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Project 1 - Parametric Modeling Design

Practice:  British Museum Great Court


Introduction to the Parametric Modeling Project

In the context of ARCH 655 - Parametric Modeling in Design, the selected case study is the roof of the British Museum Great Court, designed by Foster + Partners. This endeavour investigates the integration of design intents within a parametric modelling framework, utilizing Rhino/Grasshopper for the initial modelling phase.


[https://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/great-court-at-the-british-museum]

[https://www.wb-sg.com/projects/britishmuseum]





Parametric Modeling Practice

The project segment dedicated to parametric modelling focuses on the systematic study of the British Museum Great Court's roof, employing Rhino/Grasshopper. The objective is to dissect and reimagine the roof's structure through parametric design methods, establishing a foundation for iterative development and design intent exploration.






Creating the Roof's Diagrid Structure and Structural Mesh

The process begins with the Divide Curve component applied to both a circle and a rectangle to segment them, laying the groundwork for the diagrid structure. For the circle, segmentation is further refined using the Shatter component, with t parameters from division points facilitating the creation of arc segments. Similarly, the rectangle is first exploded into linear segments, and then midpoints are calculated and merged for a subsequent shattering process. This preparatory phase ensures circular and rectangular outlines are appropriately segmented for further manipulation.

Subsequently, the segmented arcs and lines undergo a series of Loft operations, bridging segments from the circle and rectangle to initiate the structural mesh of the roof. This crucial step leverages Graft and Simplify to manage data trees effectively, ensuring the correct pairing of segments for lofting. Through these operations, the initial geometric framework of the roof is established, combining precision in segmentation with strategic data management to form the basis of the roof's diagrid and structural mesh.




Mesh Refinement and Simulation

Kangaroo Physics is employed for the mesh relaxation process, aimed at simulating the roof's final tensioned shape. This approach utilizes the Mesh component for initial mesh generation, followed by the application of physical simulation through Kangaroo's Solver component. The process reflects the physical behavior of materials under tension, contributing to the realism of the modeled structure.



Geometry Detailing and Mesh Relaxation

Technical Explanation: Final refinement of the roof geometry involves detailed mesh manipulation to achieve the diagrid's detailed pattern. This phase leverages Grasshopper's mesh and surface manipulation tools, such as MeshBrep for mesh conversion and Weaverbird for mesh joining and smoothing. Additionally, the PanelingTools plugin plays a crucial role in transforming quad meshes into diamond grids, aligning the model with the museum's actual roof design.




Surface and Structural Detailing

In the detailing stage, the critical realization that a surface's flatness is assured with three points guides the transformation into a triangulated mesh, ensuring manufacturability. Utilizing List Item for segment selection and Loft operations facilitates the creation of flat diamond-shaped panels from segmented arcs and lines, corrected for directionality with the Flip Curve component to avoid twisting. The addition of structural depth through Mesh Pipe enhances the three-dimensional aspect of the diagrid edges.





AI-Generated Design Exploration

Separately, the exploration of AI-generated designs is conducted through Canva's AI assistant, targeting the creation of alternative roof concepts. This approach leverages artificial intelligence to extend the design possibilities beyond conventional parametric modeling, providing a diverse set of visualizations that reflect potential modifications to the original structure.


[Voronoi patterns integrated with the British Museum Great Court roof structure]

This creative phase was instrumental in inspiring subsequent modifications to the Grasshopper model, focusing on exploring variations in frame composition to ascertain impacts on material quantity.


Parametric Variations in Grasshopper

A critical phase involved adjusting U and V number inputs for the mesh in Grasshopper, facilitating the generation of diverse structural configurations. This parametric alteration allowed for an extensive analysis of how various compositions impact material requirements.






Detailed Analysis of Material Quantities

For an in-depth material assessment, the Brep Deconstruction component was employed. It methodically segmented the structure into its core components: planes (for glass panels), edges (denoting metal frames), and vertices (marking joints). This step was crucial for executing a precise material quantity take-off, enabling a clear evaluation of the material changes necessitated by different structural designs.



Comparative Visualization and Data Analysis

The comparative analysis of material variations was visualized using Quick Bar and Line Graph components. These visual tools provided a succinct representation of how each structural modification influenced material quantities, laying the groundwork for an optimization tool aimed at informed deconstruction decision-making.


Enhanced Data Visualization in Rhino

The culmination of the project saw the visualization of data within Rhino, aimed at elucidating the results through graphical representations. The Swatch component, linked to the Custom Preview, allowed for the color-coding of materials and structural elements, enhancing the clarity of the presented outcomes.






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