Assignment

Project 2 - Algorithms, Scripting, and AI for Parametric Design

Due 4/22, Monday, 10:00PM
Weight 50%
Course ARCH 655
Project Requirements
You are expected to create more powerful model definition and better defined parametric designs, with the use of any combination of the three advanced methods: (1) algorithms, especially Genetic Algorithm; (2) scripting; and/or (3) Generative AI that can expend the capability of existing tools and help you create your own parametric modeling method. Use of Generative AI is highly encouraged.

This project can be built based on Project 1, with improvement of existing models, and new design, data, content, and/or methods added. You can also choose to build this project on another building design/model of your own, instead of Project 1.

Your tasks include:

1. Homework and Tutorials (15 pts)

Complete all the exercises assigned for the second phase. Follow the deadlines and submission procedures for each exercise. The completeness of the tutorials and on time submission will count toward part of the final grade of this project.

2. Parametric Modeling through Algorithms, Scripting, and/or Generative AI: develop your parametric modeling definition using the techniques we have studied in the course. You may improve your Project 1 to implement new ideas. (45 pts.)

Examples are:

  • 2.1. Using Genetic Algorithm to optimize your design.
  • 2.2. Using external data (e.g. through Excel) to drive your model.
  • 2.3. Using scripting to implement conditional statements (IF Then) for different design options.
  • 2.4. Using scripting to loop and create patterns.
  • 2.5. Use scripting and/or other tools to link between parametric geometry (in Rhino/Grasshopper) and BIM (in Revit).
  • 2.6. Using Parametric Design Patterns to add components to your models.
  • 2.7. Using AI to render your parametric modeling result into different design options.
  • 2.8. Using AI to help you learn and use a parametric modeling function or method and document the learning process.
  • 2.9. Using a Grasshopper plugin of ChatGPT to enhance the modeling process.
  • 2.10. Using OpenAI API to create a Grasshopper plugin for using AI in the modeling process.
  • 2.11. Other applications (think creatively).

3. Document your project (20 pts.)

Save screenshots of the models and data display, including views, and running process, etc.
Publish the documentation on your blog.
In addition, you are expected to create a movie (up to 4 minutes in length) by capturing your computer screen that demonstrates your models, parametric design, AI, and user interaction with your voiceover as narrative. You can use Zoom recording of shared screen and other software to make and edit the movie. Upload the movie to your Blog (making sure the video quality is high).
Suggested resolution: 1920x1080 pixels. Suggested format: MP4. Clear images and sound are expected.
Here's instruction about posting videos on Blogger

4. Final presentation (10 pts)

Please make sure your movie on your blog is ready to be played before we start the presentation.
Please also submit your movie with other files to Canvas.

5. Submission

5.1 Application submission to canvas.tamu.edu

Item Details
Project folder name Project2_Final_YourFirstname_YourLastname
Files in the folder Models, definitions, images, screenshots of the models and data display, including model views, data views, AI images, and running process, instructions about how to run your application, presentation movie, etc., organized into good a folder structure.
File to submit Project2_Final_YourFirstname_YourLastname.zip
Submit to https://canvas.tamu.edu/ ARCH655->Content->Project 2_Final

5.2. Submission to the Web

Create a web blog page containing your Final Project description, screenshots, presentation movie, and links to other pages. Your name and "ARCH655 Final Project" should appear on your blog page. Check the following page and click your project2 thumbnail to confirm that the link is pointing to your blog.
/students/

Item Details
Web Your Blog page on Blogger.com
Items on the page 1. Description/documentation
2. Images/screenshots
3. Presentation movie
Embed images and the movie into the text, and make the images clickable to show the images in their original size.

5.3 Submission of your project thumbnail to Canvas

Create a 160x120 pixel thumbnail image based on your exterior rendering. Save it as Project2_YourFirstname_YourLastname.jpg, and upload it to https://canvas.tamu.edu/

Item Details
File Project2_YourFirstname_YourLastname.jpg
Submit to https://canvas.tamu.edu ARCH655->Content->Project 2_Thumbnail

Check your web page and links from /students/. Make sure everything works by the due time. (Thumbnails will be displayed before presentation.)

Objectives
Understand and experience advanced, algorithm- and scripting-based, and AI-enhanced parametric modeling methods.
Evaluation
Your work will be judged on its technical quality and on its visual content.

6. About Exceptional and Extra Work (10 pts):

As stated in Syllabus, a project is given 90% as a basis for "Satisfactory work, meet standards". Based on project requirements, errors will cause reduction of points and exceptional or extra work is awarded with extra points.

Examples of Exceptional and Extra Work:

  1. A very well defined, advanced parametric model utilizing techniques that we learned in class, with high quality documentation documenting the background, design ideas, and implementation.
  2. Using techniques/tools that we didn't learn in class together with Rhino/Grasshopper to create your models, with excellent explanation and documentation.
  3. Creative use of Parametric Design Patterns in the project.
  4. Highly creative design and modeling.

7. See Students page for previous projects and sample movies

8. Useful Resources about Genetic Algorithm, optimization, simulation, and parametric modeling

(Note some tools may have updated versions)

8.1 Genetic Algorithm

8.2. Galapagos Tutorial and Samples

8.3 Optimization Methods

8.4. Energy and Daylight Simulation in Grasshopper

A few resources to help you get started with Honeybee and Ladybug (Credits: Anton Szilasi).

8.5. More about Parametric Simulation and Optimization

8.6 From Texas A&M University

BIM-based Parametric Study with Visual Programming: Multi-Objective Optimization

8.7 More Samples:

http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/org/tsunghsw-design/02_Patterns.html

8.8 Additional Tools