Resource search

Search DataDrivenAEC

Type at least two characters to search.

Looking for live projects? Explore open projects or browse the feed.

Open the full search page →

LunchBox

Free Grasshopper plugin for parametric paneling, structures, and machine learning

Open-source Grasshopper plugin providing 169 components for surface tessellation, parametric paneling, structural patterning, data workflow, and machine learning. The most downloaded plugin for Grasshopper, developed by Proving Ground and used by top AEC firms for computational design and generative form-making.

Not publicly specified raisedEstablishedOpen Source (GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL))
Founded 2012 · Most downloaded Grasshopper plugin (15+ years); used by firms including Gensler, Snohetta, Studio Gang, NBBJ, UNStudio, Perkins Eastman, LMN, HDR via Proving Ground consulting
Website →← All Tools
WHY IT EXISTS

Why This Tool Exists

The Problem

Architects and computational designers working in Grasshopper must hand-code complex surface paneling, space truss patterns, and parametric geometry operations — tasks that require deep scripting expertise and hours of component wiring. Machine learning integration in Grasshopper historically required leaving the design environment entirely.

The Solution

LunchBox provides 169 ready-made Grasshopper components covering parametric paneling (quad grids, diamonds, hexagons, triangles), structural patterning (diagrids, space trusses), mathematical surfaces, mesh tools, data I/O (CSV, Excel, JSON, XML), and a full machine learning toolkit (LunchBoxML) supporting regression, neural networks, probabilistic classifiers, and clustering — all without leaving Grasshopper.

USAGE

How You Use It

Delivery Method
Desktop PluginOpen Source
Integrations
Grasshopper (Rhino 7, Rhino 8)Rhino Package ManagerMicrosoft ExcelFood4Rhino
Disciplines
Architecture, Structural Engineering, Interior Design
Workflows
Design & BIM
Project Phases
Schematic Design, Design Development, Design Optimization
Project Types
Commercial, Cultural, Residential, Infrastructure, Industrial
TRANSPARENCY

Data Transparency

Exactly what this tool uses and how

Input
What it needs
Required:Grasshopper geometry or surface inputs, Rhino 7 or Rhino 8 environment
Optional:CSV data files, Excel spreadsheets, XML/JSON data, Training datasets for ML components
Formats:Rhino 3DM geometry, CSV, XLSX, XML, JSON, Text
Output
What you get
Format:Grasshopper geometry, data, and machine learning model outputs
Fields:Tessellated surface panels (quad, diamond, hexagonal, triangular), Structural wire patterns (diagrids, space trusses), Parametric mathematical surfaces (Mobius, Klein, Supershape), Building massing geometry, ML predictions (regression, classification, clustering), Exported data to CSV, Excel, XML, JSON
Algorithm
How it works
Model:Rule-based parametric algorithms + ML.NET and Accord.NET machine learning frameworks for LunchBoxML components
Accuracy:Geometric accuracy inherits from Rhino/Grasshopper precision; ML model accuracy is user-defined and dependent on training data quality
Privacy
How your data is protected
Retention:Local desktop plugin — no cloud data transmission; Proving Ground website data retained only as long as necessary per GDPR policy
Training:No user data sent to vendor; all computation runs locally on user machine
Compliance:GDPR-compliant privacy policy for Proving Ground website; no compliance certs applicable for desktop plugin
API
Integration
Endpoint:Not applicable — local Grasshopper plugin; no web API
Method:Grasshopper component graph (visual programming)
USE CASES

Use Cases

  • ·Generate complex facade paneling systems (diagrids, hexagonal patterns, quad panels) without custom scripting
  • ·Design and rationalize space truss structures for structural engineers
  • ·Apply machine learning regression and classification models directly within Grasshopper for performance optimization
  • ·Export parametric design data to Excel for quantity takeoffs and cost estimation
  • ·Create parametric building massing studies with LunchBox mass components
  • ·Encode and serialize Grasshopper geometry for interoperability with external systems
PRICING

Pricing

Free
Completely free — open source under LGPL license; install via Rhino Package Manager (Rhino 7/8) or Food4Rhino
Enterprise
No enterprise tier — free for all users; Proving Ground offers separate paid consulting services
Sources & Research NotesResearch date: 2026-07-08
Data Sources (7)
Fields Checked (14)
license-LGPL, delivery-method, year-rebranded-2012, vendor-Proving-Ground, founder-Nathan-Miller, component-count-169, rhino-7-8-compatibility, integrations, LunchBoxML-open-source, local-processing, privacy-policy, Omaha-Nebraska-location, client-list-via-consulting, G2-roadmap
Not Found (6)
total-download-count, funding-amount, revenue-model, compliance-certifications, code-started-2010-vs-2012-exact-release, Dynamo-version-status-confirmed
About this research: This record summarizes the cited sources and fields checked. A research date does not establish hands-on testing. Consult the original sources for current details and limitations.
ALTERNATIVES

Similar Tools

📄
3D PDF Exporter for AutoCAD
Design & BIM

AutoCAD plugin that converts 2D and 3D designs into secure, interactive PDF files for easy sharing with stakeholders without requiring AutoCAD licenses.

View Details →
📏
3DMeasure
Design & BIM

Free Revit plugin that enables accurate distance measurements in 3D views by selecting two points or clicking edges, with coordinate display in multiple reference systems.

View Details →
📄
3DPDF Exporter for Revit
Design & BIM

Revit plugin that converts 3D building models into secure, interactive PDF files for easy sharing with stakeholders without requiring Revit licenses.

View Details →