Using Site Maps in Rhino and Grasshopper for Parametric Design

Rhino + Site Analysis = Powerful Combination

Rhino's precision and Grasshopper's parametric power make them ideal for site analysis and urban design. ArchiKEK exports work seamlessly with both.

Importing into Rhino

SVG Import

• File → Import → Select your .svg file
• Choose import options:
• Scale: 1 unit = 1 meter
• Curves: Keep as curves
• Position at origin or georeferenced location

DXF Import

• File → Import → Select your .dxf file
• DXF imports with layers intact
• Check layer panel for organization

Setting Up Your Site Model

Organize Layers

Create a layer structure:

```

SITE

├── CONTEXT

│ ├── buildings_existing

│ ├── roads

│ ├── water

│ └── green

├── BOUNDARY

│ └── site_limit

└── DESIGN

├── buildings_proposed

└── landscape

```

Create Building Masses

From 2D footprints to 3D:

• Select building curves
• ExtrudeCrv command
• Enter height (or use variable heights)

Add Topography

If you have contour data:

• Import contour lines
• Use Patch or NetworkSrf
• Project buildings onto terrain

Grasshopper Workflows

Parametric Site Analysis

Building Density Analysis

• Reference building curves from Rhino
• Calculate areas with Area component
• Sum for total built area
• Divide by site area for FAR

Shadow Studies

• Create building masses
• Use Ladybug plugin for sun position
• Generate shadow projections
• Animate through day/year

Circulation Analysis

• Reference road centerlines
• Create network graph
• Calculate distances and connectivity
• Visualize accessibility

Urban Design Tools

Random Building Heights

```

Curves → Extrude → Random(min, max) → Masses

```

Setback Generation

```

Curves → Offset → Extrude → Buildings with setbacks

```

View Corridor Analysis

```

Key viewpoints → Ray intersection → Height limits

```

Plugins That Help

Ladybug Tools

Environmental analysis:

• Sun path diagrams
• Shadow studies
• Radiation analysis
• Wind visualization

Elk

OpenStreetMap data directly in Grasshopper:

• Good for large-scale analysis
• Real-time data fetching
• Complements ArchiKEK exports

Urbano

Urban analysis toolkit:

• Street network analysis
• Walkability scoring
• Land use modeling

Tips for Best Results

Scale Consistency

Always work in meters for site-scale projects. ArchiKEK exports are in meters by default.

Layer Management

Keep imported context on locked layers to prevent accidental modification.

Performance

Large site models can slow down. Use:

• Meshes instead of surfaces where possible
• Display modes that hide complex geometry
• Selective layer visibility

Baking Workflow

In Grasshopper, bake analysis results to specific layers for documentation.

Export for Presentations

From Rhino back to 2D:

• Make2D command for elevations/plans
• Export as PDF or SVG
• Use in Illustrator with ArchiKEK base maps

Get Your Site Map →