## 30 May 2009

### Incremental Random Surface script

Once I get to introduce arrays and loops to work with points, I’m used to introduce nested arrays and loops to follow the constructive geometry logic of going to the next level: curves. And since is pretty obvious by itself, I go one more step to surfaces. The key concept to understand here is that a curve needs an array of points —which are arrays of numbers, so is an array of arrays— and a surface needs an array of curves —an array of arrays of arrays!

To set this level of nested arrays with loops, you have to nest the loop as well. The simplest example to understand this in RhinoScript is presented here. I’m using $x$ and $y$ as iteration variables, so the relation with the point arrays and the geometrical output is more clear. For the $z$ component, I’m using the pseudo random function (`Rnd`) in order to get a differentiated output without adding more lines of code.

A student once told me that it looks like a tsunami and remembering it I did this second image, with 21 iterations in $x$ and 51 in $y$ dimension. Notice that `Rnd` has no specified seed, so it’ll generate a different surface every time it runs. The script:

```Call IncrementalRndSrf()
Sub IncrementalRndSrf()
Dim Pts(20)
Dim Crvs(50)
Dim x, y

For y = 0 To 50
For x = 0 To 20
Pts(x) = Array(x, y, Rnd*x)
Next
Next
End Sub
```

## 28 May 2009

### Connections: MAG-DA.EU

I’ve had the opportunity to teach in the Design, Image and Architecture (DIA) and in the Design, Environment and Architecture (DEA) postgraduate programs at ELISAVA. Together, DIA and DEA form the Masters in Design and Architecture, all directed by Ignasi Pérez Arnal. Recently they’ve being building MAG-DA.EU – the digital magazine of the Design and Architecture Master program, edited by Carlos Sant’Ana.

Thanks to Ignasi and Carlos for publishing my professor profile in MAG-DA.EU.

### Tooling workshop at ELISAVA

On November, 2008, Affonso Orciuoli organized a ‘Tooling’ workshop: digital tools for design and fabrication in the Design, Image and Architecture postgraduate program at ELISAVA. I was part of the staff along with Maruan Halabi, Juan Pablo Quintero and Affonso. Maruan taught NURBS modeling with Rhino, Affonso and Juan Pablo worked on CAD/CAM strategies and fabrication with RhinoCAM and MEDIO’s machine, and I introduced PanelingTools and RhinoScript to bring more advanced tools to the range of strategies.

The first image is the panel of fabricated pieces from all projects. Secondly, project ‘Orchideae’, by Carlos Briceño, Leila Pablo González, Helena Bayona, Osian Abreu and Daniela Martínez; milled on a Krion board. The last one is a zoom on the piece from project ‘Bioro’, by Africa Arreola, Arturo Rodríguez, Gabriela Velarde, Daniel Gómez, Laia Feixas and Rita Rodrigues; based on the Simple Spiral script, milled on high density polyurethane resin. Original photos by MEDIO.

I have to recognize the effort of Juan Pablo and María León at MEDIO in finding material providers, working extra hours in their machine and publishing everything in the blog.

## 22 May 2009

### Simple Spiral script

In page 37 of David Rutten’s RhinoScript101 there’s a PointSpiral script as an example to understand point coordinates as arrays of three numbers, once you’ve got loops and an introduction to arrays. Since I usually have a short period of time to introduce this, I’m used to present a simplified example to address an introduction to both issues, with the argument that in this scripting strategies (constructive geometry methods, and further, generative design); points are, by far, the most representative use of arrays and one of the most common needs for incremental loops in those algorithms.

In the image is also interesting that, since we’re creating separated elements, it seems to be six spirals instead of just one, because distances from points in consecutive iterations are larger than distances from other spins of the spiral. The script goes:

```Call SimpleSpiral()
Sub SimpleSpiral()
Dim Pts(2)
Dim i
For i = 0 To 49
Pts(0) = i * Sin(i)
Pts(1) = i * Cos(i)
Pts(2) = 0
Next
End Sub
```

### Connections: MEDIO Design

MEDIO is an atelier for design and production of spaces and objects based in Barcelona, directed by architects Juan Pablo Quintero and María León. They have a large CNC machine with which they develop products under their own philosophy of Playful Rationality; they give consulting and digital fabrication services for architecture, design and communications; and they organize workshops.

Thanks to Juan Pablo and María for reference me in the blog of the workshop we did together.

MEDIO es un estudio-taller de “diseño y producción de espacios y objetos” radicado en Barcelona, dirigido por los arquitectos Juan Pablo Quintero y María León. Disponen de una gran máquina de CNC con la que desarrollan productos bajo su propia filosofía de Racionalidad lúdica; dan servicio de consultoría y fabricación digital para la arquitectura, el diseño y la comunicación; y organizan talleres de formación.

Gracias a Juan Pablo y María por referenciarme en el Blog del curso que dimos juntos.

