Shells and tension structures

Shells and tension structures (cable nets or fabrics) are beautiful structural elements that provide a very lightweight organic shape with a visually clear structural language. When it comes to creating these, however, specialized tools are required since the underlying math is anything but trivial. If you want to work with shells or tension structures, try […] Read more..

Interactive 3D Visualization of Building Envelope Systems Using Infrared Thermography and SketchUp

This project explored the application of the visualization capabilities of Infrared Thermography in conjunction with three-dimensional models of buildings. Three-dimensional modeling is a powerful tool for visualizing and representing building conditions that is used by architects, builders, and contractors. Also, a three-dimensional model is better understandable than a more abstract two-dimensional representation (like a floor plan or an image).

Curtain walls in wood

Coming from a wood background, it is a bit disappointing that most (low- to mid-rise) curtain-walls or storefront glazed walls contain only aluminum mullions as their support around here (US). It appears that many architects simply don’t specify these in wood. This fact came to my attention again last weekend when I visited the recently […] Read more..

Some SketchUp Crumbs

These are some interesting SketchUp links that just came across my desk: SketchUcation You most probably know this link if you are working with SketchUp regularly – mainly from their great forum. One recent change: They updated their website to now include a lot of tutorials ranging from the beginner to the advanced level. In […] Read more..

Drafting, anyone? IMSI’s free DoubleCAD may be a good pick.

There are now so many free 2D CAD drafting programs available out there that it is almost amazing why Autodesk’s AutoCAD LT is still selling (let alone their recently updated software AutoSketch). Some examples are: DraftIt, Solidedge 2D, D-CAD-L and there are more, I just can’t remember all the links. Here’s the new contender for […] Read more..

Ready-to-eat Revit families

When you are working with any CAD software, then you’ll quickly appreciate the benefits of pre-made reusable objects. Be they called blocks, components or families – as is the case in Autodesk Revit, they are immensely useful. For your Revit modeling pleasure, here are a few manufacturer websites that are now offering “configurators” and provide […] Read more..