GRADUATE SCHOOL
M.SC. In Architecture (With Thesis)
ARCH 566 | Course Introduction and Application Information
| Course Name |
Natural Algorithms in Architecture
|
|
Code
|
Semester
|
Theory
(hour/week) |
Application/Lab
(hour/week) |
Local Credits
|
ECTS
|
|
ARCH 566
|
Fall/Spring
|
1
|
4
|
3
|
7.5
|
| Prerequisites |
None
|
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| Course Language |
English
|
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| Course Type |
Elective
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| Course Level |
Second Cycle
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| Mode of Delivery | - | |||||
| Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course | - | |||||
| Course Coordinator | - | |||||
| Course Lecturer(s) | ||||||
| Assistant(s) | - | |||||
| Course Objectives | The course objective is to research biologically-inspired computational processes and algorithms as applied to generative architectural design. Introduction to theory and practice to empower the students with contemporary computational design methodologies. Students are introduced to design processes that are emergent, iterative, and based on natural processes. The course aims to give the students the tools to be able to conceive, analyze, and generate architectural solutions by studying natural forms and processes. Students will studio plants, shells, skeletons, seeds, algae, muscle, swarm behavior, and others for biomimetic analysis for process and form generation. Environmental, functional, and structural analysis will be explored for integration in the biomimetic process. Architecture will be explored in the context of nature, design, and technology. |
| Learning Outcomes |
The students who succeeded in this course;
|
| Course Description | This course will be an overview and experimentation with natural occurring Algorithms that are applicable in contemporary Architectural Design. This includes algorithms, scripting structures, design strategies and processes. The evolution of organism form and structures in response to functions and environment will be explored. Students will do readings on software technologies, as well as art and design related to computational and algorithmic processes. |
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Core Courses | |
| Major Area Courses |
X
|
|
| Supportive Courses | ||
| Media and Management Skills Courses | ||
| Transferable Skill Courses |
WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES
| Week | Subjects | Related Preparation |
| 1 | Introduction to the course content | |
| 2 | Lecture on Basics of computational design | Readings 1: Terzidis, K. (2006). Algorithmic architecture. Routledge. |
| 3 | Basics of programming: Loops, Randomness, and Determinism | Assignment 1: Basic Examples for coding, Basic Anemone Examples, Basic Shape Syntax and Pedestrian Simulation |
| 4 | Basics of programming: Loops, Randomness, and Determinism | Deadline for Assignment 1 and Reading 1 |
| 5 | Lecture on Nature and Design: (Aggregation/Branching and Growth, L systems and Phyllotaxis) | Readings 2: Frazer, J. (1995). An evolutionary architecture. |
| 6 | Nature and Design | Assignment 2: Explore Grasshopper Plugins and design and object, define simple rules, and design an object. |
| 7 | Nature and Design | Deadline for Assignment 2 and Reading 2 |
| 8 | Student Presentation | |
| 9 | Lecture on Genetic algorithms (Optimization, Evolutionary Design) | Readings 3: Bentley, P. J. (1999). Evolutionary design by computers. Morgan Kaufmann. Frazer, J. (1995). An evolutionary architecture. |
| 10 | Evolutionary Design | Assignment 3: Basic Galapagos implementations, Basic Agent Simulations |
| 11 | Evolutionary Design | Deadline for Assignment 3 and Reading 3 |
| 12 | Student Workshops | Workshop Reading: Johnson, S. (2002). Emergence: The connected lives of ants, brains, cities, and software. Simon and Schuster. |
| 13 | Student Workshops | |
| 14 | Student Workshops | Deadline for Workshop Assignments |
| 15 | Semester Review | |
| 16 | Final exam | Deadline for Final Project |
| Course Notes/Textbooks | |
| Suggested Readings/Materials | Terzidis, K. (2006). Algorithmic architecture. Routledge. ISBN-13 : 978-0080461298 Frazer, J. (1995). An evolutionary architecture. ISBN-13 : 978-1870890472 Bentley, P. J. (1999). Evolutionary design by computers. Morgan Kaufmann. ISBN-13 : 978-1558606050 Johnson, S. (2002). Emergence: The connected lives of ants, brains, cities, and software. Simon and Schuster. ISBN-13 : Pawlyn, M. (2019). Biomimicry in architecture. Routledge. ISBN-13: 978-1859463758 |
EVALUATION SYSTEM
| Semester Activities | Number | Weigthing |
| Participation |
1
|
20
|
| Laboratory / Application | ||
| Field Work | ||
| Quizzes / Studio Critiques | ||
| Portfolio | ||
| Homework / Assignments |
1
|
20
|
| Presentation / Jury |
1
|
20
|
| Project |
1
|
20
|
| Seminar / Workshop | ||
| Oral Exams |
1
|
10
|
| Midterm |
1
|
10
|
| Final Exam | ||
| Total |
| Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade |
6
|
100
|
| Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade | ||
| Total |
ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE
| Semester Activities | Number | Duration (Hours) | Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Course Hours (Including exam week: 16 x total hours) |
16
|
1
|
16
|
| Laboratory / Application Hours (Including exam week: '.16.' x total hours) |
16
|
4
|
64
|
| Study Hours Out of Class |
0
|
||
| Field Work |
0
|
||
| Quizzes / Studio Critiques |
0
|
||
| Portfolio |
0
|
||
| Homework / Assignments |
1
|
37
|
37
|
| Presentation / Jury |
1
|
37
|
37
|
| Project |
1
|
37
|
37
|
| Seminar / Workshop |
0
|
||
| Oral Exam |
1
|
17
|
17
|
| Midterms |
1
|
17
|
17
|
| Final Exam |
0
|
||
| Total |
225
|
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP
|
#
|
Program Competencies/Outcomes |
* Contribution Level
|
||||
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
||
| 1 | To be able to advance specialized architectural knowledge based on qualifications acquired at the undergraduate level. |
X | ||||
| 2 | To be able to conceive the interdisciplinary nature of the architectural field and apply such knowledge and analytical capacity to interdisciplinary studies. |
X | ||||
| 3 | To be able to apply specialized knowledge in architecture in theoretical or practical work. |
X | ||||
| 4 | To be able to produce new knowledge by integrating architectural knowledge with knowledge in other disciplines. |
X | ||||
| 5 | To be able to diagnose and evaluate a specific problem in architecture and to relate this ability to publishing or practice. |
X | ||||
| 6 | To be able critically evaluate knowledge peculiar to the architectural field, facilitate self-directed learning and produce advanced work independently. |
X | ||||
| 7 | To be able to communicate contemporary developments in architecture and one’s own work in professional and interdisciplinary environments in written, oral or visual forms. |
X | ||||
| 8 | To be able to consider, control and communicate social, scientific and ethical values in the accumulation, interpretation, publication and/or application of architectural data. |
X | ||||
| 9 | To be able to critically analyze the norms that inform spatial relationships and their social implications and to develop original thesis according to guidelines. |
X | ||||
| 10 | To be able to keep up with developing knowledge in Architecture and participate in academic and professional discussions using at least one foreign language. |
X | ||||
*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest