UG: 4.507 G: 4.567

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Addresses fundamental methods, theories, and practices that engage contemporary modeling tools in the context of architectural design. Introduces selected academic and professional topics through lectures, demonstrations, and assignments. Topics include parametric modeling, component types and assembly, prototyping, scripting, and simulations. Initiates intellectual explorations in the use of building information modeling in research projects and design practices.

Additional work required of students taking graduate version.

Provides students with an opportunity to explore projects that engage real world problems concerning spatial design, technology, media, and society. In collaboration with industry partners and public institutions, students identify topical issues and problems, and also explore and propose solutions through the development of new ideas, theories, tools, and prototypes. Industry and academic collaborators act as a source of expertise, and as clients and critics of projects developed during the term. General theme of workshop varies by semester or year. Open to students from diverse backgrounds in architecture and other design-related areas.

Additional work required of graduate students

The need for affordable housing throughout North America is a never-ending problem. The need for affordable housing has been in crisis since the beginning of time. This is especially the case with the growing need for replacement, rescue and replenishment of housing is greater than it has ever been.  The greatest need at the moment, is in rural environments. Labor shortage and low interest in carpentry means that we need to discover new ways to deliver products.

What is new is that the computation, digital fabrication and robotics offers a new promise for design and delivery of affordable, permanent housing. We will explore the idea digital delivery through the production of Tiny Housing.

This course starts with five critical exercises for digital fabrication and design computing. We will explore varying areas of geometry as curved, folded and planar shapes. These exercises will provide points of entry towards a deeper understanding of surface, mesh & solid modeling and machine control. Simultaneously, traditional methods of construction will be presented as case studies with an in-depth overview of past and present industrial-based systems of home production.

The second half of the course will support student projects with weekly presentations and lab sessions focused on application of new digital techniques. Course deliverables will be four design exercises and a final research question and project.

Additional work required of graduate students.