Assignment 1:

Geometry manipulations

Brief:

The objective of this exercise is to apply computational design strategies as a form finding tool. The exercise is focused on a tridimensional manipulation of a simple sphere performed by combining multiple transformations.

Concept:

The concept is taken from the tectonic plates of the earth. The sphere represent the earth and small plates are created on the sphere interacting with each other by colliding and separating.

Methodology:

Initially the sphere is created and manipulated by dividing the domain of the surface.           

The pattern created on the divided surface of the sphere is polygon which can be manipulated and hence due to extrusion and cap creates individual palates on the surface. The modify script connects the sphere with the pattern.

The transformation part consist of :

–> modify to introduce pattern on the sphere

–> move copies the original sphere and move it on x axis

–> rotate copies the original sphere and rotates it So three individual spheres are created.

The three sphere is connected to different gradients of color hence each sphere’s individual plates are colored differently by manipulating the the parameters of the domain.

The three spheres are grouped together by using the factor on x-axis connected to move which is why the name “Tectonic Plates Sphere” as all the plates collide in harmony to form a colorful sphere.

Lastly to make it more dramatic blast effect is added to the sphere. The List script is added to pick points on the plate and given a direction with vector script from the centre of the sphere and amplitutde is used to move the plates towards or further from the sphere. The whole sphere can be deconstructing and reconstructing itself (both the sphere and plates)

The sphere can be transformed into multiple shapes with plates as the basic element of construction.

The Final baked Result:

TECTONIC PLATES SPHERE is a project of IaaC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia

developed at Master in Advanced Architecture,

in 2016-2017 by:

Student: Shalini Brahma