What does the Parametric Synergy: Maya and Grasshopper course cover?

The course covers fundamental and advanced organic modeling techniques in Maya, the workflow for exporting designs from Maya to Rhino, Grasshopper fundamentals for procedural analysis, environmental performance assessment using Ladybug and Butterfly, and generative design optimization using Galapagos. Participants work individually on a parametric tower design throughout the workshop.

Is prior experience with Maya or Grasshopper required for this course?

The course is designed to build skills progressively, covering both fundamental and advanced techniques in Maya alongside Grasshopper essentials. Some prior exposure to 3D modeling is beneficial, but the workshop is structured to guide participants through the full Maya-to-Grasshopper workflow from concept to environmental optimization.

What will I produce by the end of this parametric design course?

Participants complete an individually designed organic parametric tower modeled in Maya, geometrically optimized in Rhino, and environmentally analyzed in Grasshopper. The final output includes solar, wind, and visibility analysis results and a Galapagos-optimized design iteration, demonstrating a complete sustainable architectural design workflow.

Full Access Workshop May 10 & 11, 2025 8 Hours Beginner

Parametric Synergy: Maya & Grasshopper for Sustainable Design

Name: Parametric Synergy: Maya & Grasshopper for Sustainable Design
Price: 93.50 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.00 (3 reviews)

Parametric Synergy: Maya and Grasshopper for Sustainable Design is a course on PAACADEMY that teaches participants to model organic parametric towers in Autodesk Maya and then validate and optimize those designs in Grasshopper for environmental performance. Participants begin by developing free-form architectural proposals in Maya using parametric and polygonal modeling techniques, export those models into Rhino, and then use Grasshopper with Ladybug for solar exposure analysis, Butterfly for wind simulation, and Galapagos for generative optimization of visibility and other performance criteria through a score-based evaluation system.

Instructors

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Nicolas Turchi

Verified Account

1 course5.0

Ali Al-siwife

Verified Account

1 course5.0

About Parametric Synergy: Maya & Grasshopper for Sustainable Design

Leveraging Maya’s organic modeling capabilities alongside Grasshopper’s procedural analysis. This workshop empowers students to enhance their design workflow. Participants will create a parametric tower in Maya, unleashing the power of organic modeling, and then validate and optimize their design using Grasshopper.

This workshop focuses on parametric and polygonal free-form modeling techniques in Autodesk Maya. A case study modeled in Maya will be exported to Rhino. Grasshopper is used to procedurally optimize the design based on environmental considerations such as solar exposure, wind, and visibility. Additionally, Galapagos will facilitate generative design optimization through a score-based evaluation system for the analysis.

What you will learn

3D Modelling in Maya: Master organic parametric modelling techniques.
Fundamental & Advanced Techniques: Develop a solid foundation and explore advanced design strategies in Maya.
Design Thinking: Cultivate a deeper understanding of form-finding methodologies.
Maya-to-Grasshopper Workflow: Learn to transition designs effectively from Maya to Rhino and then into Grasshopper.
Grasshopper Fundamentals: Acquire essential skills in using Grasshopper.
Environmental Analysis: Utilize tools such as Ladybug for sun analysis, Butterfly for wind analysis, and Galapagos for optimizing visibility.

Methodology

This workshop is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of organic modeling using Autodesk Maya, addressing the complexities that often challenge designers in creating intricate forms. Participants will gain hands-on experience in developing unique designs by mastering both fundamental and advanced modeling techniques.

Recognizing the increasing importance of sustainability in contemporary architecture, the workshop emphasizes the integration of environmental analysis into the design process. Students will acquire essential skills to assess and enhance the environmental performance of their projects, ensuring they meet current and future sustainability standards.

Working individually, students will begin by conceptualizing and modeling their designs in Maya, focusing on an organic and parametric design proposal. Subsequently, they will export their models to Rhino for geometric optimization, preparing the designs for comprehensive analysis. Utilizing Grasshopper, participants will conduct environmental assessments based on predefined parameters, employing plugins such as Ladybug for solar analysis, Butterfly for wind simulations, and Galapagos for optimizing visibility and other performance criteria.

Throughout the workshop, a combination of demonstrations and hands-on exercises will facilitate learning. Instructors will provide feedback, guiding students through the iterative process of design, analysis, and optimization.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have developed a robust workflow that seamlessly integrates organic modeling with procedural analysis, equipping them with the tools to create innovative and sustainable architectural designs.

Course Content

12 Lessons

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Highlights

Instructors

Nicolas Turchi

1 Course5.0

Nicolas Turchi is the Director of the international RIBA chartered architecture studio nt-ar, as well as an ARB- and RIBA-accredited architect in the United Kingdom. He is a Professor at the American University in Dubai and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bologna, with previous academic experience at the Manchester School of Architecture, Harvard University, Politecnico di Milano, and Birmingham City University.

Nicolas holds a Master in Architecture II from Harvard University and a five-year Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Bologna, where he received the prestigious Giacomo Venturi Award for the best thesis. Before founding nt-ar, with offices in both the UK and Dubai, he worked for renowned international studios, including Zaha Hadid Architects, Peter Eisenman Architects, Hernan Diaz Alonso Architects, Mario Cucinella Architects, and 5+1AA.

Turchi is particularly passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on architectural theory. His interdisciplinary research explores the relationship between architecture, philosophy, and physics, with numerous publications on the introduction of the fourth dimension in architecture ("Spacetime Architecture"). His work has been widely published and exhibited on leading platforms and at major international events, including the Venice Biennale, Milan Design Week, ArchDaily, and the Theatre of Digital Art (TODA) in Dubai.

Ali Al-siwife

1 Course5.0

Ali Al-Siwife is an architectural designer with a passion for computational design. As a lead designer at NT_AR, he integrates computational design and analysis into a range of innovative projects. A student from the CPU[Ai] atelier at MSA, his approach is enriched by insights from leading researchers in computational thinking.

Parametric Synergy: Maya & Grasshopper for Sustainable Design FAQ

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5.0avg3 Reviews

3 Comments

Yuta Kastarz

Hi may I know where is the link for the Lesson files on your Google Drive please thanks

Nov 8, 2025

Amer Faraon

Hey! To access the workshop’s Google Drive: click "Watch Now" on the right side of the screen, then open "Files" and hit "Download Course Files"

Guest Fatemeh Mrz

I really enjoyed the workshop, great energy and super informative! Looking forward to more sessions like this. Keep up the great work!

May 24, 2025