

Lofting may seem to be a basic component used profusely in the regular Rhino program. However, the beauty of parametric model-ling in Grasshopper is the ability to change the individual curves causing the overall lofted surface to change intuitively.

The following three models were created using the same curves by simply changing the individual control points. This shows the flexibility of para-metricism on even a basic scale.

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TRIANGULATION METHODS

Delaunay edges is a quick and easy component to create developable surfaces.

The metaball component appears to create individual charges in which adjacent elements repel or attract each other.

All the following triangulation meth-ods require a set of points in which to create geometry. Therefore, Pop2D and Pop3D are two very use-ful tools.

fill me with geometry

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

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1 Schumacher, Patrik, The Autopoiesis of Architecture: A New Framework for Architecture (Chichester: Wiley, 2011), p. 1.2 Dunne, Anthony, and Fiona Raby, Speculative Everything: Design, Fiction, and Social Dreaming (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2013), pp. 3-4, 34.

Subheading

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Subheading

1 Schumacher, Patrik, The Autopoiesis of Architecture: A New Framework for Architecture (Chichester: Wiley, 2011), p. 1.2 Dunne, Anthony, and Fiona Raby, Speculative Everything: Design, Fiction, and Social Dreaming (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2013), pp. 3-4, 34.

The Voronoi and Voronoi 3D components are a basic method to quickly produce geom-etry. Although it is visually interesting, it merely is a starting point in which further techniques or algorithms can be applied.

Deleting voronoi modules from a larger collection illustrates its abilities to create unique forms.

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

how many squares can you fit in a circle?SPOTLIGHT: OCTREE

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This week’s algorithmic exercise had us experimenting with the OcTree component. Taking an existing work of architecture which features a curved surface, we had to utilise the component to investigate what kind of results it would generate.

I decided to use Frank Lloyd Wright’s design for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum located in Manhattan, New York.

The OcTree component approximates curved surfaces by producing a series of varying sized cubic forms. As these cubic forms are generated from an arrangement of points which are populated throughout a

geometric structure, the obvious first point of experimentation would be to change the number of points generated in the structure. Secondly, the OcTree component also allows you to change the number of cubic forms produced at each point. Thus, I also experimented with this input by using a number slider.

However, I wanted to extend this definition further. I wanted to investigate the algorithm that gener-ated the cubic forms themselves. Moreover, know-ing that these forms are produced from a list of points, I used the Cull Pattern component to iden-tify which boxes or points I wanted to keep (True), and which I wanted to be disregarded (False) by typing in my preferences in a panel.

Original Rhino model of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

how many squares can you fit in a circle?

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Iterations demonstrating an increase of points generated on the base geometry

Experimentation with the Cull Pattern component

Further experimentation with the Cull Pattern component

50 points 150 points 200 points

PATTERN:

TrueFalseTrueFalse

500 points

PATTERN:

TrueFalseTrueFalseFalseTrueTrueTrueTrueFalseFalseFalseFalse

800 points

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

MESH GEOMETRY

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Subheadingmesh up and start over

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

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Applying the smooth mesh component provides flexibility into the minimum and maximum angle at which the mesh deforms.

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

CULL PATTERNS + LISTS

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Subheading‘cull’-our my world

Understanding how to manipulate data in Grasshopper forms the basis of producing various types of powerful algorithms.

Combining this knowledge with image sampling produces iterations as seen on the right in which the diameter of the circles are controlled by raw data.

Cull pattern: TRUE Cull pattern: TRUE FALSE FALSE

Cull pattern: TRUE FALSE Cull pattern: TRUE FALSE FALSE TRUE

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The diameter of the circles are determined by the brightness of the sampled image. Points that become too small are then culled.

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

CONTOURS + SECTIONING

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Subheadingslice & dice

Dividing solid objects not only provide an ap-proach towards fabrication, but it may also produce visual effects. The examples below were generated by firstly creating a form

using the Kangaroo component. The vaulted sur-faces were then sectioned to produce these itera-tions. As a result, it creates these effects similar to the patterns created by sand against the water.

Number of frames:80

Number of frames:100

Number of frames:120

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Subheading

Contouring is utilised to reverse engineer the AA Driftwood Pavilion.

In the 3-dimensional sense, it creates a series of planes which culminate to the overall form. It al-lows designers to approximate curved surfaces.

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

CREATING GRIDSHELLS

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Subheadingwhat shell we do?

