The Workshops run daily between 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm incl. breaks, parallel to the Case Studies.

Workshop I - Defining the Grid - fully booked!
Workshop II - Modern Methods for Numerical Form-Finding (RHINO Membrane) - fully booked!
Workshop III - Data Driven Design (Grasshopper) - fully booked!
Workshop IV - Let’s Be Imagineers (CATIA) - fully booked!

The appropriate use of 3D modelling tools in building design. The workshop addresses geometric and functional rationalisation, buildability and how 3D modelling effects construction phasing. It will explore and show the interface and creative tension between the two important approaches currently driving 3D modelling, ie the primarily mathematical approach and engineering& architectural design side.

It will look at 3D modelling as a technical tool as well as a more philosophical challenge to the design process, ie when is the 3D modelling appropriate in a design environment that is no longer dominated by the objective of the most efficient or ideal form/function but the pursuit of hybrid structures. It will also look at the possibilities to establish a common design language bridging the gap between the mathematical and architectural approaches and ambitions .

The workshop will be lead by Wolf Mangelsdorf - Structural Engineer, Buro Happold Partner in the London office and Florian Foerster - Structural Engineer , Buro Happold Berlin and experimental structures lecturer at IAAC in Barcelona

Using the program "Rhino Membrane", this workshop presents the latest trends in numerical form-finding of prestressed membrane structures. Beside the calculation of real minimal surfaces with isotropic prestress, advanced topics like anisotropic prestress and form finding of pneumatic structures are discussed.

Rhino Membrane is a plug-in for Rhinoceros 4.0 and offers the designer the possibility to combine the effective user-interface of the well-known 3D-modelling software with the advantages of a "state-of-the-art" form finding program. The algorithm is based on modern FE technology and includes three- and four-node membrane elements as well as cable elements for the design of edge and loop cables and cable nets. More information on the program >>.

The workshop will be lead by Johannes Linhard, Research Associate at the Chair of Structural Analysis (TU München) and beside Gerry D'Anza and Prof. Kai-Uwe Bletzinger developer of Rhino Membrane. Use of personal computers including preinstalled software are free of charge for all course participants.

The session on Data Driven Design will explore the connection between data sources and McNeel Grasshopper, a plug-in developed for McNeel Rhinoceros 3D which effectively extends the parametric and generative functionality of the software. The class seeks to evaluate this connection through an iterative process which includes digitally fabricating to further clarify the associative consequences of the parametric model.

The workshop will be lead by Luis Fraguada, Co-Director of Live Architecture Network and Faculty at the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalunya, and an associate member of LaN. Use of personal computers including preinstalled software are free of charge for all course participants.

The tools of Dassault Systèmes supports each phase of the Design process, by the sketch over a viewing model right up to the perfect 3D-Rendering and the entire 3D-Daten which are needed for the production.

User of curves & Surfaces based solutions found out that virtual Clay Modeling requires a by far shorter introduction phase. Imagine & Shape is so simple to use that even a 14 year old child can understand it. Furthermore it allows spontaneous changes or adaptations to fulfil till the end the most topical customer expectations. By the possibility playing simply to try out variations and to adapt this to the customer requirements, the product innovation can be sold to the customer faster and more actually.

If designers and engineers on the same software platform work, the mutual communication is much more efficient. The Design can be divided with the ranges, which need it for their development process. Thus a complete Design integrity can be ensured. Technique, development and production departments can come to an arrangement perfectly with each other, because they exactly know which way the designer wants to smash. Repetitions are minimized, are more accurate and more efficient. The energy of the employees is used in positive and dynamic way, because they are animated by the gainful collaboration to work more innovatively. All together the product will be available faster in the market, because within the process of development fewer consultations are necessary.

The workshop participants have the possibility to get to know the tools of Dassault Systèmes under instructions and to realise a small project. Use of personal computers including preinstalled software are free of charge for all course participants.

Bruce Brockmann, Karlsruhe, Degree in IT-Engineering, FH Wilhelmshafen. Since 1998 Senior PLM Consultant at Transcat PLM in Karlsruhe und co-responsible for the PLM Product line CATIA, ENOVIA as well as 3DVIA.