11378 Special Project (Advanced Computational Design)
6cp; 2.5 hour computer laboratories per week + 1 block mode bootcamp; availability: Master of Architecture Students onlyRequisite(s): (11368 Special Project (Computational Design) AND (48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10271 Bachelor of Design Interior Architecture OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10272 Bachelor of Design Interior Architecture Bachelor of International Studies OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10322 Bachelor of Design Interior Architecture Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10423 Bachelor of Design Interior Architecture Bachelor of Languages and Cultures OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10004 Bachelor of Design Architecture OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10413 Bachelor of Design Architecture Master of Architecture OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10325 Bachelor of Design Architecture Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09079 Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours)))
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
Elective 11378 introduces students to the wonderful world of multi-objective evolutionary computation. Through the use of advanced computation and parametric tools, the elective examines how we as designers deal with complex design problems comprised from multiple conflicting objectives. Students learn the necessity of quantifying design goals and variables to the parametric process, and how big data can be leveraged to make informed decisions at all stages of the design process.
The role of the evolutionary process, and its inherent biological principals for the adaptation and survival of species, exemplifies its significance in shaping the natural world. No other process has exhibited such efficiency in generating morphological variation of form that is adapted to specific external conditions. As such, Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) have been used extensively, across a multitude of disciplines, to apply biological principles towards solving common real-world problems that are too complex to solve through conventional means. In design, the integration of these algorithms within some of the most widely used computational modelling software has made designers’ ability to apply evolutionary processes as design models more streamlined than in any other point in history. In addition to this, the role that data analytics plays in the design process is vital to ensure a better understanding of the design problem as well as the results generated by its formulation. In doing so, architectural, environmental, climatic, and structural analytics form the framework to the efficient and successful formulation of any design problem – where these analyses are part of the conceptual development of the design and not dedicated to only understanding the end product.
The elective uses these advanced computational design methods derived from biological evolutionary principles to better understand, and be more critical, of how evolutionary principles can benefit the design process, and what role numeric data plays in their application. Students learn the fundamentals of evolutionary algorithms and the various processess associated with developing a working parametric model for running an evolutionary algorithm, as well as analysing the results outputted by the algorithm. The elective uses Grasshopper 3D and Wallacei as the primary tools for running the parametric models.
Typical availability
Autumn session, City campus
Spring session, City campus
Summer session, City campus
Detailed subject description.