Grasshopper Meeting Presenters

• Paul Cowell from the Organisers of the Grasshopper UK User Group Meetings, Simply Rhino
• Vincenzo Reale – Arup
• Stamatios Psarras and Miguel Martinez – Arup
• Elise Colley and Lizzie Terry – Hawkins\Brown

Grasshopper Meeting Interactive Report – June 2025

Grasshopper Meetings – Background

Grasshopper for Rhino3D is a powerful visual programming language and algorithm editor that operates seamlessly within the Rhino environment. It empowers designers to create complex, parametric models through an intuitive, node-based interface—eliminating the need for traditional coding.

Grasshopper User Group Meetings serve as dynamic forums where users come together to share knowledge, showcase work, and explore new possibilities. These events typically cover a broad spectrum of topics related to Grasshopper, including design strategies, modelling workflows, and analytical applications.

Each session features engaging presentations from experienced practitioners, industry leaders, and software developers. They offer deep dives into innovative projects, advanced techniques, and the latest software developments. Attendees are encouraged to participate actively—asking questions, joining discussions, and networking with fellow professionals and enthusiasts.

These gatherings play a vital role in nurturing the Grasshopper and Rhino3D community. They foster collaboration, keep users informed about cutting-edge advancements, and provide a space to sharpen skills and find creative inspiration for future projects.

The next Grasshopper UK meeting will take place in the autumn of 2025, to be among the first to hear about our upcoming events make sure you’re signed-up to our newsletter and to the Simply Rhino social channels including LinkedIn and Instagram.

Grasshopper UK User Group meetings are organised by Simply Rhino. If you’re interested in participating in a future meeting by way of presenting, or perhaps you’d like to host a meeting at your offices, then please get in touch with Paul or Stephanie at Simply Rhino, we’d love to hear from you. 

The post Grasshopper UK UGM June 2025 – Meeting Notes appeared first on Rhino 3D.

Arup, London, kindly hosting June’s Grasshopper Meeting. Following a welcome from the Grasshopper UK Meeting organisers at Simply Rhino we enjoyed 3 presentations, first up were our hosts, Arup, followed by a case-study introduction to Oasys, and then closing the presentations our invited guests from Hawkins\Brown.

Alongside the main presentations there were opportunities for conversations and networking with drinks served from 18:00.

This meeting was free to attend but booking was essential. Booking closed at 12:00 on the 16th of June.

• Meeting Date: Wednesday 18th June 2025
• Time: 18:00-20:30
• Location: Market Square Space, Arup, 80 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 4QS

Presentation outlines:

Meeting Introduction

Meeting welcome with Paul Cowell from the Grasshopper UK Meeting organisers, Simply Rhino.

Presentation 1 | Vincenzo Reale – Arup

The largest glass sculpture in the world​: Mangrove, Manila​

Vincenzo Reale from Arup will showcase the innovative Mangrove glass sculpture project—an inspiring collaboration with Nikolas Weinstein Studios that combines advanced scripting, physical testing, and seismic analysis to create one of the world’s largest glass sculptures. Discover how a carefully tailored mix of tools and close interdisciplinary collaboration transformed this visionary concept into reality.

Vincenzo Reale – Vincenzo is a chartered structural engineer (ICE) and architect (ARB). He holds a master’s degree with distinction in Structural Engineering and Architecture from the University of Bologna and a Master of Science from the Architectural Association in London. During the last ten years he has worked with several contemporary architectural and design practices, including Zaha Hadid Architects and Antony Gormley Studio.

He joined Arup London in 2013. Here, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, he has gained experience in a wide range of projects with internationally awarded architects and since 2018 he works in the Arup’s Specialist Technology + Research team with a focus on special structures, timber and seismic engineering.

Concurrently with his professional work he has held several academic positions such as lecturer at the Architectural Association, unit master at AA Visiting School Jordan, and teacher of several parametric courses for engineers at the Arup University, the Imperial College London and the Bartlett School of Architecture.

His works and collaborations have been exhibited worldwide, notably at the Venice Biennale of Architecture, Royal Academy of Arts, White Cube and Design Museum in London.

Presentation 2 | Miguel Martinez and Stamatios Psarras – Arup

Total Design through Oasys GSA to align architectural and structural aspirations – The case of 176-178 York Way

The presentation will introduce Oasys GSA Suite, which provides simple and advanced structure analysis of any structure, fully integrated with Revit, Grasshopper, LS-DYNA, OpenSees and IDEAStatiCa.

As engineers and architects continue to push boundaries with new creations, GSA offers a quick, accurate, and affordable solution for even the most advanced project. GSA has supported a wide range of projects worldwide, including the Swiss Re (London), CCTV Headquarters (Beijing) and Las Vegas High Roller, and has global recognition as one of the most complete packages for structural engineers. GSA’s easy-to-use interface and customer support mean you’ll be creating and sculpting models in no time. A spreadsheet-friendly file format and smooth interaction with other tools make this software the perfect choice. GSA is BIM (Building Information Modelling) compatible, and also designed to connect with a range of other leading software packages, including Autodesk Revit. GSA Suite is our most comprehensive structural package, offering all of the GSA variant features, intuitive nonlinear analysis, along with form finding and fabric analysis tools for tensile and gridshell structures.

Showcasing 176-178 York Way as a case study of its implementation, maximise the use of a historic brownfield site by identifying key site constraints, and by adopting novel computational methods, incorporate the constraints as design features and overcome the most ambitious client and design team aspirations.

As a highlight of this session, we will present a compelling case study: the redevelopment of 176–178 York Way, a historic brownfield site. This project showcases the strategic use of GSA to navigate site constraints and transform them into key design features. Through innovative computational methods and close collaboration between the client and design teams, the project not only maximized the site’s potential but also exceeded the most ambitious expectations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how the Oasys GSA Suite can elevate your structural design practice.

Miguel Martinez is a Principal Structural Engineer with a proven track record of successfully leading and delivering challenging projects to the highest standards. He combines high technical engineering knowledge with his architectural training, as an ARB-registered architect, to achieve the best outcomes for projects when working in multidisciplinary teams. He has specialist knowledge on tall buildings design and construction and design under seismic and extreme conditions.

