Studio Mode | modeLab

Through an open-ended and promiscuous design approach collaborations are manifest, intelligence is cross-pollinated, and new forms of thinking and doing are discovered...

Lab Entries

modeLab

modeLab is the collective research entity of Studio Mode. It is conceived of as an open-laboratory and serves as a knowledge base for design research and experimentation. The laboratory is distributed in nature and operates across multiple time-scales and locations ranging from intensive workshops to design studios throughout North America and Europe.

Posts

Pleated Units Prototypes

We are pleased to share photos of recent prototypes we have been developing  in the studio. The research is exploring pleating and various methods of distribution. Paper stock combined with laser-cut templates provides a quick and efficient means to develop study models.In this study the pleat is distributed via unit proliferation across a simple 2D grid of insertion points.

More photos can be found at the below link:

Flickr

Agent Forms Workshop

Description:
Agent Forms is a two-day intensive design and programming workshop to be held in Brooklyn during the weekend of February 04-05, 2012. In a fast-paced and hands-on learning environment, this workshop will interrogate agent-based simulation and strategies for simple, low-level objects to generate higher order, dynamic, and visually rich forms. We will cover technical programming concepts including Control, Modularity, and Development while incrementally building the complexity of our objects and the relationships established across class contexts. Furthermore, we will utilize the power of the Processing environment and its to capacity to compute, visualize, and capture the behavior of large populations of agents.

This workshop will consist of a series of instructional lectures, open work sessions, and guided exercises, beginning with an introduction to Programming Concepts and Computational Geometry. The workshop is structured to allow each participant time to iteratively develop and capture virtual design prototypes. Throughout the weekend we will be capturing and uploading the videos of our Processing sketches to a group pool on the web to instigate a broader discourse surrounding our investigations. As part of a larger online infrastructure, modeLab, this workshop provides participants with continued support and knowledge to draw upon for future learning. Attendance will be limited to provide each participant maximum dedicated time with instructors.

Topics:
- Programming Concepts :: Syntax, Structure, Vectors
- Control :: Variables, Conditionals, Loops
- Modularity :: Functions, Objects, Classes, Libraries
- Agent Methods :: Interaction, Behavior, Development
- Visualization :: Geometry, Time, Decay
- Capture :: Frame Recording + Video Compilation
(more…)

Collaboration Conference Workshops

The METALS IN CONSTRUCTION 2012 FACADES CONFERENCE brings together leading designers and fabricators to explore this collaboration through case studies of recent work and roundtable discussions. Presented by the Ornamental Metal Institute of New Yorkand The Architect’s Newspaper, this one-day event is the first in a series of conferences created to help designers and builders understand the ways in which technology can transform design aspirations into reality. From using BIM for communicating effectively with fabricators, to examining new resources for curtain wall design, the conference offers an unprecedented opportunity to survey the possibilities of designing with metals in the digital age.

Gil Akos and Ronnie Parsons from Modelab will be leading the Parametric Design workshop. This workshop will introduce participants to the cultural, technological, and tectonic domain of parametric design and digital fabrication. Over two sessions, we will investigate work-flows that utilize constraint-based design, associative modeling techniques, and environmental influencers to discover novel and inventive design solutions through the use of Grasshopper. The workshop curriculum will progress through a series of applied exercises and will be supported by a series of lectures on fundamental concepts such as computational geometry, implicit/explicit dependencies, and data management and manipulation in order to foster a fast-paced and productive learning environment.

Workshop schedule and registration

Image courtesy of METALS IN CONSTRUCTION 2012 FACADES CONFERENCE

iGeo

iGeo is free and open source 3D modeling software library in Java for computational design in architecture, product design, interaction design and more. It includes libraries of vector math operations, NURBS curve and surface geometries, polygon meshes and 3D model file I/O. It also has an interface specialized for Processing.

Examples | Download Beta Version 0.7.5.0 (release 2012-01-09)

iGeo was developed By The computational designer Satoru Sugihara of Morphosis Architects

Interesting things to be sure to check out:
Documentation to get started with iGeo
- Tutorials

Image Courtesy of iGeo

Kreysler & Associates | Composites & Architecture

New and interesting blog produced by Kreysler & Associates on the topic of Composites and Architecture with Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP).

Kreysler & Associates has been leading the way in the use of composite materials in construction since its establishment in 1982. Born out of the high performance boat industry, the company was founded to bring proven marine materials and techniques to the construction industry. What started out as a modest venture has become an internationally recognized enterprise known for its innovation, creativity and craftsmanship.”

Interesting links to be sure to check out :
- Resources related to FRP
- Technical Design information

Image Courtesy of Kreysler & Associates


Blog

Pleated Units Prototypes

We are pleased to share photos of recent prototypes we have been developing  in the studio. The research is exploring pleating and various methods of distribution. Paper stock combined with laser-cut templates provides a quick and efficient means to develop study models.In this study the pleat is distributed via unit proli

Primers

Grasshopper | Single Entity Creation

Simple Translation Constructing a Line (Single Entity): – Reference a Point from Rhino (By Coordinate or Point Object) – Move in X Direction by Some Distance – Construct a Line – Notice That “Move” Creates a Copy of the Original Point Download the Grasshopper Definition (version 0.8.0050).

Deployment

Grasshopper | Surface Morphing

Surface morphing arrays a component within its given bounding box on a series of deformed boxes. Target boxes are defined between two target surfaces, on single surfaces and can be edited by controlling u,v, and w domains. This strategy is key for the creation of component surface tectonics. The supplied definition maps c

References

Primer | Python 101

modeLab Essential Reference | Python 101 Primer Python is a high level programming language (scripting) that interprets text files and performs operations. Excerpt: Python offers exciting new potentials for programming in Rhino with Object-Oriented functionality, simple syntax, access to the .NET framework and a vast numbe

Technology

iGeo

iGeo is free and open source 3D modeling software library in Java for computational design in architecture, product design, interaction design and more. It includes libraries of vector math operations, NURBS curve and surface geometries, polygon meshes and 3D model file I/O. It also has an interface specialized for Proces