Parametric Explorations of Suggestive Design – Studio Bryan García Agudelo

Topic: Parametric Explorations of Suggestive Design
Date: March 8 – 9, 2025
Time: 14:00 – 18:00 GMT
Format: Online on Zoom
Duration: 2 Sessions (8 Hours)
Registration Deadline: March 7th, 2025
Total Seats: 50 seats
Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
Language: English
Certificate: Yes
General Registration: 100 EUR
First 10 Seats: 85 EUR
Join free: with Full Access membership
Fee For Digital Members: 70 EUR (15% discount available only for Digital Members)
Organized By: PAACADEMY
Tutor: Bryan García Agudelo
Recordings: Recordings will be available for all participants afterward indefinitely.

Introduction to Parametric Explorations:

This workshop focuses on the exploration of parametric design through the lens of inspiration and reinterpretation. Guided by the philosophy of “learning through imitation,” the designs we’ll examine are inspired by anything and everything—transformed from suggestive forms into unique creations. Instead of focusing on a single theme, the course embraces diverse origins of design, showcasing how ideas can evolve and adapt based on personal preferences and architectural interests.

The aim is not to present finished designs but to inspire open-ended interpretations, encouraging participants to see each design as a starting point for further exploration.

The heart of this workshop lies in geometric discovery, using Grasshopper 3D and its plug-ins to explore how three-dimensional forms can interact and evolve. The focus will be on understanding the interplay of geometric commands and their connectivity, revealing the potential to create intricate and intriguing designs.

Participants will delve into the fundamentals of parametric geometry, manipulating forms and discovering new possibilities through experimentation. This course is an invitation to uncover the creative power of geometry, where the design process takes precedence over the final product.

The Scope of Parametric Explorations:

This workshop will focus on exploring various parametric design techniques using Grasshopper 3D alongside multiple plug-ins that enhance the capabilities of the software. We will delve into different design types, such as graph mapping, interactive point scripts, loop-based design, and image sampling, among others.

These techniques will allow participants to experiment with complex geometries and design structures, discovering the endless possibilities within the parametric design world. A key aspect of the workshop will be developing a clear understanding of how different components within Grasshopper interact with one another.

Participants will learn how to manipulate these components and observe how their relationships can influence the final geometric outcomes of their designs. By experimenting with these dynamic interactions, you will gain a deeper insight into the power of parametric design and how to create intricate, responsive forms. The focus will be on experimentation and exploration, enabling each participant to discover unique design solutions through connectivity and manipulation of
components.

The workshop will begin by introducing the conceptual approach to “deconstructing” geometries (breaking down a geometry into simpler forms), followed by reconstructing them through a series of logical, step-by-step geometric interactions using Grasshopper 3D. 

This workshop will guide participants through the method of breaking down complex geometries into manageable components and rethinking them from a parametric perspective. To support this, I will present sketches and illustrations that demonstrate how to analyze and approach design problems in a parametric way. 

Ultimately, parametric scripting can be thought of as solving a multi-step puzzle, where the key to seeing the larger design emerges as each piece is carefully placed in its correct position.

This workshop will equip participants with an understanding of the individual elements and how they fit together, enabling students to approach parametric design with clarity and confidence.

The task after each day will be to generate a parametric design from scratch and/or use one of the scripts seen in one of the sessions to design a pavilion.

Program:

Day 1:

• Introduction talk – thinking in Grasshopper 3D
• Introduction to Grasshopper components and finding plug-ins
• Workspace setup and workflow introduction
• Understanding how components interact with one another.
• Practical introduction to components via 10-15 minute examples.

Basic Grasshopper components:

Constructing points, curves, planes/offsetting curves/plane types/projecting points onto
surfaces and/or planes/introduction to paneling systems.
Generating and integrating random values to manipulate geometries/constructing geometric domains/contour lines generation/series components/rotations around the axis.