### Connections: Affonso Orciuoli

Affonso Orciuoli is a professor and consultant on digital design, simulation and fabrication in architecture. At ESARQ, is coordinator or the Laboratory for Digital Architecture, that has a CNC machine; he also teaches at ELISAVA and other schools in Barcelona, both in undergraduate and postgraduate programs; he writes for important Brazilian magazines like aU or Vitruvius; and organizes workshops and events like EcoViaje a Brasil, which is now open for registrations for the next edition.

In his web site he has a list of links to the projects his involved with, other links he uses as ‘launcher’ for his regular navigation, and also offers interesting resources for drafting, modelling and rendering.

Thanks to Affonso for his support in various projects and experiences, and for reference me on his blog.

#### Update (June, 8, 2010):

Affonso Orciuoli is moving his site and online content to:

• ORCIUOLI.net
Digital Architecture: Design And Fabrication
http://www.orciuoli.net/

There’s also new info pages for his next events: EcoViaje a Brasil and the new Viagem de Estudos Arquitetônicos a Espanha.

Affonso Orciuoli es profesor y consultor de diseño, simulación y fabricación digital en arquitectura. En la ESARQ, es coordinador del Taller de Arquitectura Digital, que cuenta con una máquina de CNC; también enseña en la ELISAVA y en otras escuelas en Barcelona, tanto en pregrado como en postgrado; escribe para importantes revistas brasileñas como aU o Vitruvius; y organiza talleres y eventos como el EcoViaje a Brasil, cuya próxima edición ya está abierta a inscripciones.

En su sitio Web tiene una lista de vínculos a los proyectos en que está involucrado, otros que él usa de “lanzadera” para su navegación rutinaria, y también ofrece recursos interesantes para delineación, modelado y renderizado.

Gracias a Affonso por su apoyo en diferentes proyectos y experiencias, y por referenciarme en su Blog.

#### Actualización (8 de junio de 2010):

Affonso Orciuoli está mudando su sitio y contenido en línea para:

• ORCIUOLI.net
Digital Architecture: Design And Fabrication
http://www.orciuoli.net/

También hay nuevas páginas de información para sus próximos eventos: EcoViaje a Brasil y el nuevo Viagem de Estudos Arquitetônicos a Espanha.

## 17 May 2009

### Happy Internet Day!

Reading ArquitecturaS, I leaned that today, May, 17th, is the World Information Society Day, also known as Internet Day. In general, is a day to promote new technologies and digital culture with events and discussions related to Internet.

Although is declared by the UN, oddly, I can’t find too much information about it. The Spanish Asociación de Usuarios de Internet is one of the most active associations on it. In the official site, they claim to broad to 23 countries… But anyway, if you have a web page, you’re part of a community or network, you're an enthusiastic reader, or feel related to Internet in any other way, this is your day. Happy Internet Day!

Leyendo ArquitecturaS, me enteré que hoy, 17 de mayo es el Día Mundial de la Sociedad de la Información, también conocido como el Día de Internet. En general, es un día para promover las nuevas tecnologías y la cultura digital con eventos y discusiones relacionadas con Internet.

Aunque está declarado por la ONU, extrañamente, no logro encontrar mucha información al respecto. La Asociación de Usuarios de Internet de España es una de las más activas en ello. En sitio oficial aclaman extenderse a 23 países… En todo caso, si tienes una página Web, formas parte de alguna comunidad o red, eres un lector entusiasta, o te sientes relacionado con la Internet de alguna otra manera, éste es tu día. ¡Feliz Día de Internet!

## 14 May 2009

### RhinoScripting workshop at ELISAVA

On April, 2008, I taught, along with Carlos de la Barrera, a workshop named ‘Design by Scripting’ in the Design, Environment and Architecture postgraduate program at ELISAVA Escola de Disseny, Barcelona. We also had Ruther Paullo and Rita Patron as teaching assistants. The results where posted in g.d.e.s.

On a short period, we taught how to develop surfaces with potential to adapt to the environment. The first image of this post is from Fanny Flores, Arturo Leal, Aylin Suárez, Daniel Gómez and Eva Ferradás; an opened, pyramidal cell tissue. The second image is from Camilo Molano, Cesarina Medina, Delia Arce, Ivan Herrera, Mariam Sadedine; a system of hairy units on a closed surface, reusing my helicoidal curves growth algorithm.

### Learning more scripting

I had the opportunity to be on an official RhinoScript workshop taught by David Rutten, as part of the events of a symposium on emergent architecture, at ESARQ – UIC, on April, 2008. I improved some skills and learned to work with recursion and meshes, among other things. David also gave us a demonstration of Grasshopper (then called Explicit History).

The image is from one challenge exercise I accomplished. From a given mesh and a base script, we had to do a proximity sensor that colors the mesh as another object gets closer to it.

## 08 May 2009

### Helicoidal entity

Experimenting with vector growth, by mistake I assigned the same final vector to the whole field and I got this interesting outcome. Then, the rendering colors where just for having some deep effect for a desktop image. That’s other positive side of experimenting in a trial-and-error way.

### Growing helicoidal curves on a surface

I was learning some vector operations for the Iterative Branching Systems project, and doing that I came out with this experiment to grow curves on a surface, like hairs on a skin.

