Sun Tracking Facade

Sun Tracking Facade

This thesis by Mahzad Tashakori describes the development of a computer controlled sun-tracking device model that aims at improving the environmental performance of a building facade system. During the process, advanced computational modeling and simulation tools, such as Grasshopper and Ecotect, were utilized.

Interactive Pavillions: Responsive Transformation of Structure

Interactive Pavilions

This thesis by Xiangru Chen is to design a mix-use pavilion, which detects occupancy and lighting/temperature conditions, and then transforms its structure in shape and scale to satisfy the spatial demands for the use.

The Parametric Facade

The Parametric Facade

Digital design and fabrication tools now allow us to create highly flexible building façade systems that can be customized for different con- texts as well as optimized for particular performance objectives. This thesis by Peter C. Graham develops a prototype for a flexible façade system using parametric modeling tools.

Generative Tessellations

Generative Tessellations

This thesis by Sara Torki Baghbadorani focuses on surface articulation of a shell structure constructed through a generative, parametric, modular design process. The shell form uses vault topology that adapts to varying site conditions such as topography and shape and that serves as contemplative space.

Generative Architectural Form

Generative Architectural Form

This dissertation “An Evolution-Based Generative Design System: Using Adaptation to Shape Architectural Form” by Luisa Gama Caldas dwells in the interstitial spaces between the fields of architecture, environmental design and computation.

Geometry and Performance of Timber Gridshells

Timber Gridshells

This thesis by Dragos-Iulian Naicu, upon reviewing the design and construction processes of previous timber gridshells, puts forward a structural model that aims to represent the true nature and specifics of single and double- layered timber gridshells.

Parametric Urban Morphology

Parametric Urban Morphology

This research by Yingyi Zhang aims to create a parametric modelling system to aid urban regulation. The system offers a visualised coding interface to manipulate parameters and achieve interactive performance feedback at the early stage of urban regulation.

Computational Design Technologies

Computational Design Technologies

Among the wide landscape of digital design tools, the computational ones emerge as those that can promote non-standard design approaches to architectural conception, development and construction.

Computer Graphics and Geometric Ornamental Design

Geometric Ornamental Design

In this dissertation by Craig S. Kaplan, author present his research in the area of computer-generated geometric art and ornament. He focused on two projects in particular. First he developed a collection of tools and methods for producing traditional Islamic star patterns. Then he examined the tesselations of M. C. Escher.

Tangible Means Knowledge through Materials

Tangible Means

With this document edited by Anne Louise Bang, Jacob Buur, Irene Alma Lønne and Nithikul Nimkulrat, authors wish to explore different ways in which experiential knowledge through materials can be given more appropriate consideration within the framework of research.

Automated Digital Fabrication

Automated Fabrication

Within this thesis by Judah Hook is the investigation and development of an alternative fabrication concept that utilises an inexpensive, reusable “pin board” mould that is autonomously set to various CAD derived surface geometries by a 6-axis robotic arm manipulator.

Landscape Parametric Modeling

Landscape Parametric Modeling

This thesis by Stuart Mackenzie Jones gives an overview of parametric tools and parametric thinking, and describes how parametric tools are being applied to the design of the built environment and landscape systems.

Robotic Construction

Robotic Construction

This research by Steven Robert Janssen catalogues robotic construction technology currently being used by architects and discusses the motivations that drive architects to use this technology. This catalogue includes an interview with architect Dr Simon Weir and investigates his motivation for using robotic construction technologies.

Creative Optimization

Creative Optimization

This thesis by Yassin Salah El-Din Ashour presents a workflow called the ‘creative optimization workflow’ using a Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) engine called Octopus that runs within Grasshopper3D, a parametric modeling tool, and multiple simulation software.

Material That Matter

Material That Matter

This thesis by Andrea Minuto will introduce you to a vision called Smart Material Interfaces (SMIs), which takes advantage of the new generation of engineered materials. They are capable of changing their physical properties, such as shape, size, and color, and can be controlled by using certain stimuli.

