Design Computation

There has always been a direct relationship between architects’ tools and the qualities of space those tools produce. Computational machines, once considered just more efficient versions of paper-based media, now have a demonstrated, speculative form-making potential. Design computation encapsulates this potential as a collection of systems that can activate the object of design with behaviors, rules, and self-generating processes. Architecture is still developing critical frameworks to value these processes; but for computation to be most effective in creating new architectures, architects must invent their own systems for design computation rather than relying only on those created by other fields for different priorities. This seminar explores generative form-making, programming, and computational geometry, enabling students to interrogate the analytical, diagrammatic, and speculative methodologies of design computation with respect to architecture and form. Topics include multi-agent systems, cellular automata, flocking behavior, algorithms, dynamic form, and Lindenmayer systems. This course considers them not as mere programming techniques, but as analytic and exploratory tools for responsible design. The work culminates in an interactive final project that challenges the understanding of computation in architecture. Limited enrollment.