Animation as a computational framework for architectural design composition.

The paper develops computation, through dynamic grammars, as a third equivalent to syntactical and typological understanding of architectural design. Within theory of architectural design, syntactical and typological understanding of architecture are the two main scientific paradigms that explain how architecture is formed and conducted. As such the premise of the paper is to connect computational design as an equivalent understanding of architecture, one which has parity with the classical theoretical canon of the architectural design theories of the 20th century. To accomplish this, Dynamic grammars, i.e. shape grammars developed through animation are presented and analysed along with their mechanisms. Shape Grammars have been selected as a vehicle for this as they provide an excellent model of architectural composition with computational design, using simple mechanisms. A case study of constructivist design is analysed using dynamic grammars, showcasing the elegance and efficiency of the system in describing variants of design, maintaining parity in a syntactical and a typological understanding of design. The paper concludes with the characteristics that a computational understanding of architectural design has

Parametric Iranian-Islamic muqarnas as drivers for design for fabrication and assembly via UAVs: parametric analysis and synthesis of Iranian-Islamic muqarnas.

This study proposes a DfMA (from design to assembly) based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and uses Iranian-Islamic Muqarnas as the case study due to their geometric modularity. In Islamic architecture, different geographic regions are known to have used various design and construction methods of Muqarnas. There are four main specifications of the Muqarnas that define to which category they belong; first, its three-dimensional shape, that provides volume. Secondly, the size of its modules is variable. Third, its specific generative algorithm. And finally, the 2-dimensional pattern plan that is used in the design. First, this study presents thus a global analytical study that drives a generative system to construct Muqarnas, through a careful balance of four specifications. In this second step, the paper reports the result of using a parametric tool, Grasshopper and parametric plugins, for creating a generative system of several types of Muqarnas. This synthetic translation aims at expanding our understanding of parametric analysis and synthesis of traditional architecture, advancing our understanding towards using parametric synthesis towards UAV-based fabrication of Muqarnas, by taking advantage of their inherent repetition and recursion

Discretisation design strategies: strategies to integrate design and fabrication through discretization.

In the present paper, we introduce a classification system, for discretisation strategies, based on the procedural differences. This paper has a particular focus on strategies explicitly positioned towards an integration between digital design, robotic fabrication and robotic assembly. In the first step, the paper introduces and analyses previous methods from the literature and built case studies and proposes a classification for discretisation approaches. This classification is based on three basic designing strategies: Top-Down, Bottom-Up and Hybrid, in a parametric design manner. The second step defines a general parametric framework for each approach based on the classification analysis. Due to the specifications and functions, these approaches can be synced and combined with other parametric design tactics, such as panelising, subdivision, or generative design. We describe and analyse the possibilities of connecting other parametric features with our discretisation definitions in each category. In the end, this paper introduces several alternative implementation avenues for each category, including a logical design strategy, without considering any specific software or tool

Decentralised additive manufacturing for architecture: exploring the integration of distributed ledger technologies with 3D printing.

This paper investigates the potential integration of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies with Additive Manufacturing in the context of architectural design and fabrication. The study aims to identify knowledge gaps, explore the affinity between these technologies, and challenge the current architecture production paradigm. Through a comprehensive state-of-the-art review and analysis of academic papers and industrial case studies, we identified emerging themes and gaps in the literature. We also examined the misalignment of incentives among key participants of the proposed systems. Our findings highlighted the relevance of blockchain technology in additive manufacturing, but also revealed significant challenges and misalignments in incentives among stakeholders. We argue that further research and experimentation are necessary to fully understand the technical feasibility and impact of integrating these technologies in architectural design and fabrication

Framework for decentralised architectural design BIM and blockchain integration.

The paper introduces a framework for decentralised architectural design in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. We examine first the constraints of building information modelling in regard to collaboration and trust. We then introduce Blockchain infrastructure as a means for creating new operational and business models for architectural design, through project governance, scaling collaboration nominally to thousands of agents, and shifting trust to the infrastructure rather than the architectural design team. Through a wider consideration of Blockchains in construction projects we focus on the design process and validate our framework with a prototype of BIM design optimisation integrated with a Blockchain mechanism. The paper concludes by outlining the contributions our framework can enhance in the building information modelling processes, within the context of the fourth industrial revolution

Topology generated non-fungible tokens: blockchain as infrastructure for a circular economy in architectural design.

