(clikc for a bigger picture)

Here it goes:

This project is a collaboration between Veronica and me.

Creation

The urban bacteria is a responsive structure that is not built; it grows following the path dictated by an algorithm that takes into account the geometry of the site as well as the available sunlight. It adapts to almost any given urban space, evolving into an organism fit for the conditions it encounters.
We created in processing (processing.org) an autonomous system that is emergent (it demonstrates an "internal will to reach coherence" - Cecil Balmond). It was used to compute the structure of the bacteria and simulate its growth in a variety of conditions.

Pulse

It has a life of its own. It pulses along with the variations in sunlight: when there's a excess/high amount of sunlight available it increases its volume, regaining its initial form as a direct result of a decrease in available sunlight (caused by clouds, sunset). In its "expanded" form it offers more shadow to the pedestrian space below when it is most needed, increasing its quality and, therefore, inviting people to use it.

Daylight > nightlight; natural light > artificial light

During the day, the "urban bacteria" stores the excess energy resulted from sunlight and releases it during the night. The quality of an urban space is linked with the amount of light it receives during the night - this "living structure" proposes an ecological/economical way of transforming daylight into night light, sunlight into artificial light.

Materials

The membrane of the structure has a multiple role: absorb sunlight and create shadow during the day and release light during the night. We propose a multi-layered material consisting of two layers of polarizer sheets (in between which there's another layer of cellophane) superimposed over a photovoltaic lattice that transforms sunlight into energy. The double layer of polarizing material creates an intense visual effect (by speculating small shifts in geometry and sunlight angle) that can be used to enrich the surrounding urban space.

"Urban bacteria" is an autonomous shape living in concordance with the rhythm of the environment.

Final boards:

This project was developed for the Velux IVA competition.

Scripts

RhinoScript and Processing

Process

Existing geometry in which the bacteria would evolve was constructed in Rhino and then custom-exported as simple rectangular planes in a specially built p55.in file. This would be custom-imported in Processing.

The growth algorithm was programmed in Processing. Running inside the imported geometry the bacteria would grow. The thus-grown (see above for details) structure would be custom-exported for Rhino.

Via RhinoScript, the "bacteria" would be imported and given a form via a custom script that took into consideration the time of day. Fin.

The results were nice, so I decided to share:

Here's the bugged up script (it's quite useless, but people may find inspiration where I didn't):

Option Explicit
'

'Script written by Dimitrie Stefanescu
'Released under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0
'№ 5:28:35 AMW ednesday, May 21, 2008

Call Main()
Sub Main()

Dim surf : surf = Rhino.GetObject("sel surf ", 8, True)

Dim detailLevel : detailLevel = Rhino.GetInteger("det lev ", 10, 5, 50)
Dim matTh : matTh = Rhino.GetReal("mat thickness ", .4, .1, 2)
Dim hght : hght = Rhino.GetReal("rib height ", 1.5,  matTh, 10)

Dim uDomain : uDomain = Rhino.SurfaceDomain(surf, 0)
Dim uStep : uStep = (uDomain(1) - uDomain(0))/detailLevel

Dim vDomain : vDomain = Rhino.SurfaceDomain(surf, 1)
Dim vStep : vStep = (vDomain(1) - vDomain(0))/detailLevel

Call rhino.enableredraw(False)

Dim pts : pts = Array()
ReDim pts(detailLevel)

Dim i, j, k : k = -1
Dim rib

'
'U direction
'

For i=uDomain(0) To uDomain(1) Step uStep
For j=vDomain(0) To vDomain(1) Step vStep
k = k + 1
ReDim Preserve pts(k)
pts(k) = Rhino.EvaluateSurface(surf, Array(i, j))
Next
rib = addRib(pts, matTh, hght)
k = -1
Next

'
'V direction
'

'k = -1
'For j=uDomain(0) To uDomain(1) Step uStep
'    For i=vDomain(0) To vDomain(1) Step vStep
'        k = k + 1
'        ReDim Preserve pts(k)
'        pts(k) = Rhino.EvaluateSurface(surf, Array(i, j))
'    Next
'    rib = addRib(pts, matTh, hght)
'    k = -1
'Next

