EMERGENT TECHNOLOGIES AND DESIGN

PROGRAMME GUIDE 2016/2017

 [EmTech]
http://emtech.aaschool.ac.uk/

Course Director
Dr. Michael Weinstock

Studio Master
Evan Greenberg

Studio Tutors
Dr. Elif Erdine
Manja van de Worp

And our distinguished colleague

Emeritus Professor Dr. George Jeronimidis
Contents
1. Overview

2. Programme Specification

3. Aims And Learning Outcomes

4. Programme Structure

5. Teaching And Learning Strategies

6. Programme Resources

7. Assessment

8. Teaching Staff

9. External Relations

10. Course Descriptions

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design

1. Overview
The Emergent Technologies and Design Programme (inaugurated in 2001) is open to graduates in
architecture and engineering who wish to develop skills and pursue knowledge in architectural design
science that is located in new production paradigms. Phase 1 consists of seminars, studio workshops
and design projects that familiarise students with core concepts, computational analysis and generative
design enabled by innovative fabrication techniques across a range of scales. Phase 2 consists of Design
Research and the Design Dissertation for the MSc or the M.Arch. There is individual work and group work in
both phases.

Design Research is central to the agendas of Emergent Technologies and Design, and the programme
proceeds from the fundamental premise of a shared understanding between staff, students, researchers and
collaborators across the world that nature and artifice are strongly coupled, that the cultural production of
artefacts and systems exist as part of the environment of other active systems, and that they are subject
to change. They also share an understanding that causality of change is complex and multi-scalar, that
the dynamics of change are perturbed and accelerated by human activities, and they share a concern for
the consequences of those changes to society and the natural world. Design processes in this domain are
developed through iterative computational processes of serial experimentation and analysis, generative
propositions and simulations. The programme is structured to provide skills and knowledge of a coherent
set of linked and convergent discourses, methodologies and concerns that cross many different disciplines
in Phase 1, and the opportunity to further develop those skills and deepen knowledge in the Phase 2
Research and Design Studio and the Dissertation.

Design and Build - all students engage with Design/Build from the first weeks, and gain expertise in
designing, organising, and constructing innovative projects under constrained time and financial budgets.

Core Studio 1 – Prototyping Families

The studio builds skills in Finite Element Analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Environmental Analysis,
and Robotic fabrication. Physical and digital computational design techniques are used to explore the
architectural potential of material system logics that integrate structural, environmental and production
systems in specific climatic contexts.

Core Studio 2 – Ecology and the Superblock in City Systems

The studio extends the exploration of generative processes for Urban Block and Superblock morphologies
to larger and more complex aggregations and configurations, and locates them in specific climatic and
ecological contexts. The potential interactions of microclimatic, topological and social organisations are
explored, and an evolutionary computational model is developed and initiated at a neighbourhood scale
that incorporates ecologically productive surfaces and systems. The studio is supported by workshops
on Python scripting and computational analysis methods in Grasshopper/Rhino and weekly student-led
discussion sessions.

Natural Systems and Biomimetics Seminar Course

An introduction to the ways in which organisms have evolved through form, materials and structures in
response to varied functions and environments is followed by an account of engineering design principles
that have been abstracted from nature in current research projects for industry and material science. A
study is made of a natural system (general form, anatomy, energy flows and behaviour), along with an
exploration of interrelations and an abstraction of engineering principles. The methods of analysis and
system logics and material performance studied in this seminar are further developed within Core Studio1.

Emergence and Design Seminar Course

A study is conducted of the mathematics of evolution and embryological development, the data structures
and processes of the genome, population dynamics and pressures. Applications to architectural design
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
are explored in generative design experiments, which conclude with the detailed modelling and analysis of
a set of evolved Urban Block and Superblock morphologies. The concepts and workflows developed in the
Emergence and Design Seminar are further developed in Core Studio 2.

Design and Technology Seminar Course

An examination is made of the ways in which ‘design’ and the ‘technical’ exist within the general culture
of architectural production. The application of the scientific method to architectural research and design
is explored in seminars and design workshops. The engagement of analytical tools in generative design
processes coupled to computational fabrication is studied across a range of material and temporal scales.
The Masterclass Lecture Series present studies the engagement of state-of-the art design practices with
analysis and fabrication techniques, material effects and performance in the profession and in high level
research.

Design Research Studio and the Dissertation

Two main fields of Design Research are offered: Active Material Systems with Advanced Fabrication, and
Urban Design in Natural Ecological Systems. Students may choose one of the two fields or a hybrid, and
work in pairs. The Design Research studio enables students to develop their Dissertation proposal, and to
integrate explorations of the theoretical discourses, science and case studies of ‘state of the art’ projects
in their chosen topic, and to develop their design strategies, experiments and proposals.

Unit Staff
Dr.Michael Weinstock is an Architect who studied at the AA and has taught at the AA since 1989. His
research interest lies in exploring the convergence of the natural sciences with architecture. He received
the Acadia Award for Excellence 2008, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. He has an extensive
body of published work, including “The Architecture of Emergence: the Evolution of Form in Nature and
Civilisation” and “Emergent Technologies and Design - Towards a Biological Paradigm for Architecture”, and
has been visiting professor at Rome, Barcelona, Calgary and Yale.

Evan Greenberg is a researcher, designer and educator with interests in biomimicry, advanced fabrication
processes, and resilient systems and urban microclimates. He has worked with architects, engineers,
artists and fashion designers around the world. He has taught at the AA since 2008 upon gaining his
MSc with Distinction in Emergent Technologies and Design. Evan has directed workshops and lectured
internationally and is a Fellow of the Biomimicry Institute.

Dr.Elif Erdine is an architect and researcher. Her PhD thesis (AA, 2009-15) focused on the integration
of tower subsystems through generative design methodologies informed by biomimetic analogies. Since
2010 she has been teaching AA Visiting School programmes, exploring generative design techniques, the
integration of algorithmic design methods with large-scale digital fabrication tools, and physical computing.

Manja van de Worp trained as an architect and structural engineer at the Technical University of Eindhoven
and Emtech. Her interests lie in finding synergies between structural design and architecture through
technology, geometry and fabrication. She has worked or Arup in London in the Advanced Geometry Unit, and
Advanced Technology and Research group and is now the Principal of NOUS Engineering London.

Emergent Technologies and Design


2. Programme Specification
2.1 Specifications
Degree: MSc and MArch validated by The Open University
Institution: Architectural Association School of Architecture
Length Of Programme: 12 months and 16 months respectively
Mode Of Study: Full-time
Course Director: Dr.Michael Weinstock
Studio Master: Evan Greenberg
Studio Tutors: Dr.Elif Erdine and Manja van de Worp
External Examiners: Professor Wasim Jabi, Mike Cook, Chairman/Senior Partner BuroHappold

2.2 Admission Prerequisites

Entry into the MSc course is open to students who have graduated in Architecture or in Engineering, and
selection is by Interview and Portfolio. Entry into the MArch course is open to students who have graduated
in Architecture, and selection is by informal interview or submitted portfolio.

2.3 Courses And Activities:

Phase 1 (Terms 1 and 2)
Seminar Courses (3), Core Studio 1 and 2, Thesis Formation
Phase 2 (Terms 3 and 4)
Research and Design Studio and the Dissertation

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS: MASTER OF SCIENCE / MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE

Completion of a total of 180 credits (1800 hours of study) by successful completion of the Phase 1
courses listed above and successful submission of the Dissertation.

Elective Courses: Students who need to acquire or refresh skills and knowledge may take, with prior
agreement of the Directors, one additional Course from those that are provided within the Graduate School.

Entry into the MSc Course is open to students who have graduated in Architecture or in Engineering, and
selection is by Interview and Portfolio. Entry into the MArch Course is open to students who have graduated
in Architecture, and selection is by informal interview or submitted portfolio.

Both Courses require the completion of a total of 180 credit units, 1,800 hours of study, organised into two
phases, Phase 1 (terms 1,2, and 3) and Phase 2 (term 4). Phase 1 is identical for both Courses.

The M.Sc. Course runs for 12 months (September to September) and concludes with the Dissertation in
Phase 2. The M.Arch Course runs for 16 months (September to January), and concludes with the Dissertation
in Phase 2.

Although the number of hours and credits are identical in the MSc. and the M.Arch, their distribution over
time is different. The M.Arch allows more time for reflection and consideration that a comprehensive
architectural design requires.

Once the programme has begun, changing between M.Arch and M.Sc is only be allowed under very exceptional
circumstances, and students who feel strongly about it should approach the Course Directors before the
end of the first week of Term 2. If they have compelling academic reasons for changing, they will be asked
to submit a written statement by the last week of January on why they feel better suited for the other
degree, how the potential change relates to the work they would have done by then and what type of final
work they envisage doing. The statement and the results of Term 1 coursework will be considered together
by the Directors. Under no circumstances can students change their visa arrangements.
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
The MSc Dissertation is required to demonstrate the capacity to apply the acquired knowledge and
techniques in a creative and innovative way to an architectural construction type and material system, or
to a developed and tested generative strategy of design at an architectural or urban scale.

The MArch Dissertation is required to demonstrate the capacity to apply the acquired knowledge and
techniques in a creative and innovative way to a comprehensive architectural design or urban ecological
design and to its performance.

Details of the M.Arch and M.Sc are set out in the section 3.Aims and Learning Outcomes, in section
5.Teaching and Learning Strategies, and in section 7.Assessment of this document.

Seminars and Core Studio: - 50%

Research and Design/Dissertation: - 50%

Phase 1
3 Seminar courses: 45 credits (25% of total credits)
Core Studio 1 and 2: 45 credits (25% of total credits)

Phase 2
Research and Design/Dissertation: 90 credits (50% of total credits)

Emergent Technologies and Design


 Quake|Response

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STATIC ANALYSIS - ACCELERATION INDUCED(a) - SELF PRODUCED FORCE OF m*a

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k=1
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+ W k)+W k-F k

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h FF W F

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a
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UNSTABLE EQUILIBRIUM

F 6.25 e

FF
W F
F

W
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a
3.26 e-6
KN/Cm2

Ratio h/A: 1.50

EQUILIBRIUM STRESS CONCENTRATION

68

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

Emergent Technologies and Design

3. Aims and Learning Outcomes
3.1 Programme Aims
The primary aim of the Emergent Technologies and Design Programme is to provide knowledge of and
expertise in, the design of buildings, structures and city systems that are enabled by the convergent
technologies of Emergence and by new production paradigms. The programme is offered to graduate
architects and graduate gngineers who are interested in researching architectural design in the context of
innovative technologies.

