Computation in Architecture Master's Programme - 2022/2023

Computation in Architecture

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (DKA)

The 2-year Master’s programme

is structured around project-based experimentation and direct design engagement,

which are supported by coursework that introduces modes of applied and reflective enquiry, as well as core skills through which students could conceptualise, implement and critically reflect on the use of computation within their own design practice.

Courses in modelling and simulation introduce students to parametric modelling, coding and performance-led design, and build skills in various types of structural and environmental simulations. Courses in digital fabrication introduce students to robotic fabrication, 3D scanning and 3D printing workflows, the bio-lab, sensing and actuation, as well as foundational techniques for making.

• Develop knowledge of computational techniques, and their assumptions, abstractions, limits and opportunities within architectural design contexts

• Develop practical skills in applying fabrication technologies to support design investigation, prototyping and synthesis

• Develop personally directed researchinformed architectural investigations that deploy digital design strategies to address architectural, material, structural, fabrication, programmatic and site-based issues and their impact on sustainability

At Computation in Architecture, postgraduate students will:

Computation in Architecture is an established two-year Masters level programme that focuses upon examining architectural issues through critically situating computation and digital technologies in the processes of thinking, forming, and producing architecture.

The programme equips our students with core knowledge and understandings for addressing questions of site, complex building programme and related architectural issues through computational design methods, physical prototyping, and related theoretical concepts.

The programme fosters a dynamic, creative, intellectually rigorous and design-led environment that stimulates critical inquiry into the spatial, theoretical and technological consequences of digital design practice. More broadly, the programme aims to stimulate thinking on what it means to be a practicing architect through exposure to research-led modes of design practice which prepare our students to engage with the urgent challenges of sustainability and the expansion of roles within our profession. With the renewed urgency of environmental, social and resource issues, emerging architects will be at the forefront of these new kinds of service and practice.

Our progamme places particular emphasis on the intersection between the digital, the material, performance, and sustainability.

Faculty

Paul NICHOLAS

Tom SVILANS

Mette RAMSGAARD THOMSEN

Gabriella ROSSI

Martin TAMKE

Nadja GAUDILLIÈREJAMI

Johan LUND PEDERSEN

Ayoub LHARCHI

Phil AYRES

Academic Content & Structure

The working practices of Computation in Architecture place particular emphasis on projectbased design-led inquiry in which tight iterative cycles of hypothesis, testing, experimentation and reflection are conducted through production. We challenge and support our students to develop personally directed architectural inquiries which make relevant and critical use of digital technologies.

To assist this we have structured the course predominantly around project-based experimentation and direct engagement, but other modes of reflective inquiry are also promoted including writing, informed reading, verbal presentation and group discussion. The program is conceived as a two-year program in which the first semester provides given groupbased and individual projects for skilling-up. An equal focus is put on representation and makingworking with both computation and directly with hands-on 1:1 material experiment.

The studio is based at the heart of the campus with the CITA research centre and the dedicated digital fabrication workshop and bio-lab right next to them. This close proximity ensures easy exchange between collegiate and students.

We have a strong studio culture in which students work together on campus.

Research Informed Design Inquiry

Skill building in computational, simulation and digital fabrication methods is structured to support and enable design investigation. Over the semester, courses are run in parallel with the design project. These courses introduce and build skills in the use of computer programming as an architectural design tool; the use of robotic fabrication process and workflows to support the design integration of material forming processes; and develop awareness of digital design practice.

concept & programme

Students are required to personally direct a competent, inventive and ambitious architectural investigation of appropriate complexity that utilizes their defined study programme from the previous semester as the point of departure.

methodology

This semester focuses on introducing research methods for supporting design-led architectural inquiry.

practice

Focus is placed on the use of research methods, researchby-design primarily, as a critical support for design-led inquiry and the development of innovative practice

formats

Skill building is achieved through courses, guest lectures and workshops. Individual design investigations are guided through tutorials.

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge of design-led research methods and a critical understanding of their merits, limits and contexts of use.

2. Ability to use relevant architectural theory to define, inform and position designled research informed investigation.

3. Ability to define a personally directed research informed architectural investigation of appropriate complexity.

4. Ability to use of simulation techniques with developed understandings of their assumptions, abstractions, limits and opportunities within design contexts.

