The parametric wall by Gramazio & Kohler: IronPython and RhinoScript codes
Aalborg University, Fall semester 2010: I was coordinating the Master’s subject “Formfindings” when I introduced programming using the “parametric wall”. Through a single consistent system of elements and interrelations, designers could rapidly explore a multitude of spatial configurations in what Lars Spuybroek defined ‘the architecture of variation’.
Basic concepts of interpreted programming languages were also presented. I prepared two scripts in order to generate the parametric wall. The first was written in Rhinoscript, the second in IronPython.
Click here to download the codes, and feel free to play.
Three main functions were implemented in order to add geometrical variations to a basic wall system. The first referred to the curvature of a NURBS surface in order to move and rotate the original brick positions. The second used the RGB values of a TIF image. The third proposed a mathematical function. Refer to the slides below for further details.
Slide 1: Parametric definition of a brick
Slide 2: Parametric definition of number of courses and bricks
Slide 3: Overview of potential variations
Slide 4: Wall variation through a mathematical function
Slide 5: Wall variation through a NURBS surface
Slide 6: Wall variation through an image
Hi!
really an impressive work! I wonder if you’ve considered also the weight of each and every brick in order to determine a free-form configuration, which is able to stand as well. In other words, do you enforce equilibrium condition on the wall?
Anyway, it is always a pleasure to visit your blog.
Regards
Giovanni
Hi Giovanni,
unfortunately, I did not consider such a condition. This was conceived as an exercise for students in order to see how the parametric wall can be done in RhinoScript and Ironpython languages. In this way, it can generate geometries which cannot be built.
Many thanks,
Alberto
Hi Alberto,
Would you consider to relocate the files? Seems like the links are broken,
Thank you in advance for sharing the code!
jacobo
Hi Jacobo,
I’ve just fixed the link. My website has recently been redesigned from scratch. I might have missed some links in the process!
Thanks for letting me know.
Cheers
Alberto
Wow, there’s a lot of code and a lot of work there.
Thank you very much, Alberto.
Dear Alberto,
i am very interested in your method of work which produces a great variation of brick patterns. however, the download link does not work so I was wondering if there is a possibility to find your scripts.
Thank you in advance,
Maria
Maria, I’ve just check the link and it works fine.
Cheers
Love your work. Do you have more of this?
If yes, then kindly provide a link.
Thank you. This exercise was prepared for a Master’s subject that I taught in 2010/2011. Unfortunately, I haven’t developed more stuff like this for teaching purposes.
Cheers