Thesis on Digital Design

Hello all!

In the next winter and summer semester (of 2010-2011) I will finish my architecture studies, and most likely write a theoretical thesis on an architectural subject. My BA in computer sciences has guided me in a - what I once thought - specific path within architecture, but recent discoveries (like the Grasshopper-community etc.) have learned me that the field of digital and parametric architecture is so-to-speak alive and kicking. This is also the main subject I would like to write my thesis about. It is however mainly the subject and defining its boundaries – what do I really want to explore and research? – which is the most difficult factor at this time.

A concrete idea is non-existant, and my current visions will probably be redirected when I have a first meeting with the promotors in February. Moreover there is the knowledge that it is impossible to make a thesis at the institute in Antwerp on no matter what subject in the world of digital architecture. Understandably too, it’s a small world and does not always result in realised projects, but in impressive imagery. At this moment however, I am thinking of two possible research fields to focus on.

In a first option the focus might lie on how digital design tools can be used to bring a certain aspect of interactivity to building facades. Such interactivity can occur both in the design phase and throughout the use of the building. The first scenario, in which the interactivity occurs when designing, I would focus on how the designer can shape a building’s outer perspective in function of environmental parameters: obstacles, elements that block sunlight from entering the building, visually important landmarks, etc. It should be noted however that focus will mostly lie on the design element, and less on the energy-efficiency and sustainability. Tools that will be researched would include Grasshopper, Rhino Scripting, Processing and ParaCloud.

A second possible approach could be categorized under both Swarm Intelligence and Generative Design and might study how the aforementioned digital techniques might be implemented in the new urbanism. We notably see more (innovative) interventions in which the design and planning is heavily influenced by movement patterns and morphogenetic parameters and functions. Based on the outcome of these scripted techniques, designers tend to work towards a proposal which answers a certain urbanistic issue.

All additional insights, guidelines, tips, comments are more than welcome in order to help me define the scope of my thesis subject. I must admit I am pretty new to this digital design world (it is not actively promoted at my home university, but it is promoted at the university where I am studying for one year now) and thus have limited experience at the time of writing.

Please also feel free to check out the blog post concerning this topic, which is a little more elaborate: http://nielswouters.be/thesis-digital-design-english/

Thanks for all your help!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Adam Laskowitz on March 2, 2010 at 7:57am

Personally, I find the focus of parametric and "interactive" design on simply building facades to be highly problematic. It is this focus which I feel keeps "interactivity" in the realm of novelty and not something which can actually have some real impact on how we actually design, construct, and inhabit buildings. Also, the word "interactive" is problematic as well, is this to say that somebody walking through a building is not "interacting" with it? If we think of, what was once thought of as "interactive design" - which parametric modelling and its thought process lend itself very nicely to - these new types of spaces as "dynamically responsive" then their potentials suddenly become much larger and hold and relate to a much more meaningful and serious discourse.

I hope this helps in one way or another

- Adam

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