3.2 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the programme students are expected to:
1. Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and critical awareness of the specific concepts, current
practices and new insights in the field of Emergent Technologies and their effect on the production of built
architectures and city scale systems;
2. Demonstrate the capacity for critical and technical analysis, and a comprehensive understanding of
critically current research and advanced scholarship in the field.
3. Demonstrate the ability to use research to create and interpret knowledge, and to show originality in the
application of research knowledge and analysis in the field of Emergent Technologies and Design.
4. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate methodologies and to develop critiques of them, and show high-level
skills in pursuing architectural research in the field of Emergent Technologies and, where appropriate, the
ability to propose and resolve new hypotheses.
5. Demonstrate the capacity to deal with complex issues systematically and creatively individually and as
part of a group, and the ability to communicate research and design conclusions clearly to specialist and
non-specialist audiences.
(The Aims and Learning outcomes of Emergent Technologies and Design are fully aligned and consistent
with the QAA framework for Frameworks for Higher Education qualifications –Masters Degrees)

3.3 MArch Dissertation

In the MArch Dissertation students are expected to be able to synthesise critical and analytical research
in case studies of the practices of design and production particular to their research topic. The Design
element of the Dissertation is expected to include a comprehensive and detailed architectural or urban
scale Design proposal that embodies the central arguments and technical propositions.

3.4 MSc Dissertation

In the MSc Design Dissertation students are expected to be able to synthesise critical and analytical
research in case studies of the practices of design and production particular to their research topic. The
Design element of the Dissertation is expected to include sufficient original Design to serve to demonstrate
the design, fabrication and performance implications of the central arguments and technical propositions.

Details of the Teaching and Learning Strategies for the MArch Dissertation and the MSc Dissertation are
set out in Sections 5.5and 5.6 within this document.
Details of the criteria for Assessment of the MArch Dissertation and the MSc Dissertation are set out in
Section 7.2 of this document.

3.5 Curriculum Map

The Curriculum Map shows how learning outcomes are deployed across the entire study programme. It
relates the delivery and assessment of the learning outcomes listed above to the different inputs and
outputs of the programme.

To simplify the tabulation, the three seminar series have been grouped together, as have the two modules
of the Core Studio. The tabulation indicates which elements are responsible for delivering (shaded) and for
assessing (X) particular learning outcomes.
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
M.Sc Dissertation
M.Arch Dissertation
R&D Studio
Core Studio
Seminars

Knowledge and Understanding

Assimilation of the programme material and familiarity with concepts, techniques, and strategies in the field of
X
X

Emergence
Assimilation and familiarity with material processes and advanced manufacturing techniques
X

Assimilation and familiarity with advanced digital and mathematical design techniques
X X
X

X X
X X

Assimilation and familiarity with advanced digital structural and environmental analysis
Specific Skills and Attributes
Demonstration of clear and appropriate formulation of hypotheses and arguments, and the ability to deploy
X
X

X
X

these for the planning and pursuit of a research agenda

The ability to conduct comparative analysis and produce meaningful generalisation
X
X

X
X

Demonstration of clear structure, precise writing and presentation of work; referencing of sources information
X
X

using agreed conventions

The development of critical faculties and advanced design skills
X
X

Demonstration of judgement and appropriate application of research material and technical knowledge to
X
X
X
X

design and material experiments

Demonstrate the capacity to apply acquired knowledge and techniques in a creative and innovative way to a
X
X
X
X

comprehensive architectural design and to its material construction

Demonstrate the capacity to apply the acquired knowledge and techniques in a creative and innovative way to a
general architectural construction type and material system, or to a developed and tested generative strategy
X
X

X
X

of architectural design
Transferrable Attributes
A thorough knowledge of the specific concepts, techniques and practices in the field of Emergent Technologies
X

X
X

and their effect on the productino of built architectures and artefacts

Capacity for critical and technical analysis
X
X

The ability to construct Case Studies by applying critical and technical analysis to historical modes of
X

X
X

construction
The ability to connect analysis to design philosophies and material strategies, and relate
X
X

them to industrial processes and production

Skills in developing and pursuing architectural and technical research in the field of Emergent Technologies, and
X
X

in presenting research findings individually and as part of a group

The ability to contribute to interdisciplinary professional teams
X
X

Emergent Technologies and Design


Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design

4. Programme Structure
MSc. and M.Arch Phases
Phase 1 - 50% of total credits
Phase 2 – 50% of total credits

The programme is divided into two phases, spread over four terms. Phase 1 consists of the Seminar
courses and Studio teaching that take place in the first two terms, October to December and January
to March respectively. Student work is assigned by module and academic term, but extends into the
vacation periods. Phase 1 ends with the Thesis Formation week at the end of which students submit their
Dissertation proposal.

Phase 2 commences with Design Research that takes place in term 3 from late April to the end of June,
and progresses to the submission of the Dissertation.

Term 4 for MSc. students runs from July to September and for M.Arch students runs from September to mid-
January. A detailed breakdown of credits and a summary of the course structure and assessed activities
are set out in the following sections.

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

Courses And Credits (MArch and MSc)
Elements for
Course / Activity Credits % Award
Assessment

Term 1
Natural Systems and Design Dossier and
Biomimetics Seminar 15 8.33%
Essay, 100%
Course

Studio Workshops, 40%

Core Studio 1 22.5 12.5%
Research Dossier, 60%

Design and Technology Analysis and Critical

15 8.33%
Masterclasses Reflection, 100%

Term 2
Emergence and Design Design Dossier and Essay, 8.33%
Seminar Course 15
100%

Studio Workshops, 40%

Core Studio 2 22.5 12.5%
Research Dossier, 60%

Thesis Formation

Term 3
Research and Design
Studio: Thesis Research 15
8.33%

Term 4 (*)
Design Dissertation or Research and Design
41.67%
Design Thesis Documentation
M.Sc Hand-in
15
mid-September
M.Arch Hand-in
end of January

Phase 1
Phase 2
* MSC course: Term 4 (July - September)
MArch course: Term 4 (October - January)

Emergent Technologies and Design


Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design

5. Teaching And Learning Strategies

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the programme is the emphasis on the team, and the skills
and knowledge developed in collaborative learning, research and design. Students work in small teams in
studios, workshops and seminar courses, and for their Dissertation choose their own team and topic. This
is a reflection of the way in which architects work in the professional world, and in academic research in
the Design Sciences. Individual intellectual and critical development is reflected in the personal essays
that each student undertakes and submits for seminar courses, and in the individual Critical Reflection
that each student submits with the Dissertation.

Design processes in this domain are distributed and collaborative, and are explored, developed and refined
through iterative computational processes of serial experimentation and analysis, generative simulations
and material fabrication. The programme is structured to provide skills and knowledge of a coherent set
of linked and convergent discourses, methodologies and concerns that cross many different disciplines in
Phase 1, and the opportunity to further develop those skills and deepen knowledge in the Phase 2 Research
and Design Studio and the Dissertation.

Teaching strategies reflect this modality of research and design. Each member of the teaching team has
their own speciality and active personal research, but also contributes to coordination of the agendas
and delivery of each module and workshop, and to the programme as a whole. One or two members of the
teaching team lead modules and workshops, but all teaching staff collectively attend key interim and other
internal presentations to offer critical commentary and advice to clarify and develop the student work.

Student life in the programme provides additional opportunities for learning as all tutorials and instructions
take place in open studio, and students attend and participate in all presentations by their colleagues in the
programme. The programme facilitates the self-organisation of study groups and workshops for additional
software skills in the evenings and weekends. For these reasons attendance in studio is mandatory Monday
to Friday, and is monitored.

Course Participation
Participation in seminars, workshops and modules, and in studio generally is constantly monitored in studio
discussions, design tutorials, and at presentations. If teaching staff have observed a lack of adequate
participation, the student will receive a formal written warning from the Programme Director, and is required
to attend a mandatory meeting with teaching staff tutors to review participation and learning progress.
Failure to improve participation to suitable levels results in the student being asked to repeat Phase I
studies in the programme in the following year, or in extreme cases, leave the programme permanently.
Students of this programme and others in the AA School receive an intense, highly supervised and closely
monitored learning experience. It is the responsibility of all students to ensure that the arrangements
of their personal circumstances (including payment of tuition fees) enable them to participate in all
aspects of their course/programme of study. Details of the processes and requirements outlined above
are set out in 2.2.8 Attendance and Attendance Management Procedures of the Academic Regulations.
Appeal procedures regarding these decisions are also summarised in the AA School Academic Regulations,
appended to this course guide.

PHASE 1

Seminar Courses
The three seminar courses have a common structure and method, with appropriate variation in delivery.
Each consists of 8 sessions, and each session takes up an entire morning, or an afternoon. A typical
session will consist of a seminar presentation by a member of the teaching team, followed by questions
and discussions with students. Students are asked to read preparatory or follow up material, and make
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
short group or individual presentations of work set at the end of each session. Each course has a written
submission by the student team that documents the work undertaken, and an individual essay of up to
3,000 words that critically reflects upon the work undertaken by their team, and situates in its theoretical,
research and professional domains. Tutorials aid students in focusing and developing their submissions.

Core Studio
The Studio course runs for two terms. The teaching team and invited guests give formal tuition, and students
develop their skills and knowledge through research and design experiments. The course introduces a range
of concepts and methodologies, and students document their work and make regular presentations. These
are bought together and presented at the end of each course in a final presentation for critical advice, and
in the compiled document submission for assessment. The document describes the work undertaken by
the student team, the rationale for the decisions made, analyses and critically reflects upon the output,
and situates the work in its theoretical, research and profressional domains. Tutorials aid students in
focusing and developing their submissions.

Thesis Formation
This takes place in studio over the course of an intensive and highly structured week lead by the teaching
team. Mornings sessions are focused on topic discussions, exchanges and negotiations, and the afternoon
sessions in writing proposals that are in turn presented and discussed the following morning. Dissertation
Proposals are submitted at the end of the week, with sharply defined Abstracts, Ambitions, Methods and
Domain statements.

Phase 1 Review
At the beginning of the third term thesis proposals are reviewed by the teaching team, discussed with the
students, reworked if necessary, and formally accepted. Student assessments for all the modules of Phase
1 are also reviewed and students are then notified of progression to Phase 2.

PHASE 2

M.Arch. and MSc. Dissertation

The third and fourth term are entirely dedicated to the production of the Dissertation, with continuous
review and supervision in Studio by the teaching team. Arrangements for tutorials are identical in term
three and four, scheduled each week in advance.

Students review and synthesise the analyses, research, and case studies of the practices of design and
production particular to the research topic. In the Design Research Studio – term3 – students develop two
chapters of their Dissertation from the Dissertation proposal – The Domain and the Methods, and pursue
design experimentation appropriate to the central arguments and technical propositions. Supporting
documentation of analysis, research conclusions, and strategic design decisions and argumentation in
support of the Dissertation is written and refined. In addition to the scheduled weekly tutorials, regular
presentations are made and critical advice offered by the entire teaching team and invited guests.

Design Dissertation - Term 4 - is focused on the design development and testing, and the final design
proposal is produced, analysed, critiqued and refined. Tutorial arrangements, regular presentations and
critical advice are identical to those in Term 3. The final presentations are to a panel of invited guests
from practice and academia, and their critical advice is focused on the necessary steps to complete the
Dissertation, and the finished document of the Dissertation is compiled and submitted.

