Generative Codes
Study the Steps of the Unfolding
You can let the computer run the playback of the unfolding automatically: click here 
. You can dynamically see the steps as they come into play.
Or, you may control the playback of the unfolding: VERY slowly mouse-over the list of steps to view the unfolding at your own pace.
The ornament-making process has some simple steps which typically go along the following lines. Of course each case is different.
Look, and find gapsFind overall gesture................Find repeating pattern........Make space positive........Make boundaries........Add second levelAdd third levelMake space positiveIncrease contrast........Make harmonious........Here is the result................See more........................
Look carefully at the building or building component which is to receive the ornament, and find the "gaps" in it.
Ask yourself what overall gesture in the whole seems to repair the empty gap-like feeling in the whole?
Ask yourself what overall gesture in the whole seems to repair the empty gap-like feeling in the whole?
Ask yourself what overall gesture in the whole seems to repair the empty gap-like feeling in the whole?
Find a simple repeating pattern which is consistent with this gesture and fits within it.
Find a simple repeating pattern which is consistent with this gesture and fits within it.
Now improve the ornament, by making the individual bits of space in the ornament more positive. To do this, start giving better shape to individual repeating elements. "Better" means that the negative space between these elements, not only the elements themselves, become well-shaped and positive in shape.
Now improve the ornament, by making the individual bits of space in the ornament more positive. To do this, start giving better shape to individual repeating elements. "Better" means that the negative space between these elements, not only the elements themselves, become well-shaped and positive in shape.
Make appropriate boundaries, which help to unify the ornament, and its relation to its surroundings.
Make appropriate boundaries, which help to unify the ornament, and its relation to its surroundings.
Once you have this clear, try adding a second level of scale, of other smaller shapes, which make the ornament whole, and which increase the unity of its interior space—what this means is that the space between element become more positive because of these small elements you have added.
Do what you may need to, to add a third level of detail, thus embellishing the centers you have just created with small centers. They should be chosen to create both large centers and small ones.
Once again sharpen these smallest ones, and make them more positive.
If it is helpful, increase contrast, to make the ornament more vivid.
If it is helpful, increase contrast, to make the ornament more vivid.
In any case make sure it is not too extreme: it should end up subdued and harmonious.
In any case make sure it is not too extreme: it should end up subdued and harmonious.
