Study Programmes 2015-2016
ARCH1964-1  
Digital design in its Materializing Approach
Duration :
24h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in architecture (120 ECTS)2
Master in architecture (120 ECTS)2
Lecturer :
Fréderic Delvaux, Sylvie Jancart
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
In contemporary architecture, the integration of geometry, parametric design and digital production seems essential for the new generations of students. Together, these three fields allow to follow a project-based methodology based on different processes than the methodology based on the "traditional" paradigm. The course will focus on studying a prototype to be built on a large scale. Formal and structural experiments will be set up as a part of this project that will involve – based on simple geometric considerations – an efficient method to create spaces with an arched ceiling. The course will start with a series of sketches, whose generated shapes will become easily identifiable. It will then examine the implications of putting these contents into practice, defining their parameters (using the Grasshopper software) and the constraints related to production and assembly. The most prominent topics in this course include:
  • The influence of digital culture on architecture (especially with regards to its architectonic implications).
  • The influence of geometry on the conception of architecture.
  • The contribution of structural morphology: free shapes and rules-based shapes.
  • A bespoke software application (Rhino3d+Grasshopper), used for parametric design, enabling users to (Rhino3d+Grasshopper) pour la conception paramétrique permettant d'intégrer l'approche géométrique et structurelle de la forme, la chaine de conception - fabrication.
  • La méthode expérimentale et l'exploration des implications de la conception dans la matérialisation et la stabilité des objets construits.
Learning outcomes of the course :
Connected to the competency framework : All teaching in the Study of Representation and Form area will enable students to develop specific competencies in the Faculty's competency framework by guiding them more particularly in the development of the competencies. For this teaching unit :
Defining an architectural question


  • Studying the various components of the theme and context (historical, landscape, economic, legal, technological, etc.).
Drafting a spatial response


  • Using verbal, written and graphic language as a means of designing, structuring, verifying and questioning thought.
  • Introducing experiments with implementation as a design parameter.
  • Adjusting spatial resolutions through exploratory questioning (question-response-spatial validation and new cycle of questioning)
Learning outcomes from the teaching unit described in operational terms.


  • Understanding : the approach to generating forms, controlling them and the media involved in materialising designed objects (in the broadest sense).
  • Analysing : bibliographical references (articles, publications, conferences, etc..) which enable the contextualisation of course content in the digital culture and its influence on architecture.
  • Application : formulating an analysis leading to the use of the software tools.
  • Evaluating : self-criticism of the process used (rationalisation, optimising the generation of form).
  • Creation: students will learn to develop a response that integrates different types of notions (shape acquisition/sketch, geometry, structure, construction) in the digital design-building continuum, using the most appropriate tools and following an identifiable methodology that is adapted to the exercise's goals.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
To take part in this teaching unit, you should have acquired the following credits  :  cours "Culture Numérique et processus génératifs de la forme" ARCH1004-1
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
  • Presentation on the design-building continuum and on digital production-building tools (3D printing, laser cutting, multi-axis robots...).
  • Sketching and parametric design for shape acquisition.
  • Iterative development of the project in terms of the relationships between shape, structure and building.
  • Experiments and feedback on the project's design and building on a 1:1 scale.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Presence in class is required.
Recommended or required readings :
Catalogue d'exposition, Architectures non standard, éditions du Centre Pompidou, Paris, 2003
DE BOISSIEU A., LECOURTOIS C. & GUÉNA F. 2010. Enseigner la conception architecturale avec la modélisation paramétrique: Quelle spécificité cognitive. 01- Design| Europia 1-14.
KOLAREVIC, B.,(2005). Architecture in the Digital Age : Design and Manufacturing. Taylor & Francis
LEACH N. 2009. Digital morphogenesis. Architectural Design 79: 32-37.
OTTO F. 1984. Architecture et Bionique : Constructions naturelles. Editions Delta et Spes.
OXMAN R. 2014. [(Theories of the Digital in Architecture)] [Author: Rivka Oxman] [Feb-2014]. ROUTLEDGE.
Picon, Antoine. Culture numérique et architecture.Bâle: Birkhäuser, 2010
POTTMANN H., A. ASPERL, M. HOFER & A. KILIAN 2007. Architectural Geometry. Bentley Institute Press.
ROUDAVSKI S. 2009. Towards morphogenesis in architecture. International journal of architectural computing 7: 345-374.
SILVESTRI, C; Fleury, F; Bagneris, M. (2012). Morphologie et conception, Montpellier : Ecole nationale supérieure d'architecture de Montpellier.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Continuous assessment of understanding of theoretical concepts and the student's practical work.
Assessing a piece of written work summarising the theoretical concepts and personal projects developed throughout the course. The criteria for assessing the final piece of work are : the relevance of the choice of parameters and how they impact upon the possibility of structuring form, the quality, method and description of the approach (inventiveness, limits, solutions, etc.) and the quality of communication of the final result in its context. Work will be presented to the teaching staff.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
The course is given as a five-day residential workshop held from January 25 to 30, 2016, and the students' work will be presented at the end of the week. This activity is organised in collaboration with ENSA Grenoble, and will be organised at the Grands Ateliers de l'Isle d'Abeau, in France. Practical information (transportation, accommodation…) will be provided soon. For organisational reasons, the deadline to enrol into this course is set to September 30.
Contacts :
Lecturers :
Frédéric Delvaux
Frederic.delvaux@ulg.ac.be
Sylvie Jancart
Sylvie.jancart@ulg.ac.be
  Student-relay teachers :
  Frédéric Delvaux
 
collaborateur scientifique
Romuald Bianchi