Parametric

Parametric design is a process based on algorithmic thinking that enables the expression of parameters and rules that, together, define, encode and clarify the relationship between design intent and design response.

Parametric design is a paradigm in design where the relationship between elements is used to manipulate and inform the design of complex geometries and structures.

The term parametric originates from mathematics (parametric equation) and refers to the use of certain parameters or variables that can be edited to manipulate or alter the end result of an equation or system. While today the term is used in reference to computational design systems, there are precedents for these modern systems in the works of architects such as Antoni Gaudí, who used analog models to explore design space.

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Auxetica™

Panels, Cables, Frame, Spools, Electronics, Power Supply

Auxetica™ a kinetic ceiling that reacts to human traffic. The kinetic ceiling is actuated with a microcontroller and a self-detecting camera module. The design of the ceiling utilises auxetic geometry to create a fabric-like stretch in a grid of inelastic panels. The triangles are pulled by cables and controlled by stepper motors. 

The stepper drivers act as the medium between the microcontroller and the stepper motors. They help to relay commands from the microcontroller to allow the stepper to move as desired. They are programmed to contour and follow traffic when humans walk under the ceiling – simply put, a ceiling that follows you.

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Auxetik™ was birthed from a proposal from ONG&ONG; A feature ceiling for their lobby which would react to the traffic below underneath it. With our electronics, the camera had to utilise pixel mapping to detect movement. This information would be processed and relayed to a network of motors that would raise or lower segments of the canopy. The canopy itself, had to be flexible, durable and mindful of maintenance and cleaning access. A fabric creates an organic curve, but the excessive pulling would cause it to deform. A grid of panels would be more durable, but it’d be a toss up between terrible resolution, or a ridiculous number of panels.

By exploiting the characteristics of auxetic geometry, we were able to use panels, with their modular practicality, without losing the organic stretch of fabric. When a hand is passed under the camera module of the prototype, the steppers react accordingly, and its canopy of 88 interconnected panels is pinched upward mirroring the hand’s movement.

Auxetica
Kinetic Ceiling
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Diffusr™

3mm Plywood, Threaded Rod

Diffusr™ is an interior façade cladding product that diffuses light and sound through its placement of small apertures in response to room conditions.

The structure of the cladding adopts an efficient use of material and forms a tectonic network where each panel shares its attachment rods with each of its neighbours. This structural network allows the product to take on a low-polygon, mesh-like appearance whereby the cladding surface is reconstructed with a screen of unique quadrilateral shapes.

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Diffusr
AntiCAD, Singapore
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Fabrix™

Curved Ceiling made using Fabrix, a fabric system that uses proprietary polymer tracks to construct acoustic panels

Fabrix™ can be used to create freeform fabric surfaces. The fabric tracks have a small gap cut intermittently cross-wise, to allow them to flex to the correct curvature. The panels can be made to simulate complex topographies such as convex, concave, and saddle point surfaces.

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This project was inspired by Hokusai’s famous wood-block print — The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Fabrix™ was used to form three-dimensionally curved surfaces, to emulate the undulating tidal surface of the ocean waves. 3 shades of blue fabric were hands-selected to represent the colours of the ocean – from the navy blue abyss of the trenches to the light shades of frolicking sea foam.

Using Grasshopper, we wrote a script which generated these curved surfaces for our parametric ceiling and allowed us to move the control points of each segment, making it possible for us to edit the individual curves and watch how these modifications affect the surfaces in real time. Four beautiful, unbroken waves of fabric spans the whole length of our office ceiling, bringing a little spectacle to our everyday workspace

The Great Wave off Kanagawa
Aural-Aid HQ, Singapore
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Hyperpolyps™

Metal Sheets, Rivets

HYPERPOLYPS™ is a variable installation that grows according to function, colour and scale. Inspired by the intersections in bubble clusters, these intersections are given a thickness and the meshes are then relaxed. By relaxing the mesh, a minimum surface is produced at the struts to produce an organic form and minimise the material required. The naked edges of these struts are then rounded off into organic polyp-like forms as observed in corals.

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HYPERPOLYPS™️ seeks to combine both structure and art in its form and fabrication. It could be a hanging installation, urban furniture, a pavilion to suit the given context. The versatile algorithm-generated structures take cues from the forms of bubbles and coral. The metal structure takes reference from Voronoi tessellation, which is a pattern commonly found in nature such as in epithelial cells, drought soil, and skin patterns on a giraffe.

