README.md

Assignment 01

Goal: Apply basic Python programming concepts to create a brick-wall (Functions, control structures, lists, geometry)

Main Task

• Create a virtual brick wall using Python and the COMPAS framework.
• Your brick dimensions as well as wall height and length should react parametrically to the provided input sliders.
• Implement the wall such that every other row is offset by half the brick's length to mimic a strecher bond pattern.

Details

• Create a Python script that generates a 3D representation of a brick wall.
• Each brick should be represented as an instance of the Box class from the COMPAS geometry module.
• Create a fully parametric brick wall by making use of the provided number sliders:
  • Use the input sliders for the brick dimensions (xsize, ysize and zsize).
  • Use the input sliders for the number of rows and columns(row_count and column_count) to control the number of bricks in both directions.
• Ensure that the data type of the input sliders matches those specified on the prepared number sliders. (Right-click each of the inputs and navigate to Type hint.)

Bonus Tasks

• Introduce a mortar gap (Moertelfuge) between the bricks of a fixed size across all bricks. Ensure that the gap size is consistent across all bricks.

Functions, Classes, Methods, and Statements You Will Need

• Geometric types (Box, Point from COMPAS).
• Loop statements (for loops for generating rows and columns).
• Conditional statements (for applying row offset).

Challenge 01

Rotate the bricks following any logic you want, for example, according to their distance from a reference point (attractor point) in 3D space. The rotation will create a visual pattern that is very recognizable as computational design aesthetics. This is an essential exercise in computational design, as you will learn how to bring different things into a numerical relationship.

Details

• Starting point is your script of the main task, most things remain the same but after moving the brick to its position, you will add a rotation.
• Rotations are done using the method .rotate() inside the frame of an object. For example, to rotate a box around the point (0, 0, 0), you can do: box.frame.rotate(3.14 / 2, point=(0, 0, 0)) Notice that the angle of rotation is in RADIANS, not degrees. You can find more details in the the API reference of COMPAS framework for the class Frame.
• The amount of rotation can be determined by any logic of your choice: fixed, random, based on arithmetic, based on geometry (e.g. euclidean distance), based on maths (e.g. apply the math.sin function to a value), etc.

Bonus

• If you use an attractor point as reference, you can choose to use a referenced point from Grasshopper instead of hard-coding the attractor point.

Challenge 02

Improve the previous script (either with or without challenge 01) by introducing half-bricks at the start and end of every other row. This will create a more realistic and structurally sound brick pattern, similar to how bricks are laid in typical stretcher bond.

Details

• Modify your script to include half-bricks at the start or end of every other row.
• Find a way to differentiate between every other row of bricks to facilitate your placement logic of the half-bricks.
• Ensure the half-bricks are correctly proportioned, such that the wall ends are flush.
• Ensure the half-bricks are correctly positioned and aligned with the full bricks, taking into account the staggered pattern.

Deliverables

One zip file [mustermann_max_A-01.zip] containing:

• Grasshopper File (.ghx):
  • File Name: mustermann_max_A-01.ghx
• Screenshots (.png):
  • File Name: mustermann_max_A-01_xx.png
  • Dimensions: 3200x2400 px
  • View: Parallel, Shaded

Submission

Upload the assignment via Moodle.