Hello Rhino community!
Today, I’d like to share the background and core concepts behind MakeBuilding Pro, a new Grasshopper plugin I recently developed.
Buildings can be represented as “structured information” Most architectural projects in the world aren’t highly sculptural, one-off masterpieces; they are relatively simple-shaped buildings designed for business or public benefit. I believe such buildings can be fundamentally represented as a “mass of structured information.”
By defining the necessary information requirements upfront, the time previously spent creating geometry in the early design phases can be reallocated to the “creation, management, and utilization of information.” By centering early design studies around data, I believe we can free designers from “repetitive manual tasks that shouldn’t require human effort”—such as constant remodeling and manually rebuilding study models.
The MakeBuilding Pro Approach This plugin specializes in “data-driven early design studies” before transitioning into heavy, full-fledged BIM software. Key features include:
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Generation from simple data: Quickly and automatically generate 3D models (columns, beams, walls, floors) in Grasshopper from universal data formats like Excel, CSV, and JSON.
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Data management within Grasshopper: I implemented a UI editor and a Debug Reader directly within the plugin, allowing you to oversee and edit BIM data right on the Grasshopper canvas.
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Information utilization for various purposes: You can automatically generate floor plans from the model to bake into Rhino, or output the data as a structural analysis model.
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Universal format output: Since data can be exported back into Excel, CSV, and JSON, the information can be utilized across a wide range of applications beyond just architectural digital tools.
Why this approach? I firmly believe that having “time for trial and error” is the most important asset for engineers and architects. By leveraging the performance of Rhino 8 (.NET 8) and maintaining a “lightweight BIM model” entirely within the Grasshopper environment, my goal is to balance study efficiency with robust data management.
I hope this tool can function as a “hub,” allowing the time saved from reducing repetitive tasks to be redirected toward more creative thinking and essential design work.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If this concept resonates with you, I’ve published the plugin on Food4Rhino, so please give it a try.
I would be thrilled to hear your feedback or learn about your own approaches to data management and early design workflows in Grasshopper. Thanks!