Call rhino.enableredraw(True)

End Sub

Function addRib(pts, matThickness, height)

Dim crv, crvPlane, norm, ppp, art, crvOff, arrCrvs, ribb, perpFrame, fff, dirV, extSurf

crv = Rhino.AddInterpCurve(pts)

crvPlane = Rhino.CurvePlane(crv)

If Not isArray(crvPlane) Then
Call rhino.print("Surface not ribbable by this script. SORRY!")
End If

norm = Rhino.CurveNormal(crv)
ppp = Rhino.AddPlaneSurface(crvPlane, 1, 1)
art = Rhino.SurfacePoints(ppp)

crvOff = Rhino.OffsetCurve(crv, art(1) , height , norm)
arrCrvs = Array(crv, crvOff(0))

ribb = Rhino.AddEdgeSrf(arrCrvs)

perpFrame = Rhino.CurvePerpFrame(crv, 0)
fff = Rhino.AddPlaneSurface(perpFrame, matThickness, matThickness)
art = Rhino.SurfacePoints(fff)
dirV = Rhino.AddLine(art(0), art(2))

extSurf = Rhino.ExtrudeSurface(ribb, dirV)

Call Rhino.DeleteObjects(Array(fff, ppp, dirV, ribb))

addRib = extSurf
End Function

For this project, I created a nifty little tool that would allow me to study circulation in a built urban area. It's done in processing based on daniel shiffman's boids. It's not a finished product yet, but I think sharing is a good thing so...

Here's how things turn up after a while:

It's core feature lies in the LinearObstacle class... Please feel free to add, modify, expand and etc. at your own free will.

Download the sketch!

SPRscrpts

for Rhino is out now. Grab it while it's fresh (and buggy).

Sorry for the huge delay.

SPRscrpts can be defined as a collection of scripts that generate a huge vocabulary of parametrically defined 3d shapes. These shapes can later be used as a starting point for formal exploration, be it in architecture, interior design or product design. It's up to you to modify, explode, twist and turn these shapes so as to fit into your project's specifications.

Available as a menu plugin for Rhino 4.0.

Download (ZIP, 89kb). Download the documentation (PDF, 1.2mb).

Download the source code (ZIPed .rvb files for Rhino).

Here's a small gallery.

It's highly recommended you give the documentation at least a side-glance.

If you've got any issues, feel free to send me a line. I know mailto. Or drop a comment here. Constructive criticism is highly valued.

I would also enjoy to see what you're doing with SPRscrpts. If you use it in any way, please drop a low res jpg in my inbox. Thank you, and have fun!

SPRscrpts by
dimitrie stefanescu is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Based on a work at dimitrie.wordpress.com. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://dimitrie.wordpress.com/.

Soon, superFormula for Rhino. Developing a plugin collection with SphHarmonics (previous post), SuperFormula and maybe superTorus... :)

See you soon,

D.

Python (in Blender and NodeBox), RhinoScript/VBScript, Java/Processing, ActionScript, a little PHP (in highschool) and the allmighty C++. And, why not, I do dabble a bit in JavaScript.

And here's what sphere harmonics done in processing exported in dxf imported in sketchup and rendered with this cool thing can do:

Dimitrie Stefanescu is studying architecture (3rd year) in a horrible place. Enjoys coding and gin&tonic during summer.

His interests lie mainly in the blurry area of architecture and code/scripting. He feels that most current cad programs, and, even worse, the way they are thaught to students are a severe contributing factor in the developement of current architectural monotony. Though programming languages offered by today's top modelling programs often lure users into formal paradigms based on the ever-dominant metaphor, he is sure that the architectural trend of today will evolve into much more complex systems of input-output which, eventually, will deliver less-alienated products...

Also, if you feel like giving him a job, please don't hesitate. He can happily provide an up-to-date resume and a portfolio.

He can also teach (for shelter, food and transport) some scripting (RhinoScript and/or Processing) if you feel like having a workshop.

He knows mailto.

And while you get bored reading this, check these out now! Where's the world of photography coming to?