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    Algorithmic Architecture

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    asnsashank
    This document provides information about the 226A Algorithmic Architecture course offered at UCLA in winter 2004. The course objectives are to investigate computational design through developing algorithms that can generate meaningful architectural form. Students will learn programming basics and apply algorithms to explore properties of form. The course involves both theoretical lectures and practical scripting projects in Maya and FormZ modeling software. Reading materials cover topics like complexity, geometry, cellular automata, and hybridization as they relate to computational design. Assignments include repetitive form, pattern recognition, structure, and building generation programs.

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    Algorithmic Architecture

    Uploaded by

    asnsashank
    289 views3 pages
    This document provides information about the 226A Algorithmic Architecture course offered at UCLA in winter 2004. The course objectives are to investigate computational design through developing algorithms that can generate meaningful architectural form. Students will learn programming basics and apply algorithms to explore properties of form. The course involves both theoretical lectures and practical scripting projects in Maya and FormZ modeling software. Reading materials cover topics like complexity, geometry, cellular automata, and hybridization as they relate to computational design. Assignments include repetitive form, pattern recognition, structure, and building generation programs.

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    This document provides information about the 226A Algorithmic Architecture course offered at UCLA in winter 2004. The course objectives are to investigate computational design through developing algorithms that can generate meaningful architectural form. Students will learn programming basics and apply algorithms to explore properties of form. The course involves both theoretical lectures and practical scripting projects in Maya and FormZ modeling software. Reading materials cover topics like complexity, geometry, cellular automata, and hybridization as they relate to computational design. Assignments include repetitive form, pattern recognition, structure, and building generation programs.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    289 views3 pages

    Algorithmic Architecture

    Uploaded by

    asnsashank
    This document provides information about the 226A Algorithmic Architecture course offered at UCLA in winter 2004. The course objectives are to investigate computational design through developing algorithms that can generate meaningful architectural form. Students will learn programming basics and apply algorithms to explore properties of form. The course involves both theoretical lectures and practical scripting projects in Maya and FormZ modeling software. Reading materials cover topics like complexity, geometry, cellular automata, and hybridization as they relate to computational design. Assignments include repetitive form, pattern recognition, structure, and building generation programs.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    226A: Algorithmic Architecture

    Winter 2004 Tuesday 2:30 - 5:30 pm Perloff 1243A


    Instructor Kostas Terzidis tel. 310.825.8004
    E-mail: kostas@ucla.edu
    Office Hour: Tuesday 1:30-2:30 Perloff 1224D or e-mail (anytime)
    Class Notes: http://www.aud.ucla.edu/courses/2004/winter/aud226A
    Reader: At Course Reader Material, 1137 Westwood Blvd
    Book: Terzidis K., Expressive Form, London: Spon Press, 2003

    Course Objectives

    As architecture enters the new era of digital representation, geometrical theories and processes are being
    implemented, tested, and pushed to their limits. Recent theories of form in architecture have focused on
    computational methods of formal exploration and expression. From “topological geometry” and
    hypersurfaces to blobs and folds, there is a clear tendency to seek and explore formal properties as
    sources of ordering systems. For the last two decades, designers have been concerned with the use of
    computational mechanisms for the exploration of formal systems. These practices have attempted to
    readdress formal issues using new techniques and methods. Computational tools are central protagonists
    in this exploration. Through computational methods and algorithms, geometry, as we knew it, is being
    redefined and reconfigured.

    This course is aimed at investigating and exploring the structures, processes, and theories of
    computational design. The purpose is to develop algorithms and computational methods that would
    encapsulate the processes that lead to the generation of meaningful architectural form.

    While most algorithms are tailored to automate tedious manual methods, there is a certain category of
    algorithms that are not aimed at predictable results. Their inductive strategy is to explore generative
    processes or to simulate complex phenomena. In design, shape grammars, topological properties,
    mathematical models, genetic systems, mappings, and morphisms are algorithmic processes aimed at
    exploring uncommon, unpredictable, and uncharted formal properties and behaviors.

    The dominant mode of utilizing computers in architecture today is that of computerization; entities or
    processes that are already conceptualized in the designer’s mind are entered, manipulated, or stored on a
    computer system. In contrast, computation (or computing), as a computer-based design tool, is
    generally limited. While research and development of software involves extensive computational
    techniques, mouse-based manipulations of 3D computer models are not necessarily acts of computation.

    Presently, an alternative choice is being formulated: algorithmic design. It involves the designation of
    software programs to generate space and form from the rule-based logic inherent in architectural
    programs, typologies, building code, and language itself. Instead of direct programming, the codification
    of design intention using scripting languages available in 3D packages (i.e. Maya Embedded Language
    (MEL), 3dMaxScript, and FormZ 4.0) can build consistency, structure, coherency, traceability, and
    intelligence into computerized 3D form. By using scripting languages designers can go beyond the mouse,
    transcending the factory-set limitations of current 3D software.

