Hi!
I want to pose a question to see if what I would like to do is feasible- and if so, where I can start. I want to preface this and say that my grasshopper experience is based in creating forms, massing, and simple excel data inputs to create visual charts. I never used it for programming/space planning but am very curious to see if my idea is plausible.
Background info: I am looking for ways to output floor plans based off of both space allocation data and a prototype model. Essentially, I have a prototype model of a store that informs all of our new stores (department adjacencies, approx. size of departments, circulation scheme, etc.). For new stores, we have data that prioritizes departments (space allocation) and dictates how big/small each department needs to be. The current work flow is to copy and paste the prototype store into the new store’s shell- and then adjust the size of each department according to the space allocation data and the size of the new store.
Goal: As mentioned, the idea is to base new stores off both the prototype store and the space allocation data. SO, my thought is to create an excel sheet that establishes necessary adjacencies of departments, square footage, priorities of departments, etc… and then have a script that outputs this data to match the general layout/scheme of the prototype model- but is fitted to the new store (which has either a larger/smaller gross sq. footage). I foresee an issue setting constraints such as circulation flow, department adjacencies, and egress. For example- if I always want the circulation to be of a specific pattern/scheme (grid,loop,etc) I’m curious about how I would create a parameter of this nature. Also, say I want dept. 1 to always be located south in the store but also adjacent to dept.3 and dept. 7- how would I parameterize this? Or if I have set constraints on the location of entrances, and I always want a certain department at an entrance… what could this constraint look like? Essentially, I want grasshopper to be able to output floorplans that have constraints of adjacencies, size, and relative locations and is fitted into a set boundary (the building) with set properties (entrance location, stair location, loading dock location, etc). The current process of copy/paste and “make it fit” leaves too much room for subjective decisions and I’m looking for a more objective approach (that still has options for subjective decisions).
Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this- any and all guidance is extremely helpful and appreciated!!!