Eugene Parametric Society #6 (repeat)

Greetings and welcome to the Eugene Parametric Society in 2010.

Eugene Parametric Society #6 (repeat, because we didn't make the #6 happen in November)
January 12th, 2009
Lawrence RM 279
8pm - 10pm

Meeting Agenda:

1) Discuss what the group would like to learn this term through our regular scheduled meetings. Topics include the priority and sequence of Grasshopper exercises we would like to explore during the winter term from http://www.digitaltoolbox.info/grasshopper_basic.html and Processing tutorials from the Processing Handbook I received from MIT.

2) Watch the Matt Storus Church Machine video and have a discussion about parametric and generative tools in design.
If you have a chance, please read the following article by Tim Love called Between Mission Statement and Parametric Model at:
http://places.designobserver.com/entry.html?entry=10757

3) Discuss a possible design build project over the following winter and spring terms using the skill set this group is developing. Conversation led by Chris Nielson (please see comments below for a brief backstory)

4) Discuss possible applied research and design work for the National Conference on the Beginning Design Student paper, Machine Craft and the Contemporary Designer: exploring parameters and variables through making physical artifacts. I wrote the attached abstract and submitted it for the conference the past fall and it was accepted. To continue with the research I need to assemble a team of students that will help explore the principles I set forth by making physical objects with the cnc router. In exchange for helping with the research I will show participants how to use the cnc router, how to author machine code and provide you with the cnc controller interface software necessary to simulate machine movements. Not to mention, your work will be sited in the research paper I present at the conference at UNC Charlotte in March. More tomorrow night, of course.

Thank you for your interest and I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Erik Hegre


Chris Nielson Reply by Eugene Parametric Society on January 7, 2010 at 12:02pm

All,

In response to Erik, who requested that I describe my intentions in a design-build project and to the article posted (definitely required reading for this group) I propose that we begin development of a project that spans the realm of "sustainable social" architecture and parametric design. The particulars of such a design do need to be made concrete, and it will be important to define the goals of such a project.

Therefore, I would suggest that this serve as a forum for the next few weeks for those interested in producing a built project. I agree with Nico that it may not be feasible to create the built piece, whatever it may be, this term; however we should have the groundwork and a plan in place by the end of the next 10 weeks.

Either way, I would ask that everyone who is interested to please provide as many concepts to this forum to begin a discussion. If you are indeed interested, please submit goals that this project could achieve (energy, socially, aesthetically, economically, related) and perhaps what you envision the project to physically be (shading device, public bench, water catchment, interactive thermal contraption, etc . . . )

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Cheers,
Christopher