    Algorithmic logic does not intend to eliminate traditional “manual” methods but rather to incorporate both
    computational complexity and creative use of computers. For architects, algorithmic design enables
    the role of the designer to incorporate both the unique features of the human mind as well as those of the
    computational one. It is a synergy between two partners. For the first time perhaps, architectural design
    might be aligned with neither formalism nor rationalism but with intelligent form and traceable creativity.

    Instructional Methodology

    The course will engage both in theory and practice. Theoretical aspects of computational design will be
    presented and discussed. This will provide general information about theory, critical studies, and
    research.

    The practical portion of the course will engage in scripting as it relates to architectural form: what are
    algorithms and how can they help us create architectural space; what is the role of the designer versus
    the software designer; what is “design consistency” and how can we build logic into form.
    Course Requirements

    The software that will be used in this course is Maya and/or FormZ (modeling and rendering) and MEL
    (scripting).

    No previous knowledge of Maya or script programming is required.

    Reading Material

    1. Course Book:

    • Terzidis K., Expressive Form: A Conceptual Approach to Computational Design, London:


    Spon Press, 2003

    2. Course Reader. Contains:

    • Devlin Keith, Mathematics: The Science of Patterns, New York: Scientific American Library, 1994,
    pp.105-43

    • Di Cristina Giuseppa, “The Topological Tendency in Architecture”, in Architecture and Science, Di


    Cristina G. (ed.) Wiley Academy, 2001, pp.6-13

    • Eisenman Peter, Diagram Diaries, New York: Universe Publishing, 1999, pp.26-41.

    • Jones Wes, “Download distractions: New, Pneu, Gnu, and Newed”, 2001 Jones, Partners:
    Architecture (from http://www.jonespartners.com/)

    • Lonsway Bruce, “The Mistaken Dimensionality of CAD”, Journal of Architectural Education vol. 56
    issue 2, November 2002, pp.22-5.

    • Lynn Greg, Animate Form, New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1999, pp.1-43

    • Mosterin J., “Kolmogorov Complexity” in Complexity and Emergence, Agazzi E. and L. Montecucco
    (eds.), New Jersey: World Scientific, 2002, pp.45-56

    • Novak Marcos, “Alien Space: The Shock of the View”, Article reproduced from Art + Technology
    Supplement of CIRCA 90, pp. 12-13

    • Novak Marcos, “Transarchitectures and Hypersurfaces”, in Architecture and Science, Di Cristina


    G. (ed.) Wiley Academy, 2001, pp.153-7

    • Saunders Peter, “Nonlinearity: What it is and why it matters”, in Architecture and Science, Di
    Cristina G. (ed.) Wiley Academy, 2001, pp.110-15

    • Spiegel Murray, Mathematical Handbook of Formulas and Tables, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1968,
    pp. 5-15, 46-52, 116-19

    • Stewart Ian, Concepts of Modern Mathematics, New York: Dover Publications, 1975, pp.144-58

    • Yessios Chris, “A Fractal Studio”, Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Association for
    Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA), University of North Carolina, Nov. 1987, pp.
    169-81
    Schedule W04

    W01[01.13] Introduction + lecture: computers in architecture


    Demo: Maya, Textpad, MEL
    Read: MEL Manual Ch 3-7+9, Jones

    Part I - Basics of programming

    W02[01.20] Variables, arithmetic/logical, loops, procedures


    Read: MEL Manual Ch 10-12, Stewart, Terzidis (Algorithmic),
    W03[01.27] Repetition [Grids] + circular behavior
    Read: Devlin
    Pro1: Repetitive Form (10%)

    Part II – Algorithmic Logic

    W04[02.03] Randomness [disturbing objects and sub-object elements]


    Read: MEL Manual Ch 17, Saunders
    W05[02.10] Curves and surfaces
    Lect: Topology vs geometry
    Read: Di Cristina
    Pro2: Pattern Recognition (10%)
    W06[02.17] Midterm (20%)
    Lect: Finite elements [particles]
    Read: Lynn, Mosterin
    Pro3: Structure: TBA (25%)
    W07[02.24] Cellular automata [grammars]
    Read: Eisenman, Yessios

    Part III - Architectural Logic

    W08[03.02] Hybridization [interpolation]


    Lect: Hybrid form
    Read: Terzidis (Hybrid)
    Demo: Class presentations
    W09[03.09] Boolean + assemblage
    Lect: (Un) Folding: Complexity and Intricacy
    Read: Read: Lonsway, Terzidis (warped)
    Pro4: Building: TBA (35%)
    W10[03.16] Discussion: The unknown and unpredictable
    Lect: C stands for Creativity
    Read: Novak (both), Terzidis Kostas (Caricature)

    w11[03.23] Final review

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