Form fitness explorations in Architecture.


Seeking to escape site-specific narratives, programmatic limitations and typological control; this class will explore architecture’s own generative and material capacities to become an organizational mechanism that relates to function.

During this academic term, we will make use of thorough digital experimentation. The use of advanced NURBS operations, computational fluid dynamics and parametric growth engines will be critical to challenge the formal conventions of building envelope and supporting systems—skin/surface/structure and the complexity of boundary definers, tectonic values and circulation areas.

Starting from the study of reference objects, we will identify particular relationships between form and performance, followed by a series of dynamic analyses that would define strategies for form optimization. Using the resultant geometry information as a driver, students will digitally model and modify the original profiles to satisfy the requirements of two architectural applications that will vary in scale.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Mejia_Rodriguez - Recreation Park (continued)


The first post of the recreational park was very rough. The curves weren't crisp and clear, I had a lot of curves on top of curves; thus, making the surfaces overlap. I cleaned up most of the curves and surfaces. I also added more to the recreational park.

angelica ralph




begining of the paneling / layering concept




Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Ralph - Angelica





I'm working on the paneling system.
This is for the structure

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Assignment 04:50X-RATIO MASSING

50X-Ratio massing, drastically increases the scale factor relationship between one end-user and configured assemblage together with all form-performance connotations and findings from previous analytical stages. The use of human body proportions should establish a process for estimating the extents of an architectural assemblage that fits to the use of fifty or more human bodies. Beyond questioning obvious changes on corresponding magnitudes; new performative, organizational and programmatic implications may appear when dealing with a larger set of persons —individually and collectively.

Typology and program should be defined by the student, keeping in mind what constraints would add on to the fitness criteria. Within the premise of a complexity driven elegance, this argumentative or descriptive
[3] second massing assemblage should reflect the student’s ability to make use of evaluated principles for generating and controlling formal aesthetic qualities which accommodate and produce a variety of practical, environmental and affective architectural conditions.

[3].Schumacher, Patrick. Arguing for Elegance. AD Elegance. Academy Press (March 23, 2007)

Concepcion- Lorenzo ....Ralph & Angelica