He has received numerous awards during his career, including the 2020 IStructE Young Structural Engineering Professional Award.

Stamatios Psarras is an architect working as a software engineer with over 10 years’ experience. At Arup, he leads digital discipline efforts in London and serves as the lead developer for the Oasys Grasshopper tools, driving innovation in structural and environmental design workflows.

He also teaches programming at UCL and is pursuing a PhD focused on how spatial perception and visual saliency influence navigation and the understanding of the built environment.

Presentation 3 | Elise Colley and Lizzie Terry – Hawkins\Brown

Behind the Bricks: The CDW Arches

‘Behind the Bricks’ explores the design and fabrication of two sculptural stone arches built for Clerkenwell Design Week, using a fully parametric workflow developed with Grasshopper, Rhino, Human UI, and Rhino.Inside.Revit. This custom design engine responded dynamically to 2D and 3D geometry updates, allowing rapid design iterations while maintaining a continuously live set of construction drawings. The project represents a typology of end-to-end computation, one that could be replicated on future projects and design processes.

Elise Colley and Lizzie Terry – Elise and Lizzie began developing their computational design skills during their postgraduate studies in Architecture.

Now qualified architects at Hawkins\Brown, they are active members of the practice’s Digital Design Network, participating in Hackathons, problem solving challenges and automation opportunities.

They continuously seek ways to integrate computational methods throughout the architectural design process and across projects of varying type and scale.

LinkedIn: Elise Colley & Lizzie Terry

The Grasshopper UK User Group Meetings are Organised by Simply Rhino

Have you read our detailed report from February’s meeting at Zaha Hadid Architects?

Meeting Sponsored by Chaos and BEAM

The post Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting | June 2025 appeared first on Rhino 3D.

Grasshopper Meeting Presenters

• Paul Cowell from the Organisers of the Grasshopper UK User Group Meetings, Simply Rhino
• Vishu Bhooshan – Zaha Hadid Architects
• Tommaso Casucci – Zaha Hadid Architects
• Norbert Gräser – Chaos
• Sarah Fahlaoui – Buro Happold
• Dr Al Fisher – Buro Happold

Grasshopper Meeting Interactive Report – February 2025

Grasshopper Meetings – Background

Grasshopper (GH) for Rhino3D is a visual programming language and graphical algorithm editor that is seamlessly integrated with Rhino. Grasshopper allows users to create complex parametric designs and algorithms through a visual interface, without the need for traditional programming code.

Grasshopper User Group Meetings are gatherings where users unite to exchange knowledge, experiences, and insights. During these meetings, participants generally cover various aspects of utilising Grasshopper for design, modelling, and analysis.

The sessions feature presentations from seasoned users, industry experts, and software developers, who highlight innovative projects, exhibit advanced techniques, and present new features or updates. Attendees frequently have the chance to participate in discussions, pose questions, and connect with fellow Grasshopper and Rhino enthusiasts.

These user gatherings play an important role in cultivating a community around Grasshopper and Rhino3D, encouraging collaboration, and offering a platform for users to remain updated on the latest advancements in the software. They provide an excellent opportunity for users to improve their skills, maintain connections within the community, and draw inspiration for their own design and modelling projects.

The next Grasshopper UK meeting will take place in June 2025, to be among the first to hear about our upcoming events make sure you’re signed-up to our newsletter and to the Simply Rhino social channels including LinkedIn and Instagram.

Grasshopper UK User Group meetings are organised by Simply Rhino. If you’re interested in participating in a future meeting by way of presenting, or perhaps you’d like to host a meeting at your offices, then please get in touch with Paul or Stephanie at Simply Rhino, we’d love to hear from you. 

The post Grasshopper UK UGM February 2025 – Meeting Notes appeared first on Rhino 3D.

Simply Rhino were at Zaha Hadid Architects, London, for the Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting on the 12th of February 2025.

We were kindly hosted by Zaha Hadid Architects for the recent Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting. Following a welcome from the Grasshopper UK Meeting organisers Simply Rhino we had presentations from our hosts, Zaha Hadid Architects, and our invited guests from Buro Happold engineers and Chaos, the developers of Enscape and V-Ray. At the end of the meeting there was time for conversations and networking.

These GH meetings are free to attend but you must book your place to join us.

• Meeting Date: Wednesday 12th February 2025
• Time: 18:30-20:30
• Location: Zaha Hadid, 101 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7EZ

Following is an outline of the night’s presentations, if you would like to read the full interactive meeting report then you can find that at the Grasshopper UK UGM February 2025 Meeting Notes page.

Meeting Introduction

Meeting welcome with Paul Cowell from the Grasshopper UK Meeting organisers, Simply Rhino.

Presentation 1 | Vishu Bhooshan – Zaha Hadid Architects

Integrated Design: technologies for research-enabled architectural practise; by Computation and Design (CODE) group of Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).

Image ©Zaha Hadid Architects

The presentation explores the customized deployment of computational technologies to deliver the benefits of research and development to parametric projects at ZHA. We are streamlining collaborative workflows between design, analysis, and visualization, by integrating McNeel Rhino and Grasshopper, Autodesk Maya, and NVidia Omniverse, with the computational framework developed by ZHACODE since 2007; We will highlight applications across different scales, from the Striatus footbridge to masterplans, showing how this approach enables high frequency of design iterations leading to innovation in both small and large-scale projects.

Image ©Zaha Hadid Architects

Vishu Bhooshan – Vishu is an Associate at Zaha Hadid Architects, where he co-administers the Computation and Design group (ZHA CODE). He leads the development of a state-of-the-art, proprietary computational code framework to synthesize high-performance geometries and consequently enables their structural optimisation, parametric modeling and coordination.  Since joining Zaha Hadid Architects, he has been involved in several design competitions and commissions ranging from technology demonstrators, products, galleries, stadiums, metro stations, residential buildings, masterplans etc. to designing for the metaverse and gaming industry.

Presentation 2 | Norbert Gräser – Chaos

Enscape, Enscape Impact, V-Ray and Envision

Norbert Gräser from Chaos will present the latest innovations in real-time rendering, with a focus on Enscape’s integration with Rhino. He will highlight how Enscape empowers users to create instant 3D walkthroughs, animations, and VR simulations directly within Rhino, with the added benefit of AI-enhanced performance in its latest versions.

