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ARCH4845-1 / Fall 2021

Generative Design I

In this course we will study applications of computer programming in design, and see how we can use coding to modify our design tools and create custom workflows that embed more intelligence into our design process.

Writing code, or “programming” is the oldest way of working with a computer. However, modern software use graphical user interfaces (GUI’s) that allows users to interact with a computer without even being aware of the code that runs in the background - the code that actually tells the computer what to do when you move your mouse or click a button. This way of interacting with computers makes the software much easier to learn and work with, but also makes that software constrained to specific functionality that must be universal to all users. It also results in a lot of manual work from the user to get the software to do what they need it to do.

Writing our own code enables us to create our own tools that solve our specific needs, thereby embedding more intelligence into our process. As a side product such workflows tend to automate the most repetitive and routine design tasks so you can focus less on the technical work and more on the creative part of design. While computer software is now integrated into almost every design practice, actually writing computer code or creating custom software is not a typical skill set for a designer. While learning this new skill can be daunting, even learning a little bit will allow you to start customizing your tools and save you time.

The good news is we don’t have to start from scratch, and you don’t necessarily need to be able to build your own CAD software like Revit or Rhino to start developing custom tools and workflows. Most modern CAD software support developing custom features and extensions through plugins and scripting interfaces. This allows us to start developing quickly and build our knowledge of programming by actually building useful applications.

This course is structured around a set of lectures and hands-on labs that will introduce you to the concepts, theory, and actual practice of programming for design. The lectures will take place in class and introduce class concepts at a high level while encouraging discussion among the class. The labs are based on a set of at-home assignments and tutorials and will take place remotely to make it easier for students to follow along in a “digital computer lab” setting. While the lab assignments will be done individually, students will work in groups to complete a semester project which will be evaluated through a series of in-class reviews.

Location & Time

115 AVERY

TU 9 AM - 11 AM

Session & Points

FULL SEMESTER

3 Points
Call Number

11738

Other Semesters & Sections
Course Semester Title Student Work Instructor Syllabus Requirements & Sequence Location & Time Session & Points Call No.
ARCH4845‑1 Fall 2025
Generative Design I
Danil Nagy
Ware Lounge (600 Avery)
TU 9 AM - 11 AM
Full Semester
3 Points
10681
ARCH4845‑1 Spring 2025
Generative Design I
Generative design nagy tzu yu huang   cheng chien yoon hae choisection cover 01   tzu yu jason huang
Danil Nagy
115 AVERY
TU 9 AM - 11AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11387
A4845‑1 Spring 2024
Generative Design I
Danil Nagy
114 AVERY
TU 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11139
A4845‑1 Spring 2023
Generative Design I
Arch nagy annakim jasonli shiyulyu hanqin xavizhapan sullivan sp23 01
Arch nagy shuhanliu haolanluo eunjinshin willcao sp23 03
Arch nagy sixuanchen runxinfu ruizhanhuang chengxiliu chaoqunzhang sp23 01
Danil Nagy
114 AVERY
TU 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11422
ARCH4845‑1 Spring 2022
Generative Design I
Vs nagy yutongdeng siyehuang yueningjiang xinantan siyuxiao sp22 01 diagram
Vs nagy vinayagrawal malvinamathioudaki qiweisun sp22 01 animation
Vs nagy kurtcheang faroukkwaning vascoli hanyuliu sp22 01 diagram
Danil Nagy
114 AVERY
TU 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
14324
A4845‑1 Spring 2021
Generative Design I
Danil Nagy
REMOTE
TU 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
12130
A4845‑1 Fall 2020
Generative Design I
Danil Nagy
Online
TU 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11758
A4845‑1 Spring 2020
Generative Design I
Arch nagy anirudhchandar danielkim jacobli shuangbi sp20 04 options
Arch nagy sritomabhattacharjee shaileekothari sp20 02 drawing
Arch nagy luyihuang shaolinfeng xingluzhu sp20 03 options ed
Danil Nagy Syllabus
WARE- 600 AVERY
TU 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11417
A4845‑1 Spring 2019
Generative Design I
Danil Nagy Syllabus
WARE
TU 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMSETER
3 Points
73316
A4845‑1 Spring 2018
Generative Design I
Vs lin lilianyi hsuan sp18 02 rangeofdesign
Vs nagy charlotte pang sp18 01
Vs nagy dingpiao chasce tang sp18 1 surfaceevaluate
Danil Nagy Syllabus
202 Fayerweather
M 11 AM - 1 PM
Full Semester
3 Points
79029
A4845‑1 Spring 2017
Generative Design I
Danil Nagy Syllabus

Visual Studies

Ses A 1/17 - 3/3
1.5 Points
95942