Sunday, March 23, 2014

P08 Knowledge patterns - alsarc


After lots of greif with the power copy - note: don't copy the equations, cut and paste, so there's not more than one instance of it.






This used an old part from the beginning of the semester, and I used it in a much more efficient way now that we know how to powercopy! I powercopied a rule:

/*Rule created by alsarc 3/23/2014*/

If InnerCircle.1   < .5in
{Depth  =.2in}

else if 
InnerCircle.1   >.5in and InnerCircle.1   <.8in
{Depth   =.5in}

else if 
InnerCircle.1  >.8in and InnerCircle.1   <5in
{Depth   =1in}

*My computer unfortunately blue screened of death before I could take a dinner break and color code the height changes. GAH *

If the file hadn't vaporized, I would have made 3 separate parts, with global parameters based on each of the three circles so that they change height individually and color code based on the change. Ah well. Now to fix my computer...

Algorithmic Architecture - Reading Response

This reading discusses the interesting relationship between human design and computing, providing some interesting theories as to why computational design is seemingly misunderstood. Architects are slow to adapt to the increasing use of technology, but it is because we see algorithmic architecture as too many defined variables when we are so used to "vague, indefinite, and uncertain" design. We don't understand the complx nature of the processes, and "cannot implement them in a meaningful way in design." Our ongoing struggle with working with engineers is much more obvious, for they look for rational consistency when we fight for creativity and resourcefulness. We need to have an open-ended design process, so that any changes in design are not hard to adapt. Architects think that computer aided design impedes this fluidity in the design process, when we are really just understanding how it works all wrong. It is possible for the world of science and the arts to coexist, as long as we understand the principles of design and how to appropriately apply them. We should give algorithmic architecture a chance, because when used properly, we will "open a portal into another world new to the human mind" and explore a much larger range of design possibilities.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

P007 - unfolding

Here's my unfolding, along with small variations to the height factor and original framework






Mark Burry - Models, Prototypes and Archetypes

"Specifically, just as we begin to resolve the model's diverse role as part of the architect's design repertoire, we are confronted with new dilemmas: the model as model, as prototype, and as archetype."

This reading discusses the relationship of digital modeling, prototyping, and models, specifically as they are applied to Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. Having the ability to make full-scale prototypes is extremely valuable, although smaller scale projects might not necessarily have that kind of budget. Models like the classic hanging chains are perfect for these situations, as they can inform the physical nature of the building without a full-scale construction. While it is not as common for models to inform us as much as a full-scaled prototype, they can't be written off as invaluable in the process of fabrication from a digital model.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

P006 - powercopies - annie locke

FJKDSLFDS:

This is the story of all the errors...

Everything going alone fine... then:

FIRST: didn't make input and framework different geometrical sets. Bad news bears.

Second: was selecting the multi-section mesh as powercopy instead of the whole geometrical set. Rookie mistake. This wasted a good hour or two completely rebuilding. and rebuilding. and rebuilding.

Then: powercopies: success! yay happy AL.


Then... oh wait.
 The evil sweep operator came along. Had paused the tutorial so I didn't continue watching to see that you had the EXACT same errors, but I basically went though and rebuilt that one sketch/fixed it blah blah.


SUCCESS

but oh wait. more errors:

by this point I figured out that I needed to watch the rest of the tutorial and found how to reverse the offset. Easy enough.

Pretty!


This is how far I got: all the other powercopies kept erroring but I know how to fix one so I figured it wasn't necessary to fix them all. Yay learning through messing up...

P006 - Spuybroek - Textile Tectonics response

This is a great reading to setup power copies in DP. The reading discusses the relationship of parametrics and craft, relating the process of making by carving vs. modeling. He compares the variable modulation of parametrics to that found in nature (a la leaves/biology), suggesting that parametric modeling keeps design from being too arbitrary, while also having a naturally informed logic. While it is not as simple as translating thoughts to paper via pencil, it does allow "variable modulation," allowing copying and mutations to be regulated and informed. The notion that all craft needs to move to robotics is a little far-fetched, even though there is some beauty in controlled variation. However, I'll still a big proponent of not leaving the computer to do everything, and finding the beauty of accidental discoveries that are naturally inherent in human craft and design.