Grasshopper & Rhino Workshop

Fast Track to Parametric Urban Design

Duration: 3 hours
Instructors: Iuliia Osintseva, Andrii Pavlov, and team

🎯 Task 1: Getting Started

Check whether you have access to the tutorial page and resources

Part I: What Can Grasshopper Do?

Inspiring Examples from the Community

Complex Architectural Forms

• Lukasz Domagala’s Script: Generates intricate parametric pavilions and complex geometric structures
• Result: Stunning architectural forms with mathematical precision

Kiteboard Design

• Kiteboardshaper’s Algorithm: Custom surfboard and kiteboard design through parametric modeling
• Result: Optimized hydrodynamic shapes for water sports equipment

Computational Art & Pattern Generation

Source

Urban Planning Applications

• Multi-Factor Building Placement Algorithm (Egor Gavrilov)
  • Analyzes site conditions, regulations, and environmental factors
  • Automatically places buildings based on multiple criteria

• Placing Buildings Facing Street (Egor Gavrilov)

• Street Network Generation
  • Creates realistic street layouts using tensor fields
  • Generates organic, navigable urban networks

DecodingSpaces Toolbox

https://decodingspaces-toolbox.org/

Part II: Let’s Dive In!

Workshop Structure: 6 Progressive Tasks

1. Interface & Basic Components (10 minutes)

Goal: Navigate Grasshopper and understand basic functionality

Components to explore:

• Numbers & Sliders
• Text & Text Tags
• List Items
• Basic data types

2. Basic Geometry Creation (15 minutes)

Goal: Create foundational geometric shapes

Components:

• Points & Coordinates
• Rectangles & Circles
• Polylines & Polygons
• 3D Boxes & Surfaces
• Meshes
• Referencing geometry from Rhino

3. Parametric Modeling Basics (30 minutes)

Goal: Understanding parametric design principles

Exercise: Create adaptive models

• Variable-sized building arrays
• Point grids with parameters
• Combine: Sliders + Referenced Geometry + Visual Feedback

Components:

• Color Preview
• Grids & Random generators
• Parameter relationships

4. Data Management & Lists/Trees (50 minutes)

Goal: Handle complex data for urban design projects

Exercises:

• Text Analysis: Extract vowels/consonants → Concatenate results
• List Operations:
  • Sub-lists (Cull Pattern, Sift Pattern, Cull Index)
  • Merge operations (Pick’n’Choose, Weave, Merge)
  • Sorting algorithms
• Tree Structures: List ↔ Tree conversions
• Practical Application: Find closest curves to attractor points
• Tree Operations: Flatten, Graft, Simplify, Trim Tree

5. Introduction to Attractors (20 minutes)

Goal: Create responsive urban design solutions

Exercise: Build attractor systems

• Scale geometry based on proximity
• Create responsive spacing patterns
• Applications in urban design:
  • Building density gradients
  • Green space distribution
  • Infrastructure placement

6. Geometrical Intersections (15 minutes)

Goal: Refine designs with boundary conditions

Exercise: Weimar City Planning Simulation

• Randomly distribute buildings on map
• Apply boundary constraints
• Cull buildings outside designated zones

Key Components:

• Trim with Region
• Boundary Surfaces
• Boolean Operations
• Curve-Curve Intersections (CCX)
• Surface Split operations

Practical Urban Design Applications

Real-World Use Cases:

• Site Analysis: Topography, solar exposure, wind patterns
• Zoning Compliance: Automated building code checking
• Density Studies: Population distribution modeling
• Infrastructure: Street layouts, utility networks
• Environmental Analysis: Green corridors, water management

Resources & Next Steps

Online Communities:

• McNeel Grasshopper Forum
• Grasshopper Documentation
• Decoding Spaces Toolbox: toolbox.decodingspaces.net

Workshop Goals Achieved:

✅ Interface Mastery: Navigate Grasshopper confidently
✅ Geometric Foundation: Create and manipulate 3D forms
✅ Parametric Thinking: Design adaptive, flexible systems
✅ Data Management: Handle complex urban datasets
✅ Responsive Design: Use attractors for intelligent layouts
✅ Real-World Application: Apply tools to actual urban challenges

Questions & Hands-On Practice

Remember: Grasshopper is a visual programming language – think in flows and relationships, not just individual objects!