Spring 2011 Lecture Series: “Models of Design in the Age of Computation”
Organized by Axel Kilian
Art, design, and architecture all have been influenced by the advent of computation. Although their processes differ their underlying computational models have much in common. They are largely based on geometry- and image-based representation and use similar algorithms. Geometric processes continue to evolve and expand the generative possibilities but at the same time many intangible aspects of design remain underrepresented. The push for integration of non formal aspects of design in computation remains a challenge. Faced with a shortage of models, which satisfy the need for emergence, complexity, and control, architecture looks to other scientific disciplines. Ultimately design specific processes have to be developed to move forward. Speakers in the series represent different approaches to the creation of models of design. They leverage backgrounds in mathematics and computational geometry, Computer Science, Art, and Architecture. Their contributions range from the development of novel design projects enabled by distributed control systems, the creation of open source platforms, to consultancies with proprietary processes.
9 February
Prototypical Computation
Marc Fornes, Architect D.P.L.G. - Founder of THEVERYMANY™, New York
23 February
Prototypes and Protocols
Meejin Yoon, Associate Professor, Architectural Design, MIT; Howeler + Yoon
Architecture/ MY Studio
2 March
Lost in Parameter Space or Digital Craftsmanship – From Thinking to
Modeling to Building
Fabian Scheurer, Principal, Design to Production, Zurich
30 March
Advances and Challenges in Architectural Geometry
Helmut Pottmann, Director, Geometric Modeling and Scientific Visualization
Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
13 April
Designing Programs
Casey Reas, Professor, Design Media Arts, University of California, Los Angeles
Ben Fry, Principal, Fathom Information Design, Boston
20 April
Synthetic Search: The Spatiality of Computational Heuristics
Christian Derix, Head of Computational Design, Aedas, UK
