Designing it better
Computational Design
Often serving as the leap between drawing and finished product, a thoughtfully developed 3D-model pays great dividends, but models are difficult to construct and modify. We specialize in a variety of modeling techniques including dynamic models that leverage computational design and simulations as they apply to landscapes, furnishings, prostheses, art, and more.
Communication
It’s hard to imagine the future — our team brings things into focus by crafting powerful graphics, diagrams, renderings, and STORIES. If you are selling an idea to a new audience we can help you investigate your project from a new perspective.
Fabrication Prep
Innovative ideas are often even crazier to build then you might expect. We can help with preparation of cut files and 3D print files. But more importantly, we can help you to coordinate all the pieces to create the best outcome.
Animation
Whether it’s 2D or 3D, anything is possible. Seeing a project in motion can provide key insight — or it might just look cool! Animation is central to our storytelling practice and continues to evolve with each client we work with.
Specific technical capabilities include:
Rhino Modeling
Rhino is a highly versatile program and we try to utilize it to its fullest for each project.
Rhino
Grasshopper Algorithmic Modeling
This visual scripting language allows us to create programs to draw designs. This allows for customized designs or design patterns by tweaking the parameters.
Rhino | Grasshopper
Python Scripting
We have used Python for solving a multitude of design and visualization problems. Python is a great way to build serious toolkits for solving seriously hard design problems. We have done this with agent-based models, recursive functions, and task automation.
Python
Design
From landscapes to design for light manufacturing, we are artistic and pragmatic. We can work as design collaborators or as the design lead.
Paper | Photoshop | Rhino | Grasshopper
Topographic Modeling, Analysis, and Animation
With years of topographic modeling experience, we will represent your contour drawings as accurately as possible. We also reveal hidden dimensions of the finished mesh through analysis. We visualize elevation, slope, sun, water, soil contamination, and any other data you bring to the table. We can identify design constraints and opportunities across the entire surface. Our tools allow for rapid modification of existing meshes for design, quickly visualizing the implications of design decisions.
Rhino | Grasshopper | ArcGIS | QGIS | Photoshop | After Effects
Rendering
Renderings today all look the same. The tools, pipelines, expectations, and time constraints are just a few of the factors that cause this. I can develop uniquely styled renderings that serve your project. My education in fine art allows me to be perceptive to a range of styles. And it’s exciting for me to create an image that communicates a new feeling.
VRay | Lumion | Blender | Photoshop
Animation / Video
We tell design stories with sequential media. We use Blender, After Effects, and other unique approaches to make your design story real.
Blender | After Effects | Audition
Blender
Blender is a rich open source tool for 3D animation and rendering. Chris teaches Blender to his Environmental Animation students at Penn.
Blender
Geographic Information Systems
GIS and many of its principles are core to the way we think about space and even form. Data is everywhere.
ArcGIS | QGIS
Interactive Mapping
Interactive maps on the web allow for collaboration, feedback and playful engagement. We believe that maps can tell rich, living stories about a place.
javascript | mapbo | leaflet
Digital Fabrication Prep
We can optimize your designs for digital fabricated. CNC, Waterjet, 3D printing.
Rhino | Grasshopper
Data Visualization
Static, animated or interactive, we create unique representations of your data in spatial ways.
Rhino | Grasshopper | Python | javascript
BIM Output
Building Information Modeling or BIM is all the rage. We can custom tailor models that play well in this information-rich space.
Revit | Rhino | Grasshopper | Python
