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171	Design Strategy


















Chapter_9_Design Strategy





Associative modelling is an algorithmic way of dealing with geometry. More 
than the conventional
geometrical objects, with this algorithmic method, now we have all 
possibilities of computational geometries as well as dealing with the huge 
amount of data, numbers and calculations. It seems that there is a great 
potential in this realm. Here the argument is to not limit the design in 
any predefined experiment, and explore these infinite potentials; there are 
always alternative ways to do
algorithmic modelling. Although it seems that the in‐built commands of 
these parametric modelling softwares could limit some actions or dictate 
some methods, but alternative solutions could always
be brought to the table, let our creativity fly away of limitations.

In order to design something, having a Design Strategy always helps to set 
up a good algorithm and
to find the design solution. Thinking about the general properties of the 
design object, drawing some parts, even making some physical models, would 
help to a better understanding of the algorithm so better choice of 
<components> in digital modelling. Thinking about fix parameters, 
parameters that might change during the design, numerical data and 
geometrical objects needed, always helps to improve the algorithm. It would 
be helpful to analytically understand the design problem, sketch it
and then start an algorithm that can solve the problem.

We should think in an Algorithmic way to design Algorithmic.
172	Design Strategy





































Fig.9.1. Weaving project; From Analytical understanding to Associative 
modelling.
173	Design Strategy




Fig.9.2. Porous wall project; From Analytical understanding to Associative 
modelling.
174





Bibliography







Pottman, Helmut and Asperl, Andreas and Hofer, Michael and Kilian, Axel, 
2007: ‘Architectural
Geometry’, Bently Institute Press.

Hensel, Michael and Menges, Achim, 2008: ‘Morpho‐Ecologies’, Architectural 
Association.

Rutten, David, 2007: ‘Rhino Script 101’, digital version by David Rutten 
and Robert McNeel and
Association.

Flake, Gary William, 1998: ‘The computational beauty of nature, computer 
explorations of fractals, chaos, complex systems, and adaptation’, The MIT 
Press.

Main Grasshopper web page: http://grasshopper.rhino3d.com/

Grasshopper tutorials on Robert McNeel and Associates wiki:
http://en.wiki.mcneel.com/default.aspx/McNeel/ExplicitHistoryExamples.html

Kilian, Axel and  Dritsas, Stylianos: ‘Design Tooling ‐ Sketching by 
Computation’, 
http://www.designexplorer.net/designtooling/inetpub/wwwroot/components/sketc
hing/index.html

Wolfram Mathworld: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ Stylianos Dritsas, 
http://jeneratiff.com/
175


Notes
176
