Computational Design

Shape Grammers

Symmetry, Proportion, Order

Virtual Reality

Computer Supported Collaborative Work

Athanassios Economou earned his Diploma in Architecture at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece (NTUA) in 1990, his Masters of Architecture at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles (USC) in 1992, and his PhD in Architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1997. During his doctorate studies he focused on the computational approaches in design and he took classes in discrete mathematics, computer graphics and music composition. His dissertation focused on applications of 3-dimensional group structure in visual and sound design systems. In 1997 he became Assistant Professor at the College of Architecture at Georgia Institute of technology and in 2003 he became Associate Professor. Since he came to Tech he has been teaching undergraduate and graduate architectural studios and a series of core and elective classes in design and computation.

Dr. Economou's current research is in the areas of computational design, shape grammars, Architectonics: Studies of Symmetry, Proportion, Order, VR: Virtual Reality and Game Engines, and CSCW: Computer Supported Collaborative Work. Recent funded projects include: A Comprehensive Web-Based Multimedia Courts Information Database (Part I-II-III, 2001-3, $625,786.00, US Courts, GSA, PI C. Zimring), Immersion, Agency, Transformation: Games Engines in Architectural Design, 2002, (co/PI R. Conroy, $7,565.44, GT Foundation Curriculum Development Grant), CAD/CAM Processes in Design Studio, 2002, $41,415.00, GT Technology Fee Initiative), Foundations of a Virtual Design Studio, 1999, $5,238.00, GT Foundation Curriculum Development Grant), Virtual Design Studio and Large Scale Video Network Prototype (LSVNP), 1999-2000, Southern Universities Research Association (SURA) + Video Development Initiative (ViDe).