Urban Context Generator

Grasshopper is an incredibly versatile tool that in recent years has expanded into fields far beyond the origins in three-dimensional parametric design. One of these fields is that of GIS analysis, which has traditionally been approached through software such as QGIS. The advantages of Grasshopper and Rhinoceros3D over QGIS include the versatility and customisability of … Read more

Predicting Biking Station Vacancy in Barcelona

Introduction Urban transportation planning relies on data science to explain the conditions driving mobility patterns. This exploration of bicing, Barcelona’s resident bike rental program, analyzes the actors impacting discrepancies in bicing data to select machine-learning strategies able to predict biking station vacancies across Barcelona for the year 2024 with an accuracy of 0.02387. With this … Read more

Shape it, feel it

Working in 3D CAD environments can be restrictive. While most CAD software provides tools for creating shapes and generating ideas, they often rely on a mouse and keyboard, or are very expensive. “Shape it, Feel it” investigates opportunities to generate shapes using a computer’s webcam and hand gestures. We utilize cheap and readily available hardware … Read more

SilentShell

Segmented Shell Structures with Cork Panels: Design, Robotic Fabrication and Assembly “SilentShell” explores the use of cork for sound absorption in creating buffer partitions within the IAAC workspace, employing a shell structure concept. The design features a wooden frame with cork panels, fabricated through a combination of robotic and human efforts. The process includes preparing … Read more

Very Many

Design References Design Simulations Cladding Composition The Sandwich Panel is a combination of a top 6mm Polycarbonate Sheet with Dry Insulation and Cork forming our inner layers and to finish it off with a 6mm thk Polycarbonate Sheet at the bottom. Fabrication Process Using plywood as a base for dowels, which would serve as lateral … Read more

Woodcraft | Column-Beam Connection

CONTEXT STRUCTURE This project focuses on the Column-Beam Connection within the larger post-and-beam frame structure. While seemingly simple, these connections require intricate detailing to seamlessly resolve multi-element node connections. Our design involved integrating two perpendicular columns into a monolithic L-shaped column, securing two additional beams in the process. Through digital modelling, we adopted a multilayered … Read more

Wired Warriors

Aim “Create a range of robotic mini-games showcasing dexterity and quick reflexes, ideal for casual enjoyment.“ For this one week workshop, we drew inspiration from various games such as infinite passes, penalty shootouts, and boxing, aiming to adapt them for robotic play. Initially leaning towards infinite passes (football), we ultimately found boxing more compatible with … Read more

Kino

At the workshop led by Madeline Gannon, we had the chance to delve into robotic movement, prioritizing creative freedom over conventional targets like accuracy and repeatability. The workshop was designed as a breeding ground for creativity, facilitated by software components that allowed exploration without the constraints of a kinematic solver. Given the project’s one-week duration … Read more

Segmented Blank

Developing visions of a future forest architecture, in Valvidrera Reservoir; a landscape that provides accesibility to, flora, fauna and open space to surrounding communities. LEARNING OBJECTIVES To gain an understanding of digital modelling of complex timber structures. To demonstrate an understanding of design-to-fabrication workflows and principles. To demonstrate an understand of digital fabrication methodologies for … Read more

Uintah and Ouray Music and Performing Arts Center

SITE The Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation DESIGN PROCESS Form Finding and Computational Elements FORM FINDING Massing FORM FINDING Perforations FORM FINDING Decorative Perforation – Spikes FORM FINDING Columns FORM FINDING Split Columns FORM FINDING Mezzanine FORM FINDING Interior Space SIMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION FINAL PROPOSAL FINAL FABRICATION FINAL RENDERS

Merging with the nature

Concept For the final exercise in complex forming we were asked to developed a museum for wildlife by using one of the concepts introduced during the 1st term. We choose to work with VOXELISATON. Methodological Approach to Design and Form-Finding Our project commenced with a systematic approach, encompassing several critical stages: Pseudo Code – Structural … Read more

