Numerical culture and generative processes of the form

Duration

24h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

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

Learning unit contents

Developing themes relating to formal and material research as part of the approach to architectural projects would appear to be relevant: it combines, digitally, the emergence of form, its control, and the media devoted to the materialisation of designed objects (in their broadest sense).
This relevance is reflected in the use tools which can aid design and lead to increased control over the project.
The use of design assistance tools has taken off in recent years. It would be pointless here to monitor a trend or fad but to look at the methodological opportunities which these tools offer.
We propose that students address the mathematical theories behind the research of architects concerned by the genesis of form and architectural space. We introduce them to the use of programming language used in the chosen modelling tool to generate complex 3D forms and to control them. Students will learn to manipulate standard commands in architectural software packages, with a view to creating complex geometrical forms.
Among the themes which occupy a central place in this teaching unit are :

• The influence of digital culture on architecture (particularly its architectonic implications)
• The influence of mathematical sciences on the Fine Arts and architecture in particular, in the contemporary and modern periods.
• Mathematics and the genesis of form, non-Euclidian geometry, fractal design, and creation by iteration.
• The contribution of structural morphology, free forms and controlled forms.
• A tailor-made piece of software or 'line of command' as tools for creating architectural forms. Software presented: 3DStudio, Sketchup and Rhino.
• Transferring the designed forms into an architecturally appropriate piece of software.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

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.).

• 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)

• 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).
• Creating : developing an individual response demonstrating integration by envisaging form not through directly designing it but through configuring its geometry. Students should generate, imagine and invent a relevant personal response to the instructions and procedures (form finding).

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

To take part in this teaching unit, you should have acquired the following credits. None.
Good knowledge of graphic design and 3D modelling is required.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Presentation of the influence of digital culture upon architecture (particularly its architectonic implications)
Theoretical presentation of mathematical concepts
Theoretical lectures following by exercises in handling software packages.
Development of personal projects.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Presence in class is required.

Recommended or required readings

Compulsory course notes and slides are available on Myulg.
A. Tedeschi, AAD algorithms-Aided Desgin. Parametric strategies using grasshopper, 2014 request.
Catalogue d'exposition, Architectures non standard, éditions du Centre Pompidou, Paris, 2003
Picon, Antoine. Culture numérique et architecture.Bâle: Birkhäuser, 2010
Rivka Oxman et Robert Oxman, Theories of the digital in arcitecture, Routledge, 2014
Pottmann, Asperl, Hofer, Kilian, Architectural geometry, Bentley Institue press, 2007
  Articles :
Wendland David, Model-based formfinding processes: free forms in structural and architectural design. Allemagne, Université de Stuggart (Obligatoire)
Picon Antoine, La crise de l'échelle et de la tectonique classique, D'Architectures, 168, novembre 2007, pp 43-47 (facultatif)

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

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Contacts

Lecturer: Sylvie Jancart
Sylvie.jancart@ulg.ac.be
Student:
Antoine Maes
PHD Student:
Adeline Stals