The presentation will also showcase the new connected workflow between Enscape and V-Ray, which allows designers to seamlessly transition from real-time design to photorealistic rendering. This compatibility bridges the gap between design and visualization teams, enabling smoother collaboration and higher-quality results.

Additionally, Norbert will introduce Enscape Impact, a tool that integrates sustainability metrics into the design process, and offer a preview of Envision, Chaos’ brand new standalone 3D animation tool for scene assembly and design exploration. Together, these innovations enhance every stage of the design process, from quick visualisations to photorealistic renders and beyond.

Norbert Gräser – Norbert is the teamlead in Application Engineering for Chaos Enscape.

Norbert has been a 3D enthusiast since the early days in the 90s. He was born in Germany and has worked in AEC and BIM in Europe and overseas. At Chaos Enscape, he leads the team of application engineers to support clients and colleagues around the globe.

Presentation 3 | Sarah Fahlaoui + Dr Al Fisher – Buro Happold

Supercharged Design Workflows with Rhino and Grasshopper

Image ©Buro Happold

Sarah and Al will show how Rhino+Grasshopper really has become a key ingredient of Buro Happold’s design and engineering workflows. From early conceptual design of both simple and complex forms, through to detailed visualisation and analysis. Plugging into wider workflows such as game engines and BIM, using the agility of Grasshopper and the interoperability with the BHoM has been a game-changer for us.

Images ©Buro Happold

Sarah Fahlaoui – Sarah is a Senior Structural Engineer at Buro Happold. With experience on large multidisciplinary projects across multiple sectors and regions internationally, Sarah has worked on a variety of challenging projects throughout her career. She has been the computational lead on significant cultural and religious buildings, canopies, towers, and aviation projects. Passionate about design and innovation, Sarah has a particular interest in complex geometry and shape optimisation and contributes to our global innovation and technology steering groups, promoting the use of computational workflows within our Structure team in all our projects, regardless of complexity or design stage.

Dr Al Fisher – Al leads computational development for Buro Happold globally, directing a distributed development community across the practice and encouraging contributions from the widest possible diverse set of skills and experience. Al’s background is in structural design computation with a masters and PhD in Civil and Architectural Engineering from the University of Bath and experience of applying computation to a variety of wide span and complex geometry projects. Flow-based programming, and specifically Grasshopper, has proven to be the bedrock of embedding computational workflows into so many of Buro Happold’s projects, something Al has been doggedly advocating for through his career. Most recently Al’s research has focused on solving wider wicked type problems, involving collective participation and the subjective performance of co-authored distributed systems.

The Grasshopper UK User Group Meetings are Organised by Simply Rhino

Meeting Sponsored by Chaos and BEAM

The post Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting | February 2025 appeared first on Rhino 3D.

On Wednesday 6th November we were kindly hosted at Arup for our second Manchester based Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting. Following a welcome from Paul Cowell from the Grasshopper UK Meeting organisers Simply Rhino we had Grasshopper focused presentations from our hosts, Arup, and from LimitState with Peregrine. At the end of the meeting there was time for conversations and networking. Look forward to coming back to Manchester next year!

• Meeting Date: Wednesday 6th November 2024
• Time: 18:30-20:30
• Location: Arup, 6th Floor, 3 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, M1 3BN, United Kingdom

Photos from the Grasshopper meeting:

Presentation 1 | Giorgio Gatti – Arup

Mount Tirana – Developing grasshopper-GSA workflows to iterate on complex geometry

In this presentation, we explore multiple applications of Grasshopper in the concept and scheme design stages of a landmark skyscraper project in Albania. Mount Tirana presented a set of unique challenges due to its highly irregular geometry, with a gradual receding façade to shape the building as a mountain.

Images ©Arup

The architects CEBRA provided updated and organised Rhino models throughout the design stages. Through a proactive approach by our lead engineer and an open approach to upskilling by the rest of the team, Grasshopper enabled rapid generation of global dynamic and local static analytical models using in-house structural plugins, like GSAgh, allowing visualisation of analysis results directly in Rhino.

Giorgio Gatti – The presentation will be recounted through the lens of a graduate structural engineer, Giorgio who has recently joined ARUP in the Property, Science and Industry Portfolio. He has been contributing to re-start the computational design club (formally known as Grasshopper club) in the office and has been learning the extensive benefits of grasshopper when applied with a thorough comprehension of its limitations and capabilities.

Presentation 2 | Dr Tom Pritchard – LimitState

From Concept to Creation: Using Peregrine to Optimise Truss Structures for Metal 3D Printing

In this presentation, Dr. Tom Pritchard will introduce the Peregrine truss layout optimization plug-in for Grasshopper and explore its role in the design and manufacture of materially efficient truss structures, facilitated through the application of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology.

Drawing on his extensive experience from multi-partner European research projects, Dr. Pritchard will address key challenges in optimizing large-scale structure designs for additive manufacturing and demonstrate how the Rhino/Grasshopper environment offers an ideal platform to address these.

Through a series of truss design case studies, he will showcase how integrating structural optimization early in the design process can lead to innovative truss designs and highlight the pioneering new technologies being developed to support this workflow.

Dr Tom Pritchard (PhD MEng) is Principal Engineer at LimitState. His doctoral research considered the application of novel computational techniques to the efficient optimization of truss structures. He has over 20 years of experience in integrating such technologies into innovative software solutions across a range of engineering sectors and platforms to solve real world challenges. 

As project manager and technical lead for LimitState on a range of high-value, multi-partner European research projects, Tom has overseen the development and application of Peregrine, LimitState’s Grasshopper-based structural optimisation tool, to the design and manufacture of building-scale optimised truss structures using metal additive manufacture (3D print) technologies.

Websites: LimitState | Peregrine | Pioneer Project

Presentation 3 | Sam Styles – Arup

Arup STOMP – Structural Optioneering and Massing Program for the early-stage structural design studies

Making informed decisions at the early stages of design is crucial for identifying the optimal structural solution for building design projects. However, the design programme and commercial drivers rarely allow for multiple full-scale options to be tested; instead, we often rely on subjective judgements or rough numerical estimates from typical bay studies. 

