ALGORITHMIC SKETCHBOOK

LAWSON HEAH

THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

ARCHITETCURE DESIGN STUDIO : AIRSEMESTER ONE 2015

Variable Tessellation Sampling

Voronoi Attraction

Extruded Tessellation

WEEK ONE EXERCISE : VASES

I found it very hard to begin so I started by analyzing the example data trees. From this it made understanding grasshopper a lot easier.

This tree resulted from trying to create a random set of points from playing around with the random number plug-in. From this I created a curve using the Interpolate, because the other curves which I experimented with were unsuccessful.

This tree was very similar in the last as I was experimenting with different ways of achieving similar results.

I still had to refer back to the examples even though I was starting from scratch.

This tree developed from a combination of random number generation as well as set numbers. I wanted to create something with a little more order and decided to implement point components.

I moved to completely controlling the points and using the revolve plug-in to create more vase like uniform designs.

I decided to use different ways of implementing data in this tree which resulted in the skewed shapes created.

Overall the exercise was very time consuming but productive in deconstructing grasshopper. The results of the plug-ins were very satisfying in understanding the process of achieving such results and made me more comfortable with the visual algorithmic environment

WEEK 2 : PAVILION

The task was very hard to grasp an idea of at the beginning. I was somewhat disappointed that my attempts to deviate from the example were met with the tree turning red. What was frustrating was trying to achieve an arc like form from the points with other plug-ins required constant tweaking which in the end resulted in failure. Nevertheless the task was quite easy when the attractor section was removed, but this challenge resulted in some exciting progress with the resulting solutions. I also tried to randomize the data but it was met with contouring surfaces. I also attempted to implement the paneling tools to the lofted surface but was met with failure. In the coming weeks I would like to play with different surface systems, but I am still yet to fully grasp the thought process required to deconstruct the steps for such final results. Overall I was quite please that I was able to carefully construct and adjust the tree which resulted in me understanding how the attractor system worked.

The task was fairly simple but interesting in producing an end result from the given data constraints. This could be a possible direction in which to explore further in terms of external data influencing design.

WEEK 3 : PATTERN

This simple pattern shows how data trees could be used to create interesting forms from fairly simple techniques of cross referencing.

This example was a starter for further exploration of attractor points influencing patterning systems and the possibilities it could create.

The achieving of this outcome was something that made me feel incredibly satisfied with the final outcome.Creating a voronoi that would change in relation to an attractor point was an extremely difficult task but after some consultation about the processes involved, it improved my understanding of the thinking needed to achieve the final result - of which i was highly pleased about.

WEEK 4 : SPIRAL

Creating the definitions was an interesting further introduction into the function parameter, and the mathematical aspect of computational design. The resulting definitions were meticulously crafted after hours of fiddling around with data trees and subtracting points in order to create vaired geometry. This ended with the resulting definitions.

W06 : SPIDER WEBSThe apporach to the algorithm was different to the one dicsussed in class because of a lack of access to the origional file. This had a positive outcome as it allowed a display of algorithmic thinking in deconstrcuting what needed to occur to produce the final result.

-Creating a Spiral pattern-Grabbing Points from the pattern and removing certain points-Breaking the components to prepare it for the Kangaroo Engine-Implementing pattern into Kangaroo

NON-TEACHING WEEKThe application of the fabrication definitions onto the bench was an easy process, but the were some issues in getting the tabs defintion to work. In all, these definitions will prove useful in the near future when it comes to creating adn fabrication a design which is a consideration often left at the final fabrication stage.

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Unrolling such a form would be a time consuming, tecnical and mundane task - something more unbearble as the number of pieces increase. Although the intial plugins from the subject broke, this was easily fixed. To further simplify the process, a suggested plugin from the forums allowed each cell to be labelled with a number for easy fabrication as well as seperating them into individual cells. There were problems however when I tried to designate a point on a grid for each cell resulting in manually moving the cells onto the space for fabrication. Nevertheless this situation proved how the program allows for the efficient designation of attributed for fabrication easily.

The use of image sampling created a way to define the surface with points that were related and not completely random. From this the possiblity to implement a modular geometry meant that a form was able to be created.

Variable Tessellation Sampling Voronoi AttractionExtruded Tessellation

Variable Tessellation Sampling Voronoi AttractionExtruded Tessellation

Thinking about how the tessellating pattern could be fabricated in term of creating structure, led to an exploration of the Exoskeleton plugin which allowed the “piping” of surfaces with nodal points in order to achieve a growing and shirnking effect. This provided a visual linkage back to naturally occuring structures such as the shape of bones.

Variable Tessellation Sampling Voronoi AttractionExtruded Tessellation

Although the typology of the Voronoi has been overdone in the Parametric realm of architecture, its exploraiton was needed in reagrds to patterning systems. One such was to distinguish the voronoi from others was the addition of a nurbs curve to the pattens points which allowed curvilinear shapes to devlop

This outcome was the result of creating a set of random points on surface and alering their relative position using an attractor, creating a three dimensional voronoi and then using Brep|Brep to the difference upon the surface. From here, the lines were planarised to out put a surfacable voronoi in which lines were drawn from the raised central point to all the corners giving an extruded vorornoi form. To further expand on this another outcome resulted in the creation of circula surfaces which were differenced to give variating openings in relation to the origional attractor point and the mid point ditance from it.

Planarising a repeated polygon on a surface allows one to fabricate the structure. There were issue with the engine, but this was solved through a careful analysis of the definition and some technical help from experts.

Extruded Tessellation

Variable Tessellation Sampling Voronoi AttractionExtruded Tessellation

Variable Tessellation Sampling Voronoi AttractionExtruded Tessellation

Variable Tessellation Sampling Voronoi AttractionExtruded Tessellation