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Designed using Rhino and Grasshopper to program robot with connected wire cutter.

Experimenting with Aggregates using Black Coroplast. Designed using Rhino and Grasshopper, cut using ZUND machine.

Designed in Rhino using Grasshopper and Adobe Illustrator. Polycarbonate surface cut using ZUND machine.

The Genetic Algorithm

DeLanda is writing about abilities of genetic algorithms and the organization that lies behind them. He writes that “artists can use this software to breed new forms rather than to merely design them” (9). This relates to previous articles that we have read regarding fabrication and the possibility to design new forms rather than just adapting preexisting forms. I found the process described on page 10 very similar to that which we carried out for our developable surface project and I understood the concepts that were being described. Although DeLanda is discussing the possibilities of genetic algorithms in the digital world, he is not unaware of the limitations to the processes and he states on page 10 that there are times when a virtual building cannot turn into an actual building (10). In relation to our most recent project, I found the quote “The operations allowed in the latter, such as stretching without tearing, and folding without gluing, preserve only a set of abstract invariant properties” to be of interest because these are operations that we were attempting to carry out in order to create a form that covered our mesh surface. Difficulties and limitations arise despite the organization and abilities of the digital genetic algorithms and processes.

Carpo Reading Week 6

Carpo writes about the making of identical copies through the use of digital technologies. He states that everything digital is variable and I think this relates to what we have been doing in class because we have been using digital technologies to create projects where we change specific variables in order to create our own unique designs. I also think that digital technologies have done a lot for the field of architecture and for architects when it comes to design because it is a way for architects to test ideas and geometries without using physical materials; however, I also think there are limitations to digital technologies that Carpo discusses and this is the more important aspect of this reading. It is obvious that technology has made differences in the architectural field, but I think Carpo’s discussion about how the limitations of architecture in relation to impossible geometries is the most important claim that he makes because this is something that can sometimes be overlooked when designing.

Milling Questions

8) We added number sliders to the “Max Angle”, “Aspect Ratio”, “Min Edge”, and “Max Edge” components in our Grasshopper definitions in order to create our chunky surface . We found the relationship between the edge components to be interesting because they reacted differently depending on how the other was set.

9) The height of the surface is subtraction because the surface is actually being taken away from the volume. Surface is being subtracted in order to create the depth (height) so it makes sense that the slider is subtracting as well.