OctoMass was initially developed as a research and educational tool to introduce generative models into sustainable architectural design workflows. Rooted in academic exploration, its early focus was on helping students and researchers grasp the fundamentals of computational design thinking—particularly form-finding strategies shaped by environmental factors. The plugin aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practice by offering tangible tools for generating, analyzing, and evaluating building forms in early design stages.

Through studio-based experimentation, students learned how design parameters such as area, height, solar exposure, and thermal zoning could influence the evolution of architectural massing. This hands-on approach fostered a deeper understanding of sustainability principles and empowered a new generation of architects to think algorithmically about form and performance.

Now, the project is evolving beyond academia. In collaboration with the School of Architecture at Iran University of Science and Technology and NexoNest, OctoMass is transitioning into a fully deployable design tool for real-world application. With its components being fine-tuned and expanded—such as aperture control, shading systems, and overheating detection—it is positioned to support professionals in computational sustainability, early-stage design decision-making, and climate-responsive architecture.

OctoMass continues to grow through interdisciplinary collaboration, empowering both emerging and practicing designers to integrate environmental logic into the creative process—whether in the classroom, the studio, or the market.

Explore innovative student projects created using OctoMass plugin for sustainable architectural design. Students use OctoMass in Form Finding Process with intergration to Ladybug tools, Wallacei and Colibri.

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Organizational framework of OctoMass development team