The ACESD Theory seminar teaches the theoretical concepts behind environmental analysis and structural optimization. The seminar consists of a series of lectures taught by experts in the field and includes lessons in history and analysis of real case studies.
MaCAD Environmental and Structural THEORY SEMINAR
The realm of environmental design within computational frameworks predominantly revolves around employing digital simulations to gauge various performance metrics, such as solar exposure, wind patterns, lighting conditions, and temperature and comfort levels. While these metrics are pivotal for sustainable design, their potential falls short unless integrated with broader ecological, social, and technological dynamics. In the current landscape of interconnected crises, encompassing public health, climate change, and environmental disparities, a redefined role for the concept of ‘environment’ emerges. Rather than being a passive, static backdrop against which an architectural entity is situated, the environment, along with its associated resources, can literally transform into the focal point of design itself. This paradigm introduces fresh principles of planetary cohabitation, resource cycling, and building performance. It compels us to recognise that sustainability challenges are not solely abstract and statistical; they resonate in tangible ways, affecting our bodies, the food we consume, the water we rely on, and the air we breathe.
This course delves into the intricate interplay between architectural design, technology, and the production of the built environment, all within the context of environmental sustainability. It aims to highlight the ongoing interweaving of environmental design with various aspects of the built environment, where computational methods may or may not play a pertinent role. These include alternative building materials, the metabolic flow of resources, the embodied carbon footprint of buildings, waste generated in production processes, advanced manufacturing techniques, biodiversity, and inter-species ecologies, among others.
Through a combination of multidisciplinary experts lectures and critical discussions,, students will cultivate a profound comprehension of the intricate connections between architecture and the environment. This knowledge will lay the groundwork for innovative architectural and computational design approaches in response to urgent environmental challenges.
Throughout the course, students will delve into the fundamental principles, methodologies, and technologies that underlie sustainable design practices. Additionally, the course will examine the evolving role of computation in shaping environmentally responsive architecture.
The course aims to offer the following learning objectives:
https://github.com/ronmaccms/llm-chatbot.git Can AI Help Us Regulate Itself? AI is rapidly transforming the world. One critical question is whether AI can help regulate itself. By training a LLM on a comprehensive set of research papers, we can explore AI’s potential to provide insights into its own governance and ethical use. The research investigates how national policies … Read more
Between groupthink and individualitythe conflicting human impulses toward civilisation and social organization”(William Golding, The Lord of the flies, 1954) -How does collective design ensure/produce better environments?-How collective intelligence can affect design decisions?-How top-down and bottom- up projects are implemented?–Open data vs privacy | Participatory vs autonomy | Crowdsourcing / Crowdfuding Introduction To what extent collective … Read more
Sustainability and collective intelligence Manifesto diagram illustrating the participatory processes of the city inhabitants, created by the group Each section of this manifesto can be perceived independently. Choose the reading order and create your own narrative. The personalized narratives reflect the methodology to address the complexity of collaborative urban design processes at a macro level. … Read more
Ecological designs mimic nature, aiming to produce systems that generate no waste and positively impact the environment. We will consider the opposite ends of an ideal civilization: a utopian and dystopian world. Utopian: A future when there is a balance between satisfying living creatures (Humans, animals, and plants) needs in a space/building through an efficient … Read more
Introduction In the face of intensifying urbanization and the climate crisis, how can a paradigm shift in architecture, guided by the principles of building metabolism theory, offer a sustainable and regenerative solution to address the challenges of our rapidly evolving urban environments? Abstract In an era of intense urbanization there is an imperative need for … Read more
Global technology evolves rapidly, unprecedented in human history. This progress significantly enhances lives but at a considerable cost, marked by escalating global temperatures and the looming threat of extinction. Ongoing research aims to mitigate these adverse effects through diverse strategies.The building sector contributes about 47% of global carbon emissions. Architects, integral to this industry, … Read more
Group 09 – Open source architecture – By Yichen Lu , Hande Karata? , Naveen Kumar , Manolya Nielsen How can we promote the utilisation of the environment for the community, in an open-source manner, to advance sustainable design? In order to dwell into our research question, we must first define what it is that … Read more
With parametric models as its allies, Building Physics simulates and optimizes, offering a glimpse into the future of building design with tools capable of analyzing thermal comfort, lighting, energy consumption, and structural performance. In the age of circular and environmentally driven approaches, computational design becomes the compass, guiding deep dives into material optimization, environmental impact … Read more
As we move further into the 21st century, our chances of averting climate change have all but disappeared. Analysis shows that global temperatures now sit 1.1? above pre-industrial levels and are set to rise to 1.5? by the early 2030s (Jotzo and Howden, 2023). This rapid increase in temperatures has led to loss of land … Read more
Objective of the manifesto In an age defined by climate change, this manifesto strives to motivate designers by evoking their consciousness, to design the building envelopes not just for indoor comfort and aesthetics, but also ensuring the creation of outdoor thermal havens as these envelopes comprise approximately 70 % of the urban outdoor environment. Hence … Read more
INTRODUCTIONWhat is the difference between writing in ink and writing in pencil? Pencil can be easily deleted and re-written, while ink is permanent. In the realm of construction, the choice between writing in ink and pencil becomes a metaphor for permanence versus adaptability. Our cities face the urgent need for transformation in the face of … Read more
Problem Statement Modern buildings are fortresses holding nature at bay, reflecting Dualist philosophies separating humans from nature. Our current Anthropocentric notion of “nature” as something “out there” and separate from culture has created a metabolic rift1 within our urban and architectural landscapes, obscuring the ravaging of the earth. Resources are shipped from across the globe, … Read more
MaCAD 23/24 // ACESD Theory Existing State of Urban Design In order to understand how to strive for successful ecological design practices, designers must first understand the problems that currently exist in the process of urban design. The current state of design tends to create distinct enclosures between both natural ecosystems and humans, with the … Read more
