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Welcome to PlanPal!

 

Hello and welcome to PlanPal! We are thrilled to introduce you to our innovative Grasshopper plug-in designed to generate schematic building models, specializing in residential buildings, hotels, and offices.

The Essence of PlanPal

PlanPal is a generative design tool, which means that it creates building models from data through algorithms. This data can be in the form of geometry (site boundary, maximum building envelope), numerical value (maximum building height, unit sizes), or building system type.

We aim to provide a tool that completes a design workflow in Grasshopper for real estate projects. Grasshopper has an amazing plug-in ecosystem, where other third-party developers bring functionalities day by day. Just to mention a few:

  • Ladybug for daylight analysis

  • Honeybee for energy simulation

  • Planfinder for automatic floorplan design

  • Colibri for optimization and data visualization

  • Elk for project positioning

  • Karamba3D for structural analysis

  • Archicad Connection for design documentation

  • Nevertheless, vanilla Grasshopper already has astonishing features

 

We believe in this design workflow, where a real estate project is developed in a Grasshopper algorithm. Have to admit, that it has a steep learning curve, but also great potential to address complex projects and maximize their potential.

 

This workflow operates on a data-driven approach, offering a clearer understanding of the consequences of our early design decisions. By specifying the project's goals, we construct our algorithm accordingly to achieve optimal solutions.

These goals encompass a broad spectrum, including but not limited to:

  • Sustainability

  • Ecological aspect

  • Construction and prefabrication

  • Local regulation compliance

  • and more.

 

At the core of this vision is PlanPal, the engine that generates diverse design variations.

Similar standalone applications like Testfit, Autodesk Forma, Digital Blue Foam, Spacio, Archistar, and others already exist in the market and served as inspiration for PlanPal. However, the key distinction lies in PlanPal's integration within Grasshopper which brings two major benefits.

  • Much more freedom and customizability

  • Much more functionality thanks to the amazing plug-in ecosystem of Grasshopper

In summary, achieving this workflow and supporting real projects with it is an ambitius goal, but we have a multitude of ideas and are committed to continuous improvement. PlanPal is not just a tool; it's a companion on your journey towards unparalleled design possibilities.

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