Duration
40h Th
Number of credits
| Master in architecture (120 ECTS) | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The development and adoption of digital tools has taken off in recent decades. However, it would be pointless to follow a trend here, but rather wise to examine the methodological opportunities that these tools offer.
In this course, we invite students to manipulate digital processes through visual programming of parametric models and to interrogate the permeability of these designed processes with real-world data, using sensors, digital fabrication machines (fab lab), or open data.
The study and mastery of the impact of these tools on the design process will allow students to make relevant decisions for each project in its specificity. The course will also help students, future practitioners, to keep a critical eye on the advantages, and limitations of these tools, in comparison with more "traditional" ones.
In this perspective, we introduce students to the use of visual programming, to the manipulation of both geometric and alphanumeric data, dynamic or not, and to digital fabrication.
We lead students to question the continuity of processes between capturing real data (social data, data from captures, environmental data, etc.), processes of form exploration, digital fabrication, and potentially kinetic architecture. These ways of thinking about the project throughout its life cycle will allow the student to become familiar with the challenges of digital architecture (BIM, digital fabrication, digital design, etc.).
This course aims to open the perspectives and curiosity of students, allowing them to be better equipped for the challenges of the future, which must take into account more and more technicality and performance. Based on parametric modeling, this course involves the use of tools whose performance in terms of design assistance allows for better control of the project.
Relationships with the transversal axes of reflection :
- Sustainability: This course addresses the issues of environmental performance evaluation (in particular energy performance and light gain) through the use of specific tools.
- Art: This course relies on contemporary art practices, particularly digital art, to feed the students' references and to illustrate the various aspects of the course.
- Digital: This course is part of a reflection on new digital practices in architecture and on digital culture in general.
- Society: This course addresses the question of the role of digital technology in the practices of living and new sociabilities. We also question the practices of architects in small firms in the face of digital transformations in the building industry, new roles and new missions.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The teaching is oriented on the promotion of autonomy through a hybrid teaching including: theoretical sessions, practical sessions, project development and exchange.
- Theoretical contributions
- Technical contributions
- Parametric modeling (Grasshopper)
- Connection to existing open databases such as open data, OSM, Energy+
- Connection to electronic sensors such as pressure, light, sound, temperature, etc. to access real world data (arduino and Grasshopper)
- Introduction to digital manufacturing (Gcode)
- Introduction to AI-assisted desgin
- Connection to architecture oriented modelers (Grasshopper to Archicad, Dynamo to Revit, Grasshopper to Revit)
- Exploration and selection strategies.
The technical contributions will be accompanied by a hands-on experience.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
None
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Throughout the course, students will be required in groups to develop thematic projects. They will be asked to formulate their processes and results. The challenge is to enable students to acquire the knowledge and techniques covered in the course and to develop a critical and enlightened view of digital architecture.
Through regular group presentations, the teaching aims to bring students to understand and explore the different potentialities of the tools and to open up the possibilities.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Recommended or required readings
Lecture notes and presentations are available on Ecampus. Recommended bibliographical references are :
- Deutsch, R. (2019) Superusers. Routledge
- Picon, Antoine. Culture numérique et architecture. Bâle: Birkhäuser, 2010
- Pottmann, H. (2007), Architectural geometry, Bentley Institute press
- Tedeschi, A., & Wirz, F. (2014). AAD - Algorithms-Aided Design: Parametric strategies using Grasshopper (First edition). Le Penseur publisher.
- Woodbury, R. (2010). Elements of parametric design. Routledge.
- Bohnacker, H., Gross, B., Laub, J., & Lazzeroni, C. (2012). Generative design: Visualize, program, and create with processing. Princeton Architectural Press.
- Carpo, M. (2017). The second digital turn: Design beyond intelligence. The MIT Press.
- Ko, J., & Steinfeld, K. (2018). Geometric computation: Foundations for design. Routledge.
- Petzold, C. (1999). Code: The hidden language of computer hardware and software. Microsoft Press.
- Reas, C., & Fry, B. (2007). Processing: A programming handbook for visual designers and artists. MIT Press.
- Shiffman, D. (2012). The nature of code: Simulating natural systems with processing (Version 1.0, generated December 6, 2012). Selbstverl.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Additional information:
Two types of evaluation are expected. A continuous evaluation through weekly presentations and a final evaluation following the development of personal projects that will be carried out and presented to the jury in groups of two.
The final model must be done using the combination of Rhinoceros© and Grasshopper© software. In their oral communication, students are asked to detail the problems encountered, the solutions provided and to evaluate whether they have achieved their objective or not. This is not a "project" but rather a formal and architectural research whose methodological approach will be the main object of the evaluation. The evaluation of the final work will focus on the relevance of the choice of parameters and their impact on the possibility of structuring the architectural geometry. We therefore evaluate the quality, the method and the description of the approach (inventiveness, limits, solutions, etc.).
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Teacher:
Sylvie Jancart
Sylvie.jancart@uliege.be
Assistant:
Thomas Dissaux
tdissaux@uliege.be