Online SideFX Houdini Courses for Architecture

Q: Why would an architect learn Houdini over Grasshopper?

Houdini handles procedural simulation, VFX-grade rendering and complex attribute data more natively.

Q: Is Houdini used outside architecture?

Yes it's an industry-standard tool in film and game VFX, which is where its procedural power originates.

Q: What will I learn in ProBody Architecture 4.0?

ProBody Architecture 4.0 at PAACADEMY covers three areas: generating 3D human base meshes using MakeHuman for scale and ergonomic reference in architectural design; building complex organic geometries through procedural modeling in SideFX Houdini; and connecting and exchanging design data across multiple platforms. The course runs for 8 hours across 10 intermediate-level lessons taught by Filippo Nassetti.

Q: How does Houdini compare to Rhino and Grasshopper for computational architecture?

Rhino and Grasshopper focus on NURBS geometry and visual parametric scripting, and are the standard platform across 90+ and 85+ courses at PAACADEMY respectively. Houdini uses a procedural node network optimized for organic, simulation-based geometry at complexity levels that Grasshopper typically does not handle. At PAACADEMY, Houdini is taught for specific applications including organic architectural form and procedural generation that sits outside the Rhino and Grasshopper ecosystem.

courses per page

Pro

Body Architecture 4.0

Filippo Nassetti

Verified Account

8 HoursIntermediate10 lessons

Pro

Body Architecture 4.0

8 HoursIntermediate10 lessons

What you'll learn

Generate accurate 3D human base meshes using MakeHuman.
Build complex organic geometries through procedural modelling in SideFX Houdini.
Connect and exchange design data seamlessly across multiple platforms.

Filippo Nassetti

Verified Account

Full Access

Spatial Fragmentations 3.0

Mümün Keser

Verified Account

8 HoursAdvanced13 lessons

Full Access

Spatial Fragmentations 3.0

8 HoursAdvanced13 lessons

What you'll learn

Learn to construct complex workflows in Houdini that can be adapted to various architectural contexts.
Gain hands-on experience with Volume-based modeling techniques for generating and deforming geometries.
Understand and apply VEX coding for custom vector fields, growth simulations, and attribute-driven facade generation.

Mümün Keser

Verified Account

Full Access

Procedurally Performant Patterns

David Burpee

Verified Account

8 HoursIntermediate13 lessons

Full Access

Procedurally Performant Patterns

8 HoursIntermediate13 lessons

What you'll learn

Contexts, operators, and attributes within Houdini
Interoperability between CAD and Mesh workflows
Concepts for Algorithmic Design

David Burpee

Verified Account

Full Access

Houdini for Beginners 101

Mümün Keser

Verified Account

6 HoursBeginner12 lessons

Full Access

Houdini for Beginners 101

6 HoursBeginner12 lessons

What you'll learn

Learn procedural modeling through node-based workflows in Houdini.
Develop complex geometries with variations using procedural techniques.
Explore core features like DOPS, VELLUM, and solvers for dynamic systems.

Mümün Keser

Verified Account

Full AccessBestseller

Additive Footwear Design: FDM and Resin

Kedar Benjamin

Verified Account

8 HoursIntermediate14 lessons

Full AccessBestseller

Additive Footwear Design: FDM and Resin

8 HoursIntermediate14 lessons

What you'll learn

How to design footwear for FDM and Resin
Manufacturing constraints for FDM and Resin footwear, as well as pros and cons for both
Use Houdini to create an adjustable design

Kedar Benjamin

Verified Account

Full Access

Spatial Fragmentations 2.0 - Procedural Modelling with Houdini

Mümün Keser

Verified Account

8 HoursIntermediate7 lessons

Full Access

Spatial Fragmentations 2.0 - Procedural Modelling with Houdini

8 HoursIntermediate7 lessons

What you'll learn

Master VEX coding and Foreach looping techniques in Houdini for advanced modeling.
Explore procedural techniques to create complex geometries with endless variations.
Develop skills to integrate Houdini with Grasshopper for enhanced workflows.

Mümün Keser

Verified Account

Full AccessBestseller

Body Architecture 3.0

Filippo Nassetti

Verified Account

8 HoursIntermediate6 lessons

Full AccessBestseller

Body Architecture 3.0

8 HoursIntermediate6 lessons

What you'll learn

Expanded Architectural Concepts: Explore the intersection of architecture and the human body, focusing on wearable products and prostheses.
Advanced Design Workflows: Integrate computational design and AI using software like Rhino Grasshopper, SideFX Houdini, and MakeHuman.
Material Simulation: Learn to simulate fibrous and textile forms for contemporary design statements.

Filippo Nassetti

Verified Account

Full AccessBestseller

Spatial Fragmentations with Houdini

Mümün Keser

Verified Account

2 Sessions (8 Hours)Beginner7 lessons

Full AccessBestseller

Spatial Fragmentations with Houdini

2 Sessions (8 Hours)Beginner7 lessons

What you'll learn

Introduction to Houdini: This workshop is designed for beginners and intermediate users, providing a comprehensive introduction to Houdini's powerful capabilities in architectural modeling.
Hands-On Experience: Participants will gain practical experience in node-based procedural modeling, exploring a wide range of geometry and surface features within Houdini.
Transformative Techniques: The course focuses on transforming simple shapes into complex spatial structures, emphasizing procedural techniques to enhance basic geometries and add architectural details.

Mümün Keser

Verified Account

Full Access

INFINIUM Studio - Chantal Matar

Chantal Matar

Verified Account

6 + 1 Sessions (28 Hours)Intermediate16 lessons

Full Access

INFINIUM Studio - Chantal Matar

6 + 1 Sessions (28 Hours)Intermediate16 lessons

What you'll learn

Designing the META PAVILION: Collaborate on creating a pavilion that embodies the intersection of art, digital craft, and architecture.
Exploration of Exhibition Spaces: Conceptualize themed exhibition spaces within the pavilion that highlight the balance between art and technology.
Use of Unreal Engine: Gain experience in visualizing and experiencing architectural projects in a virtual environment using Unreal Engine.

Chantal Matar

Verified Account

Frequently Asked Questions About SideFX Houdini

Why would an architect learn Houdini over Grasshopper?

Is Houdini used outside architecture?

What is SideFX Houdini used for in architecture?

What will I learn in ProBody Architecture 4.0?

How does Houdini compare to Rhino and Grasshopper for computational architecture?

PAACADEMY provides online courses on SideFX Houdini, teaching architects how to use procedural 3D modeling and physical simulation to generate highly complex, organic architectural forms.

SideFX Houdini is a procedural 3D modeling and simulation platform developed originally for visual effects that has increasingly been adopted in architecture for generating complex organic geometry, simulating physical systems, and building rule-based design workflows where form emerges from procedural logic rather than manual modeling.

At PAACADEMY, Houdini is taught across several advanced courses, prominently in ProBody Architecture 4.0 by Filippo Nassetti. In an architectural context, Houdini is used when standard parametric tools hit their geometric limits:

Procedural Organic Modeling: Creating intricate, bio-inspired architectural forms, porous structures and complex lattices.
Physical Simulation: Utilizing advanced particle and fluid dynamics to drive architectural form-finding.
Data Exchange: Managing complex data flow between Houdini, Rhino and MakeHuman for multi-platform architectural pipelines.

You're all caught up

You've explored everything

Head back to the top or discover our recommended picks.

Recommended courses