# Finch 101: Generating Unit Mix

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q_rzdNSmws>" %}

### 1. Start with a Predefined Floor

Open the **Finch Sample Project**, variant `3 Custom Core`.

#### Steps:

* Confirm you’ve already generated a corridor using Finch or imported one from Revit/Rhino.
* Open the **Programs drawer** to ensure the floor contains:
  * `Residential`
  * `Circulation`

***

### 2. Confirm Space Types

Finch needs to understand which areas are corridors to ensure proper unit access.

#### Steps:

1. Double-click on the corridor space
2. Click again to open the **space type settings**
3. Ensure the space is marked as `Corridor`

**mportant**: Without the correct space type, Finch won’t recognize this area as a circulation path.

***

### 3. Set Up Symmetry (Optional)

If your building is symmetrical (e.g., U-shaped), you can use this trick to generate mirrored unit layouts.

#### Steps:

* Use the **Draw Walls** tool
* Snap to midpoints on both sides
* Draw vertical lines to split the plan into symmetrical halves

Finch will recognize these mirrored spaces and apply symmetric logic during generation.

***

### 4. Select Areas for Unit Mix Generation

* Select the two exterior spaces flanking the corridor (e.g., outer arms of the U shape)
* Click **"Generate Unit Mix Around Existing Corridor"**

Finch will begin iterating, using your plan library to generate apartments adjacent to the corridor.

***

### 5. Customize Your Unit Mix

Use the left-hand panel to define your apartment strategy.

#### Unit Mix

* Set the desired distribution. For example:
  * 50% → 95 m² (3-bed)
  * 50% → 75 m² (2-bed)
  * Remove smaller units if not needed

Finch will re-iterate each time you change these percentages.

***

### 6. Adjust Priorities with Sliders

Sliders help balance your design intent:

* **Unit Mix**: Enforce target mix percentages
* **Size Metric**: Prioritize apartment area accuracy
* **Grid Lines**: Align units to structural or design grid
* **Daylight Access**: Maximize façade exposure
* **Squareness** and **Adjacencies**: Improve interior logic and flow

Use the info icons for on-the-fly tooltips.

***

### 7. Refine Constraints and Settings

#### Key Constraints

* **Minimum Unit Width** (e.g., 5 meters): Avoid long, narrow units in deep buildings

#### Core Alignment

* **Align Walls with Core**: Keep layout orthogonal
* Turn off for more organic/perimeter-following layouts

#### Wall Settings

* **Party Wall Width**: Adjust thickness (e.g., set to 300 mm)

***

### 8. Review Metrics

Below your plan view, Finch shows:

* **Match Score**: How close the result is to your target mix
* **Fit**: How well the floor area matches your mix (e.g., ±30 m²)
* **Unique Units**: Identifies duplicate units for efficient smart-copying

***

### 9. Apply and Fine-Tune

Once you’re satisfied:

* Click **Apply Plan**

You can now:

* Manually edit wall alignment using the **Align Tool**
* Clean up junctions or adjust geometry to match design preferences

***

### 10. Check Your Results

Go to the **Programs drawer**:

* See the total number of units generated
* View unit size breakdown and location

Example: “16 apartments total, with a 50/50 mix of 75 m² and 95 m² units.”

***

### Summary

You’ve learned how to:

* Validate circulation space types
* Use symmetrical logic for consistent layout
* Customize unit mix targets and dimensions
* Balance grid alignment, daylight, and spatial constraints
* Apply and refine your generated layout

➡️ In the next tutorial, we’ll cover how to adjust individual units and use smart copy-paste tools for faster plan development.


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