Emergent Technologies and Design


Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design

6. Programme Resources

Please see the AA Student Handbook for resources available to all students.

6.1 Additional Information Resources: Specialised books and documents are available within the programme,
from the Programme Directors or located in the studio hand library. A dedicated website makes available
abstracts and technical research papers, software manuals and instructions, case studies of exemplary
projects and links to external research institutions and information resources.

Outside the AA School the British Library, Imperial College of Engineering and the RIBA Library have
collections of relevant publications. Students are assisted to join these libraries.

6.2 Workspace: Students in the Emergent Technologies and Design programme each have an individual
workspace within the Studio.

Our tools in Emtech are computational. Throughout the course we will help you in the application of these
tools, and have listed below a core group of those with which we encourage you to become familiar prior
to your arrival in Emtech.
Software Downloads (all Windows-based): The following is an initial list of tools that we will work with
together in the first few weeks of Emtech.
• Rhinoceros3D (Version 5)
o http://www.rhino3d.com/sales/europe/United_Kingdom/all/?PageSpeed=noscript
• Grasshopper3D Plug-in
o http://www.rhino3d.com/download/grasshopper/1.0/wip

• Grasshopper Add-Ons (You will need to create an account on Food4Rhino to download any plug-
ins from this site)

o Ladybug

 http://www.food4rhino.com/project/ladybug-honeybee

o GhPython

 http://www.food4rhino.com/project/ghpython?etx

o Karamba

 http://www.karamba3d.com/downloads/

o LunchBox

 http://www.theprovingground.org/2015/07/lunchbox-for-grasshopper-returns.
html
It is expected that you have Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper3D installed in your laptops before the Pro-
gramme begins.

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

Learning Resources: The following are a list of primers, videos, tutorials and forums that will help you get
up and running with each programme.
• Rhinoceros3D
o https://www.rhino3d.com/tutorials?PageSpeed=noscript
o http://www.rhino3dhelp.com/category/tutorials/
o http://digitaltoolbox.info/#
• Grasshopper3D
o http://modelab.is/grasshopper-primer
o http://grasshopperprimer.com
o http://digitaltoolbox.info/#
o http://grasshopper3d.com
• Ladybug
o http://www.grasshopper3d.com/group/ladybug/page/ladybug-teaching-resources
o https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bz2PwDvkjovJclJDMHJVMHJWaFU/edit
o http://performance-and-form.com/projects/sunpath-with-lb/
o http://performance-and-form.com/projects/generating-annual-solar-radiation-diagram-la-
dybug-for-grasshopper/
• Python

o http://wiki.mcneel.com/developer/python

o http://www.designalyze.com/software/python
o https://pythonspot.com
o http://www.python-forum.org
o https://docs.python.org/3/
• Karamba

o http://www.karamba3d.com/category/tutorials/
o http://www.karamba3d.com/category/examples/
o http://www.karamba3d.com/wp-content/uploads/gh/Install/Karamba_1_1_0_Manual.
pdf

Emergent Technologies and Design


 GENERATIVE GENERATIVE EVOLUTIONARY NETWORK PROGRAM
GIS DATA INPUTS OUTPUTS INPUTS OUTPUTS INPUTS OUTPUTS INPUTS
ALGORITHM ALGORITHM ALGORITM BASED-MDOEL LAND-USE

EVOLUTIONARY NETWORK PROGRAM WEIGHTS

TS INPUTS OUTPUTS INPUTS
ALGORITM BASED-MDOEL LAND-USE
SELECTION

G.I.S SELECTION SELECTION

TOPOGRAPHY BUILDING BUILDING

MODEL MODEL BUILDING
HYDROLOGY MODEL
PROGRAM
FORESTRY WEIGHTS
MODEL
PARAMETRIC
MODEL NETWORK
BUILDINGS
SELECTION
PARAMETRIC
MODEL
NETWORK NETWORK
MODEL
MODEL MODEL

DEMOGRAPHICS
STREETS
LANDMARKS
BUILDING BUILDING
MODEL MODEL BUILDING WEIGHTS
MODEL WEIGHTS
PROGRAM
MODEL

NETWORK
NETWORK NETWORK
MODEL
DESIGN MODEL
MODEL DESIGN DESIGN DESIGN DESIGN

WEIGHTS
WEIGHTS

DESIGN DESIGN DESIGN

PARAMETRIC DESIGN
SELECTION CRITERIA OPTIONS
MODEL PARAMETRIC DESIGN
SELECTION CRITERIA OPTIONS
MODEL
DESIGN INPUTS INPUTS OUTPUTS
13
DESIGN INPUTS INPUTS OUTPUTS

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

 NETWORKS
SCHEME 1 SCHEME 2 SCHEME 3

NETWORKS
SCHEME
INTEGRATION 1
HH: 0.67 SCHEME 2 1.07
INTEGRATION HH: SCHEME 3
INTEGRATION HH: 0.88

INTEGRATION HH: 0.67 INTEGRATION HH: 1.07 INTEGRATION HH: 0.88

NETWORKS
INTEGRATION HH: 0.48 INTEGRATION HH: 0.33
INTEGRATION HH: 0.35

NETWORKS SCHEME 1 SCHEME 2 SCHEME 3

SCHEME 1 SCHEME 2 SCHEME 3

INTEGRATION HH: 0.48 INTEGRATION HH: 0.33

INTEGRATION HH: 0.35

INTEGRATION HH: 0.67 INTEGRATION HH: 1.07

INTEGRATION HH: 0.88

attribute option 1 option 2 option 3

integration [HH] 0,776 0,8145 0,828
Connectivity 3,06 2,973 3,214
integration R3 1,296 1,276 1,336
choice 0,024 0,031 0,027
total depth 92747,9 80354,8 78550,8

option 1 option 2 option 3

intelligibility 0,1027 0,1035 0,2064
synergy 0,1312 0,1535 0,24

INTEGRATION HH: 0.48 INTEGRATION HH: 0.33 INTEGRATION HH: 0.35

Emergent Technologies and Design


7. Assessment
7.1 Assessment Procedures
Students are assessed on submitted essays, design projects, participation in workshops, group projects and
presentations, and on the final Dissertation. All assessments are double marked, with written commentary
and grades, and each student receives feedback and discussion on their assessment in individual tutorials.
Essays and research documents associated with the design work are submitted (by the designated date)
to the Graduate School Coordinator. The Design Research will also involve presentations within the third
term. Students will make a final public presentation to invited critics near the end of the fourth term, and
have the opportunity to incorporate relevant criticism.

The final MArch Dissertation or MSc Dissertation will be submitted by the end of the fourth term. All
submissions are assessed and marked by two members of the programme’s teaching staff. The External
Examiners will have access to all Dissertations and a representative sample of Core Studio projects, seminar
course essays and documents prior to the formal meeting of the Examination Board. The Examination Board
will be composed of the Programme Director, staff and the External Examiners, assisted by the Graduate
School’s Administrative Coordinator.

The Examination Board has the responsibility for the final marking of all submitted work, and makes
decisions on distinctions and resubmission. The Board and its External Examiner report to the AA Graduate
Management Committee, which in turn reports to The Open University, the validating body for the AA
Graduate School’s Masters Programmes. Notification of results is given to students by the Registrar’s
Office through the Graduate School Coordinator.

To qualify for the MSc degree the students must achieve 50% or higher mark on both the coursework
average in Phase 1, and on the Dissertation in Phase 2. The overall final mark is calculated as the average
of course work and Dissertation.

Students who fail to achieve a pass mark on any single Seminar course work or Studio in Phase 1 must
resubmit (once) and pass before being allowed to proceed to Phase 2.

Students who fail to achieve a pass mark in Phase 2 may resubmit once for the Examination Board of the
following academic year.

The MArch and the MSc Certificate will be awarded “with Distinction” when the overall final mark is 80% or
higher. All grades achieved by students will be kept on record in the AA Graduate School’s database, and are
available for transcripts, but will not appear on the certificates.

7.2 Assessment Criteria and Grading

Specific criteria for each Seminar Course and Core Studio are given in the description of each course and
Studio in Section 10.

Final Assessments are based on the following criteria:

1. The demonstration of clear and appropriate formulations of hypotheses and arguments, and the ability to
deploy these in the planning and pursuit of an original and creative research agenda in the field of Emergent
Technologies.

2. The demonstration the ability to conduct critical and technical analysis and produce meaningful results.

3. The demonstration of judgement in the application of research knowledge in a creative and innovative
manner to comprehensive digital and physical design experiments and design development.

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

4. The demonstration of the development of critical faculties and advanced skills in the development and
evaluation of detailed and complex design proposals.

5. The demonstration of the capacity to deal with complex research and design issues systematically and
creatively, individually and as part of a group.

6. The demonstration of the capacity for precise and clearly structured writing and diagramming with
referencing using established and appropriate conventions, and the ability to communicate clearly.

7.3 The MArch Dissertation

The MArch Dissertation will demonstrate the capacity to apply the acquired knowledge and techniques in
a creative and innovative way to a comprehensive architectural design and to its material construction.

7.4 The MSc Dissertation

The MSc Dissertation will demonstrate the capacity to apply the acquired knowledge and techniques in
a creative and innovative way to a general architectural construction type and material system, or to a
developed and tested generative strategy of architectural design.

The marking of all course work is on a scale of 0 - 100% with a pass mark of 50% and grading as shown
below:

70 and above A Excellent Pass / Distinction

65-69 B+ High Pass
60-64 B Good Pass
57-59 C+ Satisfactory Pass
54-56 C Adequate Pass
50-53 D Low Pass
49 and below - F Fail

To qualify for the MArch degree the students must achieve 50% or higher mark on both the course work
average in Phase 1, and on the Dissertation in Phase 2. The overall final mark is calculated as the average
of course work and Dissertation.

Emergent Technologies and Design


IMAGE CREDIT: AA SUMMER DLAB 2016
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design

8. Teaching Staff
Michael Weinstock, PhD, RIBA, FRSA
Director of Research and Development
Director of Studies, AA PhD Programme, AA Graduate School
Director, Emergent Technologies and Design Masters programme, AA Graduate School

Professional qualifications: RIBA Chartered Architect

Bio:
Michael Weinstock studied Architecture at the Architectural Association and has taught at the AA School of
Architecture since 1989 in a range of positions from workshop to through Academic Head. He received the
Acadia Award for Excellence 2008. Whilst his principal research and teaching has been conducted at the
Architectural Association, he has published and lectured widely, and taught seminar courses, studios and
workshops on Emergence and associated topics at many other schools of Architecture, in Europe including
Delft, Rome, Barcelona, Vienna and in Stuttgart; and in the US at Yale and Rice. He has been Honorary
Chief Academic Adviser to the International Research Centre of Computational Design,Tsinghua University
Beijing/The University of Hong Kong.