Exercise 1

• Basic: Introduction to longer format scripting
• Thinking in Grasshopper: breaking down Geometries into a series of comprehensive and simple steps.
• Re-constructing Geometries via logical and practical Thinking
• Developing a comprehensive workflow

Exercises 2 & 3

• Introduction: Fundamentals of scripting – Grafting/flattening/re-parameterizing
• Introduction to Graph Scripting
• Interpreting and understanding Graph data as numeric values
• Utilization of graph data to manipulate geometries

Day 2

Exercise 4

• Introduction to interactive type scripting
• Interpreting and understanding Geometries as symbiotic systems
• Remapping data concept in scripting
• Thinking in Grasshopper: breaking down Geometries into a series of comprehensive and simple steps.

Exercises 5 & 6

• Introduction to Loop Type/Fractal Designs
• Showcase of Anemone plug-in
• Understanding Geometries as a series of repetitive commands

Exercise 7

• Introduction to Image Sampling Scripting
• Conversion from grayscales / contrast into geometric data
• Image to 3D model
• Simulating kinetic designs in parametric design

Exercise 8

• Introduction to Mosquito Plug-in
• Media / Mp3 sampling Scripting
• Conversion from audio into geometric data
• Interpreting and designing using Mosquito Plug-in

Software &

• Rhinoceros 3D
• Grasshopper

Plugins:

• Lunchbox
• Pufferfish
• Parakeet
• Kangaroo Physics
• Anemone
• Mosquito
• Weaverbird
• Bifocals

Workshop Notes:

• Please ensure you have all the software installed before the workshop starts. Software installation is NOT a part of the workshop.

Instructor:

Bryan García Agudelo

Based in Alicante, Spain, Bryan Garcia is a British architectural designer with a strong focus on parametric design. Over the past three years, he has developed a deep expertise in computational techniques, working extensively as a geometric specialist for architectural projects spanning diverse scales and disciplines.

Bryan’s practice bridges preliminary design phases with advanced consultancy for multidisciplinary studios, bringing an innovative approach to parametric design that combines aesthetic exploration with geometric precision. His work is marked by a commitment to pushing the boundaries of design, emphasizing singularity, scale, and suggestive form in every project. He has taught and exhibited locally and internationally, sharing his knowledge and advancing the discourse on parametric methodologies.

Bryan’s educational contributions include seminars, webinars, and workshops designed to inspire architects and designers, offering a glimpse into the creative and practical potential of computational design. With a strong presence on social media, Bryan has cultivated a following of over 70,000, using his platforms to share his work and promote learning through open access and imitation. He demonstrates the versatility of parametric design as both an architectural and graphic design tool, showcasing its potential to transform creative practice across disciplines. Bryan’s dedication to advancing computational design continues to shape his role as a designer and educator, driving innovation and exploring the intersection of technology, art, and architecture.

Important Notes:

• The “Parametric Explorations of Suggestive Design” Studio workshop by PAACADEMY will start at 14:00 (GMT) on Saturday, March 8th, 2025.
• Total sessions: 2 Sessions
• The teaching duration per session will be 4 hours.
• Students will have time for a break between teaching hours.
• Each session and the entire studio will be recorded, and videos will be available for participants just a day after the class for unlimited time.
• PAACADEMY will provide a certificate of attendance.
• The studio has limited seats. Tickets are non-transferable & non-refundable. Please read carefully before you register.

Topic: Parametric Explorations of Suggestive Design
Date: March 8 – 9, 2025
Time: 14:00 – 18:00 GMT
Format: Online on Zoom
Duration: 2 Sessions (8 Hours)
Registration Deadline: March 7th, 2025
Total Seats: 50 seats
Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
Language: English
Certificate: Yes
General Registration: 100 EUR
First 10 Seats: 85 EUR
Join free: with Full Access membership
Fee For Digital Members: 70 EUR (15% discount available only for Digital Members)
Organized By: PAACADEMY
Tutor: Bryan García Agudelo
Recordings: Recordings will be available for all participants afterward indefinitely.