The gradual process of change : integrating shape grammars in parametric tools

Berčič, Tomaž (author)

The shape grammar methodology presents a compelling tool for students and professionals in design disciplines. This article illustrates the integration of shape grammar with contemporary parametric tools, explicitly avoiding the reliance on specialised custom software to facilitate its application in routine practices. The study’s primary objective is to broaden the discourse on the practical benefits of shape grammar in both educational and professional settings while exploring methods of implementation that enhance user interaction and integration. Current shape grammar tools often fall short in usability due to insufficient integration within commonly used software platforms. This research demonstrates how shape grammar can be implemented within established parametric software, such as Rhinoceros 3D, using Grasshopper. This approach does not claim to be simpler than dedicated interpreters but demonstrates its feasibility within a familiar parametric design environment. The study provides six examples showcasing the application of shape grammar within Rhinoceros 3D, utilising the Grasshopper parametric extension. The findings reveal that the shape grammar methodology can be seamlessly adapted to align with standard tools, facilitating further modifications, re- creation, and evaluation of design data. The adaptability of the shape grammar system underscores its potential applicability across diverse design fields. Using a Visual Programming Language (VPL) embedded directly in the software environment enhances functionality, thereby addressing a significant limitation of shape grammar theory by enabling the evaluation of generated design alternatives.

• Language: English
• Keywords: architecture, parametric design, shape grammar, parametric tools, education, Grasshopper
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FA - Faculty of Architecture
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: Str. 46-54
• Numbering: Št. 12
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-167853
• UDC: 72:004.925.8:37.091.3
• ISSN on article: 2350-3637
• DOI: 10.15292/IU-CG.2024.12.046-054
• COBISS.SI-ID: 229043715
• Publication date in RUL: 17.03.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Igra ustvarjalnosti : teorija in praksa urejanja prostora
• Publisher: Fakulteta za arhitekturo, Fakulteta za gradbeništvo in geodezijo, Fakulteta za arhitekturo, Fakulteta za gradbeništvo in geodezijo, Založba Univerze v Ljubljani
• ISSN: 2350-3637
• COBISS.SI-ID: 269631744

Licences

• License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
• Description: This Creative Commons license is very similar to the regular Attribution license, but requires the release of all derivative works under this same license.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Proces postopnih sprememb : oblikovna slovnica v parametričnih orodjih

Abstract

Metodologija oblikovne slovnice je učinkovito orodje za študente in strokovnjake v oblikovalskih disciplinah. Ta članek prikazuje integracijo oblikovne slovnice s sodobnimi parame- tričnimi orodji, pri čemer se zavestno izogiba uporabi namenske programske opreme, da bi omogočil rabo oblikovnih slovnic v praksi. Glavni cilj raziskave je razširiti vedenje o praktičnih koristih obli- kovne slovnice v izobraževalnem in profesionalnem okolju ter raziskati načine njene implementacije, ki izboljšujejo uporabni- ško izkušnjo in integracijo. Obstoječa orodja - interpretatorji za oblikovno slovnico pogosto niso dovolj uporabna zaradi slabe integracije z uveljavljenimi programskimi platformami. Raziska- va prikazuje, kako lahko oblikovno slovnico učinkovito vključi- mo v parametrično programsko okolje, kot je Rhinoceros 3D, s pomočjo razširitve Grasshopper. Ta pristop sicer ni nujno preprostejši od namenskih interpre- tatorjev, vendar dokazuje njegovo izvedljivost v poznanem parametričnem oblikovalskem okolju. Študija vključuje šest pri- merov uporabe oblikovne slovnice v Rhinoceros 3D z razširitvijo Grasshopper. Rezultati kažejo, da je metodologijo oblikovne slovnice mogoče brez težav prilagoditi standardnim orodjem, saj omogoča intuitivno oblikovanje množice variant, prilagaja- nje pravil in učinkovito vrednotenje rešitev.

• Keywords: arhitektura, parametrično oblikovanje, oblikovna slovnica, parametrična orodja, izobraževanje, Grasshopper

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P5-0068-2018
• Name: Trajnostno oblikovanje kvalitetnega bivalnega okolja