Passing Gherkin intent to BIM through C#

This is a second phase from the previous posts looking at how the relationship between Revit & C#.

Optimizing form & construction of the first attempt is the main focus of this exploration

 The coding & arguments generated in C# will be executed through the conceptual mass family of Revit.

ORIGINAL PROBLEM



Above is the original parametric relationship of the profile used in the previous form generation.

The embedded conditional statement generated was translated & adjusted for C#.  

A format for Revit API functions was scripted. Essentially, the main functions are to initial a transaction, create the points, generate the curve, revolve the mass & end transaction. 

Mass generation was shifted from repeated floor profiles to a revolved silhouette and tectonic study closely focuses on surface construction. 

Mass generation was shifted from repeated floor profiles to a revolved silhouette and tectonic study closely focuses on surface construction. 

  





Bringing the C# coding for the Parabola & Ellipse class for Revit execution.





    Translating the original relationship into #C became the starting point for generating an optimal form. 




Beginning with ellipsoidal silhouette as massing basis



added K point (nertical) translation for desired point of cirvature

 

Removal of extraneous points to generate profile to be revolved







After the ellipsoid profile is generated through C# array & calculations, an argument generates a revolve axis to form a revolved mass in Revit.

Due to the construction of the array, the mass only revolves halfway; this is easily corrected through the element properties of the mass.

From here, the form is subdivided & the structure & panel pattern families are added, building the Gherkin.







The Results

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR AT TOP OF TOWER

"Flex" the Family, Create the Form...

With this mathematical relashionship defined, the profile is linked to a floor id which controls it's rotation, size and vertical position. For example, the first floor would thave an id of 1, which controls the profile to be 107' in diameter, 12' - 6" above the ground, and rotated five degrees, while the 10th floor would have a floor id of 10, placing it 125' above the ground, with an increased diameter and a 50 degree rotation. each floor has an increasing height and rotation with a variable radius following the double inflected parabola.

Mathematics Applied in Form

Parameters

The following steps show how the parameters are incorporated into formgiving. 47 profiles represent the 47 floors in the Gherkin. Controlling the radius change from one floor to the next was the biggest problem. The radii change was conceived as a parabolic relationship and was executed with embedded , conditional "if" statements to control when the parabola would inflect upward or downward.

THE PROOF IS IN THE NUMBERS

The Process

This reference serves as a conceptual 
understanding of the rotational characteristics 
of the form and how it works with the floor plate.

Formal Concept

PROCESS

Relationships between the decreasing floor radius and the 5 degree rotation were explored in terms of parametric relationships to be translated into Revit family commands.

Gherkin in Parametrics

Brandon J. Johnson

Texas A&M University

ARCH 653 Building Information Modeling












30 St. Mary Axe ... A BIM Study

The following is exploring the 

utilization of parametric relationships 

between building components

and how they can form an architectonic expression