AA Angewandte

the question of authorship is becoming an inseparable part of the discussion. While writing custom software tools for CAD software is becoming more and more common within the industry, it is however mostly used as a problem-solving device at certain phases of the project. Our interests lie in the use of algorithms as an integral part of the design process. The summer school workshop will conduct a research into rule-based design systems, which examine modes of interaction between the designer (human) and the logical constraints of algorithms (machines) in the process of design, creating virtual design ecologies, which challenge the conventional notion of authorship. A set of programmed behaviors and rules form Computational Design Engines, which are used to design and digitally grow series of architectural systems. With this in mind, we are creating a loop system between the input parameters (design decisions and environmental conditions), computational systems and ‘built’ space – a recursive process which results in architectural/computational tropism. The city of Vienna with its rich historic heritage and dynamic contemporary architectural design landscape will be used as an extended urban laboratory to research and experiment with digital design applications
The goal is to engineer specific design scenarios using digital technologies, digital design pedagogy and full-scale digital fabrication strategies. The formation process is not following predetermined design patterns, but is building up an intelligence of its own and is capable of evaluating situations and making decisions that deal with its surroundings and its current evolutionary state. Special interest will be devoted towards developing and researching a true digital design process and pedagogy, resulting from the negotiation between the designer and algorithms, and subsequently leading to unexpected geometrical and spatial outcomes.