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Visual Studies

Fundamentals of Digital Design

Pre-requisite for Advanced Workshops Please note that this course is not part of the Lottery. The class has unlimited enrollment.

With the burst of the Internet bubble in the late 90s, computing, cyberspace, and the digital revolution were delivered a healthy dose of fiscal responsibility. While certain divisions of technology have been forced to readjust to the demands of the economy, the architectural profession has largely been undaunted in its use of computing.

LISTED UNDER: Courses Fundamentals of Digital Design

Architecture Drawing and Representation I

Computing in architecture has changed methods of representation, retooled construction techniques, and made communication of complex information instantaneous. In this state of ubiquitous computing, the architect is asked to not only grasp these new technologies but to shape them into the built environment. As the edge between the virtual and real become increasingly thin, the architect must not only be proficient in this interactivity, but tool it toward new ideas and potentials that are rife within this expanding territory.

LISTED UNDER: Architectural Drawings + Representation I / FuDD

Adaptive Formulations I

Adaptive Formulations will introduce students to parametric design, multi-objective optimization, and finite element analysis. Using Catia, the students will learn to generate complex, nested assemblies representing facade or structural solutions which can then be optimized using Esteco's modeFrontier. CatBot, our custom link between Catia and Robot will allow the students to optimize their designs by applying loads and boundary conditions and performing a structural optimization. Catia's knowledgeware will be used extensively to develop fully parametric components. Students will be expected to treat their design propositions with scientific rigor in the search for geometrically rich, buildable, optimal designs.


Graphic Presentation I

Graphic presentation 1 + 2 will consider the graphic aspect of communicating architectural ideas. The classes are extremely practical and comprised of short projects organized to introduce basic concepts of 2-D design, typography, composition, production and communication.

LISTED UNDER: Visual Studies

Architectural Photography

The scope of this course focuses on using the medium of architectural photography as a critical tool for analyzing and representing buildings. By contextualizing and framing the relationship between an architect and his or her work, it becomes easier to understand the intent behind the design process. Architectural photography helps us to understand the creator's ideas and intentions, and can provide us with insights into a building's meaning. It provides us not only with documentary evidence but also serves as a stimulant for the critical mind. On a practical level, the class teaches soon-to-be architects what to expect and what to desire from documentation of buildings they might design in the future.

LISTED UNDER: Visual Studies