Gridshells are created by joining curves along a list of points that rest upon the shell’s plane. Resultantly, a visual effect is created by a set

of curves that both divide a surface while mainta-ing the integrity of its form. Fabrication can then be considered by fixing joints where the curves meet.

Generate the initial geometry

Form the plane upon which the gridshell will project

Interpolate the points through which the curves will create the gridshell

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Subheading

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

PATTERNING LISTS

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SubheadingTa-da data!

The following iterations demonstrate the patterns that can be created by manipulat-ing data. Using the Voronoi component as a means to produce a basic pattern, the main

focus of this algorithm was to explore the capabili-ties of changing the order of information inherent within the algorithm.

Cull pattern: TRUE

Cull pattern: TRUE FALSE

Cull pattern: TRUE FALSE FALSE

Cull pattern: TRUE FALSE FALSE TRUE TRUE FALSE TRUE TRUE

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Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

FIELD FUNDAMENTALS

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Subheadingdo you get the point?

Fields utilise a point charge to generate a pattern. In the most basic sense, a point charge is used to repel elements. Often

represented as a series of arrows interacting with one another, this can also be illustrated in a gradi-ent of colours.

1 point charge

1 point charge

3 point charges

6 point charges

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Field diagram illustrating the interactions between point charges

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

EXPRESSIONS

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Subheadingexpress your inner mathematician

Expressions are simply the use of mathemati-cal functions to manipulate data within an algorithm. In this exercise, an expression was used to generate the diameter of each circle on this form. Specifically, an external point was placed at a distance from the vertical structure and the distance between this point

and every point on the structure was calculated. The result then determined the diameters. Thus, expressions provide a method to input relevant data extracted from the site, or specific condi-tions or considerations required when generating a model.

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Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

FRACTAL TETRAHEDRALS

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Subheadingfractured

Inspired by Amanda Lasch’s use of fractal tetrahedrals, these experiments explored the use of such forms to create a structure which

features interconnected limbs. By manipulating the mathematical expressions within the algorithm, the following iterations were produced.

5 sided polygon

4 sided polygon

5 sided polygon

5 sided polygon

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4 sided polygon

Extending the fundamentals of fields in the previous algorithm, by interpolating the set of points generated by the point charges, a

diffused-like effect can be generated. These results resemble the appearance of natural forms and organisms which may assist in conceptual development.

EVALUATING FIELDS

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Subheadingfield trip

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diffusion force: 40 diffusion force: 100

diffusion force: 25 diffusion force: 500

diffusion force: 50 diffusion force: 1000

diffusion force: 60 diffusion force: 2000

Similar to culling patterns and manipulating data structures, using graph controllers are another way of changing the information

that is utilised within the algorithm. The following show the result of using different graph types in the same algorithm.

GRAPH CONTROLLERS

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Subheadingthere is no limit

bezier

bezier

bezier

guassian

sine

power

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perlin

In order to generate the descent of gradients upon a surface, we begin to utilise clusters within Grasshopper. Clusters provide an alter-native to manually repeating a single algo-rithm. Resultantly, it can generate patterns which build upon each other. Specifically, it can draw upon data from the previous itera-tion rather than merely the data that was referenced at the start.

In this example, clusters were used to calculate the closest point from a series of points within the surface. As a result, a pattern which simulates the way water would move along the surface is cre-ated. This algorithm may be used to determine the behaviour of a design if it came into contact with a fluid. Furthermore, it could utilise the path of the fluid to determine the form of the design itself.

GRADIENT DESCENT

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Subheadingfollow the descending dots

Surface used to calculate the series of gradients

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Front elevation

Side elevation

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Subheading

Diagram illustrating the degradation of the integrity of the original surface when the number of points are reduced.

Clusters can also be utilised to generate frac-tal patterns. This is used to generate a visual effect of using a single module which is then repeated at different scales or in a different

orientation. The result is a branch-like effect whereby small modules branch away from the original geometry. Such patterns are easily gener-ated through the use of algorithmic clusters.

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FRACTAL PATTERNSSubheadinggeneration, iteration, repeat

Mesh geometry forms the basis of many ap-plications within Grasshopper. This exercise explores the capabilities of creating simple meshes.

Most meshes will begin as platonic shapes but can be easily manipulated through boolean actions, and deformation components.

this could get a little meshySPOTLIGHT: KANGAROO PHYSICS

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This week’s algorithmic sketch had us intro-ducing ourselves to the Kangaroo Physics plug-in on Grasshopper. Significantly more challenging compared to last week’s exer-cise, this sketch allowed us to start incorpo-rating and modelling real-life factors such as gravity.

