29/09/12 Grasshopper Plugin Workshop

Below are two videos made from the exercises shown at the DS10/Inter9 Grasshopper class at the Architectural Association.

The first video shows the trail left by points constrained by springs, end points and gravity. The Arch moves up and to the side, leaving a beautiful trace which reminded me of the pictures of Edouard Muybridge. It was done with Grasshopper and the free Kangaroo plugin by Daniel Piker.

The second video is a very simple example of recursion using Hoopsnake byVolatile Prototype for Grasshopper: A line rotates on another line and this new line becomes the currrent one on which the rotation is done and so one and so forth. Depending on the angle of the rotation and its location on the curve, these amazing patterns get created.

Processing Workshop with Toxiclibs

Karsten Schmidt has just posted the source code from the Processing Workshop which I organized  at Metropolitan Work with Marcus Bowerman. On Toxiclibs, he explains how to import the files using the java editor Eclipse. I posted some pictures on my website too. Below are couple images and pictures of the workshop:

 Above: The class on the first workshop day 

Above: Karsten showing how to make mesh faces on Processing

 Above: The Rapid Prototyped model exported from Processing developed on the first day

 

Above: The Processing  façade app which was developed on the second day : Define a façade in plan on the right using a curve, add and control points on the façade with particle physics and use voxels to solidify. More info.

Shape to Fabrication Team 2

Shape to Fabrication was a week-long workshop  based on contemporary digital fabrication and generative design techniques. It was divided into four individual teams building different parts of a pavilion which will  be exhibited London South Bank University between 21-27th of November.

As I was part of team 2, the cantaliver team under the command of Rupert Maleczek (KOGE, Innsbruck) Sam Joyce / Al Fisher (Buro Happold) we aimed to use re-Claimed sheet materials. So with the support of SMART (Rhino plugin) we have done some form exercises and using cardboard corrugated sheets, we shaped the 1:1 scale structure. Also,  two testing models scale 1:4 were produced to test the strength of the structure and possible solutions

It was an interesting experience to complete a design under the pressure of for days using generative techniques. The direct collaboration of the four teams was really direct as there was structure interference.

The exhibition is an opportunity to view the output from the four workshops so please come. For further information see: http://www.shapetofabrication.com/exhibition

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Building Fashion.

Design in all disciplines is becoming more and more centered around digital tools. Previously very specific manual skills were prioritised, however increasingly digital tools are being learnt, skills that can be applied across disciplines, such as Architecture, Fashion and Industrial design.

With this in mind and having always had a interest for the body, textiles, and dealing in 1:1 scale, I recently joined the a AA Paris visiting school, ‘BUILDING FASHION’, which, used various Architectural techniques and 3D Modelling software to develop garments.

We began by material testing, both physically and digitally, taking the opportunity to utilise and develop my Grasshopper and Kangaroo skills on the surface of the body. I looked at the idea of tenacity and opacity and translating it into a simple material system. I developed a simple strip system, which when manipulated increased the complexity of the elements, creating interesting geometric shapes and performative functions.