Research Interests:
Michael’s published research has been in the dynamics, forms and energy transactions of natural systems,
and the abstraction and systematisation of knowledge of biological morphogenesis and evolution to
contribute to innovative computational processes of architectural design and materialisation that are
necessary to sustain human societies through the impending changes. His current focus is on defining new
models of ecological intelligence for future cities in a changed world with a special focus on developing
new paradigms for sentient cities in extreme climates and ecological contexts. The ambition is to develop
new paradigms for intelligent cities and settlements in the emergent climates, cultures and ecological
contexts of the future, concentrating on deserts, salt marshes and wetlands, and on the tundra.

Publications:
2016, Barakat,M., Weinstock,M. ‘Emerging Urban Aural Patterns: Finding Connections between Emergence
in Architecture and Soundscape Ecology’, in Interference: A Journal of Audio Culture 5,Writing About and
Through Sound, Trinity College Dublin and The University of Ulster’s Arts and Humanities Research Institute.

2015, Weinstock,M. ‘The Architecture of Emergence’, Doctoral Thesis, Architectural Association, London

2015, Chandra, S., Körner, A., Koronaki, A., Spiteri, R., Amin, R., Kowli, S. and Weinstock, M, ‘Computing
curved-folded tessellations through straight-folding approximation’ in Proceedings of the Symposium on
Simulation for Architecture & Urban Design, Society for Computer Simulation International, pp. 152-159.

2013, Weinstock, M. (Editor) ‘System City’, Architectural Design, Wiley, London

2013, Weinstock, M., ‘System City: Infrastructure and the space of flows’ in ‘System City’, Architectural
Design, 83(4), Wiley, London, pp.14-23

2013, Weinstock, M., Gharleghi, M., ‘Intelligent cities and the taxonomy of cognitive scales’ in ‘System City’,
Architectural Design, 83(4), Wiley, London, pp.56-65.

2013, Weinstock, M. ‘The evolutionary dynamics of sentience in cities’ in (Ed. Ednie-Brown,P.,Burry,M.

Burrow,M.)‘The Innovation Imperative: Architectures of Vitality’, Architectural Design, 83(1), Wiley, London,
pp.92-97.
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
2012, Weinstock,M.,’Ecology and Material Culture’ in Poletto,M., Systemic Architecture, Routledge, UK

2012, Hensel,M., Menges,A.,Weinstock,M., ‘Morphogenesis and Emergence (2004‐2006)’ in (Ed.Carpo,M.)

The Digital Turn in Architecture 1992-2012, Wiley, London, pp.158 -181

2012, Kotnik, T.,Weinstock, M. ‘Material, Form and Force’, (Ed.Menges,A.) Material Computation: Higher
Integration in Morphogenetic Design, Architectural design, 82(2), Wiley, London, pp.104-111.

2011, Weinstock, M. ‘The Metabolism of the City: The Mathematics of Networks and Urban Surfaces’ in (Ed.
Legendre,G.L.) Mathematics of Space, Architectural Design, 81(4),Wiley, London, pp.102-107.

2011, Weinstock,M. ‘The Architecture of Flows: Integrated Infrastructures and the ‘Metasystem’ of Urban
Metabolism’, Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in
Architecture (ACADIA), Cumincad, pp.40-43

2010, Weinstock, M. The EmTech Wave Canopy of 2009. In (Ed. Ertas,H.,Hensel,M., Hensel,D.) Turkey: At the
Threshold, Architectural Design,80(1), Wiley, London, pp.124-127.

2010, Weinstock, M. ‘Emergence and the Forms of Cities’ in (Ed.Gissen,D.) Territory: Architecture Beyond
Environment, Architectural Design, 80(3), Wiley, London, pp.118-121.

2010, Weinstock, M. ‘Emergence and the Forms of Metabolism’ in (Ed. Colletti,M.) Exuberance: New
Virtuosity in Contemporary Architecture, Architectural Design, 80(2), Wiley, London, pp.126-129.

2010, Weinstock, M. ‘The Architecture of Emergence: the Evolution of Form in Nature and Civilisation,
Wiley, London

2010, Hensel,M., Menges,A.,Weinstock,M. ‘Emergent Technologies and Design: towards a Biological

Paradigm for Architecture, Routledge.

2010, Weinstock, M. ‘Evolution and Computation’ in (Ed.Hensel,M.,Menges,A.,Weinstock,M) ‘Emergent

Technologies and Design: towards a Biological Paradigm for Architecture, Routledge. London.

Symposia:
2015, RIBA Commission ‘Design through Production’ - RIBA partnered with the Institute of Materials,
Minerals and Mining (IOM3) to deliver a series of conferences on the topic of Design through Production
in UK Schools of Architecture. Each conference comprised lectures and debates, with lectures by Michael
Weinstock, Wolf Mangelsdorf –Director and Partner of Buro Happold, Manja Van de Worp of Nous Engineering
and invited guest speakers from the host Institutions:-
University of Bath, Westminster University, South Bank University, Cardiff University, University of
Huddersfield, Northumbria University, University of Dundee

Installations and Constructions:

2015, Twist Pavilion, Directed collaboration with Hanson Plywood and TRADA. Pavilion fabricated,constructed
and exhibited at Timber Expo, Birmingham, U.K.
2013-2014, Fingers Crossed Pavillion. Directed collaboration with Arup and TRADA. Pavilion
fabricated,constructed and exhibited at London Design Festival and Timber Expo, Birmingham, U.K.
2012, AA/ ETH Pavilion, Directed collaboration with the Chair of Structural Design at the Swiss Federal Institute
of Technology (ETH), Zurich. Pavilion fabricated, constructed and exhibited at ETH, Zurich, Switzerland.

Emergent Technologies and Design


Evan Greenberg, M.Sc., B.Sc.
Studio Master, Emergent Technologies and Design masters programme, AA Graduate School

Bio:
Evan Greenberg is a researcher, designer and educator. He is Studio Master in the AA Emergent Technologies
and Design Programme where he has been teaching since 2008 upon gaining his Master of Science with
distinction. He has gained considerable experience in practice working with architects, engineers, artists
and fashion designers. Evan has lectured internationally and has directed two AA Visiting Schools in the
USA: Biodynamic Structures (San Francisco, 2009-2011) and Embedded Intelligence (New York, 2013-
2015). He is a member of the Biomimicry Institute since 2012 and has sat on the jury for their Biomimicry
Global Design Challenge in 2015 and 2016.

Research Interests:
Evan’s research interests lie in biomimetic, computational and digital fabrication processes. His research
centres primarily on the spatial character of urban microclimates and the development of environmental
analysis tools for generative design. Evan has contributed to a number of international conferences and
publications including most recently the Association of Architectural Educators (2016), the Architectural
Humanities Research Association (2015), the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures
(2015), eCAADe (2014) and Architectural Design (2013).

Publications:
2016 Greenberg,E., ‘Toward an Urban Spatial Model for Thermal Comfort,’ Proceedings of the Responsive
Cities: Urbanism in the Experience Age Conference, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia,
Barcelona, Spain.

2016 Greenberg,E., ‘Material / Tooling / Prototyping: The Production of Full-Scale Models in Architectural
Design’, Proceedings of the Association of Architectural Educators Conference 2016, The Bartlett School
of Architecture, UCL, London, UK.

2015 Greenberg,E., ‘Innovating the Joint: Connectivity Strategies for Higher Functionality’, Future Visions:
Proceedings of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium 2015,
International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

2014 Erdine,E.,Greenberg, E.,’Computing the Urban Block: Local Environmental Analysis and Design
Strategies’, Fusion: Data Integration at its Best: Proceedings of the Association for Education and Research
in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe Conference 2014, Association for Education and Research
in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Newcastle, UK.

2014 Greenberg,E., Koerner,A., ‘Subtractive Manufacturing for Variable-Stiffness Plywood Composite

Structures’, in (Eds.) Setchi, R.J., Jowlett, M., Naim and H Seinz,H., eds, KES Transactions on Sustainable
Design and Manufacturing, Special Edition: Sustainable Design and Manufacturing 2014 vol 1, no 1, England:
Future Technology Press.

2013 Greenberg,E., Jeronimidis,G., ‘Variation and Distribution: Forest Patterns as a Model for Urban
Morphologies’, in (Ed.) Weinstock,M., System City: Infrastructure and the Space of Flows. Architectural
Design, John Wiley and Sons.

2010 Doumpioti,C., Greenberg,E., Karatzas,K., ‘Embedded Intelligence: Material Responsiveness in Facade

Systems’, in (Eds.) Sprecher,A., Yeshayahu,S., Lorenzo-Eiroa,P., Life in:Formation: Proceedings of the 30th
Annual Conference of the Association of Computer-Aided Design in Architecture, New York, USA.

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

2010 Greenberg,E., Jeronimidis,G., Karatzas,K., ‘Adaptive Natures: Response Mechanisms in Natural
Systems’, in (Eds.) Greenberg,E.,Wang,Y., Weinstock,M.,Urban Flux 5, Beijing, China.

2010 Greenberg,E., ‘Observation, Analysis, and Computation of Branching Patterns in Natural Systems’,
in (Eds.) Kudless,A., Oxman,N., Swackhamer,M., Silicon + Skin: Biological Processes and Computation:
Proceedings of the 18th Annual Conference of the Association of Computer-Aided Design in Architecture by
A. Kudless, N. Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, Minneapolis, USA.

Symposia:
2015, G. Akos, E. Greenberg and R. Parsons, ‘Embedded Intelligence’ Lecture Series, (Curator) Architectural
Association, London, UK.

Installations and Constructions:

2015, Twist Pavilion - Design collaboration with Hanson Plywood and TRADA. Pavilion fabricated,constructed
and exhibited at Timber Expo, Birmingham, U.K.

2013-2014, Crossed Fingers Pavillion - Design collaboration with Arup and TRADA. Pavilion
fabricated,constructed and exhibited at London Design Festival and Timber Expo, Birmingham, U.K.

2012, AA/ ETH Pavilion - Design collaboration with the Chair of Structural Design at the Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich. Pavilion fabricated, constructed and exhibited at ETH, Zurich,
Switzerland.

Emergent Technologies and Design


Elif Erdine, PhD, M.Arch., B.Arch.
Studio Tutor, Emergent Technologies and Design, AA Graduate School

Professional qualification: Registered architect in Turkey.

Bio:
Elif Erdine completed her PhD at the Architectural Association PhD in Design Programme, titled ‘Generative
Processes in Tower Design: Algorithms for the Integration of Tower Subsystems’. She received her BArch
degree from Istanbul Technical University in 2003 (High Honors), and M.Arch degree from the AA Design
Research Lab (AA DRL) in 2006 (Project Distinction).

Research Interests:
Elf Erdine’s interests are the integration of algorithmic generative design with large-scale digital fabrication
tools, and in physical computing. Her PhD thesis was focused on the integration of tower subsystems. Her
wider research interests include the role of the individual building within complex urban systems, the
exploration of flows in the urban environment as design drivers, and biomimicry.

Publications:
2016, Erdine,E., Kallegias,A., ‘Design By Nature: Concrete Infiltrations’, in eCAADe: Complexity and
Simplicity – Proceedings of the 34th International Conference on Education and research in Computer
Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Oulu, Finland.

