Stage 1

Model Variations

Design Approach

In Part 1, I used the Flying Chevron Arc Parametric Tower conceptual mass provided in the shared Drive to create this building form.

In Part 2, I created a triangular mass profile using a Revit Family and used it to generate a building form in Revit (shown above) by using the triangular profile for the base, middle, and top of the building.

For both parts, the following parameters were used to flex the shape of the building form:

• Base depth
• Base width
• Base rotation
• Middle height
• Middle width
• Middle depth
• Middle rotation
• Top height
• Top depth
• Top width
• Top rotation

All parameters may be changed to alter the shape of the building form. Some, such as the base depth, base width, base rotation, and middle width, may be changed directly. All other parameters are set to change according to the three aforementioned parameters, which was achieved using formulas. These formulas may be changed (or removed entirely) to change the parameters directly.

I have provided a range of base rotation angles to test the building form. The range of the rotation angle as well as the step number may be flexed to test larger or smaller degrees or rotation. When the Dynamo model is run, it will iterate through the specified angles and display the geometry accordingly.

Points to Ponder

What’s the advantage of exporting the values to Excel?

Exporting the values to Excel offers several advantages. For one, Excel is a powerful data-processing and data visualization tool that can allow users who do not have much experience with Dynamo understand the input values and reported evaluation metrics. Once the data is in Excel, one may leverage Excel’s in-built functions and chart/graphing capabilities to further analyze and interpret the data. Exporting the values to Excel also offers Dynamo users a simple way to create easy-to-read tables of important values.

Stage 2

Model Variations

Design Approach

The building form was created using 3 polygons - one at the base, one at the middle, and one at the top. The polygon shape may be changed by adjusting the number of sides, and the overall height of the building form may also be changed. More detailed parameters for each of the three profiles may also be flexed, such as the base radius, base rotation, middle rotation, and top rotation. Other parameters for the three profiles, such as the radius and height of the middle and top polygons are set to change automatically according to the the aforementioned parameters, which was achieved by using equations for these parameters.

The base radius and base rotation are set to iterate over a range of values (the range and step size may be changed). This allows one to test the code and parametrically design the building form for the optimized shape. For the purposes of this assignment, I tested 12 different combinations of base radius and base rotation. The Dynamo model outputs 12 different forms, each corresponding to its own combination. The user may input an index to view the form they desire.

Points to Ponder

Which of these inputs tested has the biggest effect on creating a desirable building form?

Out of all the inputs tested, the two that had the greatest effect on creating a desirable building form were the input to adjust the polygon shape (Number of Sides) and the input to flex the rotation of the building form. Changing the shape of the building as well as the building rotation at the different levels introduces dynamic visual effects to the built environment that will differentiate it from its surroundings. A building with a higher degree of rotation is more eye-catching because it creates visual interests and can elevate the building form’s memorability and make it more identifiable, especially if the building is in a dense urban landscape and surrounded by many other buildings.