5. Competence in deploying appropriate digital design strategies for addressing architectural, structural, fabrication, programmatic and site-based issues.

6. Competence with specific material forming techniques and their potential for informing complex architectural proposition.

7. Ability to propose prospective project work that develops personally-directed competencies and knowledge via research methods.

Courses

01 02

Computation in Practice

Tactics of Materialisation Thinking Architecture

4th year 4th year 4th and 5th year

The computation course introduces students to the use of coding & programming techniques as an architectural design tool. The course contextualizes programming topics relative to questions of design methodology, building practice and aesthetics, and through a focus on developing skill in Python coding.

The technical tutorials introduce students to a diversity of fabrication tools and techniques and how making and modelling can be intertwined through techniques of digital sensing.

The theoretical course offers frameworks through which students may begin to conceptualize and critically reflect on cultures of computation in design and architecture. The course entails a series of sessions on the history of the field, accompanied by definitiona and discussiona of key notions within it as well as discussions of relevant readings.

Introduction to Life-Cycle Assessment

Reflective Writing Fundamentals of Computation

4th and 5th year 5th year 5th year

The course is structured to provide a comprehensive education on the fundamentals of computing in architecture. It provides students with hands-on experience in learning and applying algorithmic techniques and a strong understanding of the fundamentals of computing in architecture and be prepared to tackle real-world design problems.

A crucial tool to understand the impact of design and construction practices on the environment, the LifeCycle Assessment (LCA) method is introduced to the students by means of a theoretical course combined with a series of structuration, calculation and modeling exercices. LCA principles are then applied within students research projects.

The writing course introduces students to writing practice and the structure of the academic paper. This short course provides an opportunity to deepen individual research interests by placing focus on the framing of compelling architectural concerns, the description of state of the art as a means to position architectural ideas, and the description of method.

Computation in Practice 00

The computation course introduces students to the use of coding & programming techniques as an architectural design tool. The course contextualizes programming topics relative to questions of design methodology, building practice and aesthetics, and through a focus on developing skill in Rhinoceros, in Grasshopper and in Python.

01 Tactics of Materialisation

The technical tutorials introduce students to a diversity of fabrication tools and techniques and how making and modelling can be intertwined. As part of these tutorials, the students have the occasion to work with multiples materials - metal, wood, ceramics - and with mutiple techniquesmilling, casting, printing.

Thinking Architecture

The theoretical course offers frameworks through which students may begin to conceptualize and critically reflect on cultures of computation in design and architecture. The course entails a series of sessions on the history of the field, accompanied by definitiona and discussiona of key notions within it as well as discussions of relevant readings.

session #1 parametric

session #2

non-standard

session #3 computational

session #4 pioneers

session #5

animation

session #6

craft

session #7 optimisation

session #8 (digital) turns

session #9 living

Fundamentals of Computation

The course is structured to provide a comprehensive education on the fundamentals of computing in architecture and begins with an overview of computational geometry algorithms. Students then learn the basics of Python as well as good development practices and how to use version control to manage code changes and collaborate with others. The course also covers the RhinoCommon platform and various tools related to Python, including popular libraries and packages. The final project of the course is a reimplementation of a chosen geometric algorithm. This provides students with hands-on experience in applying the concepts and techniques they have learned throughout the course. By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of the fundamentals of computing in architecture and be prepared to tackle real-world design problems.

Introduction to Life-Cycle Assessment 04

A crucial tool to understand the impact of design and construction practices on the environment, the LifeCycle Assessment (LCA) method is introduced to the students by means of a theoretical course combined with a series of structuration, calculation and modeling exercices. LCA principles are then applied within students research projects.

The writing course introduces students to writing practice and the structure of the academic paper. This short course provides an opportunity to deepen individual research interests by placing focus on the framing of compelling architectural concerns, the description of state of the art as a means to position architectural ideas, and the description of method.

06

Designing with Living Complexes

The course introduces students to bio-based practices through design-led enquiry. With a particular focus on the design and production of mycelium-based composites, the course will allow students to gain competencies with biolab practices and protocols.

A design task provides an applied context to learn these competencies, hone your biobased craft and develop your tacit practice. Combining digital practice and tools with hand craft and production, the task creates a rich design space of ideation, evaluation, prediction and specification for framing, testing and developing architectural objectives.