2016, Erdine,E., ‘Rethinking Conceptual Design: Computational Methods for the Simultaneous Integration of
Tower Subsystems’, in SimAUD (Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design) – Conference Proceedings,
London, UK.

2016, Erdine,E., Kallegias, A., ‘Modelling Natural Formations: Design and Fabrication of Complex Concrete
Structures’, in SimAUD (Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design) – Conference Proceedings, London,
UK.

2015, Erdine,E., ‘Generative Processes In Tower Design: Simultaneous Integration Of Tower Subsystems
Through Biomimetic Analogies’, in ACADIA: Computational Ecologies – Design in the Anthropocene –
Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture,
Cincinnati, USA.

2015, Erdine,E., ‘Tower Revisited: Simultaneous Integration of Tower Subsystems During Conceptual Design
Phase’, in eCAADe: Extending the Reach of Computation– Proceedings of the 33rd International Conference
on Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Vienna, Austria.

2015, Kallegias,A., Erdine,E., ‘Design by Nature: Concrete Infiltrations’, in eCAADe: Extending the Reach of
Computation– Proceedings of the 33rd International Conference on Education and research in Computer
Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Vienna, Austria

2014, Erdine, E. and Greenberg, E. ‘Computing the Urban Block-Local Climate Analysis and Design Strategies’,
in eCAADe:Fusion – Proceedings of the 32nd International Conference on Education and research in
Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

2013, Erdine, E., ‘Biomimetic Strategies in Tower Design: Towards the integration of tower subsystems.’
in eCAADe: Computation and Performance–Proceedings of the 31st International Conference on Education
and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Delft, The Netherlands.

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

2014, Erdine,E., ‘Generative Processes in Tower Design: Algorithms for the Integration of Tower Subsystems’,
Doctoral Thesis, Architectural Association, London.

Symposia:
2015. Architectural Association “Advancements in Design Computation” Symposium, London. Organizer and
Speaker.

2014. Architectural Association “Algorithms & Actualisation” Symposium, London. Organizer and Speaker.

Installations and Constructions:

2016. Weave.X. Architectural Association (AA) Summer DLAB, Hooke Park.
2016. Undulating Vault. Architectural Association (AA) Istanbul Visiting School, Istanbul.
2015. InFlux. Architectural Association (AA) Summer DLAB, Hooke Park.
2015. Cellular Re-Visions. Architectural Association (AA) Istanbul Visiting School, Istanbul.
2014. Callipod. Architectural Association (AA) Summer DLAB, Hooke Park.
2013. Light Forest. Architectural Association (AA) Summer DLAB, Hooke Park.
2012. Fallen Star. Architectural Association (AA) Summer DLAB, Hooke Park.

Exhibitions:
2013. Light Forest (AA Summer DLAB). Architectural Association (AA), London.
2013. Fallen Star (AA Summer DLAB). Kinetica Art Fair, London.
2012. Fallen Star (AA Summer DLAB). Architectural Association (AA), London.
2012. AA Summer DLAB. Kinetica Art Fair, London.

Emergent Technologies and Design


Manja van de Worp, MSc., MSc.
Tutor, Emergent Technologies and Design,
Tutor Technical Studies Structural Design,
Director NOUS Engineering London

Professional qualification: Architect and Structural Engineer (Netherlands)

Bio:
Manja van de Worp completed her MSc in Emergent Technologies and Design at the AA in 2007. She has
worked for Arup in London in the Advanced Geometry Unit and at the Advanced Technology and Research
group, designing structures with a complex geometry and moveable structures. Manja founded NOUS
engineering in 2013, an engineering consultancy with offices in London and Los Angeles focused on complex
structural systems, materials and fabrication technologies. Manja is also a Lecturer at IAAC in Barcelona,
and teaches workshops worldwide.

Research Interests:
Manja’s interests lie in the opportunities between structure, geometry and fabrication exploring alternative
design methodologies and aesthetics. Through the understanding and exploration of forceflow, hybridising
structural typologies and model and predict structural behaviour for a single or multiple structural design
solutions within one system.

Symposia:
2015, RIBA Commission ‘Design through Production’ - RIBA partnered with the Institute of Materials,
Minerals and Mining (IOM3) to deliver a series of conferences on the topic of Design through Production
in UK Schools of Architecture. Each conference comprised lectures and debates, with lectures by Michael
Weinstock, Wolf Mangelsdorf –Director and Partner of Buro Happold, Manja Van de Worp of Nous Engineering
and invited guest speakers from the host Institutions:-

University of Bath, Westminster University, South Bank University, Cardiff University, University of
Huddersfield, Northumbria University, University of Dundee

2013, Curator + moderator of PLUS, Architectural Association London

Installations and Constructions:

2015, Twist Pavilion, Directed collaboration with Hanson Plywood and TRADA. Pavilion fabricated,constructed
and exhibited at Timber Expo, Birmingham, U.K.

2013-2014, Fingers Crossed Pavillion. Directed collaboration with Arup and TRADA. Pavilion
fabricated,constructed and exhibited at London Design Festival and Timber Expo, Birmingham, U.K.

2012, AA/ ETH Pavilion, Directed collaboration with the Chair of Structural Design at the Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich. Pavilion fabricated, constructed and exhibited at ETH, Zurich,
Switzerland.

2016, Tensegrity sculpture, LA

2016, Kondrk House – FRP shell, LA
2016, Ruins Studio, Lily Jencks & Nat. Dorent, private house Scotland
2015, Coachella, Paper pulp pavilion, Ball Nogues, Palm Springs
2015, Cambridge heath – Extend apartment into clock tower
2014, Villa Ypsylon, concrete dome Greece, LASSA Architects
2014, Modular steel pop up restaurant system, Ordinary studio
2014, Milan, FouriSalone, Unfold
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
2013, CBD towers / two towers in China – Urban Systems, London
2012, Necklace – Brick façade – Bureau de Change
2012, PULSATE, cds tile shop primrose hill – Lily Jencks & Nat Dorent
2012, Bloom a crowd sourced garden, London Olympics, A. Andrasek & J. Sanchez
2011, Bird flock sculpture, Surrey Canada - Studio Roso

Exhibitions:
2013, KXFS Kings Cross filling station. “Snaphot”

Emergent Technologies and Design


George Jeronimidis, PhD
Director of Studies, PhD programme, AA Graduate School
Emeritus Professor, Emergent Technologies and Design Masters programme, AA Graduate School

Bio:
Professor Jeronimidis completed his Doctorate in Physical Chemistry at the University of Rome in 1969.
Current research interests cover the application to architecture of mechanics of wood and composite
materials and structures, smart materials and structures, bio-inspired composite solutions, plant and
animal biomechanics. He has published extensively in these fields contributing research papers in refereed
journals, conference proceedings and book contributions. He is Emeritus Professor of Composite Materials
Engineeering at the University of Reading, Visiting Professor at Dipartimento di Architettura ed Urbanistica,
Politecnico di Bari, Italy, and Visiting Professor at Department of Mechanical Engineering, Zhengzhou
University, China.

Research Interests:
Professor Jeronimidis has a particular interest the design of composite fibrous structures in biology
engineering and architecture to achieve high levels of functional integration. This has generated many
collaborative research projects with partners in Europe and the USA, provided funding from various public
and industrial sponsors. Professor Jeronimidis is author or co-author of more than 100 papers, conference
proceedings and book contributions in the fields of biomechanics, biomimetics, wood science, composite
mechanics, smart materials and structures and bio-inspired technologies for architecture.

Grant funded research activities has come from EPSRC, BBSRC, DTI, EU-framework programmes (FP5,
FP6), Eureka, DERA, European Space Agency, MOD, US Office of Naval Research, USAF and various UK and
overseas private companies.

Current European and International research activities:

2009-Present- President of BIOKON International (from 2009), a European Network for the promotion of
Biomimetics in relevant sectors - engineering, architecture, built environment, materials, sensors.

2005-Present - Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science and Chairman of the Academy Board
of the IAWS (2010-2012).

Member of the Scientific Advisory Board for EU-funded Robosoft Coordination Action on Soft Robotics

Nominated Reviewer by the EU-Horizon 2020-FET Research Programme for the project LiNaBioFluid on bio-
inspired solutions for micro-fluidic transport

Editorial Board of the international journal “Journal of Biomimetics in Engineering”

Portuguese Department of Higher Education evaluator PhD

Materials Science Programme at the Unversidade Atlantica and a Masters Programme at the Univerity of
Aveiro

Publications:
2016, Guilder, J. and Jeronimidis, G. ‘A design analysis approach towards bio-inspired smart material
applications for architecture’, Proceedings of Build Skins Conference, Bern, Switzerland

2014, Eze, N., Mirón, A., Rogers, A.G., Jeronimidis, G., Fitzgerald O’Connor, A., Jiang, D.
‘The effect of angulation of the vibrating Floating Mass Transducer on stapes velocity’, Otology and
Neurotology, 35(7) pp.1223-1227.
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2013, Jeronimidis, G.,’ Biomimétisme inspiré des plantes et des insectes : de la science des
matériaux aux micro-senseurs’, in Actes-Commissariat général au développement durable – Direction de la
recherche et de l’innovation, pp. 8-9.

2013, Greenberg, E. and Jeronimidis, G.,’ Variation and Distribution: Forest Patterns as a Model for Urban
Morphologies’, Architectural Design, 83(4), pp.24-31.

2012, Hou, J., Wright, E., Bonser, R.H. and Jeronimidis, G., ‘Development of biomimetic squid-inspired
suckers’, Journal of Bionic Engineering, 9(4), pp.484-493.

2012, Hou, J., Bonser, R.H. and Jeronimidis, G.,’ Developing skin analogues for a robotic octopus’, Journal of
Bionic Engineering, 9(3), pp.385-390.

2012, Hou, J., Bonser, R.H. and Jeronimidis, G., 2012, May. Developing sensorized arm skin for an octopus
inspired robot. In Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2012 IEEE International Conference on (pp. 3840-3845).
IEEE.

2012, Hou, J. and Jeronimidis, G. A novel bogie design made of glass fibre reinforced plastic. Materials &
Design, 37, pp.1-7.

2011, Cherruault, J.Y., Hou, J.P., Jeronimidis, G., Mayer, R. and Chvojan, J. Testing of Fibre Composite Leaf
Spring for Heavy Axle Loads. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials.

2011, Hou, J., Bonser, R.H. and Jeronimidis, G. Design of a biomimetic skin for an octopus-inspired robot–
Part II: Development of the skin artefact.Journal of Bionic Engineering, 8(3), pp.297-304.

2011Hou, J., Bonser, R.H. and Jeronimidis, G. Design of a biomimetic skin for an octopus-inspired robot–
Part I: Characterising octopus skin. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 8(3), pp.288-296.

2009, Johnson, E.A.C., Bonser, R.H.C. and Jeronimidis, G. Recent advances in biomimetic sensing
technologies. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London A: Mathematical, Physical and
Engineering Sciences, 367(1893), pp.1559-1569.

