GENERATIVE LOUVER SYSTEM WITH ECOTECT
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 A large percentage of the south façade for my thesis project required protection from solar heat gains in the summer. Using concepts from earlier Grasshopper definitions, a new definition was developed to:
- Generate different densities, thus changing visibility based on interior needs
- Provide adequate shading
- Continue the concept of shifting lines in the articulation of the façade
The Facade that the louver system will be used on contains multiple functions within, including public spaces such as lounges and corridors and semi private spaces such as classrooms and lecture halls. Having an all glass facade for all these spaces would not work functionally or environmentally.
The definition solves these problems by expanding and contracting the density of individual louvers based on placement of attractor points. As the louver density increases, the individual louver depths thin out, maintaining even shading. The louver system can be generated on any wall imported into the definition allowing for quick testing and analysis.
Above, early study of different louver compisitions applied to an arena wall
I brought the louver system into Ecotect to test out the performance of the wall in reduction of solar radiation. Multiple louver systems were looked at including high densitie systems, medium density systems, and low density systems. These systems were also compared to a traditional system.


Reader Comments (17)
Your project is very interesting!I like it so much!Can you send me Grasshopper file!Thank you very much!
Thank you one more time!
I'm having some trouble understanding your definition. on the file you posted you have 4 attracting points. one is only connected to a sum? also for the solid intersection at the end im getting a run time error : Boolean intersection set is empty.
if you can point me in the right direction that would be a big help.
thanks
by the way great project.
Hi,
I think this so great definiton. I like very very much and so happy to find it.
can you please make some video tutorial how to use it.
thank you very much.
i've just seen your work , it is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G & very very very beautiful
i'm studying architecture & this is my final graduation year
so i could make a good use of your definition & to take this as grasshopper working example
could you please send me the definition on my email??? need to know how it works
yahia
alex. can u plz make a tutorila video with ur voice explainig how you built the def and how u syncrpnize with ecotect. Thank you so much
Alex, I follow your blog for long time ago.
I find it really interesting and amazing. Your explanations are easy and to the point (good job).
I also go for Adam comment, if it will be possible to explain the grasshopper syncronization with ecotect. Maybe linking your rhino sketch next to the grasshopper one will help us a lot to understand everything.
Thanks for the time invested in your web, its really useful.
Oscar
hello alex, i have the same problem as Juan , the solid intersection at the end im getting a run time error : Boolean intersection set is empty.
I am an architectural student, I need your definition for my project...Could you please send me the grasshopper definition...???
Ohan
hi im joe this deffinition is not working
can you display it pleas?
can anyone send to me the grasshopper definition???
@Efes
is the link not working? If not, send me an email (about me page) and I can send you the file.
I seem to get only horizontal divisions, would be nice if you could post a Rhino-file as well, with a simple surface. Like the iterations you have on the first poster. Great work and thank you for the definition.
I seem to get only vertical divisions, by rotating it I can 'fake' it into the horizontal ones, nonetheless I can't seem to get the aesthetics you achieved so I would ask you if you can post a simple surface in a Rhino file with the GH-definition and parameters you applied. It would help a lot in further experiments. Great definition, great design, thank you for uploading it.
Hey guys, I have added a Rhino file link as a way to see how the definition works. The script seems to only work at a really small scale, so keep that in mind.
Hey Alex,
Great work, you are consistent and thorough. It seems you have picked up quite quickly, I am still learning it. Question, what is your thought/action process in generating / creating a Grasshopper definition?
Odu
Your project would be very useful for my current univercity project at 3rd course ! Idea is great !Can you send me Grasshopper file!Thank you very much!