Description:
Non-manifold topology (NMT) allows the user to construct light-weight conceptual spatial architectural models which define the overall enclosure and the internal cellular division within that enclosure. The objective of this workshop is to give participants hands-on opportunities to build spatial models using NMT and use these models for various tasks such as building energy simulation (using EnergyPlus) and structural analysis.
The workshop will consist of formal instruction, practical exercises and opportunities for the participants to use NMT modelling with their own architectural projects and research.
The non-manifold topology library, written in C++, will be available as plugins to standard visual data flow programming tools which are widely used in design computation. In this context, participants should be familiar with the basics of Dynamo visual programming and DesignScript.
On the first day, the concepts of non-manifold topology will be introduced, including non-regular modelling operations. It is assumed that participants are already familiar with conventional solid modelling using manifold topology and regular Boolean operations. Some formal exercises will be presented to help the participants acquire the appropriate hands-on modelling skills before exploring their own projects, guided by the workshop tutors.
On the second day, we will introduce two plug-ins, which have been interfaced to the NMT tools: a) building energy simulation using OpenStudio and EnergyPlus and b) structural analysis software. The formal instruction on the second day will address the special modelling constraints required by these two plug-ins. The workshop will allow time for the participants to build and test different non-manifold models and 3D print results where appropriate, guided by the workshop tutors.
This workshop is part of the Non-Manifold Research project funded by the Leverhulme Trust at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University and at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL (Project No. RPG-2016-016).
Expected Skill Level: Familiar with the basics of Dynamo visual programming and DesignScript
Tutors:
Robert Aish and Wassim Jabi
Bio:
Robert Aish is Visiting Professor of Design Computation at the Bartlett School of Architecture, where his research into the use of non-manifold topology to represent architectural space is supported by the Leverhulme Trust. Previously he was Director of Research at Bentley where he led the development of GenerativeComponents and Director of Software Development at Autodesk where he led the development of DesignScript. He is also a cofounder of the SmartGeometry group. He studied Industrial Design at the Royal College of Art and has a PhD in Human Computer Interaction from the University of Essex.
Wassim Jabi is Reader of Computational Methods in Architecture at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University. His current research into non-manifold topology, parametric design, building performance simulation, and robotic fabrication in architecture is supported by the Leverhulme Trust and EPSRC. Dr. Jabi has written extensively on architectural computation including the recent book “Parametric Design for Architecture”, published by Laurence King Publishing. He is a former president of ACADIA and a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Architectural Computing (IJAC). He studied architecture at the American University of Beirut and his M.Arch. and Ph.D. are from the University of Michigan.