This has been my largest parametric design project to date, spanning over two years, and covering multiple design iterations. I was contracted by Shell Dwellings to transcribe and create a scripted solution for their design for "Zomes": prefabricated structures that are based off a type of pine cone-like geometry called a polar zonohedron. The company had already created a 3D model, and built a working prototype, but their aim was to develop multiple sizes of the same design, and modify and improve those designs. Completing the initial design for the prototype was very time-consuming, so my task was to develop an advanced Grasshopper script that generates all the 3D geometry and required information for the structures, based off a select set of input parameters.
Shell Dwellings
Zomes - Parametric Design
Since the structures are based off the zonohedron, its overall shape is dictated by 4 numerical values that control the geometry's chord length and pitch angles. From there, various layers of geometry are generated from sets of variable and fixed values: panel thickness, wood size, cladding thickness, and overhang are a few examples. Once the geometry is calculated, various functions within the script generate packets of information. These packets were used for manufacture and assembly of the Zomes, and included everything from drawings and cut sheets, to CNC fies and assembly diagrams. There were also several optimizations that were accomplished by the script; one of which was a series of calculations used to measure table saw cuts to maximize efficiency in material use, while reducing waste.
The overall design saw multiple changes over time, and working off of a parametric model proved to be essential in that process. We were able to prototype and fine-tune every part of the building, and establish what is effectively a computer program that turns a set of input parameters (numbers) into everything you need to build the uniquely-shaped structures. This is the most complex and advanced script that I've developed so far, and stands as a prime example of parametric architectural design.
