The construction for the Physical Activities and Wellness Centre at the University of Alberta is underway. Progress is being made through groundbreaking and demolition to make room for the new building. [ CLOSE ]

Using grasshopper + Rhino for unique design under tight cost constraints.

With an original concept of a 'site responsive' aurora borealis, the design grew with a desire to create a unique piece that could serve as a landmark in the concourse of the Edmonton International Airport.

After exploring numerous materials to create the lit panels, we settled on an edge lit, scored acrylic panel. By using a local CNC operator to fabricate the piece, the labor and cost was kept to a minimum, while still allowing a unique piece.

Using a combination of Rhino with Grasshopper also allowed a significant time savings over an all 'manual' approach. Grasshopper is a plugin for Rhino, a 3d modelling software that started as an industrial design tool. It happens to be a fantastic fabrication tool as a result.

In this case, the process is extremely simple – using grasshopper, the cut lines were generated from segmenting an organizing curve into sections of randomized length. Those points were then used as start points for the cut lines - giving them a vector (y) and a randomized start and finish length. This allowed the entire design to be easily parametric; when the height of the panels changed, all the score lines could be adjusted by simply moving the curve to fit the new size.

The file was then transferred to the fabricator (Plastics Plus) who cut the panels and shipped them to have vinyl applied for the cityscape on the bottom (laser cut vinyl).

The fabrication process was an extremely simple application of grasshopper+Rhino, but resulted in a unique and interesting final product, achieved within a reasonable budget.
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ACAD's best student work in art, craft and design will be available for sale, and, new this year - Show + Show, guided tours of student exhibitions throughout the ACAD campus.

November 22 - 24, 2012
ACAD

Thursday and Friday | 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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