Lectures & Workshops

08 09

CITA Sessions Scanning Workshop Robotics Workshop

Our programme welcomes researchers and practitioners from all over the world to lecture the students on their areas of expertise. All specialists within the field of computation in architecture, they demonstrate the multiplicity of skills and specialities involved in the production of projects in the area.

The scanning workshop introduces students to a range of scanning methods, allowing for the documentation of largescale environments as well as for the capture of smaller-scale geometries with great precision.

The workshop introduces students to basic control, workflow and feedback strategies used within architectural and industrial robotics. Through group-based investigation of different fabrication strategies and the production of material outcomes, the course builds competence in integrating design with the state of the art in digital fabrication.

Ecosystems Workshop

Graded Knitted Membranes

Mentoring Sessions

The workshop aims at introducing fundamental concepts of ecology, to build crossdisciplinary knowledge, and to explore the representation of ecosystems. Architecture is developed through its representations. Ecosystems are defined by a biological community of organisms, their physical environment, and their interactions. How can we represent ecosystems from an architectural perspective? How can we represent the dynamics of relations?

The workshop offers to initiate the students to the digital tools for design, structural and geometrical evaluation, and material differentiation of graded CNC-knitted membranes. In the two-week of interdisciplinary activities spanning digital design and textile fabrication, students will explore the relationship between digitally simulated artifacts and physically produced equivalents.

Mentoring sessions with renowned Danish architecture firm 3XN enable thesis students to test underlying assumptions, refine their developing design ideas, and develop presentation and communication skills around the developing work. Beyond direct project feedback, these conversations with expert practitioners provide insight into professional perspectives and opportunities.

Matthew ALLEN

Roland SNOOKS

John HARDING Florian HENRICH Tim SCHORK Oliver TESSMANN

Anne MIMET

Billie FAIRCLOTH

Tobias NOLTE

The scanning workshop introduces students to a range of scanning methods, allowing for the documentation of large-scale environments as well as for the capture of smaller-scale geometries with great precision.

The workshop introduces students to basic control, workflow and feedback strategies used within architectural and industrial robotics. Through group-based investigation of different fabrication strategies and the production of material outcomes, the course builds competence in integrating design with the state of the art in digital fabrication.

Ecosystems Workshop 10

Dates _ 20.09.2022 - 23.09.2022

Tutors _ Delphine Lewandwoski, Paul Nicholas, Nadja Gaudillière-Jami

Partners _ Terrestrial Ecology Group, University of Copenhagen

There is an urge to bring a response to climate change and biodiversity crisis with nature-based solutions. One key is to understand and to include ecosystems in the architectural and urban design to protect wildlife. The recent and interdisciplinary field of urban ecology studies the relationship between urbanisation and ecological processes, such as the impact of cities on living organisms. The workshop aims at introducing fundamental concepts of ecology, to build cross-disciplinary knowledge, and to explore the representation of ecosystems. Architecture is developed through its representations. Ecosystems are defined by a biological community of organisms, their physical environment, and their interactions. How can we represent ecosystems from an architectural perspective? How can we represent the dynamics of relations?

Graded Knitted Membranes Workshop 11

Dates _ 03.10.2022 - 14.10.2022

Tutors _ Yuliya Sinke, Sif Albrechtsen

The workshop aims to introduce the students to the digital tools for design, structural and geometrical evaluation, and material differentiation of graded CNC-knitted membranes. In the two-week of interdisciplinary activities spanning digital design and textile fabrication, students explore the relationship between digitally simulated artifacts and physically produced equivalents. They work with digital formfinding and tension analysis in order to determine the knitting pattern to be used to fabricate the graded textile membranes at the industrial CNC-knitting machine. Produced membranes are suspended, loaded with the weights for pretension and 3d scanned for the recording of the shape. Scan data is then linked back to the digital environment for further calibration of the graded simulation.

Mentoring Sessions

Mentoring sessions with renowned Danish architecture firm 3XN enable thesis students to test underlying assumptions, refine their developing design ideas, and develop presentation and communication skills around the developing work. Beyond direct project feedback, these conversations with expert practitioners provide insight into professional perspectives and opportunities.

Computation in Architecture Master’s Programme

Philip de Langes Allé 10, Building 68, entrance A+B

1435 Copenhagen K

Enquiries: contact our head of programme Paul Nicholas

paul.nicholas@kglakademi.dk