Designing a Sunshade Installation for the UT Zero Energy House: An Exploration in Generative Modeling Technology

The subjective quality of architectural design requires all designers to consider an infinite set of possibilities to a project design. Logically, the faster a designer can visualize and communicate possible ideas within a given time frame, the better their opportunity to discover the best design solution. Ultimately, perfection in architectural design can never be achieved, but its pursuit does lead to a more refined solution. Computer-aided drafting and modeling has provided designers more efficient visualization of project designs, increased productivity, and enhanced workflow; however, with the increasing complexity of contemporary designs, new generative modeling technology must be employed to sustain efficient productivity in the design process. Generative modeling is a computer software technology which allows the designer to provide a set of parameters in which a programming script can be written to generate elements within a given domain. This technology allows the designer to model highly customizable and complex elements which can be generated at the speed of a computer calculation. What are some benefits of generative modeling technology, and does it support practicing sustainable design? This paper will discuss the implementation of Grasshopper (revised for version 0.8.0003), a generative modeling plug-in for the NURBS modeling program Rhinoceros (version 4.0 SR8), and its role in creating a sunshade installation by a research design team for the zero energy house project at the University of Tennessee. More importantly, the instructive description of the design and fabrication process will show that the same steps can be adapted to other architectural projects. Then, the paper will conclude with a brief case study, the CBD Media Tower, and its use of Grasshopper to provide enhanced modeling and visualization techniques.