DIGITAL MORPHOLOGIES  
from topologies to tectonics

“Digital Morphologies” studies lightweight, low-mass and self-supporting convoluted structures. Linking computational design and optimisation methods, with advanced manufacturing protocols and assembly processes, this workshop explores the development of digital tectonics into structures that unify envelope, structure, form, and experience into a unique system. 

The main objective of this workshop is the design of thin-shell systems that push the limits of form, structure, and space.

Meshing as a design tool

The topological properties of meshes permit to discretise, tessellate, cluster and segment single continuous bodies. This conjunction of actions addresses new ways to describe complex self-supportive curvilinear surfaces into series of developable flat components with tangential overlaps for efficient fabrication and construction.

At course completion the participants will:

• Learn how to use meshing tools to create complex geometries.
• Implement mesh topological relations as a form-finding tool. 
• Understand the concepts of mesh discretisation and tessellation.
• Apply clustering and segmentation on meshes.
• Be capable to create parametric fabrication workflows.

MAIN FACULTY: Rodrigo Aguirre // IAAC Computational Design Expert
FACULTY ASSISTANT: Ashkan Foroughi Dehnavi // IAAC Computational Designer and Roboticist

Full Syllabus & Schedule 

AI URBANISM
urban analytics with computer vision and machine learning

We are living in exciting and unique times. Advancements in technology are unleashing an unprecedented production of Data as surprising as the growing capacity to store these massive amounts of bytes. Unfortunately, the ability to analyse these data volumes increases at much lower rates. Surprisingly the majority of the unstructured data produced comes from image-based contents, but, in this era of data expansion, novel extraction techniques can be introduced to describe an image’s semantics.

The emerging field of visual analytics focuses on handling these massive, heterogeneous, and dynamic volumes of information by integrating algorithmic approaches based on deep learning architectures. As a result, cognitive methodologies are achieving higher levels of computer vision functionalities: detection, localisation, recognition, and understanding which are very useful for semantic knowledge exploration and image understanding.

Tools: Python, Opencv, Yolo v.4, Mask R-CNN.

At course completion the participants will:

• Drive image analytics towards spatial configuration and design decision.
• Understand the concepts of computer vision and machine learning.
• Be capable to decode image contents implementing image analytics.

MAIN FACULTIES: Aldo Sollazzo // IAAC Robotics & Computational Design Expert
Iacopo Neri // Computational Urban Design Expert
Soroush Garivani // IAAC Robotics Instructor
Francesco Polvi // IAAC Alumno

Full Syllabus & Schedule

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING
collaborative design workflows with Speckle 

Advances in architectural geometry and the rising ubiquity of design computation and visual programming amongst architecture practices has led to the design and construction of more complex, larger scale architectural projects. Consequently, the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has witnessed the emergence of custom technological solutions tailored within some of the most progressive architecture practices to better understand and visualise complex digital design workflows. In such context, the course, based on the open source data platform Speckle, aims to stage a high frequency iterative digital design workflow between several “simulated” stakeholders: design, analysis and reporting.
The main goal is to prototype a truly open, frictionless and integrative design process across the workshop participants.

At course completion, students will:

• Understand the basics of cross-platform data exchange and interoperability in Speckle.
• Be able to send/receive complex geometrical datasets to/from different software (Rhino, Grasshopper, Revit and Dynamo) via Speckle.
• Be capable of setting up a http://www.gulfportpharmacy.com like Modafinil project directory for an architectural design project, organise data streams, store consistent project information and collaborate via the Speckle admin web app.
  

MAIN FACULTY: Paul Poinet // Research Fellow in Web-based Collaboration in Construction at the Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management in London

Full Syllabus & Schedule

DESIGN FOR ROBOTICS   
fabrication through remote controlled robots

Many industries are being disrupted by innovative technological breakthroughs that significantly enhance or supersedes traditional processes. The construction sector is constantly evolving to be able to give greater freedom to Architects and designers. The future calls for innovative technologies such as robotics, AI and automation to be an integral part of the design and building industry to bridge the gap between Design, Engineering and Construction phases.

To quote Isaac Asimov ,‘You just can’t differentiate between a robot and the very best of humans’, this course will focus on a manufacturing driven design approach towards conceiving spaces.

Wood is perhaps one of the most widely used materials for building and construction, which makes it doomed to wastage. Re-organising and re-configuring this surplus material environment into a usable raw material requires a flexible design protocol. This demands a continuously adaptive and iterative system. Industrial Robots allow this flexibility to manipulate and assemble the stock to create usable sustainable structures.

At course completion the student will:

• Learn how to translate design into robotic processes.
• Design flexible protocols for material manipulation and assembly.
• Be capable to execute the project controlling from remote IAAC robots.

MAIN FACULTIES: Kunaljit Chadha // IAAC Digital and Robotics fabrication Expert
Ricardo Mayor // IAAC Fabrication Expert

Full Syllabus & Schedule