2009, Alagirisamy, P.S., Jeronimidis, G. and Le Moàl. V.. ‘An investigation of viscous-mediated coupling
of crickets cercal hair sensors using a scaled up model’, in SPIE NanoScience+ Engineering (pp.
74010A-74010A). International Society for Optics and Photonics.

2008, Wang, L. and Jeronimidis, G. Investigation of the fracture mode for hard and soft wheat endosperm
using the loading–unloading bending test.Journal of cereal science, 48(1), pp.193-202.

2008, Seidel, R., Gourrier, A., Burghammer, M., Riekel, C., Jeronimidis, G. and Paris, O. Mapping fibre orientation
in complex-shaped biological systems with micrometre resolution by scanning X-ray microdiffraction.
Micron, 39(2), pp.198-205.

Symposia:
In addition to the above research information, Professor Jeronimidis has given many Keynote and Invited
Lectures on his research interests at various international conferences in Europe, the USA, Japan and
New Zealand and also been involved in the Scientific and Organizing Committees of several International
Conferences.

Emergent Technologies and Design


9. External Relations
We have a solid foundation in the external relations developed by Michael Weinstock and the tutorial staff
of the Emergent Technologies and Design Programme since 2000, and from the two decade-long associa-
tion of the Undergraduate School Technical Studies with leading engineering practices.

9.1 Past and Present Relations

Relationships have been established between the Emergent Technologies and Design programme and:
Arup, London
Buro Happold, London
Centre for Biomimetics, Reading University, Reading, UK
Institute for Computational Design, Stuttgart University, Stuttgart, Germany
Chair of Structural Design, Swiss Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Canada
Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design, Stuttgart University, Stuttgart, Germany
Timber Research and Development Association, High Wycombe, UK
Hanson Plywood, Halifax, UK
Manchester School of Architecture, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
California College of the Arts, San Francisco, USA
ELISAVA, Barcelona, Spain
Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Automata Technologies, London, UK

9.2 Alumni Employment

EmTech graduates take on various opportunities after finishing the course. Some graduates go on to
teach at the AA and other schools internationally. Others go on to work at many exciting offices in London
and around the world. Recent employers include: Foster + Partners (London), KPF (London), Heatherwick
Studio (London), Grimshaw Architects (London), Robofold (London), Zaha Hadid Architects (London), Buro
Happold (London), AKT II (London), OMA (Rotterdam), UN Studio (Amsterdam), Wilkinson Eyre Architects
(London), Ron Arad Associates (London), AHMM (London), Arup (London), PLP Architecture (London), Coop
Himmelblau (Vienna) amongst others.

9.3 Visiting Instructors

Each year EmTech invites Visiting Instructors to lead workshops and assist in seminar and studio ses-
sions. Visiting Instructors for this year include:
Wolf Mangelsdorf, BuroHappold Engineering
Moritz Doerstelmann, ICD Stuttgart
Jens Pedersen, AKTII
Sigrid Brell-Cokcan, Robots in Architecture / RWTH Aachen

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

Emergent Technologies and Design

10. Course Descriptions
PHASE 1

Seminar Courses
The Seminar courses are organised into 8 sessions in a 2 week long workshop, that typically include
theoretical seminars session and ‘experimentation’ seminars with critical commentary and advice, followed
by questions and discussions, interleaved with extended technical seminar tutorial support sessions.
Students work in teams, and make short group or individual presentations that will include reflections on
knowledge gained from the course material, their own experiments, and from their independent research.
Seminar discussions and critiques help to develop the final written submission that will include detailed
documentation of their research, experimentation, analysis and critical reflection.

There are 2 written submissions for each Seminar Course.

The student team assembles and produces a coherent research dossier that documents the experiments
undertaken by the team, with full data sets of the generative and analytical results. The rationale for the
initiating strategies, parameters and processes are to be set out clearly, and the argumentation for revisions
and adjustments made presented, and a review of the outputs, successes and limitations discussed.

Each individual student also will submit an essay that situates their work in the relevant research domain
and critically reflects upon the achievements and limitations. Individuals will discuss and reflect upon the
skills and knowledge they have gained and how they plan to develop them in the future, together with a
commentary on their participation and contribution to the team and the results.

10.1 Emergence Seminar Course

Dr.Michael Weinstock with with PhD Candidate Mohammed Makki

The theoretical context of seminar course is presented, focused on the dynamics of complex systems
of the natural world, together with an identification of the operative spatial and temporal scales of their
phenomena and their critical thresholds, is introduced. The interrelations of the ecological and climatic
context from which cities emerged, proliferated and evolved are traced and the potential outcomes of their
current and future transitions are described. The dynamics of the flows of energy, information and material
through living systems, cities and their networks are outlined, and the interrelations of morphology and
metabolism of living beings to the genome are explored. The once separate bodies of theories in Evolution and
in Embryological Development are now integrated into the new science of Evolutionary Development (‘Evo-
Devo’). The role of the homeobox genes and their relation to the ‘body plan’ in embryological development
provides the conceptual agenda for the rethinking of evolutionary computation. Students acquire experience
in the use of Evolutionary Computation, develop the ability to design experiments and acquire skills in this
domain, and further refine documentation and presentation skills in the studio presentations and written
submissions.

Document Submission (Team) - The document presents the aims of the design experiments, the logics and
processes, the Blocks and Superblocks generated and the analysis of their properties and performance.
Each Sequence of the generative experiments is to be presented in the document, together with the
initiating and revised computational strategies made between each Sequence and the rationale for them.
It will also include a full data set of the modelled and Blocks and Superblocks, their ranking in populations,
and their emergent spatial phenomena and tertiary pedestrian networks, and a reflection on the potential
variations needed for placement in differing climates.

Document Submission (Individual) – the document situates the work in relation to the domain of evolutionary
computation and critically reflects upon the achievements and limitations of the team experiments and
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
analysis. Discuss and reflect upon the skills and knowledge they have gained and how they plan to develop
them in the future, together with a commentary on their participation and contribution to the team and the
results.

Course Sessions
Session 1. Course Introduction – Origins, Aims and Instruments.
Sessions 2. and 3. Evolution and Computation
Sessions 4, 5, 6 ,7 and 8. The Generative Design Experiment

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Course students are expected to:
1. Have acquired knowledge of the concepts and philosophies in the field of Emergence, and their potential
for the design and production of materials, structures and forms.
2. Have acquired an understanding of the basis of Evolutionary Computation and Generative Design;
3. Have developed an ability to design an ‘experiment’ using evolutionary computation tools to generate
forms and structures, and to use physical modelling to test and evaluate the results.
4. Have acquired skills in working in Evolutionary Computation and digital design;
5. Have acquired skills in the documentation and presentation of the aims and context of the design
experiment, the process, products and the analysis of the results.

Assessment Criteria
1. The demonstration of an understanding of the concepts of Emergence and Evolutionary Computation, of
the strategies for applying different algorithmic approaches to design, and the use of analytical tools for
the evaluation of outputs;
2. The demonstration of clear formulation of aims for computational design experiments, and an ability to
plan and pursue a research agenda in Evolutionary Computation;
3. The development of design skills and analytical reasoning in the construction and evaluation of genetic
algorithms;
4. The demonstration of clear structure, precise writing and clear presentation of experimental work;
5. The demonstration of judgement in the deployment of research material and knowledge gained from
design experiments; and an ability to place this in the theoretical context of Emergence.

Preparatory Reading
2010, “Evolution and Computation” in Hensel,M.,Menges, A., Weinstock, M., ‘Emergent Technologies and
Design – towards a biological paradigm for architecture’ , Routledge, London
2010, “Living Forms” in Weinstock,M., ‘Architecture and Emergence – the evolution of form on Nature and
Civilisation’, Wiley,London – Chapter 4
2005, Carroll, S. B., Endless forms most beautiful: The new science of evo devo and the making of the
animal kingdom. New York: Norton - Chapters 4 through 7.

Emergent Technologies and Design


Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design

10.2 Natural Systems and Biomimetics Seminar Course
Evan Greenberg with Dr. George Jeronimidis

The course aims to develop an understanding of how biology can be a model for material, mechanical,
spatial and computational systems.

An introduction to the ways in which organisms have evolved through form, materials and structures
in response to varied functions and environments is followed by an account of engineering, logical and
organisational design principles that have been abstracted from nature in current research projects for
industry and material science. A study is made of a natural system (general form, anatomy, energy flows,
geometry, organisation, hierarchies and behaviour), along with an exploration of interrelations and an
abstraction of design principles. The methods of analysis as well as system logics and material performance
studied in this seminar will be further developed within Core Studio 1. Groups of two or three will explore
natural systems to investigate mathematic, geometric, material and hierarchical logics through a series
of in-depth analysis techniques in order to develop a critical view on the relationships between systems
design and performance.

Document Submission (Team) - The document presents the aims of the design experiments, the logics and
processes developed and the analysis of their properties and performance. The team dossier includes a
critical account of the experiments and its rationale and context and a set of physical, computational and
analytical models.

Document Submission (Individual) - An individual 3000 word critical essay is to be submitted that explores
aspects covered in the seminar course. This essay should reflect on the theoretical and conceptual
framework of biology as a model for architectural design and relate the work undertaken throughout the
seminar to relevant references. Course material including compiled abstracts, readers and reading lists
provide a starting point, but it should be noted that it is intended to extend beyond the limit of public
domain information. Students will be expected to research within areas of several different disciplines and
to spend time in research facilities and libraries.

Course Sessions
Session 1 Course Introduction - Biomimicry, Materials and Mechanics
Session 2 Biological Models for Design
Session 3 Collective Intelligence
Sessions 4-8 Experimentation and Analysis

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Course students are expected to:
1. Have developed the understanding of materials/material processes, modelling and advanced digital and
mathematical design techniques.
2. Have developed experimental method and strategies in physical and digital experiments.
3. Have acquired assimilation and familiarity with advanced digital structural and environmental analysis.
4. Have acquired the ability to conduct comparative analysis and produce meaningful generalisation.
5. Have acquired demonstration of clear and appropriate formulation of hypotheses and arguments, and the
ability to deploy these for the planning and pursuit of a research agenda.
6. Have developed the capacity to apply acquired knowledge and techniques in a creative and innovative
way to an architectural system or generative strategy of architectural design.

