RECURSIONS

INTRODUCTION

RECURSION in mathematics and computer science, is a method of defining functions in which the function being defined is applied within its own definition. The term is also used more generally to describe a process of repeating objects in a self-similar way.  Simply stated, the definition of a recursive function includes the function itself. Fractals are among the canonical examples of recursion in mathematics and programming. A loop can simply be a way to apply the same operation to a list of elements, but it is an iterative loop if the results from one step are used in the calculation of the next step. In design research controlling recursion becomes a new strategy to define new forms and spaces.

BRIEF

In this workshop we will be exploring iterative strategies through parametric design. Main tool for the course will be grasshopper3d and its add-on Anemone. Anemone is a simple but effective plug-in for Grasshopper that enables for loops in a simple and linear way. We will explore several strategies such iterative growth, L systems, fractals, recursive subdivisions and more. Our course will focus on how those methods can affect three-dimensional geometries, generating unexpected conformations.

TOPICS

intro to rhino
intro to grasshopper
advanced grasshopper
data management
intro to loops
cellular automata
l-systems
agent based modelling

SCHEDULE

Day 1 / friday 16:00
Tour Green Fab Lab
Basics of 3D modeling in Rhinoceros
Basics of Grasshopper
Open Lecture by Jan Pernecky, founder of rese arch

Day 2 / saturday 10 am- 18 pm
Recursive iterative methods
Advanced Topics of looping

Day 3 / sunday 10 am – 18 pm
Recursive iterative methods
Final presentation session

REQUIREMENTS

The workshop is open to all participants, no previous knowledge of Rhinoceros and Grasshopper is required (although an introductory knowledge is welcome). Participants should bring their own laptop with a pre-installed software.  The software package needed has no additional cost for the participant (Rhino can be downloaded as evaluation version, Grasshopper and plugins are free). These softwares are subject to frequent updates, so a download link to the version used in the workshop will be sent to the participants a few days before the workshop.