Scalability: Parametric studies from exoskeletons to the city

This research will explore and provide an initial study into the diversity of contemporary computational design methodologies emerging in the field of architecture. It will rely on modern philosophical and mathematical ideas as a resource to integrate a seemingly disparate set of design techniques into a unified framework for architectural design. The explorations in this paper will demonstrate a preliminary study into various methods of operating across this framework through a series of parametric design experiments that span across multiple scales. The result indicates new techniques and skills that are becoming increasingly important for architectural design

A generative parametric performance design system for spatial configurations

University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building.NO FULL TEXT AVAILABLE. This thesis contains 3rd party copyright material. The hardcopy may be available for consultation at the UTS Library.NO FULL TEXT AVAILABLE. This thesis contains 3rd party copyright material. ----- Parametric design systems offer a novel approach to design optimisation that allows the definition of both problem and solution in the same model. However, parametric models are challenged by scalability and become difficult to operate in complex design systems, which correlate to the number of entities and their relationships. The aim of this research is to develop an enhanced design method for the exploration of conceptual designs, through the construction of a performance driven parametric design system. The system is developed through an object oriented programming approach to resolve the challenges associated with system complexity. The system provides a new interactive method for spatial design exploration, using a physics-based modelling approach that has the ability to include a range of different forces. A prototype is presented to create a generative parametric performance design system that integrates the generation, analysis, evaluation and optimisation of multi-objective design problems. This prototype is implemented in both a visual programming language and a textual programming language to assess and overcome limitations faced in the construction of complex parametric systems. The prototype is demonstrated and evaluated through a case study focused on the generation and optimisation of spatial configurations. To assess the prototype, a series of design, implementation and software objectives are outlined to determine both the quality of the design solutions and system implementation. This thesis demonstrates that parametric systems enabled an interactive approach to the conceptual design of innovative spatial configurations, allowing real-time feedback through the use of physics solvers. The design system presented was capable of achieving an integrated approach to generate, analyse, evaluate and optimise designs. The implementation of this system has significant benefits for the conceptual design process, allowing designers the opportunity to interactively explore and optimise their initial designs with performance feedback, before committing to a design concept

Erosive fluidity: Exploration in generating digital architectural form

This paper explores emerging digital technologies and their application in architectural design. It investigates the tools and techniques that are currently available. A series of three scenarios was explored via a digital design studio at the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney. The final work appeared in the 'Disparallel Spaces' exhibition, University of Sydney in May/June 2007. This paper will explain these scenarios and offer a look at some emerging trends in architectural design

Generative spatial performance design system

Architectural spatial design is a wicked problem that can have a multitude of solutions for any given brief. The information needed to resolve architectural design problems is often not readily available during the early conceptual stages, requiring proposals to be evaluated only after an initial solution is reached. This solution-driven design approach focuses on the generation of designs as a means to explore the solution space. Generative design can be achieved computationally through parametric and algorithmic processes. However, utilizing a large repertoire of organiational patterns and design precedent knowledge together with the precise criteria of spatial evaluation can present design challenges even to an experienced architect. In the implementation of a parametric design process lies an opportunity to supplement the designer's knowledge with computational decision support that provides real-time spatial feedback during conceptual design. This paper presents an approach based on a generative multiperformance framework, configured for generating and optimizing architectural designs based on a precedent design. The system is constructed using a parametric modeling environment enabling the capture of precedent designs, extraction of spatial analytics, and demonstration of how populations can be used to drive the generation and optimization of alternate spatial solutions. A pilot study implementing the complete workflow of the system is used to illustrate the benefits of coupling parametric modeling with structured precedent analysis and design generation. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014

Smart Light Fields

Smart Light Fields is a live mapping of the movement of Smart Light Sydney festival-goers across Circular Quay. Also exhibited in the Creative Sydney Festival, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney. May 27-June 12, 2009