Realtime Structural Design

Realtime Structural Design

The present thesis by Daniel Akesson aims to integrate structural feedback with geometric modeling. The user interfaces of conceptual design tools should be interactive and agile enough to follow the designer’s iterative workflow.

Parametric Landscape Urbanism

Parametric Urbanism

This thesis by Sadik Deniz Akman discusses the emerging approaches in landscape urbanism from a methodological perspective and discusses the emerging techniques applied in the recent design and research projects in landscape urbanism. The study mainly focuses on design tools and techniques applied in the field.

Funicular Shell Design

Funicular Shell Design

Addressing both architects and engineers, this dissertation by Matthias Rippmann presents a new framework for the form finding and design of fabrication geometry of discrete, funicular structures in the early design phase. It introduces a new methodology for structurally-informed design of curved surface architecture.

InfraBIM and Interoperability

InfraBIM and Interoperability

This project by Paulina Tovo is a concrete application of BIM methodology focused on the implementation of Maintenance Plan and on a collaborative work. The thesis development was based on Variante di Demonte project, which is a real case that it has not yet been built. 

Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design

SimAUD 2016 Proceedings

This document edited by Ramin Attar, Angelos Chronis, Sean Hanna and Michela Turrin includes subjects presented in SimAUD 2016 like building simulation, daylighting, urban networks & analysis, agent base modeling, data driven design, urban data, design decision support, design computation & methods, fabrication and form finding

Parametric Architectural Design

Parametric Architectural Design

This thesis by Reka Sarkozi examined parametric architecture and its applications on numerous ways. Author researched and classified the parametric design tools and she also assigned its connections to traditional architectural design. She created a plug-in for Grasshopper, the parametric software she primarily use.

Making Rules, Making Tools

Making Tools

The first part of the thesis by Lynne Maclachlan examines shape grammar theory as a method of modelling designer-maker creative episodes, to inform designer practice. Evidence was gathered from interviews with designer-makers, observations from a design process carried out by the author and other literature on designer-makers.

Parametric Timber Shell Structures

Timber Shell Structures

This master thesis by Sebastian de Wit is the result of a graduation project where research is conducted on parametric design of segmental timber shell structures. Throughout this report, the design process as well as the development of a parametric model to design, analyze and fabricate segmental timber shell structures is described.

Audio to Architecture

Audio to Architecture

Polina Timchenko in her thesis “Audio to Architecture: House Music as a Form Generator” is going to explore the idea that every house music component can be translated into geometry with the use of parametric design techniques.

Parametric Timber Shell Structures

Timber Structures

This thesis by Alexandra Adelle Hinkel Cheng presents an example of a project executed in a co-rationalized manner through architectural and structural collaboration, using both digitally-integrated and analog models, for the design and construction of solid timber shells structures.

Integrated Algorithmic Design

Integrated Algorithmic Design

This thesis by Renata Alves Castelo Branco aims to explore the advantages an algorithmic approach can bring to the design process, and investigate, at the same time, how to bridge the gap between the different tools with which architecture currently operates

Parametric Structures

Parametric Structures

The aim of the thesis by Daniel Wallin and Martin Wasberg was to investigate if the use of parametric design tools from both architects and structural engineers could be a way of making the design process more effective. This thesis also include testing the structural plug-ins of the parametric design tools.

Incessant replication: Computational floor plan generation

Incessant Replication

This thesis by Ron Aasholm studies the process of promptly harnessing a computational design methodology and applies it to floor plan design. A specific evolutionary algorithm, found in Galapagos, is analysed and applied as it used in the model demonstration.

Computational Urban Design

Computational Urban Design

This thesis by Saeran Vasanthakumar introduces a design tool that attempts to optimize urban energy needs through the mass-customization of urban typology. Developing low-energy, high-density urban typology is a critical goal for cities given current energy consumption and urban growth trajectories.

Performance through Thickfolds

Performance through Thickfolds

Performance through thickfolds by Torsten Sack-Nielsen approaches climate-responsive behaviours through shape, materialisation and kinematics. In this PhD project, folding is investigated phenomenologically, exploratively as well as experimentally, to exploit and document on how climate-responsive performance potentials can be utilised in architecture.

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