Parametric Design & Digital Fabrication
The graphic series form the core part of the design education at sophomore level at the KSA. The series is intended to introduce specific design tools and to complement design studio. This seminar introduces strategies of parametric design and methods of digital fabrication through the means of scripting and editing.
Standing at the merger of a generative computational design approach, parametric design and digital fabrication are two faces of the same medal. While recent advances in coding and scripting empower architects to write their own software, digital fabrication seamlessly communicates these designs to machines and robots. The aim of this seminar "From Parametric Design to Digital Fabrication"” is to orchestrate the organization and flux of information from a written code to a physical model.
Understanding that both parts will mutually reinforce each other, the seminar is structured around a digital design part on Tuesdays, where we will elaborate digital models, and a respective digital fabrication part on Thursdays, where these models will be fabricated.
A primary set of tools will offer an introduction to parametric design generating geometries for fabrication. We will understand, manipulate and edit a series of codes (VB scripting for Rhinoceros) in a 3D modeling environment (Rhinoceros) and use these codes to generate complex geometries and prepare them for digital fabrication in the lab. In parallel we will use a graphic interface version of VB scripting (Grasshopper) to exemplify the codes.
Each tool in digital fabrication has a specific range of operation (size, scale, direction, material to use, etc). This range will delimit the output of the parametric design part to a set of feasible options. These options will then be prepared for and tested in the digital fabrication lab.
Parametric design and digital fabrication will reinforce each other through aforementioned constraining parameters; the first opening up a field of potentials, the second narrowing down possible solutions. In that sense, architects are to a lesser degree designers, than editors of scripts and parameters, orchestrating geometries and, ultimately, working towards a non-standard understanding of design.
The seminar is structured around 10 lecture-seminars taught on Tuesdays in conjunction with hands-on digital lab sessions and fabrication taught on Thursdays. These classes will gradually lead towards an understanding and control of more complex scripts, geometries and fabricated models. Each class combines a scripting and design method with an appropriate digital manufacturing technique.
Parametric design
While a basic knowledge of Rhino or a similar 3D environment is expected, no previous experience in scripting is required. A simple code paragraph will be given each class that can be inserted into working code syntax. Each paragraph contains variables and parameters to explore and test for its specific range and output geometries.
The seminar will be taught in the School'’s digital design lab KN430 on windows PC’s running the latest build of Rhino, the Rhino-script plug-in, the script compiler Monkey, the graphic interface Grasshopper and the windows (dot).net framework. The screen will be split in three areas to show the Rhino main window, Rhino help window for reference and command lines, and the script compiler Monkey to edit and test scripts.
Students will be introduced to several processes of digital fabrication, including: laser cutting, rapid prototyping, CNC machining, and thermoforming. Students will translate the geometry produced by each script into physical models with consideration given to the most appropriate use of each process. As we introduce each process, we will share relevant real-world examples of firms applying each technique. If time permits, we will also demonstrate some advanced software that helps bridge the gap between design and construction.
