Stage 1 - Rise and Shine (for 2 or more units)
Part 1 - Use Image Data to Adjust the Color of Surface Panels
In this part of the assignment, I created a parametric arc-shaped wall with adjustable radius, angles, and height. The surface was subdivided into nearly square panels based on the wall dimensions to maintain consistent proportions. An external image was then imported and sampled using the same u–v grid, creating a one-to-one mapping between image pixels and wall panels. The sampled colors were applied to each panel, transforming the curved surface into a three-dimensional representation of the image.
Part 2 - Use Image Data to Adjust the Height of Surface Panels
In this part of the assignment, I developed a parametric workflow that integrates image data to control the geometry of a wall. First, I generated an S-shaped wall surface by transforming a straight base line using a sine-based function, with adjustable parameters such as wall length, height, number of waves, and amplitude.
The resulting surface was then subdivided into a grid of rectangular panels. The number of panels in both horizontal and vertical directions was determined parametrically based on the wall dimensions, ensuring that each panel maintains a consistent proportion (approximately 4” by 8”) even when the overall size of the wall changes.
Then I imported an external image and sampled its pixel data using the same u–v subdivision logic as the wall panels. This creates a one-to-one mapping between image pixels and façade panels. The brightness value of each sampled pixel was then extracted and normalized to a range between 0 and 1. Finally, these brightness values were remapped to control the height (or thickness) of each panel within a predefined range (4” to 36”). As a result, brighter areas of the image produce thicker panels, while darker areas produce thinner panels, creating a relief-like effect across the wall surface.
Stage 2 - Gonna Need Shades (for 3 or more units)
The process begins by creating a two-level building form with adjustable dimensions, allowing flexibility in the building footprint and height. The wall surfaces are then subdivided into rectangular panels. After generating the panels, I evaluate the orientation of each panel relative to the sun position. This was achieved by computing the dot product between the panel surface normals and the sun vector, which quantifies the degree of solar exposure (directness) for each panel. The computed values were normalized to a range between 0 and 1, representing the least to most direct solar incidence. I also implemented a visual feedback system by mapping the directness values to a color gradient, where darker colors indicate lower solar exposure and brighter colors indicate higher exposure. Furthermore, the shading elements attached to each panel were parametrically adjusted according to the computed directness values. This allows the panel to dynamically respond to solar conditions by modifying shading rotation, width, or height.