Each Hyperpolyps sculpture is made entirely from metal and available in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, to ensure they retain an organic aesthetic, they are all finished with scalloped edges and a carefully selected line of colours. Each Hyperpolyps, just like corals, comes in various colours and forms. The user has the freedom to select colours to blend with their context or create patterns from contrasting colours.

Hyperpolyps
AntiCAD, Singapore
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Apertua™

0.3mm Aluminium Fins, Outer Ring, Stationary Ring, Gears, Arms

Apertua™ was inspired by the aperture mechanism found in camera lenses. The aperture can be operated in two different ways, either manually or powered by an Arduino Uno micro-controller board. We made a lever which allows the 22 arms to rotate the flexible aluminium blades to open the aperture.

The aluminium blades are made by etching. The design of the blades were generated using a 3D-modelling software to ensure smooth movement as they pan and slide across one another when the outer gear is rotated.

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Apertua™ was to proposed to be the iconic sculpture standing at 14m high, and will be directly observable from the main road, Jurong Town Hall Rd. Apertua™ will likely be the world’s largest single aperture structure, standing at about 4 stories in height. The kinetic sculpture will be operable either by automated electronics, or by human operation. The fins of the Iris can be operated to fully open or close, or it can be made to synchronise to a sequence of dancing or flickering patterns.

It houses 22 intricately designed fins which are cut from 0.3mm thick aluminium sheet. The widths of the slots were thoughtfully designed and tested for smoother operation to prevent frictional contact between the slots and fins. This dynamic aperture can be used to regulate room absorptivity. An Arduino board with a sensor reads the frequency profile of the room and adjusts the aperture accordingly, with the help of a motor.

Apertua
AntiCAD, Singapore
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Köral™

Fabrix tracks, 3D-Printed Joints, Substrate 

The acoustic sculpture is generated using mathematical principles underlying natural forms. Like a wavy coral reef, Köral™ is based on hyperbolic geometry; it grows exponentially outwards, creating excessive folds to increase surface area for sound absorption. An earth-friendly and sustainable acoustic substrate is inserted between colourful fabric—from the Fabrix paneling system—that skins the sculpture. The result is an experimental collaborative art work that marries striking design, acoustic performance, and innovation.

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Köral
Enjoy the Silence, Singapore
TakahashiLim A+D x AntiCAD
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Magnetix™

Magnetic Receiver, Steel Ball, Threaded Rod

A neodymium magnetic receiver is attached to the base of the surface to couple with a neodymium threaded ball.

The magnetic ball receives an M6 threaded rod that is secured to a base board for mounting.

This mounting mechanism allows individual panels to swivel independently about its center of gravity.

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Magnetix
Ball Joint
AntiCAD, Singapore
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P1™

2D populated surface with Voronoi diagram on neodymium magnets

P1™ is prototype no.1 created at AntiCAD and is based on a Voronoi diagram.

A curved surface is mapped with a voronoi diagram and planarized. The planarized surfaces are laser cut onto brightly colored wood or acrylic sheets and laminated with a finish of choice. The vivid colors are revealed at the edges of the planarized surfaces.

A neodymium magnetic receiver is attached the base of the surface to couple with a neodymium threaded ball. The magnetic ball receives an M4 or M6 threaded rod that is secured to a base board for mounting.

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P1
AntiCAD, Singapore
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Polyx™

9mm and 12mm Polyester Board

Polyx™ is made by a process of tumbling, needle-punching, and baking low and high melting-point polyester fibres. The high-density fibrous network absorbs sounds and reduces reverberation. Polyx™ comes in 2 different thickness: 9mm and 12mm.

PolyxTessellate
AntiCAD, Singapore
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PolyxTri-Hex
AntiCAD, Singapore
PolyxWaffle Baffle
AntiCAD, Singapore
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Wabi-Sabi™

2mm Plywood, Threaded Rod

Wabi-Sabi™ is a Japanese philosophy often described as appreciating the beauty in imperfection. The sculpture aims to combine the traditional Japanese thinking with emerging technologies such as parametric modelling, and digital fabrication. Plywood that is 2mm thick is a material that is commonly used in construction sites. They are usually discarded after one use. Wabi-Sabi™ attempts to look at discarded construction material in a new way, where the imperfections are embraced as parametric art.

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Wabi-Sabi
AntiCAD, Singapore
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