In computer science, algorithms are habitually defined as fixed and often finite procedures of step-by-step instructions understood to produce something other than themselves. These logic structures interface with data, sourced from any computable phenomena, becoming the basis for a new array of design strategies. The Computational Design Seminar focuses on emergent design strategies based on algorithmic design logics. From the physical spaces of our built environment to the networked spaces of digital culture, algorithmic and computational strategies are reshaping not only design strategies, but the entire perception of Architecture and its boundaries.
In computer science, algorithms are habitually defined as fixed and open finite procedures of step-by-step instructions understood to produce something other than themselves. Structures of logics interfacing with Data, sourced from any computable phenomena. In this course, we will focus on emergent design strategies based on algorithmic design logics. From the physical spaces of our built environment to the networked spaces of digital culture, algorithmic and computational strategies are reshaping not only design strategies but the entire perception of Architecture and its boundaries.
In this course seminar we will focus on understanding logics and computational design workflows that can lead to advanced algorithmic thinking. This course aims to solidify the ground of the basics of grasshopper while amplifying already existing concepts into more advanced notions that can be put into practice.
Main tools of the course will be McNeel’s Rhinoceros v8 and Grasshopper3d. As a complementary tool for Rhino we’ll focus on the associative design platform of Grasshopper3d, a graphical algorithm editor rightly integrated with Rhino’s 3D modelling tools. Moreover, during the course we will adopt various plugins implementing Grasshopper’s features and its capabilities, in order to achieve full control of complex design strategies.
In Term 1 of computational design and parametric architecture, the curriculum is structured around several key objectives:
In essence, Term 1 emphasises dissecting existing projects, honing advanced parametric design skills, engaging with practical applications, and cultivating a flexible understanding of data-driven design to craft diverse architectural systems.
At course completion the student will:
For my pavilion project, I found myself oddly inspired by a “biblically accurate angel” — you know, the ones that look less like the serene, harp-playing figures from greeting cards and more like a fever dream fueled by too much divine caffeine. Covered in eyes, wings, and inexplicable geometry, this chaotic celestial energy felt like … Read more
Project by Saad Khan and Gustavo Calderone The final task for the term was to design a 100-square-meter pavilion in Plaça de Sant Pere, Barcelona, using computational design logic through Grasshopper. This project explores generative design strategies to create an adaptable pavilion using parametric methodologies, ensuring a responsive and dynamic architectural intervention within the urban … Read more
Computation Design Seminar-Term II The project envisions a dynamic tensile structure on a terrace, integrating tensegrity to create a lightweight yet structurally efficient space for public interaction. Designed as a multifunctional hub, the pavilion provides a space for relaxation, lunch breaks, social gatherings, and contemplation. By leveraging computational design tools such as Kangaroo, we explore … Read more
Site: Pl. de Sant Jaume Plaça de Sant Jaume, located in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, is a historic and political hub, home to the City Hall and Palau de la Generalitat. As a central urban space, it offers a dynamic blend of civic activity, tourism, and cultural events. The square’s rectilinear layout, flanked by neoclassical façades, … Read more
The project explores computational design through a pavilion in Plaza de Cataluña, Barcelona, inspired by the works of Marc Fornes. Pedestrian flow analysis defined the pavilion’s anchor points, generating three structural elements using the Kangaroo plugin in Grasshopper. Subsequently, Ivy and the Kruskal algorithm were used to develop an optimized panelization pattern, facilitating digital fabrication. … Read more
In this project, we explore computational design tools within Grasshopper to design a pavilion in Plaça de la Universitat, here in Barcelona. This plaza is located in the Eixample District and it gets its name from its close proximity to the historic building of the University of Barcelona. Additionally, we develop the methodology for the … Read more
The Best Canopy This project proposal transforms a public space by harnessing the power of color, light, and delicate architectural elements to create a vibrant and inviting environment. By extending the public ground, the design seamlessly integrates the space with its surroundings, fostering a sense of continuity and community. The extension incorporates a veranda that … Read more
Pavilion at Plaça del Sol, Barcelona Solaris at Plaza del Sol is a dynamic structure that integrates with its urban pedestrian surroundings. Inspired by organic growth patterns, the pavilion’s perforated shell creates a play of light and shadow, fostering an ever-changing spatial experience. The flowing form provides both shade and ventilation, enhancing comfort within the … Read more
The Ethereal Bloom Pavilion embodies fluidity and lightness, mimicking organic structures found in nature. The twisted lattice frame, already developed through a parametric script, acts as the primary structural element. The spaces between the frame are filled with inflatable ETFE panels, which are designed to respond to air pressure forces and achieve a soft, billowing … Read more
Abstract Perpetua is a pavilion that embodies fluidity, continuity, and movement. Inspired by the dynamic energy of Plaça Nova, its overlapping curves rise and intertwine, forming three distinct yet connected pathways that invite exploration. The name “Perpetua”, meaning perpetual and unending, reflects the seamless transition of space, where geometry and motion merge into an evolving … Read more
– Introduction: Echo de Rut Plaça de la Virreina: -Plaça de la Virreina exists in a delicate tension between past and present, a space where history is not a relic but a rhythm. At its core stand two silent yet commanding sentinels: the Church of Saint Joan and the Font de Rut. These are not … Read more
CONCEPT Plaça de George Orwell, a historically and socially complex urban space in Barcelona, serves as the foundation for our pavilion, Nestscape. Inspired by the triangular geometry of the plaza, the design emerges as a modular, porous canopy that interacts with human and avian movement alike. The pavilion responds to the site’s historical evolution—from a contested public … Read more
Master in Advanced Architecture Computational Design Seminar Yetkin Demir / Giovanny Gordillo SITE Placa De Sant Felip Neri is a small square located in the Gothic quarter. Bearing scars from the Spanish Civil War in 1938, this plaza holds a tragic past. Surrounded by the church and mixed use buildings, this square serves as a … Read more
FACADE This project explores the integration of computational design and architecture to create a dynamic facade inspired by organic forms. The design features parametrically controlled vertical slats with wavy geometries, adapting to environmental factors like light and ventilation. Using Grasshopper, attractor points influence curvature, density, and transparency, enabling a responsive, visually striking structure. The facade … Read more
