Zero-E Adds Eco-Bling to Architectural Modeling
BY Cliff KuangThu -via: Fast Company
Woods Bagot and Buro Happold have invented a design program that helps architects and engineers create zero-emissions buildings. These days, progressive architects and engineers wax philosophical about bio-mass digesters, photovoltaics, and water recycling systems. But what is their effect, really? Will they truly make a difference? Woods Bagot, an Australia-based architecture mega-firm, and Buro Happold, a British giant in architectural engineering, have teamed up to produce Zero-E, a system for modeling building performance that might help architects understand the precise effects of all the eco-bling that they add to their buildings. While systems like this already exist for building systems such as LEED, Woods Bagot claims that this is the first time anyone has developed something that integrates such advanced technologies–and tests them against the supremely rigorous standard of zero emissions.
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Over the past couple of years, core.form-ula has been experimenting with Ecotect/Grasshopper connection for developing advanced performative geometries within the design process. As performative design concepts become more accessible to designers, we will see more analysis tools being developed for the design process. Introducing GECO, developed by [uto] Ursula Frick and Grabner Thomas. Geco allows seamless integration Rhino/Grasshopper with Ecotect analysis. As we establish methods for understanding surface-based-analysis, we will be moving into volumetric-base-analysis…this is where the future of performative design will play itself out. I would like to see [uto] develop a tool that integrates energy modeling to live geometry….I have spoken with [uto] and we both feel this an important development that needs to happen. [uto] has informed me they have begun looking into this effort. Enjoy>
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I wanted to feature Ernesto Neto a few years ago when I visited his exhibition at the Hayward Gallery because it touched on many ideas critical to design. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to see some of his installations…I hope this feature post brings you a little closer to the spaces he creates. Enjoy>
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Its been a week since the World Cup has ended and I thought we can remember it by looking back at the production of the soccer ball. It was always interesting to see how players would kick the soccer ball to make it bend in ways you think is not possible….part of this is achievable because of the uniformity of the football and its directional spin. I am in the process of assisting in research that is looking into what is the most efficient topology to obtain the greatest uniformity on a soccer ball. There a many ways of developing optimized or most roundest sphere…have a look at how Adidas does it with the production of the Jabulani.
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