Modeling a Parametric Structure
First I defined a series of point locations and generated the curve. I defined a total of four different curves and generated a surface from them. Secondly, I drew the adaptive component on this line and generated Rectangular Mullion and Column at these points.
In these designs, the height, width and spacing of the curves can be changed. The number of panels and columns separated can also be changed.
Transforming Your Geometry
I transformed one of the curves into a sine wave. I used the formula: A*Math.Sin(n*2π*x/L)+y, which allows me to adjust the amplitude and number of waves. This formula adjusts the x and y coordinates on the original curve and generates new coordinates to draw the new graph. The problem I encountered during this process is that the length of the line segment calculated through node is only a constant, and we need to convert it into a list before it can be used for subsequent operations.
- minimize these parameters:
- The shape of the building remains roughly the same as before, but the curvature has become wider and it is closer to the ground. The new shape forms a closure with the ground.
- maximize these parameters:
- I tried several sets of data and found that the parameters are too large and cannot generate a plane. The maximum amplitude value is 42. Beyond this value, no plane can be generated. The larger the value, the further it deviates from the original design. Too large a value makes the building no longer a shelter but an open shape.
- parameter go negative:
Negative values still produce a roughly similar shape to the original. If I just adjust the amplitude to negative numbers, the shape becomes more rounded. If the amplitude and number of fluctuations are adjusted to similarly negative numbers, the shape will not change much.
The data between the curves in the model affect each other. If the data for one of the curves deviates too much from the other curves, no plane will be generated. The amplitude should range from -5 to 42. Although negative values can generate graphics, they affect our practical applications.
Applying Your Form at Different Scales
- Small Scale — length around 30 feet.
In small-scale modeling, I will choose fewer values to divide the panel partitions, which can reduce the waste of materials and make the shape more beautiful.
- Medium Scale — length around 150 feet.
For medium-sized buildings, an appropriate number of panels facilitates the entry of natural light. My initial designs were small-scale buildings, such as bus stops. When I want to try scaling, the parameters don't have to be strictly proportional, but they need to vary similarly (within a certain range). The beam used is 5-tube so I didn’t add extra support because I thought it would affect the shape.
- Large Scale — length around 400 feet.
After trying, I found that the parameters of large-scale architectural design cannot be changed at will, otherwise it will not form a plane or the shape will be too straight and not curved enough. Therefore, each parameter must be adjusted proportionally. At the same time, the dividing parameters of the panel should be correspondingly larger, because an excessively large glass area will cause the building temperature to be too high.
