Grasshopper Masterclass: Parametric Facade Generator

In this workshop, we will focus on developing parametric models in Grasshopper and organizing a large number of highly detailed façade elements in Rhino. This includes explaining many useful tips, tricks, and techniques for both Grasshopper and Rhino workflows. For example, we will cover data tree management, geometric transformations, reusable algorithms, attaching metadata to geometry, optimizing mesh geometry, and many other useful computational design techniques in Grasshopper. In Rhino, you will learn how to automatically bake and organize thousands of façade blocks generated by your algorithm.

All of these parametric techniques will be demonstrated through real-world façade projects, allowing you to understand not only how the algorithms work, but also how they can be applied in professional architectural practice.

The workshop is intended for architects, designers, engineers, and students who already have a basic understanding of Rhino and Grasshopper and would like to improve their computational design skills.

Scope:

The workshop will combine theoretical explanations, step-by-step demonstrations, and practical exercises. Each part will begin with a short introduction to the main design problem and the Grasshopper techniques that will be used to solve it. After that, the complete workflow will be demonstrated through a real-world facade example.

The workshop will follow a gradual learning process. We will begin by defining the main façade parameters and studying the input geometry and architectural drawings. The next steps will include creating panel systems, generating detailed façade elements, and attaching relevant metadata to the geometry. 

The complete facade generator will be divided into smaller, clearly organized parts. This will allow students to understand each part of the algorithm separately before combining everything into a complete parametric system. Particular attention will be given to building clean, scalable, and efficient Grasshopper definitions that can manage a large number of façade elements.

Students will follow the demonstrations and complete practical exercises individually. During the workshop, they will be encouraged to test different parameters, explore design variations, and adapt the demonstrated workflow to their own ideas.

Program:

Day 1: Building the Parametric Facade System

• Study façade details and define key design parameters.
• Create adjustable panel grids and surface subdivision systems.
• Learn data tree management for organizing façade components.
• Generate parametric panels, frames, openings, and supporting elements.
• Build a clean, scalable Grasshopper definition from scratch.

Day 2: Optimization, Automation & Documentation

• Develop detailed façade elements, including mullions, joints, and corner conditions.
• Optimize Grasshopper definitions and create lightweight mesh geometry for visualization.
• Attach metadata, generate panel IDs, and calculate quantities and cost data.
• Export structured façade information to CSV files.
• Automatically bake and organize façade elements in Rhino using layers, blocks, and object attributes.