Harnessing AI in Design: The Neural Network Component in Grasshopper

Grasshopper’s neural network component is turning data into smart, functional design solutions. The neural network component within this environment presents a new frontier for design intelligence. Here’s a walkthrough of how this component transforms raw data into smart design solutions. The Training Grounds: Neural Network Trainer Designers input parameters into the Neural Network Trainer—this is … Read more

SolarAlign

Embarking on a journey through the dynamic realm of computational design, we’ve delved into the exciting world of interactive web application development. Along the way, we’ve not only grasped the tools and processes but also unraveled the core concepts driving innovation in this space. From harnessing the power of data and geometry on the web … Read more

Subterranean Eden: Martian Harvest Halls

“An innovative way for agriculture on Mars, pushing boundaries of space exploration ensuring future interplanetary habitation.” Mars—the Red Planet—is getting closer. According to the experts, human settlements on Mars might be visible in ten years, allowing for more space exploration. Keeping that in mind, this semester’s goal is to create a 300-person Mars colony. The … Read more

MarSensate: Integrative Modelling

Marsensate is a project based on our Studio course where we explore designing on Mars in order to habit a Marsian colony. The primary goal of our colony was based around Sprituality, to provide a more human environment that appeal to everyone, regardless of their beliefs, genders, preferences, and we focused on the aspect that … Read more

MarSensate: Feeling Human in Space

Project Concept In Marsensate we explore designing on Mars in order to habit a Marsian colony. The primary goal of our colony was based around Sprituality, to provide a more human environment that appeal to everyone, regardless of their beliefs, genders, preferences, and we focused on the aspect that we all have in common, which … Read more

MarSensate: Collaborative Workflows

Introduction Marsensate is a project based on our Studio course where we explore designing on Mars in order to habit a Marsian colony. The primary goal of our colony was based around Sprituality, to provide a more human environment that appeal to everyone, regardless of their beliefs, genders, preferences, and we focused on the aspect … Read more

Martian Aggreculture

The Martian Aggreculture project envisions a food production facility for the first colony on Mars. Our combinatorial modelling approach is data driven – flowing from the demands of the program and the realities of building on Mars into our aggregated architecture to provide a decentralized and resilient food production facility. Colonization at the Aggreculture site … Read more

Solis Centrum – the Sun Center of Aleph City

Project Brief Solis Centrum is a project for the BIMSC Studio class within the 2023/24 MaCAD program. This project aims to represent the solar center of the Aleph City community, a conceptual community on Mars located on the Valles Marines. Mission Statement Solis Centrum aims to represent the solar center of the Aleph City community. … Read more

From following instructions to autonomy

The project started with an experiment to see if an agent could follow a line and illuminate its path to see obstacles. The light is composed of isovits and only the ones in front of the agent are colored. The experiment went then to make the light 3D to illuminate buildings facades. Many approaches were … Read more

Agents from Outer Space

Introduction Simulations are a powerful tool for understanding the world around us as it exists, and also as it could be. The creation of models that reflect a given context by adhering to selected rules that are followed in said context, show how all the constitutive parts behave and evolve over time, and by doing … Read more

Fluid Dynamics

Introduction This exercise aims to create a customizable fluid simulator, to explore how microscopic particles interact with each other and their environment, ultimately building a foundation for understanding fluid dynamics at a smaller scale. The key challenge lies in computationally emphasizing the crucial behaviors of these particles. Fluids, despite appearing continuous, are actually comprised of … Read more

Computing Movements of an Urban Square

The research project imagined a tile of a underused urban plaza as a square-based petri dish to test the movement of points within the tiled surface. By defining a number of points within the geometry of the area, the density of tiles would decrease, relative to the closest point. The membrane between the ground plane … Read more

Alfafa Colony: BIM & Smart Construction

Project Concept Establishing a Martian food colony around a Mohole, designed based on growth morphology of alfalfa for efficient organization and development using L-systems. These terminologies are further explained below. Moholes Moholes on Mars are massive cylindrical excavations in the regolith, reaching up to 1 km in diameter and 7 km in depth. With temperatures … Read more