The Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) postgraduate program is an 11-month immersive academic program focused on learning how to design and build a new generation of buildings and cities to respond to the planet’s emerging climate challenges. The program is carried out in Valldaura Labs, in Barcelona, a 135 He property located in the Collserola forest. Here, students will live and work surrounded by nature while using the most advanced technologies and design techniques in the pursuit of what is also IAAC’s long term initiative, to create self-sufficient and ecological environments.
Revolutionizing Architecture with 3D Sand PrintingA Case Study Analysis by Reuben Diamond In recent years, the intersection of computational design and 3D printing has pushed the boundaries of what architecture can achieve. The article “Printing Architecture: Castles Made of Sand” by Benjamin Dillenburger and Michael Hansmeyer explores how 3D sand printing—a cutting-edge additive manufacturing technology—can … Read more
As a designer in today’s world, you need to stay on the cutting edge of technology to remain competitive. One essential skill is learning parametric design tools like Grasshopper to create complex geometries and forms. Grasshopper is a visual programming language that enables computational design. With Grasshopper, you can generate intricate patterns, optimized structures, and … Read more
1. Table The main goal of this assignment was to get familiar with the basic commands of the grasshopper and create variations of the principal design. All the solids created derive from the same coordinate points, differing only in the way they were manipulated in order to generate the table base. Starting from five points, … Read more
Through Advanced Digital Tool Advanced Digital Tool course has been a great eye opening. During this course, I acquired comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience in utilizing the parametric software Grasshopper for computational design. Throughout the duration of the classes, our focus was on mastering the practical application of these parametric design tools. By integrating the … Read more
The umbraculo bench is designed to be placed in the Umbraculo, Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona. It is designed as an organic shaped bench focusing on materiality, ergonomics as well to be a state of art element. It is designed and constructed using CLT panels made using pine wood lamellas. The Umbraculo The Umbraculo translates … Read more
Many physical objects are built / created with many layers of complexity. Some object of designed with basic primary forms like villa Savoye, while other objects are designed with a more complex form like pattern of a sunflower. Grasshopper is a different modeling system to the traditional programs (rhino, 3ds max) it allows the creation … Read more
Light Fixtures and Kinetic Sculptures Exercise 01 : Wooden Shingle Lampshade The first exercise was a lesson in learning a basic Grasshopper script that involves several steps in creating and manipulating geometry. We learnt to interpolate curves from multiple points generated within grasshopper. and then went on to applying a revolution command to rotate them … Read more
The purpose of this blog post is to take the readers through my journey with Grasshopper. Grasshopper is a visual programming language and environment primarily used in architecture, design, and creative fields. It’s a plug-in for Rhinoceros 3D, a CAD software, enabling users to create algorithms and generate complex designs through a node-based interface. In … Read more
Grasshopper is a visual programming language and graphical algorithm editor for Rhinoceros, a 3D modeling software. It automates the recurring process and generates geometric figures through mathematical functions. It helps in creating complex models using simple geometry. Using Grasshopper helps an architect or designer to comprehend and analyze the design. The form, structure and system … Read more
Grasshopper fundamentalsMAEBB program 23/24 Grasshopper is plug-in within Rhino, it enables to create complex parametric designs by connecting components in a graphical interface. This tool allows for a new way of designing and manipulating complex geometries. During the first semester, we had to submit weekly assignments. For our final assignment we had to send in … Read more
Within the Advanced Digital Tools course, we embarked on an exploration of parametric design using Grasshopper, exploring the possibilities it allows. This overview will showcase some of the projects I worked on and culminates in a presentation of the final assignment. This journey underscores Grasshopper’s dual nature—as a controllable tool and a gateway to innovative … Read more
Project AbstractThe programming of the definition for these adaptive stairs serves the purpose of investigating parametric design as a type of proceduralmodelling by using Rhino Grasshopper comprising of parameters, algorithms and their outcomes. The Grasshopper definition uses an extensive set of parameters, published to Rhino’s remote control panel to adapt the design in real-time. The … Read more
The Advanced Digital Tools course on the MAEBB program focuses on emergent parametric design rooted in algorithmic design principles. Throughout history, architects and designers have deployed tools and technologies to create, represent and communicate ideas relating to design of physical 3D space. As new technologies emerge – perspective, drawing utensils, for-finding techniques, the invention of … Read more
The purpose of this blog post is to showcase a selection of exercises conducted during the Advanced Computational Class of the first term of MAEBB. My personal interest was initially focused on the algorithmic logic of Grasshopper and its manifestations in nature (Ex. 01 & Ex. 02). As we progressively explored more complex concepts of … Read more
During the course, I discovered for myself the whole new world of scripting, 3D modelling and animation using Grasshopper. Scripting at first was a bit confusing as the UI of the program is not very user-friendly, but with time and help of our course curators I even started enjoying the process. The possibility of making … Read more
What is code art? In the world of architecture and design it could be hypothesised as the use of code to generate the creative ideologies one has into a more visible format. One of the tools that can be used to generate said thoughts and ideas is grasshopper, a computational design software. It is a visual … Read more
Embark on a transformative journey into the realm of digital design with our “Advanced Digital Tools” course, where innovation meets precision. Central to this exploration is Grasshopper, a visual programming language seamlessly integrated into Rhino 3D modeling software. This course propels students beyond conventional design boundaries, offering a hands-on experience in parametric design, algorithmic workflows, … Read more
In the context of technology, Grasshopper refers to a visual programming language and environment. Unlike traditional coding languages, Grasshopper employs a graphical interface, allowing users to create and manipulate algorithms through a visual representation of code elements. Originally designed as a plugin for the 3D modeling software Rhinoceros, Grasshopper enables architects, designers, and engineers to … Read more
During the first term of the Master’s program, we took a class called “Advanced Digital Tools,” which focused on exploring all the functions and potentials of the software “Grasshopper.” This blog post aims to showcase some of the works developed during the course, illustrating both the processes and results. Same code, variations of parameters The … Read more
Welcome to the world of advanced computational tools, where we delve into the intricacies of Grasshopper, a graphical algorithm editor tightly integrated with Rhino’s 3-D modeling tools. This blog post will guide you through the learning process, focusing on the fundamental aspects of Grasshopper and logical representations. Grasshopper Fundamentals Grasshopper is a powerful tool that … Read more
The Furnish Kids program aims to improve public space through design interventions of tactical architecture. The design for this term has been developed to utilize natural materials such as Pine logs unused for previous Valldaura Labs projects and offcuts from wooden plan production. The materials have been cataloged, measured, and scanned for improved digital modeling. … Read more
The project ‘[Wood]le’ – a ‘Wooden Noodle’ explores the idea of steam-bending tree logs to create a self stable structure. The Woodle assumes the function of a seating area as it rests on the ground at one end and folds up to become an element that frames the valley of Font Del Gos on the … Read more
Through the classes of this course, we practised and learned how to apply the parametric software Grasshopper as well as associated plug-ins into our computational designs. We implemented what we learned in our studio projects in order to comprehend it in real-time. Since our project did not require any direct fabrication through 3d software, we … Read more
Public spaces in the city of Barcelona play a vital role in the daily lives of its citizens. But often there is a clear boundary seen between the urban and the peri-urban forests of the city. The project approaches the site of Font Del Gos as a transitory space between the city of Barcelona and … Read more
