The knowledge of the Geometry is necessary to the Architects. Not only as foundation for a graphical success in the representation of the projects but also as a powerful tool of ideation. Nowadays the process of creation pass through the use of different approaches to the form by using physical and digital models.



The main objective of this course is the experimentation with different kinds of geometries, perhaps less conventional forms but with a high expressive and aesthetic potential and the way we can follow to deal with them by using analogue and digital tools.

Introduction and knowledge about 3D modelling tools within Architectural process.

Introduction and knowledge about the use of Complex Forms in Architecture.

Specific Objectives:



Using of CAD software, specifically NURBS based software, as a support of generative tools within Architectural process.

Exploration of different kinds of ways of generating forms and apply them on Architectural Design.

Understanding of Advanced Geometry.



Form and Shape

Antifunicular and Form Finding

Minimal Surfaces

Geometric Patterns

Reciprocal Systems

Biomimicry

The course is based on ERAGIN-Project Based Learning. In this way, the students organised in groups will deal with different exercises that will be focused on several real questions.

Depending on the complexity of the tasks, at least 3 exercises will be developed.

The structure of each project follows the scheme bellow:

1st Part

Project presentation

1. Basic Theoretical introduction about geometric concepts.

2. Basic Tutorials about graphic development.

2nd Part. Workshop

3rd Part. Presentation

A. Each group has to explain briefly his idea by a public oral presentation. (5 minutes long)

B. Each group should prepare a panel explaining the idea, chosen place, references. ( 1 panel A1 PDF) The panel will be uploaded to EGELA after the presentation.

C. In order to improve the understanding of the whole idea, photos, sketches, schemes, physical models, anything valid are welcome.

D. Any idea has to be developed from a graphical point of view. In this way, you have to bear in mind how it would be built up by using algorithms. How can you use parametric tools into the process, throughout the whole process or in a part at least. This point will be specifically reflected on the presentation

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 75
  • Portfolio (%): 25

The subject will follow a continuous evaluation including the entire projects. The student’s career and the participation during lectures, tutorials and workshop sessions will be taken into account. This evaluation method requires a maximum attendance of the students.

The final evaluation of the subject will be obtained through of a weighted mean of the former projects. It will be indispensable to fulfill all the deliveries to pass the subject.

Students who cannot attend the lectures and workshops during the course due to justified reasons will have the possibility of proving the abilities and competences related to the subject through a final evaluation. Thus, any student who wants to renounce the ordinary call (continuous assessment) must deliver a written notification and justification to the teacher during the first month of the course and will have the possibility for a final evaluation consisting on the delivering the exercises developed during the course.

We assign the same weight to each Project that could be developed during the course. Therefore, the global mark will be the arithmetical average of the marks depending on the number of proposed exercises.



Eventually, the work time assigned to some specific project could be the cause of the redistribution of the mark percentage proportionally to the complexity or overall the time assigned to it. In any case, it will be defined previously in the Schedule of the Course.

Grasshopper is a visual programming editor developed by David Rutten. It is a plug-in for Rhinoceros 3D modelling environment based on NURBs
Grasshopper and Rhino offer us the opportunity to define precise parametric control over models, the capability to explore generative design workflows, and a platform to develop higher-level programming logic.
Both programs are at your disposal installed in the computers at the Computer Rooms. Besides you can install a trial-version of them for free during 3 months.

Basic bibliography

Darcy W. Thomson. ON GROWTH AND FORM.

Pawlyn, Michael. Biomimicry in Architecture.

Edward Allen, Waclaw Zalewski. FORM AND FORCES: DESIGNING EFFICIENT, EXPRESSIVE STRUCTURES. Willey.

POTTMANN, Helmut. A. Asperl, M. Hofer, A. Kilian. ARCHITECTURAL GEOMETRY. Bentley I. Press. Exton, 2007

KOLAREVIC, Branko. ARCHITECTURE IN THE DIGITAL AGE. DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING. Spoon Press. NEW YORK, 2003

DOLLENS, Denis. DE LO DIGITAL A LO ANALÓGICO. Gustavo Gili. Barcelona 2002.

GONZALEZ QUINTIAL, Francisco. METODO DE ADAPTACION DE FORMAS DE DOBLE CURVATURA MEDIANTE SUPERFICIES DESARROLLABLES Tesis Doctoral.

Barrallo, J., González-Quintial, F., & Sánchez-Parandiet, A. (2017). Laminar constructions and reciprocal structures. Nexus Network Journal, 19(3), 723-739. doi:10.1007/s00004-017-0346-8

Milena Stavric, Predrag Sidanin, Bojan Tepavcevic. ARCHITECTURAL SCALE MODELS IN THE DIGITAL AGE.

Web addresses

Rhinoceros. NURBs modelling for Windows http://www.es.rhino3d.com/
Grasshopper. Generative modeling for Rhino http://www.grasshopper3d.com/
KHABAZI, Zubin. Generative Algorithms. http://www.grasshopper3d.com/page/tutorials-1
PAYNE, Andy. Grasshopper. PRIMER. http://www.liftarchitects.com/downloads/
ISSA, Rajaa. ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS for computational design.
http://www.digitaltoolbox.info/
http://livecomponents-ny.com/