The latest update of GRAPHISOFT’s Grasshopper-ARCHICAD live connection
opens a new level of intelligent workflows between the two design environments:
algorithmic design… and BIM.
With the “Deconstruct” function, architects can use their Building Information Models as the backbone of their design,
and at the same time add algorithmic design logic using Grasshopper.
This allows designers to maintain the basic design logic in BIM (such as the base geometry of the building)
and extend that with intelligent design details that follow changes in the core design.
Let’s take the example of the conceptual design phase, when architects create the first mass of building volumes,
then later want to add walls, roofs, slabs, and windows and doors as well, based on the conceptual mass model.
All we need to do is create a simple mock-up of the building volume using the MORPH tool in ARCHICAD.
It is unnecessary to divide the volume with floor slabs, etc.
This will be done using parametric data through the Grasshopper connection.
We continue by defining the location and shape of the windows using a simple planar ARCHICAD object.
We added additional properties to the conceptual Morph volumes.
Here you can see all the "Grasshopper Building Data" properties we added in ARCHICAD.
These additional Morph properties provide information about the number of stories,
the height of the individual stories as well as the wall, slab and roof thicknesses.
These properties may also be edited later on, if necessary.
Now it’s time to connect the ARCHICAD building volume with Grasshopper!
We will add the new Morph shape to the code using the 3D window of ARCHICAD.
Using Grasshopper’s functions, we "deconstructed" the MORPHs
and used their acquired properties to later arrive back in ARCHICAD with a complete Building Information Model,
containing genuine ARCHICAD wall, roof, slab, window and door elements.
The advantage of the ARCHICAD-Grasshopper Connection really comes to life,
when the shape or geometry of the conceptual building design is modified.
When adjusting the geometry of the Morph or the corresponding MORPH parameters,
the associated BIM model will update automatically.
Without the live connection tool, manually modifying all the building elements would have taken a considerable amount of time.
Here, there is no manual process necessary,
and any modifications to the original source volume will result in instant changes.
The building project example presented in this movie is part of a BIM reconstruction project
created by Michele Calvano
architect, researcher at the Department of History, Drawing and Restoration at the Sapienza University, in Roma
and Mario Sacco architect, BIM expert from ArchiRADAR.
Please view the corresponding video that presents the entire workflow.
The ARCHICAD–Grasshopper live connection tool ensures a seamless workflow,
taking the design from conceptual mass creation to the creation of real wall, slab, roof and opening elements
based on the conceptual shapes.
