ARCH 322 | Course Introduction and Application Information - Department of Architecture

Course Name

Introduction to Computational design

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
ARCH 322	Fall/Spring	2	2	3	4

Prerequisites	None
Course Language	English
Course Type	Elective
Course Level	First Cycle
Mode of Delivery	face to face
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course	-
National Occupation Classification	-
Course Coordinator	Öğr. Gör. Nazlı KÖK
Course Lecturer(s)	Öğr. Gör. Nazlı KÖK
Assistant(s)	-

Course Objectives	The main objective of the course is to help students gain the intellectual skills that are necessary within the realm of digital design practice in architecture. The ways of computational thinking will be introduced and experienced through exercises which focus on computational problem solving, cognitive models, generative systems, shape grammars, spatial configurations and design tool development. “Learning by doing” is a crucial approach for the course. Therefore the course content will be performed through workshops and design assignments which will be worked by using and developing several types of design tools from manual to digital.
Learning Outcomes	The students who succeeded in this course; Student will be able to classify the forms of computational thinking and their use in the field of design. Student will be able to experience parametric and relational thinking in design. Student will be able to gather information about various digital tools used in architectural design. Student will be able to apply the necessary fundamental skills for digital design tools and practices. Student will be able to observe various computational design applications.
Course Description	The course is conducted in order to make students gain knowledge and experience in computational thinking in the field of design. The workshops that will provide these experiences are fundamental. Following the simple theoretical briefings on the fundamental issues, the students will experience by working on the given design problems. Through the semester students are expected to fulfill and present the workshop assignments.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

Course Category	Core Courses
	Major Area Courses	X
	Supportive Courses
	Media and Management Skills Courses
	Transferable Skill Courses

Week	Subjects	Related Preparation
1	Introduction to Computational Design
2	Introduction to Rhinoceros Grasshopper Basics I + 2d Operations INC1: Parametric Grid	Installing Rhino
3	Introduction to Rhinoceros Grasshopper Basics II + 2d Operations + attractor point + boolean operations INC2: Geometric Operations	HW1 + Clipper (add-on)
4	Pseudo Code Writing Pseudo Code Transformation - Decoding Data Visualization + Optimization Data/Geometry Formation in Grasshopper INC3: Disposal coffee cup modeling/Design iterations	HW2 + Galapagos (add-on)
5	Data/Geometry Management in Grasshopper Introduction to Rhinoceros Grasshopper Data Structure + Data Reading through Excel INC4: 3D Building volumetric study	HW3 + TT Toolbox (add-on) + Biomorpher
6	+ Data Visualization INC5: Building information data vis.	HW4
7	+ LAYERED Data Visualization INC6: Building information data vis.	HW5
8	MIDTERM WEEK
9	+ Data -> Form INC7: Data-Driven Morphology	+ Pufferfish (add-on) + Weaverbird (add-on) + Ladybug (add-on)
10	+ Form -> Behavior INC8: Geometry as a Behavioral System	HW6 + Kangaroo (add-on)
11	+ Form -> Tectonics INC9: Tectonic Exploration & Design Iterations	HW7 + Colibri (add-on)
12	Pattern Generation INC10: Pattern / System Discovery	HW8
13	Pattern Iteration INC11: Pattern Development + Iteration	HW9
14	Joint Details and Digital Fabrication INC12: Component Adaptation + Fabrication / 3D Print	HW10
15	Installation Collective Assembly	HW11
16	FINAL SUBMISSION

Course Notes/Textbooks

Computational Design Thinking: Computation Design Thinking 1st Edition, 9780470665657
Generative Design: Form-finding Techniques in Architecture (Form + Technique), 9781780676913
Algorithmic Architecture 1st Edition, 9780750667258
AAD Algorithms-Aided Design: Parametric Strategies using Grasshopper, 9788895315300

Suggested Readings/Materials

Lynn, Greg. New variations on the Rowe Complex, published at Greg Lynn: Folds, bodies and Blobs: collected essays, ANY Magazine no:7/8, page 199-221
Thompson, Darcy. On Growth and Form, 1942, Dover Reprint
Stiny, George. Introduction to Shape and Shape Grammars, Environment and Planning B, 1980, volume 7, pages 343-351
Menges, Achim., Hensel, Michael. Morpho-ecologies, Architectural Association, 2006
Menges, Achim. Polymorphism, AD March 2006
Weinstock, Michael. Self Organisation and Material Constructions, AD March 2006
Leach, Neil, AD Digital Cities, Wiley Academy, 2009
Burry, Mark. Scripting Cultures, AD June 2011
Mitchell, J. William, The Logic of Architecture: design, computer and cognition, MIT Press,1994, chapter 5-8, page: 73-181

Semester Activities	Number	Weigthing
Participation	1	10
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	1	10
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments	1	50
Presentation / Jury
Project	1	30
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exams
Midterm
Final Exam
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade	3	70
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade	1	30
Total

Semester Activities	Number	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Theoretical Course Hours (Including exam week: 16 x total hours)	16	2	32
Laboratory / Application Hours	16	2	32
Study Hours Out of Class	8	2	16
Field Work			0
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	1	20	20
Portfolio			0
Homework / Assignments			0
Presentation / Jury			0
Project	1	10	10
Seminar / Workshop			0
Oral Exam			0
Midterms			0
Final Exam		10	0
		Total	110

#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	* Contribution Level
#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	To be able to offer a professional level of architectural services.	-	X	-	-	-
2	To be able to take on responsibility as an individual and as a team member to solve complex problems in the practice of design and construction.	-	-	-	X	-
3	To be able to understand methods to collaborate and coordinate with other disciplines in providing project delivery services.	-	-	-	X	-
4	To be able to understand, interpret, and evaluate methods, concepts, and theories in architecture emerging from both research and practice.	-	-	X	-	-
5	To be able to develop environmentally and socially responsible architectural strategies at multiple scales.	X	-	-	-	-
6	To be able to develop a critical understanding of historical traditions, global culture and diversity in the production of the built environment.	-	X	-	-	-
7	To be able to apply theoretical and technical knowledge in construction materials, products, components, and assemblies based on their performance within building systems.	-	-	-	X	-
8	To be able to present architectural ideas and proposals in visual, written, and oral form through using contemporary computer-based information and communication technologies and media.	-	-	-	-	X
9	To be able to demonstrate a critical evaluation of acquired knowledge and skills to diagnose individual educational needs and direct self-education skills for developing solutions to architectural problems and design execution.	-	-	X	-	-
10	To be able to take the initiative for continuous knowledge update and education as well as demonstrate a lifelong learning approach in the field of Architecture.	-	-	-	-	X
11	To be able to collect data in the areas of Architecture and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1)	-	-	-	-	X
12	To be able to speak a second foreign language at a medium level of fluency efficiently.	-	-	-	-	-
13	To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout the human history to their field of expertise.	-	X	-	-	-