Constraint diagrams, solver interfaces, and 2010–2012 design studies show the method; no measured project-wide time or cost reduction is claimed. View evidence ↓
SERIES is a computational design toolkit developed at Callison’s Shanghai office during 2010–2012. It links free-form tower design with the geometric and manufacturing constraints of curtain-wall systems.
The toolkit uses simulated annealing to adjust floor outlines while responding to floor-area limits, column alignment, façade curvature, and panel requirements. Separate solvers address overall form, floor profiles, inclined columns, and the coordination of model information.
The workflow incorporates supplier and façade-consultant requirements into the design team’s own model, allowing geometry to be rationalized while maintaining control of the intended appearance.
Method
SERIES brings floor-area limits, column alignment, facade curvature, and panel requirements into a coordinated computational workflow. Separate solvers expose the effects of these constraints on architectural geometry.
- 01
Define
Record floor-area, structure, curvature, and panel requirements.
- 02
Solve
Use simulated annealing to adjust floor outlines within the stated constraints.
- 03
Coordinate
Connect form, floor profiles, inclined columns, and model information.
- 04
Review
Compare design alternatives with supplier and facade-consultant requirements.
Geometric constraints
Tower overhang, floor outlines, corner alignment, and column inclination define the optimization problem.
Parametric solvers
Grasshopper interfaces coordinate floor data, outline geometry, tower form, and column alignment. Design studies.
Evidence & scope
The documented work includes constraint diagrams, parametric solver interfaces, and design studies from 2010–2012. These show the coordination method; no measured project-wide time or cost reduction is claimed.
