Compass and Rule, Oxford exhibition

I'm hoping to make a visit here this week, as it's in my town for a short time. The most excellent Museum of the History of Science in Broad Street is running Compass and Rule: Architecture as Mathematical Practice in England 1500-1750. Maybe you'd like to make the trip to my beautiful city too?

The event blurb goes: Geometrical techniques were central to a reform of architectural practice in England from the 16th to the 18th century, changing how architects worked and what they built as well the status and social standing of their discipline. Important loans of instruments, manuscripts, drawings and books join the Museum’s own objects for a major exhibition.

When: Jun 16, 2009 (Tuesday) to Sep 6, 2009 (Sunday), 15-16 Broad Street, Oxford.

Admission is free.

Oh and if you live nowhere near, don't fear, it's available online too!

Exploring Surfaces with Paracloud Gem

Latest workflow example shows how to generate interesting tunnel components and turn them into a roof structure. Starting off from a simple checkerboard, bending the mesh faces and applying the window component.

Adaptive Building Initiative

I'm a big fan of Chuck Hoberman's transformable design work, coming up with amazing ways in which structures can change shape and be used innovative architectural projects. It seems Hoberman has teamed up with Buro Happold to create the adaptive buildings initiative. There are some great flash demonstrations of the geometry as it adapts to your input.

According to their website: "ABI designs and produces building envelopes. By controlling light levels, solar gain, and thermal performance, our adaptive systems reduce energy usage, enhance comfort, and increase the flexibility of the built environment. Additionally, we develop adaptive strategies that can be effectively applied to a wide range of other building systems."

"ABI draws on a portfolio of systems that we customize to deliver complete, comprehensive, and integrated solutions for specific projects. Successful delivery requires full involvement through project completion: Our offerings include design, engineering and analysis, prototyping, sourcing, control system integration, manufacturing and installation oversight, and whatever else the project requires."

Exploring surfaces with GEM

How to develop and explore an overlapping leaf-like pattern with Paracloud Gem. Just start with a simple single leaf component in Rhino and quickly build this!

GC Project by Point B Design

Point B Design created this building in Gladwyne, PA, just up the road from Bentley System's Exton Headquarters. The firm has an ongoing relationship with Bentley via Generative Components and were finalists for two awards in 2007.

The entire building was designed in GC for its overall construction, the building was digitally fabricated in China from our model then shipped to site. Point B Design used GC to design and fabricate a steel stair inside the building which is made up of hundreds of pieces, no two the same, and it came in at a cost one third of their original estimate by two fabricators. All of the rain-screen cladding (in which no two pieces are the same) was designed, fabricated, and installed by Point B Design. The rain screen material was also a major win in that it cost no more than flat panels in the end yet the result is many times better for a completely unique façade.

Smart Geometry 2009 - Bentley's videos

Just had the url confirmed by Bentley to access the keynotes given at this year's Smart Geometry conference. Access is free but you will have to register to get to them.

Highlights for me include:

Makai Smith of Bentley giving us an update on Smart Geometry's development

Jeny Sabin of Sabin+Jones disussing the mixing of medical and architectural forms

Lars Hesselgren, KPF

Hugh Whitehead, Foster+Partners

Jim McBride, Makani Power, working out individual power usage

J Parish on parametrics

Chris Williams gives a historical perspective

eCAADe 2009 Conference

A date for your diaries - 16th-19th September, Istanbul, Turkey. The 27th eCAADe Conference : Computation: the new realm of architectural design - takes place at the Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, with workshops at the Yildiz Technical University.

The event promises to have all the key players in the industry in one place. Keynotes will be from George Stiny, Professor of Computation, MIT, High Whitehead of Foster+Partners and Sevil Sariyildiz, Professor of Technical Design and Informatics, TU Delft.

Topics covered will include: new design concepts and strategies, generative design, shape studies, simulation, production, mass customisation, collaborative design, virtual architecture, web-based design, city modelling.

Registration is 375 Euros, 300 Euros for those that qualify for a reduced fee.

More info when i get it!

Smart Geometry 2009

San Francisco was the place to be in March for all things generative. The Smart Geometry group ran its superb annual conference with workshops and lectures for the industry's leading lights. Here is my over view of what was presented. All the keynotes and presentations are available for viewing on the Bentley website - although it's hard to find. The links moved since i last looked!! This is a good read

Smart Geometry 2009

Grasshopper Review

I recently covered the development of McNeel and Associates Grasshopper environment for AEC Magazine. Click on the link to read:

Grasshopper Review in AEC Magzine

We are Generation X

Hello world. Well, the parametric design market has now undoubtedly reached critical mass, so it's about time I dedicated some time and space to cover the tools, people and projects that are coming to the fore. This coverage is in addition to AEC magazine which undoubtedly will run more in-depth coverage of what gets mentioned here.

I'm relying on friends all over the planet to send me snippets of info or even contribute to the blog. I will be touch with you all soon!

Martyn