After calculating an array of points on the given surface, on each point, the algorithm creates a vertical vector, and iteratibly scales a duplicate of it, rotate it and put it on top of the last one. Then, uses these vectors as control points to create a curve, which is used to construct cone-pipes with a modified version of the Andrew Kudless’ PipeAll script (with 0 end radius).

The first image shows helix growth, in the second, the vectors have a pseudo-random rotation, and in the last one, the array on the surface is also random.

## 07 May 2009

### Connections: Pablo C. Herrera

I’m doing a series of connection posts, but this is special. This is a connection of connections!

Pablo C. Herrera has an enormous presence in blogosphere, in relation to digital technologies in architecture. I first knew him for his RhinoScripting workshops in Santiago and Lima and for the blog: Arquitectura y Programación. By that time he already had other blogs as well. When the audience for RhinoScript grew, he created two very specialized blogs: RhinoScripting Resources and RhinoScripting Workshops, written in English and Spanish. With this, we can have an idea of the extension and the actors of the RhinoScript scene.

Among other blogs, he also has: Arquitectura e Informática, Fabricación Digital, Arquitectura y Emergencia… mostly written in Spanish.

Thanks to Pablo for his references to myself in his blogs.

Estoy haciendo una serie de post de conexiones, pero este es especial. ¡Ésta es una conexión de conexiones!

Pablo C. Herrera tiene una enorme presencia en la Blogosfera, en relación con tecnologías digitales en arquitectura. Primero lo conocí por sus workshops de RhinoScript en Santiago y Lima, y por su blog: Arquitectura y Programación. Para aquel entonces él ya tenía otros blog también. Cuando la audiencia de RhinoScript creció, creó dos blog muy especializados: RhinoScripting Resources y RhinoScripting Workshops, escritos en inglés y en español. Con esto podemos tener una idea de la extensión y los protagonistas de la escena RhinoScript.

Entre otros blogs, él también tiene: Arquitectura e Informática, Fabricación Digital, Arquitectura y Emergencia… mayormente escritos en español.

Gracias a Pablo por sus referencias a mí en sus blogs.

## 03 May 2009

### Connections: ArquitecturaS

ArquitecturaS es un Blog informativo entorno al “hecho constructivo con acento digital”. Su editor, Darío Álvarez, escribe e informa acerca de arquitectura, urbanismo, diseño, sustentabilidad y todo el mundo de la construcción, combinando temas académicos, profesionales y políticos en español.

Tiene una gran presencia en la Web: hay un grupo de Google, una causa en Facebook y hasta una causa en MySpace.

Gracias a Darío por sus referencias a mí a través del g.d.e.s.

ArquitecturaS is an informative blog about building concerns with a digital emphasis. Its editor, Darío Álvarez, writes and reports on architecture, urbanism, design, sustainability and the whole construction world combining academic, professional and politics subjects in Spanish.

It has a big presence on the web: there’s a Google group, a Facebook cause and even a MySpace cause.

Thanks to Darío for his references to myself thru g.d.e.s.

### Connections: g.d.e.s.

The blog of Grupo de Diseño Emergente Sudamericano (g.d.e.s.) is an initiative created by Carlos de la Barrera and Ruther Paullo for the diffusion of works and projects on emergent strategies in architecture and design.

Thanks to Carlos for letting me post on his blog, which put me on the map!

## 01 May 2009

### Considerations and Resources for the Conception of Form in the Architecture of the Digital Age

An essay that claims for the generation and representation of form in architecture, taking into consideration theoretical basements recently reviewed in terms of topology in architecture and one of its modeling resources, the NURBS. A background to the current generative techniques is presented, from manual computation to interpreted programming languages, like RhinoScript, from which it’s shown a stub on the state-of-the-art within this area in architectural design in both professional and academic levels, especially in the Ibero-american region. These demonstrate what resources that have the designers, who are showing a new form of sensitivity in the architecture of the digital age.

Article published in Spanish, in the Brazilian academic magazine PARC - Pesquisa em arquitetura e construção, vol. 1, n. 3. November, 2008.

You can download the original article in PDF from PARC’s site. I’m looking forward to translate it to English and Portuguese, but my web publishing process is on hold.

### Projects posting on hold

As you can see in previous posts, I’m showing some old projects, already published in my projects page, originally meant to be like a portfolio for research in architecture in English, Spanish and Portuguese. But since that page is built and hosted in Google Page Creator, which is going to be shouted down, I’ll prefer to wait until these googlepages were migrated to Google Sites to see if I can continue publishing, of maybe just post here… let’s see.

### Iterative Vs. Recursive Branching Systems

A comparative study on re-writing systems and its implementation in formal models of emerging branching structures.

Development of models of different iterative systems (as loops) and recursive systems (self-repetition) is done through computation: D0L-systems, L-systems (with LParser based programs), and RhinoScript.

This study is part of my ongoing PhD research on the extrapolation of structural systems of trees for developing generative architecture.

A tree-like pergola was created as a simple example of the many applications offered by the iterative branching system developed.

Posted in g.d.e.s