To address this challenge, we developed STOMP: a program that generates building-scale geometry for simple structures from minimal inputs. It provides metrics such as embodied carbon, material quantities, building height, cost, and programme, among others. This enables quantitative comparison between different structural options and facilitates high-value conversations with clients.

STOMP uses simple algorithms for the preliminary sizing of structural elements, allowing it to generate schemes in seconds. This capability enables users to appraise a wide range of structural systems and grid arrangements at the project’s outset.

STOMP’s ability to rapidly generate whole-building geometry in Rhino allows for the production of high-quality 3D models and renders for bids, massing studies, and concept design appraisals. Recently, STOMP has been integrated with Arup InForm, a platform that enables designers and clients to refine their designs in real time, making the tool even more accessible. The presentation will explore case studies demonstrating the use of STOMP and InForm.

Images ©Arup

Sam Styles – Sam is an Associate in Arup’s Property, Science and Industry, North-West and Yorkshire (PSI NWY) group. As a Chartered Structural Engineer with 17 years of experience, he has a strong background in structural design and multi-disciplinary project management across the commercial, education, sport, infrastructure, and healthcare sectors.  In addition to his engineering expertise, Sam is a seasoned digital practitioner. He combines these two domains in his role as the leader of the PSI NWY ‘Pit Stop’ team, which focuses on delivering impactful interventions on real-life projects. Sam developed the STOMP tool to assist with the generation and comparison of early-stage structural solutions and has led its development and management since its inception.

The Grasshopper UK User Group Meetings are Organised by Simply Rhino

Meeting Sponsored by Chaos and BEAM

The post Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting | 6th November 2024 appeared first on Rhino 3D.

Grasshopper Meeting Presenters

• Paul Cowell from the Organisers of the Grasshopper UK User Group Meetings, Simply Rhino
• Jeroen Janssen and Weiting Kong from Thornton Tomasetti
• Christian Waldvogel from Spherene
• Francesc Salla from VisualARQ
• Felipe Oeyen from Populous

Grasshopper Meeting Interactive Report

Grasshopper Meetings – Background

Grasshopper (GH) for Rhino3D is a visual programming language and graphical algorithm editor that is seamlessly integrated with Rhino. Grasshopper allows users to create complex parametric designs and algorithms through a visual interface, without the need for traditional programming code.

Grasshopper User Group Meetings are events where users come together to share knowledge, experiences, and insights. During these user meetings, participants typically discuss various aspects of using Grasshopper for design, modelling, and analysis.

The meetings include presentations by experienced users, industry professionals and software developers, showcasing innovative projects, demonstrating advanced techniques, and introducing new features or updates. Participants often have the opportunity to engage in discussions, ask questions, and network with other Grasshopper and Rhino enthusiasts.

These user meetings play a valuable role in building a community around Grasshopper and Rhino3D, fostering collaboration, and providing a platform for users to stay informed about the latest developments in the software. They are an excellent way for users to enhance their skills, stay connected with the community, and gain inspiration for their own design and modelling projects.

The next Grasshopper UK meeting will take place in October 2024, to be among the first to hear about our upcoming events make sure you’re signed-up to our newsletter and to the Simply Rhino social channels including LinkedIn and Instagram.

Grasshopper UK User Group meetings are organised by Simply Rhino. If you’re interested in participating in a future meeting by way of presenting, or perhaps you’d like to host a meeting at your offices, then please get in touch with Paul or Stephanie at Simply Rhino, we’d love to hear from you. 

The post Grasshopper UK UGM June 2024 – Meeting Notes appeared first on Rhino 3D.

On Wednesday 12th June Simply Rhino held the Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting at Thornton Tomasetti (TT), London. There were presentations from our hosts, TT, and invited guests, Populous, Spherene, and VisualARQ.

At the meeting had our presentations followed by an audience Q&A with all our presenters. Attendees were then invited to stay on for conversation and networking opportunities with the UK Grasshopper community as we gathered and had a drink together.

• Meeting Date: Wednesday 12th June 2024
• Time: 18:30-20:30
• Location: Thornton Tomasetti, 2nd floor, 12-16 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M 5PQ

Meeting Introduction

Meeting introduction – Paul Cowell from the Grasshopper UK Meeting organisers, Simply Rhino.

Presentation 1 | Jeroen Janssen and Weiting Kong from Thornton Tomasetti

Grasshopper, a common language?

At Thornton Tomasetti we’re an international firm of 1,700 engineers, scientists, and sustainability experts, who design, analyse and optimise structures, neighbourhoods, infrastructure, systems and tools.

The presentation will focus on how we collaborate with wider design teams and our internal engineering teams on complex projects, showcasing examples like the Qiddiya City Esports Arena designed with Populous, and Cloud City in Aalborg with Studio Tomás Saraceno, and how Rhino and Grasshopper becomes the common language of communication.

Jeroen Janssen is Associate Director at Thornton Tomasetti (TT) and is leading the CORE studio team in London. CORE is TT’s Research and Development incubator, enabling collaboration with project teams and industry colleagues to drive change and innovation. With his architectural background, Jeroen is actively embedded within complex geometric projects in TT. Besides that, he focuses on the design of microclimates for urban spaces. Via in-house developed digital tools for wind simulations and solar and thermal radiation studies, complex urban scenarios are optimised for providing comfortable outdoor spaces from the earliest outset of the architectural or masterplanning design process.

Weiting Kong is a Structural Engineer at Thornton Tomasetti where she advances digital workflows for delivering complex engineering solutions. She studied Civil Engineering at University College London and Emergent Technologies and Design at the Architectural Association. Her current focus is on developing engineer-driven digital solutions as part of the engineering design process, including streamlined workflows, design automation and optimisation, complex geometry rationalisation and digital fabrication.

Presentation 2 | Christian Waldvogel from Spherene

Spherene is a locally configurable, isotropic and surface conformal metamaterial based on a new class of minimal surfaces. Its foreseeable responses to both static and dynamic loads make it ideal for integrated heat exchangers, bracketry and general lightweighting.

