UG: 4.550 G: 4.570

Class website

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 students taking graduate version.

4.542:

An advanced examination of the shape grammar formalism and its relationship to some key issues in a variety of other fields, including art and design, philosophy, history and philosophy of science, linguistics and psychology, literature and literary studies, logic and mathematics, and artificial intelligence. Student presentations and discussion of selected readings are encouraged. Topics vary from year to year.

4.582:

In-depth presentations of current research in design and computation.

An in-depth introduction to shape grammars and their applications in architecture and related areas of design. Shapes in the algebras Ui j, in the algebras Vi j and Wi j incorporating labels and weights, and in algebras formed as composites of these. Rules and computations. Shape and structure. Designs.

Topics vary from year to year. Can be repeated with permission of instructor.

UG: 4.520 G: 4.521

Introduces a visual-perceptual, rule-based approach to design using shape grammars. Covers grammar fundamentals through lectures and in-class, exercises. Focuses on shape grammar applications, from stylistic analysis to creative design, through presentations of past applications and through short student exercises and projects. Presents computer programs for automating shape grammars.

Additional work required of students taking graduate version.

4.520/4.521 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)

UG: 4.501; Grad: 4.511

This course introduces digital fabrication as a method of home, hut, and shelter delivery (construction). The class explores industrial-based building production from prefab to digital fab. Most important we explore new computational techniques for rapid construction. We will explore the basics of tiny building design, different types of 3D modeling systems, scalable ways to prototype and CNC fabrication. The focus is on learning by doing. The class result will be a well-designed prototype of a small building as a single packaged product. 

Additional work required of graduate students.

The course is an introduction to the research field of digital cultural heritage through the spatial and emotional experience through immersive technologies. The course gives an overview of theories and principles in experiencing art/culture and design, affective computing such as wearable technologies/biosensors, immersive technologies such as AR/VR/XR and gamification, as well as providing a practical exploration of research methods in three areas related to digital humanities: collection/management, visualization/immersion, analysis/ interpretation.

The course is an introduction to the research field of digital cultural heritage through the spatial and emotional experience through immersive technologies. The course gives an overview of theories and principles in experiencing art/culture and design, affective computing such as wearable technologies/biosensors, immersive technologies such as AR/VR/XR and gamification, as well as providing a practical exploration of research methods in three areas related to digital humanities: collection/management, visualization/immersion, analysis/ interpretation.

MArch and undergraduate students welcome.