Teaching Digital Design Exploration: Form Follows…

Abstract

This paper presents some challenges of teaching computational geometry to architectural students, and proposes a multi-level pedagogical scheme introducing associative geometry and parametric modeling/design into architectural design education. It reports on two pedagogical experiences: one held in the context of a spatial geometry course in the first year of education; and another one, in a digital design studio with thirdyear architectural students. More specifically, it discusses the impact on design exploration of a library of interactive referents models introduced into the architectural studio. Situated in the 'performance' paradigm of digital design methods, they allow for design object explorations based on modification of architecturally meaningful features (structural, environmental, functional, etc.).The form of a design object can thus 'follow' function, structure, or even sustainability.The digital methods and the design knowledge transferred by the interactive models, together with their visual nature, are found to amplify the processes of 'seeing-as' and the 'reflective conversation with the situation' considered essential for creative design.

Virtual Environments as an experimental tool for studies of surveillance

“…The choices refer mostly to adjustments of the cameras and in implementing a kind of trial and error phase in their work. Therefore, we can attribute this modification of their opinion, not to the media used the 3D model, but to the acquired confidence they felt of the idea they are setting up at the exercise, and their desire to perfect their arrangement; which reinforces Iordanova's (2007) findings about the control of meaning in design being in the hands of the architect.…”

“…His findings were in the sense that large displays produced the sense of being-in-the-world, wireless devices encouraged fluid interactions; though, he was inconclusive on the final effects of integrating digital media at the work process of the design studio. By 2007, Ivanka Iordanova (2007 presented research introducing associative geometry and parametric modeling/design into architectural design education identifying a …kind of rhythm in the digital exploration process: first, students generate a conceptual idea […]; then, they digitally explore the conceptual idea, when unexpected forms can be created and new 'ideas' generated; an evaluation process determines whether to continue the design process or not. The 'control' of the architecturally meaningful aspect is in the hands of the architect, while the form can be surprising, as generated by computer"(p. 669 ).…”

Changing the Spanish arts curriculum for secondary school: the case for digital geometry and screencasting

“…It is from the fields of technological, engineering and architectural higher education that calls to change the geometry curriculum (Iordanova 2007) and to include technological trajectories in technological literacy criteria that pertain to computational geometry and the skills needed to master them (Walk 2012) are arising. Although these are centred on engineering studies, many of the arguments apply equally to choosing the right tools to include technological literacy with geometry in the arts.…”

How to incorporate CAD/CAM fabrication into a basic design studio? A preliminary framework for the “e-basic design studio”

“…Through hands-on use of CAD/CAM tools in design studios, CAD/CAM case studies, and experimental studies of CAD/CAM courses, researchers have proposed educational frameworks incorporating CAD/CAM design and manufacturing processes (Boza, 2006;Larsen, et al, 2008). In addition, Barrow (2006) and Iordanova (2007) indicate that design studios utilizing CAD/CAM tools must employ two stages of teaching: basic skill training courses and advanced digital design creation. Researchers also discuss how to incorporate professional systems, such as Gehry Technologies or Generative Components (GC), into the teaching framework of digital design studios (Hanna & Turner, 2006;Mark, 2008).…”