The paper presents a new digital infrastructure layer for buildings and architectural assets. The infrastructure layer consists of a combination of topology graphs secured on a decentralised ledger. The topology graphs organise non-fungible digital tokens which each represent and correspond to building components, and in the root of the graph to the building itself. The paper presents background research in the relationship of building representation in the form of graphs with topology, of both manifold and non manifold nature. In parallel we present and analyse the relationship between digital representation and physical manifestation of a building, and back again. Within the digital representations the paper analyses the securing and saving of information on decentralised ledger technologies (such as blockchain). We then present a simple sample of generating and registering a non-manifold topology graph on the Ethereum blockchain as an EC721 token, i.e. a digital object that is unique, all through the use of dynamo and python scripting connected with a smart contract on the Ethereum blockchain. Ownership of this token can then be transferred on the blockchain smart contracts. The paper concludes with a discussion of the possibilities that this integration brings in terms of material passports and a circular economy and smart contracts as an infrastructure for whole-lifecycle BIM and digitally encapsulates of value in architectural design

Smart contracts for decentralised building information modelling.

The paper presents a model for decentralizing building information modelling, through implementing its infrastructure using the decentralized web. We discuss the shortcomings of BIM in terms of its infrastructure, with a focus on tracing identities of design authorship in this collective design tool. In parallel we examine the issues with BIM in the cloud and propose a decentralized infrastructure based on the Ethereum blockchain and the Interplanetary filesystem (IPFS). A series of computing nodes, that act as nodes on the Ethereum Blockchain, host disk storage with which they participate in a larger storage pool on the Interplanetary Filesystem. This storage is made available through an API is used by architects and designers creating and editing a building information model that resides on the IPFS decentralised storage. Through this infrastructure central servers are eliminated, and BIM libraries and models can be shared with others in an immutable and transparent manner. As such Architecture practices are able to exploit their intellectual property in novel ways, by making it public on the internet. The infrastructure also allows the decentralised creation of a resilient global pool of data that allows the participation of computation agents in the creation and simulation of BIM models

Non-fungible building components: using smart contracts for a circular economy in the built environment.

The presented research study tackles the topic of economic and material sustainable development in the built environment and construction industry, by introducing and applying the concept and the potential of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) on blockchain within the early stages of the design process via the interface of common design software. We present a digital infrastructure layer for architectural assets and building components that can integrate with AEC supply chains, enabling a more effective and articulated development of circular economies. The infrastructure layer consists of a combination of topology graphs secured with a blockchain. The paper concludes with a discussion about the possibilities of material passports as well as circular economy and smart contracts as an infrastructure for whole lifecycle BIM and digital encapsulation of value in architectural design

Ubiquitous digital repositories in the design studio: a case study.

The paper investigates the usability and effect of a ubiquitous digital repository in the architectural design process. Acknowledging the post-digital era where students work with diverse media either digital or analogue, the project explores the suitability of a digital log in augmenting conceptual thinking, feedback provision and intellectual exchange by means of a studio in an architectural undergraduate course. Students integrate a digital log into their workflow resolving a design task of an architectural studio. A server-based repository serves as students' individual archive as well as a share-point for peer-students' informal exchange and tutors' feedback. The conclusion of the study is that sketching and organization habits from the analog media the students have learned persist even with a more digitally inclined generation. The use of digital tools that obliterate the analog-digital division, holding the best of both worlds are still subject to the constraints of timely introduction in the curriculum, cultural resistance in terms of organization of a project and more so void of experimentation in their use by students

Virtual reality in the architectural technology curriculum in the UK.

This paper seeks to understand the climate for Virtual Reality (VR) within the Architectural Technology (AT)curriculum in the U.K. It seeks to assess through literature, focus groups and questionnaires VR’s current place and seek to find a model to map an integration strategy of V.R. to the AT curriculum within the U.K. The paper uses focus groups, to highlight some of the problems that are still to be solved with the system and software. It also highlights for Architectural Technologists a new tool to communicate ideas with the three-dimensional world. We will assess virtual reality’s current placement to see what steps have been achieved, therefore we can evaluate what is next for the technology for an A.T. This paper will query academics of other A.T. courses and their own implementation of V.R. within their curriculum and analyse what and why we should be using this type of technology in the education system. Looking back upon V.R.’s development we are able to see what progress has and is being made, to see if the time is right now to be implementing the technology with an appropriate method. The results show that it is a beneficial tool ready to be used by students to further their understanding of Architectural Technology. The paper was originally a dissertation by C. F. Wood in Robert Gordon University