// Abstract
The digital revolution in architecture instigated a renovated interest for geometry which resulted in creating new typologies of architectural skins and patterns. Historically, Patterns were used to modulate architectural surfaces since ancient times. They have been deployed mostly as decorative elements to accentuate certain features and to communicate meaning and style. The digital revolution initiated new formation of skins wherein patterns acquire a new role in the architectural form, moving beyond their historical symbolic decorative role into spatial devices; correlating form with structural and environmental properties.
Throughout the engagement of parametric digital tools, Performative Skins workshop will introduce participants to the logic and principles of parametric design, and will apply the learned techniques in a design exercise to explore this paradigm shift. By introducing different methods of creating variations within the subdivided surface in response to certain forces, system differentiation will be created as a result of a feedback loop and negotiations between the applied environmental forces and the participant’s aesthetic sensibility. The applied contextual forces will inform the skin spatial pattern formations as they respond to the design intent as set by the participant. This data-driven process will transform the role of patterns from being decorative additive elements into performative integral ones with technical responsibilities for daylight modulation, temperature control, and space enclosure. The aim of the workshop is to explore new design possibilities based on the mapping of selected contextual forces, and to expand the design space towards data-driven, performance-oriented design.
In addition to the technical part, the workshop will also include two lectures by Andrea Graziano and Zayad Motlib.
// Methodology
The workshop will introduce the participants to parametric design techniques as a new medium for architectural design. After covering few exercises on the logic and the principles of this design medium, we will apply the learned techniques in a selected design exercise at a particular site in Muscat. We will be analyzing the forces affecting that site, developing data-sets for the forces field, and mapping these data on the building form. These data will then be used to inform the generation of a synthesis of form, pattern, and skin.
Throughout the use of visual scripting with Grasshopper (Generative modeling plug-in for Rhinoceros), participants will learn how to build and manage parametric data structures (from basic simple lists to complex data trees) and to develop data-driven responsive geometry and envelops. Geometry and building skins will evolve in response to context-specific database that can be selected from a manifold of information such as environmental analysis, orientation, views, and others.
// Technical Learning:
Participants are expected to learn how to compose, edit, and generate algorithms definitions using Grasshopper. They will also be assisted to prepare their own definitions that reflect their own design criteria in the development of their project. The workshop technical tutorials will include:
- Software interface
- Components
- Lists & Data Tree: management, manipulation, visualization
- Geometry generation from data stream.
- Basic exercises (Attractor field, Surface subdivision, Morphing)
- Advanced exercise: Data-reactive component – data-reactive tessellation on NURBS surface. Data coming from environmental analysis or spreadsheet table.
- Advanced exercise: Analysis of specific site environmental data to develop a data set and generate an architectural envelop with responsive features driven by the data-set conditions.
// Software & skills:
Basic modeling skill in Rhino is required. Participants should bring their own laptop with pre-installed software (software download links will be given after subscription).
// Tutors:
Andrea Graziano – Co-de-iT (GH & design tutor).
Zayad Motlib – d-NAT (GH & design tutor).
// Venue:
Muscat Grand Mall,
First floor, Lifelong learning institute office,
Al Qubra, Muscat, Oman
// Calendar & Timetable:
The workshop will have the following timetable throughout the first 3 days:
9:00-13:00 lesson + tutoring
14:00-19:00 lesson + tutoring
In the fourth and fifth day, participants will be working with the tutors on a selected design exercise using the techniques learned in the previous days. On the afternoon of fifth day, we will have a presentation and a review for all the developed projects.
// Subscription fees:
For participants who register by Dec. 23, we offer an EARLY BIRD rate of:
E.B. – Educational* : 225 OMR
E.B. – Recent Graduate**and members of OCA : 265 OMR
E.B. – Professional : 310 OMR
SPECIAL GROUPS DISCOUNT: for a group of 3 people:
Educational* : 630 OMR
Recent Graduate**and members of OCA : 750 OMR
Professional : 870 OMR
Note: People applying under Group discount category should make one group payment.
After Dec. 23, STANDARD fees apply:
STANDARD fees – Educational* : 250 OMR
STANDARD fees – Recent graduate**and members of OCA : 290 OMR
STANDARD fees – Professional : 340 OMR
* Full time students, teachers, researchers & PhD (proof of status required).
** Recent graduate of 2013 - 2015 academic year.
OCA Members of Oman Centre of Architects:
The deadline for registration is Dec. 25. The workshop has 20 places available and will be activated with a minimum number of 15 participants.
// Application:
For any technical question about the workshop please email: contact@d-nat.net
To register please e-mail: omanoca@gmail.com
// Organized by:
This workshop is organized by d-NAT and Co-de-iT, in collaboration with OCA (Oman Centre of Architects).