| Course Title | Parametric Design Workshop |
| PiCA Faculty Co-ordinator | Ar. Jayraj Ghatge , Ar. Sasmit Acharekar |
| Duration- Dates and Total Hours | 14th to 18th February, 2022, Total 30 Hours |
| No. of Students attended | 236 |
Course Description
World of Architecture is evolving and it is necessary to stay updated. ‘Parametric Paradigm’ workshop helped the students manoeuvre complex architectural geometry and generative design techniques using – Rhinoceros 3D Modelling and Grasshopper Algorithms – the two things forming the basics of Avant-Garde style of architecture.
Course Objectives
- Introduction to the concept of Computational (Parametric) Design
- Introduction to Rhinoceros
- Rhinoceros 3D Modelling
- Introduction to Grasshopper
- Understanding the Data Flow in Grasshopper
- Optimization and Simulations in Design
Course Outcome
- Get a working knowledge of Rhino and Grasshopper
- Explore and test the use of parameters and their interrelationships to generate simple and complex facade design
- Be able to iterate through the design concepts and Understand the mathematical framework of optimization.
Course Plan
Date: 14th February, 2022
Workshop began with the introduction of the co-ordinators and some of their projects. Students were introduced to the new paradigm in design which is parametric / computational design; later the discussion was headed to the understanding of the use of parametric design in product design and architecture.
Students were introduced to the basic tools, basic concepts, terminologies and the shortcuts of the commands.
In this part students were shown how to use the default 2D curves and 3D shapes to form the organic patterns and the scaling factors and types were introduced. Conductors showed how to make a furniture piece by using the same shapes and students were asked to play with the forms and create a piece of furniture.
Students were introduced to the use of components like the layers and the application of materials to the objects. Students were also shown the rendering settings and techniques in Rhinoceros 3D. In this session, students learnt applying the materials to the furniture piece that they created in Part 1 and then rendered the views of the same.
The rendered views of the furniture were expected from students as a submission of Day 1. Students uploaded their designs on social media platform and were judged based on their design and punctuality about the deadline.
Students were shown how an AutoCAD drawing can be imported and how a 3D structure can be created by using all the basic tools and techniques that they learnt in Part 1.
Date: 15th February, 2022
The day started with the structure that students started extruding from AutoCAD plan (that was given to them along with some plugins). This exercise made them use all the tools that they learnt on day 1 and the confidence was built within them about the usage of the software.
In this session, students were introduced to the User Interface of grasshopper plugin and were also shown how to install the other plugins of grasshopper which were shared with them before commencing the workshop.
Students were shown how Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper can be linked. They were introduced to the basic components of grasshopper and their uses were explained. A basic grasshopper script was made and explained by the conductors and students were asked to make the same as well.
In this session, the workshop conductors introduced students to a new design style by developing a script for an attractor point. Students were explained the use of attractor point method and how these can be implemented while designing an architectural projects and were shown some world famous examples of the same from the internet for better understanding.
Date: 16th February, 2022
In this session, students were introduced to a script to make a parametric twisted tower. Students were shown the method of making the script for the same and were asked to ‘choose’ design they like from the ‘n’ number of options that the script produced.
Students were shown how a script for parametric tower can be made and were also introduced to a new plugin called ‘Lunchbox’ by using the components of which they were shown how to build a skin of the building with the panels.
In this session, students were shown how an attractor point can be added to the panels that they applied on the twisted tower in the exercise of part 1.
Date: 17th February, 2022
Part 1: Working studio for the workshop
Part 2: Students were invited on the last day of the workshop to clarify their doubts regarding the software and the conductors shared their screens and solved the doubts and showcased some examples to understand the logics.
Date: 18th February, 2022
Working studio for the workshop
