Computation Works The Building of Algorithmic Thought Architectural Design Series

Architects are now taking advantage of the computer in new ways through experimentation with algorithmic and simulation-driven design. Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought focuses on this emerging theme in design practice, showcasing built and soon-to-be-built projects and providing a state of the art in computational design. Computational design is considered to be first a design tool, and second a series of instruments that can be applied in the creation of architecture. It allows architects to incorporate performance analysis and knowledge about material, tectonics and the parameters of production machinery. Moving towards a new role as hybrid practitioners, architects are taking concepts from other disciplines and customising architectural and other CAD software. In addition to the discussion of built projects, a further series of texts examines new custom software instruments. New digital tools provide new modes of representation, new methods of evaluation, and new techniques for design exploration. The development of new computational tools can create more responsive designs, allowing architects to explore new design options and to analyse architectural decisions during the design process. This issue raises important questions such as: How is computation changing the way architects design? Are the design tools and methods related to the result? What is computational design in the context of architectural practice? and How is computation changing the processes of design and construction?

EditorIal 5
Helen Castle

About the GUEST-EDITORs 6
Brady Peters and Xavier De Kestelier

Introduction 8
Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought
Brady Peters

Algorithmic Tectonics: How Cold War Era Research Shaped Our Imagination of Design 16
Daniel Cardoso Llach

Recent Developments at Foster + Partners’ Specialist Modelling Group 22
Xavier de Kestelier

Symmetry As Geometry: Kuwait International Airport 28
Kristoffer Josefsson

Mathematical Ensemble: Molteni Arc Table 32
Jethro Hon

Integrated Computational Design: National Bank of Kuwait Headquarters 34
Dusanka Popovska

Networked Space 36
Dennis Shelden

Spatial Computing for the New Organic 42
Christian Derix and Åsmund Izaki

Structural Emergence: Architectural and Structural Design Collaborationat SOM 48
Keith Besserud, Neil Katz and Alessandro Beghini

Realising the Architectural Idea: Computational Design at Herzog & De Meuron 56
Brady Peters

Simulating the User Experience: Design Optimisation for Visitor Comfort 62
Shrikant Sharma and Al Fisher

Bridging a Culture: The Design of Museo Soumaya 66
Fernando Romero and Armando Ramos

Interoperability in Sports Design 70
David Hines

From Model Thinking to Process Design 74
Jan Knippers

Navigating the Computational Turn 82
Ben van Berkel

Domesticating Parametric Design 88
Bruce Bell and Sarah Simpkin

Planning by Parameters 92
Jeroen Zuidgeest, Sanne van der Burgh and Bas Kalmeyer

After After Geometry 96
Michael Meredith

Embedding Intelligence: Architecture and Computation at Grimshaw, NY 104
Seth Edwards

Linking Structure and Parametric Geometry 110
Clemens Preisinger

Undrawable Architecture: Heritage Buildings and Digital Tectonic 114
Stylianos Dritsas and Kang Shua Yeo

Computational Fluid Dynamics for Architectural Design 118
Sawako Kaijima, Roland Bouffanais, Karen Willcox and Suresh Naidu

Design Ecosystems: Customising the Architectural Design Environment With Software Plug-ins 124
Daniel Davis and Brady Peters

Galapagos: On the Logic and Limitations of Generic Solvers 132
David Rutten

Kangaroo: Form Finding with Computational Physics 136
Daniel Piker

Pachyderm Acoustical Simulation: Towards Open-Source Sound Analysis 138
Arthur van der Harten

WeaverBird: Topological Mesh Editing for Architects 140
Giulio Piacentino

Geco™: Architectural Design Through Environmental Feedback 142
Thomas Grabner and Ursula Frick

Firefly: Interactive Prototypes for Architectural Design 144
Andrew O Payne and Jason Kelly Johnson

Contributors 148

Xavier De Kestelier is Associate Partner with the Specialist Modelling Group of Foster+Partners, where he has worked on a broad range of projects such as Beijing Airport, the Yacht Plus BoatFleet and the Masdar Institute of Technology. Originallyfrom Belgium, he gained an MArch from the University of Ghent and an MSc (Urban Design) from the Bartlett School of Architecture in London. Since 2006 he has been visiting professor at the University of Ghent (Belgium) and Syracuse University (USA). He is a Director at SmartGeometry, an international group of academics and professionals who promote the use of parametric and computational techniques in architecture through conferences and publications.

Brady Peters is an architect and researcher. Currently, he is a PhD Fellow at the Centre for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA) in Copenhagen Denmark. His current research focuses on the use of computation and parametric design tools in architectural practice. Originally from Canada, Brady Peters has a MArch from Dalhousie University and a BSc from the University of Victoria. In London he worked for Buro Happold and in 2003, he joined Foster + Partners, where he was a key member of the Specialist Modelling Group, and became an Associate Partner. He has taught architectural design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts School of Architecture in Copenhagen, the University of Ghent, the University of Nottingham and has been a tutor at almost every SmartGeometry conference.