Digital Project to STAAD

Here is a quick series of steps to go from Digital Project to STAAD. A few basics moves in STAAD will have quick feedback based on changes in geometry.

Click here for the video tutorial.

Simple animations below of three variations based on self weight loading. The cross member is in three positions 90%, 50% and 10% of its location to the vertical member. I was pleasantly surprised to realize that the 10% geometry deflects the least given the simple loading.

Grad Studio to engage Parametric, Biomorphic, and Structures

Cultivated Form

Through a whole series of unrelated events, my graduate studio this term will expand on parametric design, biological research and the design of wood structures. A new initiative is looking at linking technical courses with design studios. This is a first for Michigan and we are the test subjects. In our case students registered for the studio are also registered for the graduate wood structures seminar taught by Peter von Buelow. This limits both classes to the same group of students allowing us to modify to make connections between the two.

Given my ongoing interest in biological systems, genetics, and morphology the studio will look to the botanical. To this end we are making connections with evolutionary biologists and botanists from U of M. They have already been very helpful in discussing the "rules" that might be at play behind various genetic mutations and adaptations. In many cases producing a wide array of variation with simple rules.

As a means to push the discussion further and our need to get to a point of proposing wood structures, we are working with the New York Botanical Garden to develop a series of hypothetical / theoretical / prototypical projects in response to their future building and exhibition needs. Given the freedom and content of the studio, I imagine student will will find its way onto the blog.

Click here for a PDF of the studio description.