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:
Previously known as Echo De Rut, our pavilion design in Plaça de la Virreina has undergone a thoughtful revision, focusing on both improved fabrication methodology and greater environmental sensitivity. The initial proposal, composed of thin copper fragments loosely assembled, proved to be premature—both structurally unrealistic and impractical for real-world construction. Moreover, copper is not an … Read more
a BIOCHAR BASED concrete WITH A negative carbon footprint BARA is an opportunity to build negative carbon constructionsystems by rethinking concrete and methods used in the buildingindustry. Using on-site 3D printing and casting, entire buildings can beconstructed with reduced cement while storing and capturing carbon. The focus is on optimizing and improvingstructural performance, enhancing carbon … Read more
DomusX is a modular pavilion designed using the Assembler plugin in Grasshopper, exploring parametric assembly systems for adaptive architecture. The structure consists of interlocking components that can be easily reconfigured or expanded, allowing flexibility in design and use. DomusX promotes sustainable, site-responsive design through modularity and digital fabrication. DomusX leverages Assembler’s generative capabilities to create … Read more
Optimizing Student Housing with Sunlight-Driven Computation This project uses Ladybug and Galapagos within Grasshopper to optimize the form and massing of a student housing complex based on solar performance. Ladybug was used to run radiation and sun-hour analyses, helping evaluate how different configurations received sunlight throughout the year. Galapagos, a genetic algorithm solver, was applied … Read more
CONCEPT This project proposes a wavy perforated facade system designed to respond to solar orientation and ecological integration. The undulating form of the facade is not only an aesthetic gesture, but a performative skin that regulates sunlight exposure. Facing the south-west, the convex and concave surfaces of the facade deflect direct solar rays, creating self-shaded … Read more
As an extension to our Digital Matter studio project, KINXA, developed the computational design portion utilizing Grasshopper to combine both the use climate analyses and optimizing tools to help us generate the most suitable design iteration for our project. PROJECT CONTEXT KINXA’s Mission: KINXA aims to bring vernacular construction back into contemporary architecture by systemizing … Read more
Project by Saad Khan and Sai Mohan Satwik Introduction- Evolution In nature, evolution is the quiet engineer — iterating lifeforms through adaptation, selection, and mutation to thrive in ever-changing environments. From the spiral of a seashell to the branching of trees, nature doesn’t design — it evolves. Inspired by this process, computational design tools now … Read more
Our goal for this Computational Design assignment was using Karamba along with Wallacei to optimize the mass and deformation of the timber frames of our construction system called KINXA. It is a modernized version of the vernacular technique used in Latin America called “Quincha” which consists of the use of a wood or cane frame, … Read more
Inner Courtyard Section Galapagos Pseudo Code Script Animation Renders
Abstract Assembler Grounds explores a computational approach to site-specific excavation and material reuse, resulting in a subterranean academic and social hub embedded within a residential campus. Using environmental data and generative geometry, the project aligns performance, program, and sustainability in a cohesive design strategy. Solar radiation analysis informed the strategic placement of light wells and … Read more
Multi-objective optimization – a living panel grown from bio-waste, offering thermal and acoustic comfort. designed as a retrofit solution for the existing low-energy-performance building stock, it’s paired with a digital tool and suggests the best optimized panel for acoustics and thermal resistance, bringing sustainable design to your fingertips. This study introduces a form-finding method for … Read more
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