Kangaroo Physics allows us to investigate the reaction of a mesh under various levels of forces. In order to successfully set up a simula-tion, I had to identify the skeleton that would shape the mesh, the anchor points which would keep the mesh intact, and a unary force which would act upon the mesh itself.

In combination with the Kangaroo plug-in, I also opted to utilise the Weaverbird plug-in as it increases the ease in which I can manipulate meshes.

Throughout my experimentations, I decided to use a downward force to simulate the effects of gravity. I firstly began with a simple mesh that was supported by four vertical supports.

With the design proposal in mind, the anchor points upon which the mesh is attached to could be considered to be entities such as trees, poles or other existing bodies that could be used to en-gage with a mesh structure.

Preliminary model using only the mesh vertices as the anchor points

how many squares can you fit in a circle?

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Iterations demonstrating changes in the unary force

Iterations demonstrating changes in the unary force on a curvilinear skeleton

Unary force factor: -1000 Unary force factor: -5000 Unary force factor: -10000

Unary force factor: 0 Unary force factor: -200 Unary force factor: -1000

In order to further my algorithmic sketch, I was curious as to see what effect the mesh would have if it were anchored to a curvilinear skel-eton.

The models directly above and the one on the right simulate the form of a possible tent-like cacoon structure.

What is interesting to note is that if the unary force is parallel to a particular surface, that sur-face will become taut and will not be affected by the external force. Thus, an important fac-tor to consider when approaching my design is the orientation of the skeletal structure as it will determine the behaviour of the mesh.

TENSILE BODIES

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Subheadingyou seem tense

A powerful component on Grasshopper or any other parametric modelling tool is the ability to simulate the behaviour of materials in real-life situations. Using the Kangaroo com-ponent, the performance of mesh structures

was simulated under different conditions. Further-more, by manipulating the rest length, different qualities of varying materials can be investigated.

Rest length: 0.8

Rest length: 0.5

Rest length: 0.2

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Increasing the number and size of cavities reduces the integrity of the material. Thus, it becomes less durable and more susceptible to external forces.

PATTERNING A SURFACE

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Subheadinga diverse generation

Similar to the panelling tools component, this algorithm approximates and scales individual modules onto a mesh surface. The following iterations demonstrates multiple examples of different patterns that can be fitted onto the triangular faces of a mesh.

What is powerful about this algorithm is its ability to not only morph 2-dimensional mod-ules onto the mesh, but also 3-dimensional elements. Furthermore, the patterns are not only limited to triangular geometries. As long as a geometry can be fitted inside a triangu-lar shape, it may be used to panel the mesh surface (eg. a circumscribed circle).

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2-dimensional patterning

3-dimensional patterning

IMAGE SAMPLING

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Subheadinghere is a sample

The opportunities presented through image sampling carries a wide range of areas for ex-perimentation. However, the benefits of using image sampling to extract data, is its ability to use visual information to inform an effect

within a design. More specifically, I have utilised image sampling to determine the size of the cavi-ties within the surface which may assist in regulat-ing real-life factors such as sun and shade.

Sample subject: Blue

Sample subject: Hue

Sample subject: Brightness

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Using the information from an image sampler to determine the size of the cavities embedded on a mesh surface

LIVE DATA FEEDS

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Subheadingsmile for the camera

Using the Firefly plug-in, I experimented with inputting visual data using a webcam. Fur-thermore, once the webcam data had been

processed, specific aspects of the image were sampled to determine the height at which the protrusions would extend.

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RADIATION ANALYSIS

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Subheadingit’s getting hot in here

The benefits of digital modelling is not just lim-ited to generating forms but also in analysing them. Using the Ladybug plug-in, I am able to input meteorological data and visualise the extent of solar radiation a surface possesses.

This method demonstrates one method of optimisation whereby the design of a build-ing is modified on the basis of environmental systems. Furthermore, it allows buildings to become more efficient in terms of its heat

transmittance and use of thermal insulation.

Moreover, the plug-in is advantageous in being able to produce analytical diagrams which can be extremely useful in conveying data during presentations.

With the capabilities of Grasshopper, developing sustainable outcomes becomes more flexible as designers can instantly visualise the relationship between a building and its environment.

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Original surface

Rotation of curves

Scaling of curves

Rotation of curves

Scaling of curves

Orientation of curves