Christian Waldvogel, founder of spherene, is a conceptual artist, architect and space researcher.

Waldvogel holds an architecture degree from ETHZ and RISD, has exhibited in museums internationally, authored three monographs and served as a Co-Chair for the ESA Topical Team Arts & Science.

spherene on LinkedIn + spherene on YouTube

Presentation 3 | Francesc Salla from VisualARQ

New VisualARQ 3 features for Grasshopper – We will see an overview of how VisualARQ integrates with Grasshopper, and the amazing possibilities this combination of tools offers for data management automation, parametric design with BIM objects, running VisualARQ inside Revit, creating dynamic blocks, or using VisualARQ with the Grasshopper player. We will also see the new VisualARQ 3 features related to Grasshopper. How VisualARQ 3 enhances the possibilities of creating dynamic blocks with the Grasshopper styles.

Francesc Salla is an Architect by ETSAV (UPC) and Product Manager of VisualARQ and Lands Design, software plugins for BIM and Landscape Design for Rhinoceros 3D developed by Asuni in Barcelona. Francesc has given innumerable presentations and training of VisualARQ and Lands Design worldwide, participating in several events and Conferences where the latest techniques and projects of architecture, BIM, and design have been presented.

Presentation 4 | Felipe Oeyen from Populous

Qiddiya City Esports Arena Façade Design

Populous is a global design firm spanning four continents, in its four decades of experience it has designed thousands of projects from stadia and arenas to airports. On this occasion, the presentation is going to show part of the façade design development process for the Qiddiya City Esports Arena in Saudi Arabia.

Felipe Oeyen works as a Computational Designer doing façade design at Populous and as a Studio Tutor at the Emergent Technologies and Design postgraduate course. He graduated as an Architect in the University of Buenos Aires and holds an M.Arch in Emergent Technologies and Design from the AA awarded with distinction. He has served as a teaching fellow at the University of Buenos Aires in the areas of Architectural History and Architectural Design. His main research interest is in computational design, digital fabrication and participatory design processes.

The Grasshopper UK User Group Meetings are Organised by Simply Rhino

Meeting Sponsored by Chaos and BEAM

The post Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting | 12th June 2024 appeared first on Rhino 3D.

Grasshopper Meeting Presenters

• Paul Cowell from the Organisers of the Grasshopper UK User Group Meetings, Simply Rhino
• Carlos Pérez from the Rhinoceros3D Developers, McNeel
• Miriam Dall’Igna from Engineers, Eckersley O’Callaghan (EOC)
• Puja Bhagat and Jonathan Wong, recent AA graduates and authors of the H.I.V.E. plugin
• Olga Kravchenko from RHEON LABS and Imperial College London
• Dr Elif Erdine and Dr Milad Showkatbakhsh, Co-Directors of the AA [EMTECH) Programme.

Grasshopper Meeting Interactive Report

Grasshopper Meetings – Background

Grasshopper (GH) for Rhino3D is a visual programming language and graphical algorithm editor that is seamlessly integrated with Rhino. Grasshopper allows users to create complex parametric designs and algorithms through a visual interface, without the need for traditional programming code.

Grasshopper User Group Meetings are events where users come together to share knowledge, experiences, and insights. During these user meetings, participants typically discuss various aspects of using Grasshopper for design, modelling, and analysis.

The meetings include presentations by experienced users, industry professionals and software developers, showcasing innovative projects, demonstrating advanced techniques, and introducing new features or updates. Participants often have the opportunity to engage in discussions, ask questions, and network with other Grasshopper and Rhino enthusiasts.

These user meetings play a valuable role in building a community around Grasshopper and Rhino3D, fostering collaboration, and providing a platform for users to stay informed about the latest developments in the software. They are an excellent way for users to enhance their skills, stay connected with the community, and gain inspiration for their own design and modelling projects.

The next Grasshopper UK meeting will take place in June 2024, to be among the first to hear about our upcoming events make sure you’re signed-up to our newsletter and to the Simply Rhino social channels including LinkedIn and Instagram.

Grasshopper UK User Group meetings are organised by Simply Rhino. If you’re interested in participating in a future meeting by way of presenting, or perhaps you’d like to host a meeting at your offices, then please get in touch with Paul or Stephanie at Simply Rhino, we’d love to hear from you. 

The post Grasshopper UK UGM March 2024 – Meeting Notes appeared first on Rhino 3D.

Join Simply Rhino at the Architectural Association School of Architecture for the latest Grasshopper UK Community User Meeting, with presentations from our hosts, AA [EMTECH], and invited guests Eckersley O’Callaghan, H.I.V.E., RHEON LABS, plus a Rhino 8 update from Rhino3D developers McNeel.

At the meeting we’ll have our presentations followed by an audience Q&A with all our presenters. Attendees are then invited to stay on for conversation and networking opportunities with the UK Grasshopper community as we all gather and have a drink together.

• Date: Wednesday 6th March 2024
• Time: 18:30-20:30
• Location: The Architectural Association (AA), 36 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3ES

Meeting Introduction and Update from McNeel

Meeting introduction from Paul Cowell from the Grasshopper UK Meeting organisers, Simply Rhino.

Carlos Pérez from Rhino3d developers McNeel will then kick off the meeting with a short update on Rhino 8 (released December 2023) and their plans for 2024.

Presentation 1 | Adaptive computational horizons at Eckersley O’Callaghan

This talk will provide insights through innovative strategies employed by Eckersley O’Callaghan engineers in navigating the dynamic landscape of computational design.

Discover how EO’C embraces flexibility, innovation, and forward-thinking approaches, leveraging computational engineering and indeed the use of Grasshopper to address complex challenges in glass, structural, façade and environmental engineering.

Photo: Figure 1 Sky pool, Photo by Simon Kennedy

Miriam Dall’Igna joined Eckersley O’Callaghan engineers in 2022 as Digital Design Lead in London. She has extensive experience in applied integration of architectural, structural and environmental design, having previously led the technical design of landmark projects for one of the leading architectural firms in the world for more than a decade. She specialises in complex geometry, algorithmic design, software development, environmentally adaptive systems, design methods integration, innovation, and applied research. Miriam has also lectured at the University of Westminster for over ten years, teaching computational design at the School of Architecture and Cities. Her background is in architecture and computer science.  

