To explore parametric constructive strategies to achieve a more aesthetic, attractive, fabrication-friendly structures when developing freeform architectural designs
goals
Parametric Framework: To go beyond current limitations in isoparametric analyses by developing a framework in which procedures for segmenting freeform surfaces with discrete constructible components can be encapsulated.
Boundary Optimization: To explore irregular boundary conditions at given surfaces so that propagation of the pattern-based panel components can be effectively re-designed and other design intentions, for instance, panel patterns, size, or panelization direction can be effectively re-examined.
basic problem
Given a freeform surface trimmed/cut for various purposes
Required to produce architecture — skin/frame/joint
geometrically to create panels based on a mesh element, such as a triangle, quadrilateral etc
step 1 – boundary driven quad mesh generation
Packing direction based on x- and y-axes.
As the complexity of the boundary grows—that is, with more trimmed boundaries—the number of irregular mesh elements such as triangles or non-uniform clusters increases.
The tensor field is organized as a 3-dimensional lattice to define local packing size and direction.
Partial boundary
Complete boundary
Intermediate mesh generation from the tensor field
Quad-dominant bubble mesh generation for both a partially selected and complete boundary conditions.
step 2 – parametric panelization
Example of an L-system based procedural approach — inspired by a Santiago Calatrava design
Reconstruction rule
+
Fenestration rule
+
Offset rule
Freeform surface
Tessellated surface
Parametric variations
Lighting simulation plotted on a monochrome scale from black to white and applied to the tessellated surface to determine opening sizes
Post design analysis
Fabrication component analysis
step 2 – interwoven panels
Inspired by Erwin Hauer designs Interwoven patterns can be created by trim and transformation of a basic mesh element
examples of quad- and hexagon-based interwoven patterns
design patterns
We were inspired in our work by Rob Woodbury’s work on design patterns, www.designpatterns.ca, which provides the parametric modeling community with well-crafted examples of reusable code. The work of Woodbury and his researchers is based in Bentley’s Generative Component®. We have carried out a similar exercise based in Rhino and Grasshopper: www.andrew.cmu.edu/org/tsunghsw-design/. Design patterns are also examined
in my course on
parametric modeling, http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/course/48-724/.
