Grasshopper Surface Studies

As a way to explore the potential of Rhino Grasshopper, I started working on a series of milled panels. Each panel varies through the use of a few simple variables (grasshopper uses slider bars). These values are fed to a random number generator so the behavior is somewhat unpredictable.

The loft surface is built through a series of sin and cos curves, where the frequency is controlled by the variables (detail of the relationships below).Here are 4 sample surfaces made through slight modifications of the slider bars.

The surface is then contoured to approximate a milled pattern.

As a variation of the simple surface, it gets slightly submerged into the stocck material, leaving a flat surface on the top with the remaining surface being milled. This reduces the material thickness and milling time.

Polar Array Framework

Inspired by a series of dome structures by Nervi, this project explores the use of a polar array for a framework. The model uses a few simple parameters to control aperature size and depth.

The crossing points of the framework are used as the input points for the cell. A central point is used to control the polar array and distort the framework.

Sheet Metal Screen Wall

As a means to get things started, I am posting an early parametric project that was designed for a gallery installation. Using unrolled surfaces, I developed a wall in which each part would be specific to its location in the assembly. Two surfaces could work to brace one another, giving the system an accumulated rigidity.

The parts spread as they move horizontally and thin as they move vertically.

Another key aspect of this research is in the investigation of material efficient form that can be completely nested on a flat sheet. While this project is not zero waste, one can see the potential of cutting such forms from a flat sheet.