Presentation 2 | H.I.V.E.: Simulating Sociability for Generative Architectural Design

H.I.V.E., meaning Human Interaction Visualization Engine, is a pedestrian simulation plugin for Grasshopper which leverages human interactions for generative architectural design. It was built by the developers as a component of their M.Arch thesis for the Emergent Design and Technologies (EmTech) postgraduate programme at the Architectural Association. The presentation will showcase the capabilities of the plugin to integrate social factors as a driver of design, particularly focusing upon the ways in which a socially-driven pedestrian simulation enables architects and urban planners to make more informed design decisions at varying scales. In doing so, H.I.V.E empowers designers to more holistically understand how people may utilise different spaces by humanising the computational design process.

Puja Bhagat is a recent M.Arch graduate from the Emergent Technologies and Design (EmTech) programme at the Architectural Association. She is passionate about the impacts of architecture on unique populations and cultures, particularly in how it unites their experiences within a spatial domain. She views architecture as a tool to better communities and revitalize the natural world through context-specific, yet continually adaptive interventions.

Jonathan Wong is a M.Arch graduate from the Emergent Technologies and Design (EmTech) programme at the Architectural Association and holds a B.Arch and B.Sc in Mathematics from Penn State University. As he sees it, mathematics should no longer be merely an analytical tool in architecture, but instead, it should further our knowledge about the field and push it into new frontiers. Therefore, he believes a new understanding about the role mathematics can play in architecture will redefine the ways in which we approach issues of sustainability.

Presentation 3 | RHEON LABS: Design and computation workflows for sports engineering.

Olga Kravchenko – Head of Design, RHEON LABS – will provide a background to her projects and describe the common computational design workflows in her field. She will also talk about current issues and her research areas.

Olga Kravchenko is a product designer specialising in computational design methods for sport engineering and metamaterials. Olga is the Head of Design at and Product at RHEON LABS, leading a multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers, and scientists to create innovative products for sports. She was part of the company since its inception in 2018 and co-wrote some if its key patents. In addition, Olga is Teaching Fellow in Design Engineering at Imperial College London, where she leads the Advanced Industrial Design module focusing on Computational Design methods and solving design problems with metamaterials. Olga graduated from the MSc in Emergent Technologies and Design in 2014. 

Presentation 4 | Advances in Biomaterial Design: Employing Rattan Canes and 3D Printed Joinery for Modular Lightweight Structures

This presentation delves into the innovative use of rattan canes in generative design, focusing on large-scale fabrication and assembly technologies. Rattan is chosen for its unique properties of renewability, flexibility, and durability, surpassing other biomaterials like bamboo and willow, especially for lightweight structures. The study involves creating a full-scale working prototype, guided by principles from natural fibre structures. It incorporates advanced techniques like robotic rattan manipulation, empirical material testing to determine mechanical properties, and computational simulations using Grasshopper and Finite Element Analysis. A notable innovation is the use of 3D-printed joinery from recycled plastic, enhancing both sustainability and aesthetic value. The modular design of the project underlines its sustainable approach, showcasing rattan’s potential in redefining architectural processes and opening new avenues for the use of biomaterials in large-scale constructions integrated with emerging fabrication technologies.

Dr Elif Erdine is the Co-Director of the Emergent Technologies and Design postgraduate programme at the AA. She is an architect and researcher. During 2010-2015, Elif Erdine conducted her PhD at the Architectural Association PhD in Design Programme, titled ‘Generative Processes in Tower Design: Algorithms for the Integration of Tower Subsystems’. Since 2010 she has been directing various AA Visiting School programmes (AA Istanbul VS, AA DLAB), exploring generative design techniques, and integration of algorithmic design methods with large-scale digital fabrication tools. Her research interests include the role of individual building within complex urban systems, the exploration of urban data as design drivers, biomimicry, and robotic design and fabrication. She has presented her research in Design Studies, eCAADe, CAAD Futures, SimAUD, and ACADIA, among others.

Dr Milad Showkatbakhsh is the Co-Director of the Emergent Technologies and Design Postgraduate Programme. He holds a PhD from the Architectural Association. After obtaining his BSc. in Architectural Engineering from Shahid Beheshti University, he completed his MArch from Pratt Institute where he graduated with Sidney Katz award for design excellence in 2015. Milad has worked for several architecture and design firms in Asia, U.S.A and Europe as design technology specialist such as Contemporary Architecture Practice (CAP) amongst others. His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Milad is the co-director of the AA Visiting School programmes (AA Istanbul visiting, AA DLAB) with the research focus on integration of algorithmic design methods with large-scale digital fabrication tools. He is the co-founder and the active developer of ‘Wallacei’, an evolutionary and analytic engine with embedded machine learning algorithms that gives users full control over their evolutionary simulations in Grasshopper 3D. 

The Grasshopper UK User Group Meetings are Organised by Simply Rhino

Meeting Sponsored by Chaos and BEAM

The post Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting | 6th March 2024 appeared first on Rhino 3D.

Grasshopper Meetings – Background

Grasshopper (GH) for Rhino3D is a visual programming language and graphical algorithm editor that is seamlessly integrated with Rhino. Grasshopper allows users to create complex parametric designs and algorithms through a visual interface, without the need for traditional programming code.

Grasshopper User Group Meetings are events where users come together to share knowledge, experiences, and insights. During these user meetings, participants typically discuss various aspects of using Grasshopper for design, modelling, and analysis.

The meetings include presentations by experienced users, industry professionals and software developers, showcasing innovative projects, demonstrating advanced techniques, and introducing new features or updates. Participants often have the opportunity to engage in discussions, ask questions, and network with other Grasshopper and Rhino enthusiasts.

These user meetings play a valuable role in building a community around Grasshopper and Rhino3D, fostering collaboration, and providing a platform for users to stay informed about the latest developments in the software. They are an excellent way for users to enhance their skills, stay connected with the community, and gain inspiration for their own design and modelling projects.