Assessment Criteria
1. The demonstration of an understanding of the theories, practices and technologies of Biomimetic Design.
2. The demonstration of a clear formulation of a hypothesis, and an ability to plan and pursue a critical
agenda for research into the performance of structure, material and organisational systems in biological
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
and architectural technologies.
3. The development of skills and analytical reasoning in the formulation of potential component
CORE STUDIO 1 I Pneumatic systems
Systems
and performance criteria for architecture derived from Biomimetic research.
4. The demonstration of clear structure, precise writing and presentation of the research, analysis and
abstracted principles
CONFIGURATION of natural
PATTERN 1 systems.
5. The domeonstration of judgement in the deployment of research material and knowledge gained from
Topview

analysis
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4 5 6 7
1 2 3 4L 4R 5 6 7

Preparatory Reading
a
2014,
b
Meyers, M.A., Chen, P.Y., ‘Self-Assembly, Hierarchy and Evolution’ in Biological Materials Science:
Biological Materials, Bioinspired Materials and Biomaterials, Cambridge
b
University Press, Cambridge, 2014.
pp 19-33.
cU
c cD
2013, Mazzoleni, I., Architecture Follows Nature: Biomimetic Principles
d for Innovative Design, CRC Press,
lock
Bocad Raton. e
2013, Greenberg, E., Jeronimidis, G., ‘Variation and Distribution: Forest Patterns as a Model for Urban
unlock

Morphologies’
e in ‘System City: Infrastructure andactuate
the Space of Flows’, Weinstock, M., ed., Architectural
Design, 83(4), Wiley, London, pp. 24-31.
2011In- Pawlyn, M., Biomimicry in Architecture, RIBA Publishing, London,
order to better understand the
Stage(s)pp. 1-9.4 4.0

2004, Jeronimidis,
behavior of G.,
the‘Biodynamics’
folding in ‘Emergence: Morphogenetic Design Strategies’,
geometry,
3 7.8
Hensel, M., Menges,
2 11.5
A., Weinstock,
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tes London,
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configurations by actuating the 1 16.0

1
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elements with a solid circular

2 10.0

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6.5
3.0

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element (diameter: 2mm) which
was placed placed in the central
3
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component. By measuring the 1 17.6

distance of the openings around it, 2 13.5
we obtained numerical and visual 3
Actuate diameter 9.5
information about the pattern. 20 mm
4 6.0

CONFIGRUATION PATTERN 2
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(a)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4L 4R 5 6 7

a
b
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a 4.0 4.8 3.0 2.8 3.5 4.0 8.0 5.0 a 3.0 0.5 4.8 4.0 5.5 3.2 3.0

b 4.0 5.1 3.4 2.2 2.1 5.2 5.0 3.2 b 3.0 3.0 4.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 3.0

c 3.0 4.7 9.6 16.5 17.5 14.7 7.0 4.0 cU 2.8 3.0 4.8 7.0 3.5 4.0 2.2

d 4.0 5.5 6.1 4.6 4.8 3.0 4.7 4.0 cD 3.0 2.8 5.0 12.2 4.8 3.0 2.8
e 3.0 6.0 2.7 2.2 3.0 4.0 5.0 3.0 d 3.2 2.8 3.8 6.5 5.0 3.0 3.0
e 3.6 3.0 4.0 4.8 5.0 7.0 3.2
actuate diameter 20 mm

Emergent Technologies and Design

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Structural tests

a. Stress Evaluation

b. Component Locking

c. Deformation Evaluation

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

 PHYSICAL MODEL

step 01. step 02. step 03.

step 04. step 05.

Deployment sequence, ver. 03 / physical model

CONCLUSIONS

The model’s performance was a semi- success. The model reacted to the actuation, and each element was inflated
in a scheduled order. However, the structure was still imperfect, as it required external help to achieve its final
state. Structure consisted of a set of individual elements, thatt were supposed to act togethe. However, failure of
one element affected others, which led to general disorder. The manual fabricaton had its flaws, as many air leas
Emergent Technologies and Design
were found, especially in areas where two or more elements were connected. The dimensions and proportion 
ratio
requires further exploration.
10.3 Design and Technology Seminar Course

An examination is made of the ways in which ‘design’ and the ‘technical’ exist within the general culture
of architectural production. The application of the scientific method to architectural research and design
is explored in seminars and design workshops. The engagement of analytical tools in generative design
processes coupled to computational fabrication is studied across a range of material and temporal scales.
The Masterclass Lecture Series present studies the engagement of state-of-the art design practices with
analysis and fabrication techniques, material effects and performance in the profession and in high level
research.

Document Submission (Individual) - The submission for this course includes an individual design dossier
summarising the work undertaken in each workshop session as well as an individual 3000 word critical
essay exploring aspects covered in the seminar course. This essay should reflect on the relationship
between analysis methods, design and performance, citing specific examples from the seminar and
relevant references and case studies. Students are free to interrogate any or all of the aspects of design
and technology explored in the course or focus on a specific tool, technique or method in their examination
of the architectural production and organisation of the artefacts and processes explored. Course material
including compiled abstracts, readers and reading lists provide a starting point, but it should be noted
that it is intended to extend beyond the limit of public domain information. Students will be expected to
research within areas of several different disciplines and to spend time in research facilities and libraries.

Course Sessions
Session 1: The Scientific Method and Design Science
Session 2: Computational Fluid Dynamics
Session 3: Anatomy of a Paper, Dissertation and Thesis in the Sciences
Session 4: Introduction to Structures
Session 5: Composite Structures
Session 6: Introduction to Evolutionary Computation
Session 7: Environmental Analysis
Session 8: Introduction to Robotics

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Course, students are expected to:
1. Have acquired knowledge of contemporary practices and material and analytical technologies in
architecture;
2. Have acquired an understanding of current architectural fabrication in wider industrial and material
contexts;
3. Have developed an understanding of the principle modes of anlaysis and ordered digital data and drawing
for computer-controlled material fabrication and computational simulations;
4. Have developed an ability to identify and research analysis techniques, fabrication strategies and
material behaviour in relation to architectural production;
5. Have developed skills in the documentation and presentation of a critical review of the field of advanced
architectural, computational and material technology.

Assessment Criteria
1. The demonstration of an understanding of the theories, practices and technologies of contemporary
analysis techniques and material fabrication systems;
2. The demonstration of a clear formulation of a hypothesis, and an ability to plan and pursue a critical
agenda for reearch into innovation in architectural technology;
3. The development of skills and analytical reasoning in the examination of architectural production data
for fabrication;
4. The demonstration of clear structure, precise writing and presentation of work;
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
5. The demonstration of judgement in the deployment of research material and knowledge gained in an
analysis, fabrication and production context.

Preparatory Reading
2015, Ashour, Y., Kolarevic, B., ‘Heuristic Optimization in Design’ in ACADIA 2015: Computational Ecologies:
Design in the Anthropocene [Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer
Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA) ], pp. 357-369.
2014, Ellis, G. and Silk, J., Scientific Method: Defend the Integrity of Physics, Nature, http://www.nature.
com/news/scientific-method-defend-the-integrity-of-physics-1.16535
2014, Vierlinger, R., Bollinger, K., ‘Accommodating Change in Parametric Design’, in ACADIA 2014: Design
Agency [Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in
Architecture (ACADIA)], pp 609-618.
2013, Sadeghipour Roudsari, M., Pak, M., ‘Ladybug: A Parametric Environmental Plugin for Grasshopper to
Help Designers Create and Environmentally-Conscious Design’, in Proceedings of BS2013: 13th Conference
of International Building Performance Simulation Association, pp. 3128-3135.
2014, Clifford, B., Ekmekjian, N., Little, P., Manto, A., ‘Variable Carving Volume Casting: A Method for Mass-
Customized Mold Making’ in Rob|Arch 2014: Robotic Fabrication in Architecture, Art and Design, McGee, W.,
Ponce de Leon, M., eds., Springer, Vienna, pp. 3-15.
2014, Feringa, J., Sondergaard, A., ‘Fabricating Architectural Volume: Stereotomic Investigations in Robotic
Craft’ in FABRICATE: Negotiating Design & Making, Gramazio, F., Kohler, M., Langenberg, S., eds., Verlag, ETH
Zurich, pp. 76-83.
2012, Menges, A., “Morphospaces of Robotic Fabrication’ in Rob|Arch 2012: Robotic Fabrication in
Architecture, Art and Design, Brell-Cokcan, S., Braumann, J., eds., Springer, Vienna, pp. 28-47.
2011, Menges, A., ‘Integrative Design Computation: Integrating Material Behaviour and Robotic Manufacturing
Processes in Computational Design for Performative Wood Constructions’, in ACADIA 11: Integration through
Computation [Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in
Architecture (ACADIA)], pp. 72-81.
2011, Ball, P., Flow, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
2010, Allen, E. and Zalewski, W., Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures, Wiley,
Hoboken.
2007, Fish, J., Belytschko, T., A First Course in Finite Elements, Wiley, Chichester.
2006, Engel, H., Structure Systems, Hatje Cantz, Berlin.
1997, Pearson, K., The Grammar of Science, Meridian Books, New York.
1991, Gordon, J.E., Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down, Penguin, London.
1968, Simon, H., The Sciences of the Artificial, MIT Press, Cambridge
1964, Rossman, J., Industrial Creativity: The Psychology of the Inventor, University Books, New Hyde Park.
1963, Lastrucci, C., The Scientific Approach: Basic Principles of the Scientific Method, Schenkman,
Cambridge.
Nature Education, English Communication for Scientists, Unit 2: Writing Scientific Papers, http://www.
nature.com/scitable/ebooks/ english-communication-for-scientists-14053993/118519636#bookConten
tViewAreaDivID.

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 r2500m

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2500m

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

Emergent Technologies and Design

10.4 The Core Studio
Dr.Michael Weinstock, Evan Greenberg, Dr.Elif Erdine, Manja van de Worp

The Core Studio course runs for two terms and is organised in three modules – Induction Studio (The
Boot Camp), Studio 1 and Studio 2. Each student has access to a full suite of design and structural
software, and access to the Studio Intranet archive that includes 40 successful Dissertations and Theses,
comprehensive manuals for constructive geometry, manuals and video tutorials for scripting, and examples
of computational fluid dynamics and structural analysis of natural and constructed systems. Regular staff
and invited lecturers give formal tuition and students further develop their skills through case studies and
design experiments. The course introduces the techniques associated with evolutionary computation and
digital morphogenesis derived for the mathematics of biological evolutionary development of individuals
and populations that are delivered in the Seminar Course ‘Emergence’, and skills will be developed in these
techniques through a series of design experiments that increase in size and complexity over the two
terms. Techniques derived from the concepts and knowledge of the hierarchical organisation of biological
materials and the emergent properties of complex ‘component’ assemblies and aggregations in living
organisms, delivered in the seminar Course ‘Natural Systems and Biomimetics’, will be implemented, and
skills developed in their application throughout the series. Knowledge of material properties and advanced
fabrication techniques delivered in the Seminar Course ‘Design and Technology’ will be further developed in
their application during the evolutionary development of the more complex systems in Studio 2.

Students work in groups in small groups (2 or 3 per group) in each of the three studio modules, changing
groups at the end of each module. They document their work as it proceeds and make regular presentations
during each studio for critical advice. These documents and interim presentations are bought together and
the compiled document is submitted for assessment. The studio is supported by workshops on Python
scripting and computational analytical and simulation techniques.

Induction Studio – The ‘Boot Camp’

A short intense course introduces the basic tools, skills and processes necessary to commence advanced
studies in computational design and fabrication. An introduction is made to associative geometric models in
Grasshopper, and the relations between digital morphogenesis and material realisation explored. Students
are familiarised with the necessary exchange of data between the digital and physical processes, and
explore the development and production of material systems that resolve problems of parametric control,
material behaviour, structural integrity, and fabrication.

