Generate Unit Mix around Circulation

1. Draw a Custom Core (or upload it)

  • Enter the story view by double clicking on a story.

  • Draw a custom core using the wall tool (k).

To move walls specific distances, type in a number (mm) while dragging.

To copy walls specific distances, type in a number (mm) while dragging and then press alt.

Don't want to draw your core in Finch? Upload it from Rhino or Revit instead.

Draw and assign the circulation program

2. Assign a corridor

  • Select the custom core, and hit Edit Unit to enter the unit plan level.

  • Draw space types using the wall or space divider tool, and create and assign corridor, elevator and stair space types.

A corridor space type is required to run the algorithm around a custom core. Other space types that will block corridor access (such as elevators, stairs, etc) are recommended but not required.

Draw and assign a corridor space type inside of the circulation unit

The floor plate algorithm uses the corridor space type to ensure that each apartment has entry access.

3. Start the generation

A corridor space type is required to run the algorithm around a custom core.

  • Select the areas you want to generate in (hold shift to select multiple) and hit Generate Floor Plate on the Context Menu.

  • The generation will begin to run.

By splitting the floor plate into sections by drawing dividing walls before generating, you can have localized control over your unit mix and optimization.

Need large apartments on the outer facade and smaller apartments optimized for daylight on the inner facade? Split the building into an outer and inner section by drawing walls, and run two generations. Request a large unit mix for the exterior section and a smaller unit mix optimized for facade/floor area ratio (daylight) for the interior section.

4. Input the Unit Mix

The more iterations that run, the more accurate the result will become.

  • Input the desired Unit Mix in the upper left panel.

  • Check the Residential Unit Mix accordion menu on the right panel to see if the units are hitting your requirements. Units that are outside of your ranges will be displayed in grey.

  • Your Residential Unit Mix visualization ranges can be edited before, during and after generation.

5. Control which metrics the algorithm prioritizes

Users can continously change parameters to interact with the algorithm throughout the generation process.

  • In the bottom left corner, interact with the algorithm weights to optimize for certain metrics.

  • Metrics with their sliders further to the right will be prioritized.

6. Assign to story

  • Once you are satisifed with the generation, pause the algorithm and hit Assign to Story to bake it out.

7. Edit the results

Finch is a complete editing tool. All generated plans can be fully edited and customized.

  • Drag walls specific distances by typing the distance as you move.

Drag specific distances

  • Mirror walls using the Mirror icon (shift+m) that appears when walls are selected.

Mirror

  • Align walls by dragging and holding shift.

Align

  • Change wall widths by selecting a wall and inputting the new wall thickness in the Context Menu.

Change wall widths

Like one half of the floor plate but not the other? Finch can generate in sections!

Delete the unwanted walls and run the algorithm again in the new section, or draw your own sections using the wall tool.

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