November 2023 Meeting Introduction

The event was opened by Paul Cowell from Simply Rhino, who, after expressing gratitude to the participants, briefly introduced the guests presenters: Inés Brotons Borrell and Selim Helse, from AKT II, Federico Borello, co-founder of Encode, and Yavor Stoikov, from Chaos Group. Paul also mentioned the simultaneous release of Rhino version 8, inviting those interested to direct their questions to Luis Fraguada and Carla Sologuren from McNeel Europe in Barcelona who were also in the room. After his short introduction Paul handed over to Inés to begin the presentations.

First Presenter: Inés Brotons Borrell, from AKT II Engineers.

Inés introduced three case projects from AKT II, highlighting the pivotal role of Grasshopper and Rhino in generating valuable digital information for structural and geotechnical analysis and manufacturing purposes. She emphasised the adaptability of GH across three distinct workflows employed in the Eagle Island project in Canada, in a sculpture by artist Godfrey DeWitt, and in a confidential project, where geotechnical analysis played a crucial role in informing key decisions at the project’s early stages.

Workflow 1: In the Eagle Island project, the primary challenge pertained to the geometric intricacies inherent in the structure. Specifically, the upper shell exhibits a free-form design, necessitating the utilisation of advanced engineering methodologies by AKT to conceptualise and engineer its roof structure. The design approach employed in this context is characterised by a monocoque configuration, reinforced with stiffeners. Undoubtedly, a notable challenge in this endeavour was the analytical assessment of the asymmetrical nature inherent in this free-form structure. Inés provided some key insights into the methodologies employed to address and overcome this challenge:

• The initial base surfaces, provided by the architects, underwent a remodelling process by AKT II, to serve as input for structural analysis using SAP. This remodelled data was then integrated into Revit, retaining editability to accommodate any design changes introduced by the architects during the development phase.
• Grasshopper and Rhino played a pivotal role during this transitional phase, facilitating the generation of a series of essential diverse sections.
• Specific sections, chosen from this array, were utilised in the generation of the monocoque stiffeners.
• Intersections between sections and additional planes resulted in the formation of a grid of points, which acted as input for the creation of a mesh for structural analysis. Notably, the sections exhibited curvature, while the transverse stiffeners took on a faceted appearance.
• The subsequent process involved iterative exchanges with SAP, wherein stiffeners were adjusted iteratively, optimising their placement for structural efficiency. This iterative approach was critical not only for structural optimisation, but also for seamlessly accommodating window perforations.
• Mesh density control was implemented to ensure that the digital representation of the structure accurately captured the intricacies of the design, thereby contributing to a comprehensive analysis of the project’s geometric complexities.
• Rhino.Inside also played a critical role in interfacing with Revit, ensuring seamless communication between the computational design environment and the broader BIM platform.

Workflow 2. Inés focused on the realisation of a sculpture crafted by artist DeWitt Godfrey, presenting a distinctive and intricate artistic challenge. Grasshopper played a pivotal role in facilitating the generation of complex shapes that precisely aligned with the artist’s vision. The parametric controls provided meticulous control over both form and structure, seamlessly transitioning between the artistic design and the structural analysis phases. The integration of Grasshopper in this workflow aimed to achieve a harmonious balance between aesthetic considerations and engineering requirements. Even in this case study, Inés provided some key insights into the methodologies employed to address and overcome this challenge:

• The artist actively participated in the fabrication process, leveraging the information provided to support manufacturing endeavours. In the initial iteration of his projects, the sculptures featured overlapping closed hoops, subsequently evolving into open ribbon-like forms, like in this case study project.
• The artist directly provided the geometry for these sculptures in Rhino.
• Rhino and Grasshopper were employed to construct the geometry, involving an iterative collaboration process with the artist to refine the design.
• The geometry underwent a meticulous remodelling process, mainly in Rhino, incorporating considerations for the site’s boundary conditions, machinery constraints, material considerations and structural connections.
• Site constraints involved planar anchorages situated at the base. Material considerations involved the implementation of a two-layered steel structure. Additionally, machinery constraints necessitated the structural division and interconnection of ribbon components. To ensure structural stability, all ribbons had to be interconnected.
• This iteration was followed by automation in Grasshopper in term of manufacturing information, playing a crucial role in managing the ribbon’s thickness, naming and identification of all the components and various other parameters.
• The entire process was automated, generating comprehensive lists of components and streamlining the overall production workflow. This automation contributed to a more efficient and systematic approach to the project’s execution.

Second Presenter: Selim Helse, from AKT II Engineers.

Workflow 3. Selim focused on a Geotechnical Analysis application of Rhino and Grasshopper. Due to confidentiality constraints, only broad and non-specific information about the project could be shared. The geometric data for this site analysis was derived from an extensive master plan, and Grasshopper played a crucial role in the early stages to allow the Client to make strategic decisions on positioning foundations, conducting excavations, all with a primary emphasis on minimising blasting activities and containing costs. Selim provided some key insights into the methodologies aimed at overcoming this challenge:

• The initial survey data, presented in 25 Excel sheets, encompassed both spatial and non-spatial information, such as comprehensive dataset based on Shear Wave Velocity techniques (a technique measuring the speed at which shear waves travel through subsurface materials, providing valuable information about soil or rock properties).
• This data was processed in Rhino, Grasshopper and C# to finally generate a stratigraphic 3D model. The key objective was to identify soil types via about 460,000 pieces of clean data, generating 22 sections strategically spaced every 50 meters. To address missing data between the sections, horizontal and vertical interpolations were applied, generating additional resolution.
• The Delaunay component in Grasshopper was used to generate the next iteration, consisting of mesh planes, serving as the foundational data for the creation of three-dimensional meshes and stratigraphy.
• Finally, a Point Cloud and 3D surfaces were generated for the purpose of presentations, calculation of volumes, using colour differentiation on iso-surfaces to distinguish types of materials (sand, sandstone etc).
• This output facilitated a quantitative analysis of the composition of the site, assessing the proportions of sand, sandstone, and other soil constituents.
• Grasshopper was also utilised to exclude data exceeding site constraints, ensuring a thorough evaluation of soil conditions for excavation, based on the ease of material management.

The overarching goal of this geotechnical analysis was to minimise the need for extensive excavations and fill, reduce reliance on blasting, search for optimal pile location and ultimately contain overall project costs. The advanced use of Grasshopper in this workflow contributed to a systematic approach to geotechnical planning and decision-making, aligning with the project’s financial and environmental objectives.

