In the course we will be looking at all forms of wood for construction and how to develop parametric, modular and environmental architectural systems. From timber to plywood we will study how to develop systems of struts, nodes and surfaces responding to environmental and structural and programmatic factors.

We will learn about lattices, assembly sequences, digital fabrication as well as extracting information from a complex parametric model to create unique and adaptable projects, maximizing inexpensive materials into realistic and exciting architectural projects. We will look at bottom-up design, and how to grow modular systems through creating and learning from matrices of parametric variations.

We will study the history of algorithmic and parametric design, how it enables the collaborative development of holistic systems and reproduces natural processes for environmental design. More importantly, we will learn how to let our emotions guide us through this mathematical process.

With and Beside Measure: Parametric Symmetry

I often wonder if our lack of understanding of the symmetry groups often led us to uninspiring grids or uncontrolled complexity. In this workshop, we will start with simplicity and build up complexity together.

We will look at the granular and apply symmetry to create crystalline and biophilic architectural systems. From circles, splines, and vectors, we will use reflection, rotations, rotoreflection, and double rotation. From the struts to the plane and the node, we will explore lattice-like structures and their relationship to external and internal parameters. We will let them grow and test them both digitally and physically with simple models, building the complexity from the bottom-up.   We will be using Mirrorlab, Rhino 7, and Grasshopper to create matrices of options. We will document our complexity like gardeners and display all possibilities.

This is an applied workshop, we will learn through involvement, so expect homework! You will work in groups of 5 to distribute the tasks and produce a more complete project.

• Intro to parametric and timber design techniques
• Rhino+grasshopper, geometry fundamentals
• Grasshopper intermediate, complex data trees and integrating digital fabrication 4. Grasshopper advanced, using plugins such as kangaroo, weaverbird, hoopsnake, octopus, karamba, parakeet to create fully integrated models using timber.
• Workshop, creating parametric matrices, both digitally and physically
• Project development iterating and developing timber structure.
• Final presentations

Participants will need to keep a portfolio and produce videos of their work towards the final presentation. The work will be divided into the following parts:

1. Research into timber structures, struts and nodes
2. Research into geometrical 2d and 3d lattices, model making
3. Implementing first research into a parametric model
4. Informing models with reality
5. Creating physical and digital matrices of parametric models
6. Implementing learnings from matrix to suggested different spatial applications
7. Final presentations

Rhinoceros 6.0. Or 7 The 90-day trial version can be downloaded from the website www.rhino3d.com/eval.html

Adobe Suite (Premiere, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign). The 30-day trial version of Adobe Products can be downloaded from the website www.adobe.com/downloads.html.

Week 1 - Eco-Parametric Structures

Lecture, Grasshopper class, Mirror lab introduction

Week 2 - Eco-Parametric Structures

Lecture, Students Presentations, Grasshopper Class

Week 3 - Eco-Parametric Structures

Students Presentations, Grasshopper Class

Week 4 - Eco-Parametric Structures

Students Presentations, Grasshopper Class

Week 5 - Eco-Parametric Structures

Students Presentations, Grasshopper Class

Week 6 - Eco-Parametric Structures

Final Presentation