The class provides a framework for a systematic presentation and understanding of a variety of digital design media and their applications in architectural design and production. The class is divided in 16 weekly sections which lend themselves to the formation of thematic units and sub-fields within the field of design and computation. From one angle the class is divided in 3 sections, with the outer two extremes providing the introduction and a reflection on the field, while the middle one tackles systematically a variety of different digital design media and their applications in analysis and synthesis in architectural design and production. This middle body of lectures and tutorials can be further differentiated in 3 sections, the 1st being a systematic exposition of spatial systems starting from 3-dimensional media, to 2-dimensional to 1-dimensional spatial media, the 2nd integrating these spatial media with temporal media and behaviors, and the 3rd introducing interactivity and agency to the user that experiences and evaluates the design world. Still in another grouping weeks 2-8 deal explicitly with spatial and visual media including models, drawings, diagrams, sketches, and images, weeks 9-13 deal explicitly with non-spatial or symbolic systems that augment the spatial ones, and weeks 14-16 deal with specific topics in design and computation, the 1st on agency and immersion, the 2nd on seamless transition, integration and choice, and the 3rd on bridging the gap between analogue real worlds and digital design ones. The structure of the class is presented below.

FOUNDATION
01. Design and Computation

MEDIA
3-Dimensional
02. Solids in space: Solids
03. Planes in space: Surfaces
04. Lines in space: Wireframes
05. Points in space: Voxels

2-Dimensional
06. Planes in plane: Maps
07. Lines in planes: Drawings
08. Points in planes: Images

1-Dimensional
09. Lines in lines: Numbers
10. Points in lines: Text

MULTIMEDIA
1-Dimensional
11. Multimedia Computation: Sounds

2-Dimensional
12. Multimedia Computation: Video

3-Dimensional
13. Multimedia Computation: Kinetics

HYPERMEDIA
14. Hypermedia Computation: Game Engines
15. Bridging the gap: CAD/CAM

EPILOGUE
16. Algebras of shape + thought



Pedagogical objectives

The sequence of lectures gives an overview of the history and logic of computation in architectural design and traces key concepts and ideas underlying this field since the first accounts of architectural theory. An emphasis is given in practical concepts of design computing and recent technical advances in the many facets of the ever expanding field. Apart from the substantive content, the sequence of lectures serves to introduce the student to scholarly habits of mind and a sense of ongoing research in the field.

Prerequisites

The class is open to B.Arch, M.Arch, M.Sc.Arch, and Ph.D. students. There are no prerequisites. Although the course presents a systematic exposition of computation in design, and often a formal presentation of algorithms in design, no mathematical background is assumed on the part of the students.

Instructional methodology

The class will meet twice per week, once for lecture and once for lab. The lecture will be every Tuesday and the labs every Thursday. The theoretical concepts covered in each lecture will be fully covered by visual and spatial material. The course will include weekly readings and monthly design studies. A list of suggestive further readings and relevant websites will complement each topic that will be covered. All studies will be posted in the web.

Completion requirements

Students are expected to attend the lectures, do the lab tutorials, participate in the discussions, complete the required reading, take the tests, and do the class-work. There will be four exercises, and two tests. Details about specific tasks pertaining to individual exercises will be given separately for each exercise. The grade for this course is divided in the following sections:

Students that do not stay current with the readings or miss three or more classes will be asked to drop the course. Incomplete grades will be given only in accordance with Institute Policy.

All assignments are due to specific dates given in the calendar of the class, typically on Tuesdays before the time of the class at 12.00pm. Late assignments more than three days off, will not be accepted. All relevant information to each study, such as models, diagrams, drawings, images, video files, text, virtual reality worlds, and so on, will be embedded within the posted HTML files.

Network

The class relies on Internet technologies for effective communication, presentation, and exchange of ideas during the course. Outlines of the lectures will be posted on the website of the class along with announcements, project assignments, and other relevant material.