Conclusions

The exploration of these three distinct workflows underlines the remarkable versatility and adaptability of Grasshopper in seamlessly integrating with diverse project requirements.

Whether addressing geometric complexities, translating artistic expressions into tangible structures, or delving into the intricacies of geotechnical analyses, Grasshopper has demonstrated its capacity to navigate a spectrum of challenges with precision and efficacy. The tool’s ability to flexibly accommodate varying project demands affirms its standing as a robust tool capable of enhancing creativity, collaboration, and efficiency across multifaceted design and engineering endeavours.

Third Presenter: Federico Borello, co-founder of ENCODE.

The first part of Federico’s presentation focused on the concept of Construction-Aware design, emphasising Encode’s commitment to bridging the gaps between design, architecture, and construction through technological transfer. The second part delved into a specific project, with Federico leveraging his extensive experience at Zaha Hadid, particularly in design, with Massimiliano contributing to the delivery side of the project.

Presentation of ENCODE

Federico introduced Encode’s motivation to facilitate a seamless flow of technology across diverse design sectors, drawing inspiration from industries such as aerospace and automotive and combining the field of Research, Design, Computation and Construction to deliver a Product, which can be physical or digital. Encode’s collaborative approach was also highlighted, comparing the Traditional Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) project delivery approach method to the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model, in which all the stakeholders share the information since the early stages, with a particular emphasis on shifting early project stages to anticipate changes that could have significant impacts in terms of costing and timeline (Effort vs Effect diagram).

A critical focal point of the discussion pertained to the integration of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) within Encode’s workflow. This framework predominantly relies on the utilisation of Rhino and Grasshopper, complemented by interfacing with other pertinent software platforms or developing in-house code as necessary. The presentation highlighted the paramount importance of transitioning from a traditional Drawing-Based approach to a Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) approach, embracing a Design for Manufacture and Assembly model-based strategy (DfMA). This shift involves constructing a “zero tolerance” model, serving as a comprehensive information repository, accessible for specific queries by different stakeholders. The comparison of viewing a building in a manner analogous to a car was introduced, emphasising the importance of design for manufacturing and assembly principles within the construction sector.

Encode adheres to a Level of Development/Design/Detail paradigm (LOD) ranging from stage 1 to 4, where the model is tailored to each stage, offering varying levels of information. This spans from LOD 100, which involves topological representation, up to LOD 400, signifying a digital representation suitable for manufacturing.

Presentation of Tumbalong Green Stage, Sydney

The second part of the presentation focused on a notable project situated in Sydney, encompassing the development of a timber canopy that extends over a stage, spanning across various levels of design (LOD). Federico provided some key insights into the methodologies aimed at overcoming this challenge:

• The workflow adopted for this project prioritised effective communication and collaboration within the team, showcasing and sharing progress with all relevant stakeholders. The entire project, from conception to completion, spanned a period of 9 months and was designed by the renowned architectural firm Hassel in Sydney. The structural components, integrating timber and steel elements, were designed by TTW engineers.
• A remarkable aspect of the project was the construction of the 50-metre span gridshell (on its length), featuring impressive 25-metre cantilevers. Encode joined the project at the very early stage, favourable to allow a proactive approach to identify potential challenges, with a particular focus on the intricacies of unique connections (+240) within the structure.
• The significance of maintaining awareness among all parties involved was underlined, particularly concerning the complexities associated with unique connections and the related costing implications.
• Manufacturing took place entirely in Europe, with the final components shipped in containers to Australia. Encode also contributed to the optimization challenge of standard shipping containers usage to fit the stacked timber beams.
• Throughout the process, a substantial number of drawings were generated, translating all project information into a comprehensive 3D model.
• A noteworthy departure from traditional practices was highlighted, where the contractor validated the 3D model, as opposed to relying solely on 2D drawings.
• The subsequent stages involved pre-assembly activities and the transportation of components to the construction site, with detailed installation sequences and iteration strategies.
• The importance of data exchange was emphasised, leading to the adoption of Speckle towards the project’s conclusion. Speckle facilitated visualising the model and querying data through a web-based platform, proving invaluable for collaborative efforts.
• Encode also developed a BTL/BTLx (one of the file standards in timber construction) Grasshopper plugin to send Rhino 3D data to machine files to manufacture the timber components.
• In the final moments of the project, last-minute changes were introduced, prompting the automation of a significant number of drawings—approximately 500-600—including assembly drawings and bills of quantities and materials.
• Finally, Encode was also involved in the as-built phase, supporting the contractor checking what was built and what was digitally planned, correcting unexpected tolerance on the fly, on a day to day basis.

All ENCODE presentation images courtesy of ENCODE.

Yavor Stoikov from Chaos Group was also present at the meeting and updated the group on the latest developments on V-Ray for Rhino, Enscape, & Chaos Vantage.

Takeaways/learning from Grasshopper UK User Group Meeting | November 2023

• Grasshopper is progressively establishing itself as an indispensable and powerful tool, adequate at managing intricately complex designs, right from the initial phases of the design process.
• By considering fabrication requirements in the early stages, one can make informed and methodical decisions, preventing critical factors from being determined in the advanced stages of the design process, where they could have significant implications for delivery timelines and costs.
• Collaboration among diverse professionals is of paramount importance, to ensure comprehensive awareness and understanding among all team members.
• These presentations highlight the crucial significance of involving all design stakeholders right from the project’s inception. Finally, sharing workflows with other professionals is crucial for their adaptability to various projects across the industry.

The next Grasshopper UK meeting will take place in early 2024, to be among the first to hear about our upcoming events make sure you’re signed-up to our newsletter and to the Simply Rhino social channels including LinkedIn and Instagram.

Grasshopper UK User Group meetings are organised by Simply Rhino. If you’re interested in participating in a future meeting by way of presenting, or perhaps you’d like to host a meeting at your offices, then please get in touch with Paul or Stephanie at Simply Rhino, we’d love to hear from you. 

The post Grasshopper UK UGM November 2023 – Meeting Notes appeared first on Rhino 3D.