This workshop introduces a computational design framework that integrates environmental conditions, ecological processes, and human behavior within Rhino and Grasshopper. Participants will work across three simulation systems to understand how spatial decisions influence microclimate, vegetation dynamics, and pedestrian experience over time in an urban context.
The workshop is led by the development team of Rhino.Ecologic -Verena Vogler, Eleftherios Kourkopoulos, and Jens Joschinski (McNeel Europe), together with invited contributors including Mariusz Hermansdorfer, former Head of Computational Design at Henning Larsen, developer of jifto, and the development team behind Kova PedSim, Puja Bhagat, and Jonathan Wong from the Architectural Association London/ Populous. The instructors bring expertise spanning computational design, environmental simulation, ecological modeling, and socially driven agent-based systems.
Learn how to construct integrated simulation workflows that connect geometry, environmental analysis, ecological modeling, and human behavior. By the end of the workshop, you will be able to evaluate design scenarios across climate, biodiversity, and pedestrian dynamics, and use simulation outputs to inform design decisions.
Day 1: Designing with Microclimate (jifto-a real-time sustainability analysis plugin for Rhino)
- Thermal comfort as a design driver in architecture and urban design
- Solar exposure, shadow behavior, and seasonal variation
- Wind, radiation, and environmental forces shaping outdoor space
- Real-time microclimate analysis within Rhino
- Integration of environmental data into early-stage design decisions
Day 2: Ecological Simulation in Design (Rhino.Ecologic-an ecological simulation framework for Rhino and Grasshopper)
- From geometry to ecological domain: Voxel-based spatial modeling
- Environmental mapping: Soil, solar, and precipitation as design parameters
- Simulation of plant communities (growth, competition, succession)
- Biodiversity and biomass as measurable design outcomes
- Scenario-based evaluation of long-term ecological performance
Day 3: Social Simulation and Pedestrian Dynamics (Kova PedSim-a socially-driven pedestrian simulation framework for Grasshopper)
- Foundations of agent-based and socially driven pedestrian modeling
- Simulation types: Network-based, cellular automata, and physics-based
- Analysis of density, interaction, congestion, and movement patterns
- Integration of behavioral data into generative design workflows
- Evaluation of spatial performance under dynamic and changing conditions
Course requirements: Intermediate Rhino knowledge is required. No prior experience with environmental, ecological, or human interaction analysis needed. We will start with the fundamentals.
Software requirement: Rhino 8 for Windows. Rhino.Ecologic, Kova PedSim, and jifto will be provided to all participants.
Online course fees: EUR 395 (+VAT). Full-time students and university teachers receive a 50% discount (proof of status required). Please note that we will confirm your seat after your payment has cleared.
Maximum number of participants for each course: 25. If there is no quorum, the course will be canceled 15 days before.
Course language: English
Educational seats are limited. Sign up now by contacting Verena!
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