surfaceBlendShapeField is a grasshopper definition that first creates a morpher or blend shape type of relation between two surfaces (base and target) and then creates a two dimensional array of the base surface. Each surface is affected by the morphing effect according to its distance for a set of point and/or curve attractors.
Download the definition and an example file here.

morphField is a script implemented in maxscript that creates a (2-dimentional or 3-dimentional) array of an object that is loaded with several morph targets. The multiplier of each target is affected by its distance from an attractor point and the range of that point that can be found and edited in the modify panel with the attractor selected. Each different target is affected by a different locator/point. In order to use the script:

Create the base object and as many targets as needed. Run the scripts and follow the instruction on the UI.

note: the tag ‘select: true’ in the ‘pickObject’ command that would highlight the selection of the targets in the viewport seems broken in max 2010 and 2011, while it seems to work on 2012. uncomment if you are using 2012 (line 94).

Download the script here.

This is a script implemented in mel that created a (2-dimentional or 3-dimentional) array of an object that is loaded with several blendShapes. The multiplier of each blendShape is affected by its distance from an attractor point. Each different blendShape is affected by a different locator/point. In order to use the script:

BEFORE running the script do:
1. create an object to use a seed and name it theSeed
2. dublicate theSeed up to 10 times and transform the dublicates at will. name the new objects theTarget1, theTarget2 etc.
3. create as many space locators as the target objects and name them attractor1, attractor2 etc.

4. RUN the script.
in the generated UI:
5. enter the # of rows, # of clms, x step and y step values.
6. enter the # of blendShapes value. It HAS to be equal to the number of target objects.
7. hit ‘create field’.
8. select each locator. in the attribute editor, under extra attributes, adjust the range values.

Download the script here (save link as…)

fluidsToBlendShapes is a script implemented in mel that connects with an expression the density of each cell of a fluid container with the multiplier of the blend shape of an object arrayed in a two-dimensional grid. In order to use the script:

BEFORE running the script do:
1. create an object to use a seed and name it theSeed
2. dublicate theSeed up to 10 times and transform the dublicates at will. Name the new objects theTarget1, theTarget2 etc.
3. create as many fluids as the target objects and name them fluidMap1, fluidMap2 etc.
3a add to the fluid emitter(s) fields etc. this can be done/edited also after you run the script.

4. RUN the script.
in the generated UI:
5. enter the # of rows, # of clms, x step and y step values. the first couple of numbers have to be less or equal to the resolution of the fluid (equal for better results).
6. enter the # of blendShapes value. It HAS to be equal to the number of target objects and the number of fluid containers.
7. hit ‘create field’.
8. the blendShape value of each created object is connected with an expression with the density of the respective grid cell of the fluid.

Download the script here (save link as…).

Hilberd snowflake, is a Christmas decoration, part of a larger set of Christmas decorations designed and fabricated for a charity bazaar. The snowflake gets assembled from a number of laser cut parts that fill a 10X10cm plane. It utilizes all the cut parts without wasting any material. The shapes of the parts are based on pieces resulting when cutting a modified version of the fourth iteration of the hilbert curve.

A new infrared project, under the title 313/315 is part of the SYMBIOSIS exhibition at the hotel Ariston, in the context of the XV Biennale de la Mediterranee. The exhibition is opening on Friday, October 7th, at Hotel Ariston, Dioikitiriou (Karaoli & Dimitriou) 5. Starting at 21:00 and onwards.

Object-e will give a lecture on October 1st in the first open plein air for young architects workshop, organized by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Sophia in Sithonia, Greece. Title of the presentation is “Beyond Representation: Computation as a Generative Field“. Invitation: Tasos Telios.

My own garden is an entry for the “Design for Social Housing” Competition, organized by the Hellenic Institute of Architects, where it was awarded with an Honorable Mention. The competition was asking for a social housing development in Axios, an area outside the city of Thessaloniki.
Main concept of the proposal was to provide an independent lot, an independent housing unit and subsequently an independent garden for every future user. Along this line of thinking the available space is divided in long, horizontal stripes, oriented from east to west, in order to provide maximum density while at the same time giving access to the ground level for the housing units. Concrete walls are placed on the long sides of the stripes, defining the properties, providing privacy besides the dense ground plan and becoming the main structural element of the units. Between the walls, that bare opening where necessary, the rooms and the garden of each house is created.

Object-e will be giving a lecture at the “Rethinking the Human in Technology-Driven Architecture” conference, held in Chania, Greece. Title of the presentation is “Network Protocols / Architectural Protocols. Encoded Design Processes in the Age of Control”. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 10:oo, on Wednesday August 31st, at the Mediterranean Center of Architecture, where the conference is taking place. A full schedule of the conference can be found here.

Sens[e-Res]ponsive Architecture begins on August 22, at Chania, Greece. Updates will come soon on the workshop’s blog.