Drawing from the Model

FRANK P. MELENDEZ teaches at The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, City College of New York. His teaching and research engage topics pertaining to architectural drawing and 3D modeling, digital fabrication, computational design, emerging materials, responsive systems, physical computing, and robotics. He has held academic appointments at Carnegie Mellon University and Louisiana State University, and has been supported through grants and fellowships, including the MacDowell Colony. Frank is a partner at Augmented Architectures, a research and design practice in New York, NY, and has professional experience working at prominent offices, including Gehry Partners, LLP and Urban A&O. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Arizona and a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University.

• Foreword viiiAcknowledgments ixIntroduction xPart 1: Architectural Representation and Digital TechnologiesChapter 1: Architectural Drawing 31.1 Drawing and Perception 31.2 Drawing from Observation and Imagination 61.3 Drawing and Projection 111.4 Drawing Methods 15Endnotes 29Chapter 2: Architectural Models 302.1 Physical Models 302.2 3D Models 372.3 Digital Fabrication 47Endnotes 58Chapter 3: Architecture and Computing 603.1 Digital Concepts 603.2 Computing in Architecture 633.3 Developments in 3D Modeling 66Endnotes 69Part 2: 3D Modeling and GeometryChapter 4: The 3D Modeling Environment 724.1 Surface Types 724.2 The Rhinoceros Interface 744.3 Units and Scale 794.4 Navigation 804.5 Visualization Methods 80Endnote 80Chapter 5: 2D Drawing 815.1 Drafting 815.2 Points and Lines 825.3 Curve Control Points 885.4 Working with Lines and Planar Curves 92Endnotes 98Chapter 6: 3D Modeling 996.1 Solid Models 996.2 Planar and Space Curves 1046.3 Surfaces 1056.4 Modeling NURBS Surfaces 1096.5 Working with NURBS Surfaces 112Endnotes 118Chapter 7: Generating Linework 1197.1 Wireframe Linework 1197.2 Contour Linework 1217.3 Paneling Linework 124Endnote 125Part 3: Architectural Design Drawings and GraphicsChapter 8: Generating 2D Projections 1288.1 Architectural Projections 1288.2 Setting Up a View 1388.3 Clipping Planes 1398.4 Orthographic Projections 1408.5 Axonometric Projections 1458.6 Perspective Projections 147Endnotes 149Chapter 9: Architectural Design Drawings 1509.1 Linework Overview 1509.2 Exporting Linework 1539.3 The Adobe Illustrator Interface 1659.4 Setting Up the Page 1689.5 Line Weightsand Line Types 1709.6 Lines, Curves, and Shapes 1759.7 Color 1799.8 Text 1859.9 Raster Graphics 188Endnotes 192Part 4: Computational DesignChapter 10: Parameters and Algorithms 19510.1 Parameters and Constraints 19510.2 Algorithms 197Endnotes 198Chapter 11: Visual Programming 19911.1 The Grass hopper Interface 19911.2 Visualization Methods 20211.3 Components 20311.4 Component Types 205Endnotes 216Chapter 12: Geometric Patterns 21712.1 Tessellations 21712.2 Spirals 22212.3 Pattern Effects 227Endnotes 235Chapter 13: Parametric Modeling 23613.1 Parametric Surfaces 23613.2 Paneling Surfaces 23813.3 Modular Assemblies 241Endnotes 252Chapter 14: Simulations and Data Visualizations 25314.1 Simulations 25314.2 Environmental Simulations 25514.3 Physics Simulations 262Endnotes 268Chapter 15: Robotics and Physical Computing 26915.1 Robotics 26915.2 Physical Computing 27715.3 Arduino Hardware and Software 283Endnotes 297Appendix: Design Drawing and Modeling ExercisesDrawing Exercises 2983D Modeling Exercises 305Computational Design Exercises 313Selected Bibliography 321Index 325

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