Geometric Metamorphosis is part of Dynamic Environment studio in which students utilized environmental sensing to manipulate and explore geometry.

Testing and manufacturing process video below:

Project Perspective

Geometric Metamorphosis is a sophisticated exploration of computational design and spatial interaction. By focusing on the essential building blocks—the Kinect depth camera and your dynamic architectural mesh—you'll learn how to communicate and synchronize your geometric transformations using a specialized software logic and robust Rhino-integrated setup.

Technical Implementation: Mesh Deformation and Sensing

The project reveals the hidden layers of simple motion-to-geometry interaction:

• Identification layer: The Microsoft Kinect acts as a high-resolution spatial eye, measuring each point of the occupant's proximity to coordinate the coordinate-mapping tasks.
• Conversion layer: The Arduino uses a high-speed Firmata protocol to receive high-speed mesh vectors from Rhino Grasshopper.
• Interface layer: Firefly for Grasshopper acts as a high-definition data dashboard for checking your geometric status (Mesh subdivision/Vertex position).
• Actuation layer: A Servo Motor Array provides high-resolution and mechanical feedback for your dynamic shape metamorphosis.
• Processing Logic layer: The system code follows a "metamorphic mesh" (or vector-field) strategy: it interprets the occupant's gestures and matches vertex displacements to provide a safe and rhythmic geometric response.

Hardware-Architectural Infrastructure

• Arduino Uno: The "brain" of the project, managing multi-directional servo sampling and coordinating Kinect data sync.
• Microsoft Kinect: Providing high-speed and reliable "Sensing Link" for every point of the installation.
• Mechanical Linkage: Providing high-precision and reliable "Physical Geometry" for your metamorphic mission.
• Firefly: Essential for providing a clear and energy-efficient computational bridge for your sensor-logic.
• USB B Cable: Used to program your Arduino and provides the primary interface for the system controller.

Metamorphosis Automation and Interaction Step-by-Step

The geometric metamorphosis simulation process is designed to be very efficient:

1. Initialize Workspace: Correctly set up your Kinect and Arduino Uno on your installation frame and connect the servos properly.
2. Setup Output Sync: In Rhino Grasshopper, initialize the Firefly components and define the Firmata port to coordinate the motion.
3. Internal Dialogue Loop: The geometry constantly performs high-performance depth checks and updates vertex positions in real-time based on occupant movement.
4. Visual and Computational Feedback Integration: Watch your mesh dashboard and Rhino preview automatically become a rhythmic status signal, pulsing and following your spatial settings from a distance.

Future Expansion

• OLED Identity Dashboard Integration: Add a small OLED display on the installation board to show "Vertex Count" or "Battery (%)".
• Multi-sensor Climate Sync Synchronization: Connect specialized "Ultrasonic Sensors" to perform higher-precision "Local Proximity" responses wirelessly via the cloud.
• Cloud Interface Registration Support Synchronization: Add a specialized web-dashboard on a smartphone over WiFi/BT to precisely track and log total motion history.
• Advanced Velocity Profile Customization Support: Add specialized "Machine Learning (vCore)" to the code to allow patterns to be automatically optimized for complex shapes.

Dynamic Environments studio focuses on the development of reconfigurable structures that enhance occupants' social and physical experiences of the built environment. Students were asked to identify problems related to the built environment and propose solutions that take advantage of the reconfigurable structures.

More information about the studio here: https://www.geno-morph.com/de.

Geometric Metamorphosis is a perfect project for any science enthusiast looking for a more interactive and engaging architectural tool!

[!IMPORTANT] The Kinect SDK must be installed properly on your host computer to enable the depth data stream into the Grasshopper environment!