# Eco-Parametric Structures - Studio Mamou-Mani > 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 struct… ## At a glance - Format: On-demand course - Price: €450.00 (list €500.00) - Difficulty: Beginner - Duration: 6 Sessions (24 Hours) - Schedule: Mar 2 & Apr 6, 2021 - Instructors: Arthur Mamou-Mani - Categories: Architectural Design, 3D Modeling, Fabrication, Structural Analysis - Software: Grasshopper 3D, Rhinoceros 3D - Students: 31 - Rating: 5.0 / 5 - Canonical: https://paacademy.com/course/eco-parametric-structures-studio-mamou-mani - Enroll: https://paacademy.com/course/eco-parametric-structures-studio-mamou-mani --- ## About this course Eco-Parametric Structures is a studio workshop on PAACADEMY led by Arthur Mamou-Mani of Mamou-Mani Architects that explores timber construction through parametric and computational design. Using Grasshopper 3D, Rhinoceros 3D, and plugins including Kangaroo, Karamba, Weaverbird, and Parakeet, participants develop modular lattice systems, strut-and-node structures, and environmental architectural systems. Groups of five work through a complete project cycle from research to physical and digital matrices to final presentation. ## What you'll learn - 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 ## Methodology 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 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. ## Requirements Rhinoceros 6.0. Or 7 The 90-day trial version can be downloaded from the website [www.rhino3d.com/eval.html](http://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](http://www.adobe.com/downloads.html). ## Curriculum ### Session 1 - Part 1 (04:09:30) ### Session 2 - Part 1 (03:52:27) ### Session 3 - Part 1 (02:41:42) - Part 2 (01:36:44) ### Session 4 - Part 1 (03:59:30) ### Session 5 - Part 1 (04:05:40) ### Session 6 - Part 1 (03:35:27) ## FAQ ### What does Kangaroo do in Grasshopper for structural and form-finding design? Kangaroo is a physics simulation engine that runs inside Grasshopper, used for real-time form-finding and structural behavior simulation. In timber and lattice design, it allows designers to apply forces, constraints, and material properties to a parametric model and observe how the geometry deforms or stabilizes under load. This makes it particularly useful for designing strut-and-node systems where structural performance and form are developed simultaneously rather than sequentially. Because Kangaroo works within the Grasshopper environment, results can be fed back into other parts of the parametric model, connecting structural behavior directly to fabrication or spatial output. ### What does the Eco-Parametric Structures course cover from start to finish? The course begins with an introduction to parametric and timber design techniques and Rhino and Grasshopper geometry fundamentals, then progresses through intermediate and advanced Grasshopper work including complex data trees, digital fabrication integration, and plugins such as Kangaroo, Weaverbird, Hoopsnake, Octopus, Karamba, and Parakeet. A workshop phase focuses on creating parametric matrices both digitally and physically. Participants also study the history of algorithmic and parametric design, timber construction methods including struts, nodes, and surfaces, and geometrical lattice systems in 2D and 3D. The course concludes with project development and final presentations. ### What level of Grasshopper experience is needed for Eco-Parametric Structures? Rhinoceros 6 or 7 and the Adobe Suite are listed as required tools, and participants are expected to have them installed and ready before the course begins. The curriculum starts at the introductory level with geometry fundamentals and builds progressively toward advanced plugin use, so participants who are completely new to Grasshopper can follow the course if they are prepared to keep pace with a structured, homework-driven format. However, some prior exposure to Rhino's interface will reduce friction in the early sessions. The course works in groups of five, which allows participants with varying experience levels to distribute tasks and contribute at their own depth. ### What will I produce by the end of the Eco-Parametric Structures course? Participants will produce a portfolio and video documentation of their work across all course phases, leading to a final presentation of a timber architectural project developed through parametric iteration. The project will demonstrate a coherent system of struts, nodes, and surfaces responding to structural, environmental, and programmatic factors, developed through a matrix of digital and physical variations in Grasshopper and Rhino. Beyond the final project, participants will have built proficiency in multiple Grasshopper plugins, an understanding of digital fabrication principles, and a method for growing modular systems from the bottom up using parametric logic.