Core Studio 1
Core Studio I explores physical and digital computational techniques used to develop the architectural
qualities of different material systems tuned to specific climatic contexts. Digital models will explore
possibilities in response to various parameters while physical models will explore the integration of
material behaviour and fabrication processes. Techniques derived from the concepts and knowledge of
the hierarchical organisation of biological materials and the emergent properties of complex ‘component’
assemblies and aggregations in living organisms, delivered in the seminar Course ‘Natural Systems and
Biomimetics’, will be implemented, and skills developed in their application throughout the series. Core
Studio 1 is supported by workshops on associative modelling and computational analysis methods in
Grasshopper/Rhino.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Course, students are expected to:
1. Have developed the understanding of materials/material processes, modelling and digital fabrication
techniques.
2. Have developed experimental method and strategies in physical and digital experiments.
3. Have demonstrated the capacity to apply acquired knowledge and techniques in a creative and innovative
way to a material system.
Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
4. Have acquired assimilation and familiarity with advanced digital and mathematic design techniques.
5. Have acquired assimilation and familiarity with advanced digital structural and environmental analysis.
6. Have acquired thorough knowledge of the specific concepts, techniques and practices in the field of
Emergent Technologies and their effects on the production of built architectures and artefacts.
7. The ability to connect analysis to design philosophies and material strategies, and relate them to
processes of production

Assessment Criteria
1. The demonstration of an understanding of the concepts, strategies and analytical tools of Core Studio I.
2. The demonstration of knowledge and skills of geometrical and topological analysis, digital morphogenesis
and computational design processes, material behaviour, advanced fabrication techniques and assembly
processes, and the appropriate deployment of that knowledge and skills in an integrated process.
3. The demonstration of judgement in the deployment of knowledge and skills, and the ability to place these
in an appropriate theoretical context.
4. The demonstration of a clear structure and organisation for the presentation of work, and the ability to
plan, develop and present comprehensive and precise documentation.
5. The demonstration of skill and judgement in the unfolding of a critical argument with evidence gained
from experiments, and the skill to place this in the theoretical context of Emergence.

Preparatory Reading
2015 - Menges, A., ‘The New Cyber-Physical Making in Architecture: Computational Construction’ in Material
Synthesis: Fusing the Physical and the Computational, Menges, A., ed., Architectural Design pp. 28-33.
2015, Parlac, V., ‘Material as Mechanism in Agile Spaces’ in Building Dynamics: Exploring Architecture of
Change, Kolarevic, B., Parlac, V.,, eds, , Routledge, London and New York, pp. 177-191.
2012, Willman, J., Gramazio, F., Kohler, M., Langenberg, S., ‘Digital by Material: Envisioning an Extended
Performative Materiality in the Digital Age of Architecture’, in Rob|Arch 2012: Robotic Fabrication in
Architecture, Art and Design, Brell-Cokcan, S., and Braumann, J., eds, Springer-Verlag, Vienna, pp. 12-27.
2012 - Sheil, B., ‘From Making the Bespoke to Manufacturing the Bespoke’ in Manufacturing the Bespoke:
Making and Prototyping Architecture, Sheil, B., ed., Architectural Design Reader, John Wiley and Sons,
London, pp 27.

Core Studio 2
Ecology and the Superblock in City Systems

The studio extends the exploration of generative processes developed in the Emergence and Design seminar
course, evolving Urban Block and Superblock morphologies to larger and more complex aggregations and
configurations, and locates them in specific climatic and ecological contexts. The potential interactions of
microclimatic, topological and social organisations are explored, and an evolutionary computational model
is developed and initiated at a neighbourhood scale that incorporates ecologically productive surfaces and
systems. The studio concludes with the detailed design of a new Superblock aggregated configuration
and its systems, emergent networks and interconnected hierarchical scales, and the full data set of its
properties and performance.

The ecological and climatic context can be chosen from one of three extreme biomes – sea or estuarine
marshes and wetlands, cold or hot deserts, or the tundra. These will provide an abstracted parameter set
for a virtual or simulated digital context within which the superblock morphology and its aggregations
will be distributed. A further parameter set for ecologically productive surfaces and their systems will
be initiated, and the co-evolution of morphologies and productive surfaces explored. Variation of flows of
energy, material and population densities will be coupled to simulated seasonal and productive cycles,
and the integrated morphologies synthesised into an innovative and radically new distributed city system
suitable for future climate change.

Emergent Technologies and Design


Document Submission
The student team assembles and produces a coherent research dossier that documents the experiments
undertaken by the team, with full data sets of the generative and analytical results. The rationale for the
initiating ecological and climatic conditions and their abstraction into a parameter set are to explained,
the rationale for subsequent decisions and chosen strategies, parameters and processes are to be set out
clearly and discussed, and the argumentation for revisions and adjustments over the course of the series
of design experiments are to presented. The document is to conclude with detailed architectural drawings,
system diagrams and a full data set of parameters and performance. A review of the outputs, successes
and limitations is to be reflected upon and discussed.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of Core Studio 2 students are expected to:
1. Have further developed their knowledge of the evolutionary computation techniques and multi-parameter
analysis, and have developed skills in their use;
2. Have acquired knowledge and skills in analytical and generative techniques appropriate for urban systems
and be able to integrate those techniques within an evolutionary morphogenesis and development series
for a climatic and ecologically situated urban tissue;
3. Have acquired skills in synthesis of collated data with design ambitions, be able to integrate those skills
in the strategic choice and optimisation of strategies and design development;
4. Have developed knowledge and skills in advanced computational generative and environmental and
network analysis and be able to deploy those skills in the evolutionary development of situated urban
systems;
5. Have developed knowledge and skills in the analysis and evaluation of complex urban systems for a range
of conditions; and be able to deploy those skills appropriately.

Assessment Criteria
1. The demonstration of an understanding of the concepts, strategies and analytical tools of the Core
Studio 2;
2. The demonstration of knowledge and skills of analysis, digital morphogenesis and evolutionary
computational design processes, and the appropriate deployment of that knowledge and skills in an
integrated process of design for an urban system;
3. The demonstration of judgement in the deployment of knowledge and skills, and the ability to place these
in an appropriate theoretical context.
4. The demonstration of a clear structure and organisation for the presentation of work, and the ability to
plan, develop and present comprehensive and precise documentation.
5. The demonstration of skill and judgement in the unfolding of a critical argument with evidence gained
from experiments, and the skill to place this in the theoretical context of Emergence.

Preparatory Reading
2014, Derix, C., and Izaki, A., eds., Architectural Design Special Issue Empathic Space: The Computation of
Human-Centric Architecture. Hillier, B., “The Generic City and its Origins,” Routledge, pp 100-105.
2010, Erell, E., Pearlmutter, D., and Williamson, T. Urban Microclimate: Designing the Spaces Between
Buildings. Routledge.
2008, Marshall, Stephen. Cities, Design and Evolution. Routledge.
2005, Marshall, Stephen. Streets and Networks. Spon Press.
2013, Weinstock, Michael, ed. Architectural Design Special Issue System City: Infrastructure and the Space
of Flows. John Wiley and Sons.
2010, Weinstock, Michael. The Architecture of Emergence: The Evolution of Form in Nature and Civilisation.
John Wiley and Sons.

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017

Emergent Technologies and Design

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design

PHASE 2

10.5 Design Research and the Dissertation

Dr.Michael Weinstock, Evan Greenberg, Dr.Elif Erdine, Manja van de Worp

The Design Research Studio enables students to extend the knowledge gained in the Phase 1 Seminar
Courses, Core Studio and associated workshops and experiments, to develop further knowledge and apply
acquired skills in an extended design research. Three main fields of design research are offered: Active
Material Systems with Advanced Fabrication, Natural Ecological Systems Design (currently focused on
shorelines and deltas), and Urban Metabolic Design (presently centred on the algorithmic design for energetic
models of new cities in emergent biomes). Students may choose one of the three fields, and will work in
teams. The design research studio facilitates a deeper understanding of emergence and its application to
advanced production in architecture, urbanism and ecological engineering, while integrating theoretical
discourses, science and the insights gained from experiments. The studio will develop students’ abilities
to analyse complex issues and to engage in independent research, working towards the presentation of the
fully developed individual thesis/dissertation proposal.

The Dissertation within Emergent Technologies & Design

The Dissertation is a written and illustrated account of an original inquiry, pursued through a close and
careful study that is intended to yield new designs, or to integrate existing designs into a new synthesis.
The activity of designing constitutes a crucial mode of research specific to the architectural discipline. The
enquiry takes place within the context of the design studio.

Architectural designs that contribute to knowledge are those that lead to new perceptions, to new material
forms and processes, to the development of new architectural and urban systems, to new constructs
that advance the existing understanding and quality of the built environment. Within the field of Emergent
Technologies and Design it is expected that quantifiable scientific knowledge will provide the appropriate
model of study that may be coupled to appropriate culture models.

The form in which the Dissertation is to be presented will include text and illustration and original and unique
three-dimensional design. Design research will necessarily be supplemented and substantiated by various
scientific methods of analysis and evaluation. The design will be expressed and evaluated with respect to
these scientific methods, and accompanied by textual exegesis that situates, frames and communicates
the contribution to the field of architectural design.

Design research is usually situated in one of the three main fields of investigation in Emergent Technologies
and Design, but it may combine some aspects from the other two.

1. Active Material Systems and Advanced Fabrication: focused on a medium scale building.
This has been the principal topic of design research in the past.

2. Natural Ecological Systems Design: focused on integrated technologies at the scale of an ecologically
defined landscape such as a shoreline, river valley or delta.

3. Urban Ecological Design: focused on algorithmic design for energetic models of new cities, in existing
conurbations or in emergent biomes.

The dissertation is to be organized in the following way:

Abstract: the original proposal, which will be revisited several times as the work progresses.

Introduction (written last)

Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Chapter 1. The Domain: the topic or area to be investigated, including precedents and the physics of the
topic. This concludes with the precise design problem or question that is to be tested and developed. This
must be a sharply defined question – not a general discussion, for example, on metabolism or network
topology. Precision requires definitive statements of the parameters that control or limit the work, its
contribution to the field and the means by which it will be measured.

Chapter 2. Methods: the methods and techniques that are the current state of the art in the profession and
in research, the digital and physical techniques you intend to use in your investigation, their relation to the
‘state of the art’, and how you have tested their effectiveness and calibrated them.

Chapter 3. Research Development: the first experiments, digital and physical, and their evaluation, and how
they give an insight to the concluding statements of the Domain Chapter – and have contributed to the
refinement of the research question.

Chapter 4. Design Development: more complex design experiments at higher systems level.

Chapter 5. The Design Proposal: the final proposal in all its detail

Chapter 6. Evaluations and Revisions/Future Development

Emergent Technologies and Design

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Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design
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Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design
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Programme Guide 2016 - 2017
Emergent Technologies and Design
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[EmTech]
http://emtech.aaschool.ac.uk/