Architecture, Computational Technologies, M.S.
Curriculum
Major Requirements
| Term One | Credits: | |
| ARCH 701B | Computational Design Studio I: Computational Design | 6 |
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Prerequisite: Corequisites: ARCH 775. ARCH 781, ARCH 783 ARCH 701B, is the first Advanced Architecture Design Studio in the Master of Science of Architecture, Computational Technologies program. This design studio will focus on specific issues of representation through computational design. An informed realism implies that reality is continuously transformed by information systems. The designer can now intervene directly upon reality by recognizing and displacing information systems. Students will address computation as proto-architectural. Questioning how architects represents space, the studio will implement, displace, and advance computer algorithms, data representation and data interaction. The studio will use an applied experimental design exercise, to integrate through computational design, the parallel knowledge being acquired in the co-requisite seminars. The studio will do experimental applied research within a range of spatial-based problems, ranging from: Big Data gathering and processing; to simulation; to emergent geometry implementing computational languages, machine learning and artificial intelligence; to an augmented virtual reality simulation interface. The studio will ultimately question systems of representation in architecture, innovating, developing and expanding algorithms, tools, interfaces, and applications. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 2-6-6 |
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| ARCH 775 | Seminar I: History and Theory of Representation and Technologies | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Corequisites: ARCH 781 ARCH 775, is the first seminar, in the Master of Science in Architecture, Computational Technologies program. The focus of this seminar is on the history and theory of architecture spanning from perspective (Renaissance) to Big Data and Computational Design (Data Science and Computer Science). First, this seminar will study history and theory of representation and technologies in relation to architecture. Second, the seminar will study the history of Computer Science in relation to information theory and Data Science. Third, students will explore, through experimental applied exercises, how new survey technologies, or insightful researches on a single technology, may challenge assumed architecture theories in history and/or representation. Fourth, students will be asked to critique relationships between emerging technologies and cultural innovation in a research paper. The paper will be formatted and follow an art history methodology and be based on a single technology in relation to architecture representation based on a scientific quantitative method of inquiry. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| ARCH 781 | Computational Design I | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Corequisites: ARCH 775 ARCH 781, is the first course in Computational Design offered in the Master of Science of Architecture, Computational Technologies program. The objective of this course is for students to learn and apply computation in relation to architectural design. Students learn, develop skills and apply critical computational thinking and design through architecture exercises and projects. The objective of the two consecutive courses (ARCH 781, ARCH 782) is for students to analyze, research, displace and eventually investigate new paradigms in computer-based systems of representation applied to architecture design. Aiming to develop algorithms applied to architecture design, the seminar will teach existing informational structures, focusing on specific issues ranging from binary information, algorithmic structures, flow diagrams, code syntax, scripting, programming languages, and visual algorithms. Students will learn to develop skills in visual algorithms through Rhinoceros 3D Grasshopper plugin, Unity 3D, Python programming language, and ML activating AI through frameworks such as TensorFlow, MATLAB, Wolfram Mathematica or others. First, the seminar will address Data Science gathering and processing data, Big Data and developing data sets through crowdsourcing, web scraping and API using Python Programming Language. Second, the course will teach students basic computer programming skills through simple scripts in Rhinoceros 3D Grasshopper plugin building up knowledge to develop more complex algorithms activating emergent geometry in computational design (Rhinoceros 3d Grasshopper parametric design, computational design and others). Students will learn to develop scripts, algorithms, and code their own programs. Third, the course will study and apply Machine Learning, ANN, GAN’s and other neural nets activating Artificial Intelligence. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| ARCH 783 | Fabrication and Robotics I | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Corequisites: ARCH 775, ARCH 781 ARCH 783, is the first course in Fabrication and Robotics offered in the Master of Science in Architecture, Computational Technologies program. The objective of the two consecutive courses (ARCH 783, ARCH 784) is for students to analyze, research, displace and eventually investigate new paradigms in computer-based systems of fabrication, construction, interaction and robotics applied to architecture. Students will develop skills in visual algorithms applied to fabrication through Rhinoceros 3D Grasshopper plugin, Arduino/Raspberry Pi, implement Python programming language for fabrication, KUKA PRC (KLR). First, students will learn physical computation (Arduino or Raspberry Pi) in relation to sensors for data gathering and data link. The seminar will collect environmental data in a space and develop an interactive responsive system. Second, students will experiment through physical computation mechanisms for digital fabrication that structure building construction systems and digital fabrication. Each student/group of students will analyze, displace, design, research and develop a 3d Printing machine mechanism (assembly, customize parts), or a CNC multi-axis mechanism, or a Robotic system for digital fabrication (MCode) . Third, students will study and apply various forms of reverse engineering for 3d printing, laser cutting, and other CNC. Fourth, students will design-fabricate implementing conventional CAM routines, tool paths and scripts in 3d printing, CNC, and other machines such as KUKA Robotic Arms. Students will analyze, simulate, edit and modify conventional CAM protocols for 3d printing, CNC, tool paths, and robotic digital fabrication processes to deal with emergent material processes. Each student will then activate a computational design process through CAM displacement (Gcode), activating critical relationships between emergent material forces in digital fabrication processes. Students will also study multi-axis CNC and Robotics in fabrication. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| Total: 15 Credits | ||
| Term Two | Credits: | |
| ARCH 702B | Computational Design Studio II: Fabrication and Robotics | 6 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisites: ARCH 701B, ARCH 775, ARCH 781, ARCH 783
Corequisites: ARCH 776, ARCH 782, ARCH 784 ARCH 702B is the second Advanced Architecture Design Studio in the Master of Science in Architecture, Digital Technologies program. The studio will follow an applied research approach to computational design by developing physical experiments 1:1 scale, leading to a full-scale prototype, a digital fabrication full-scale spatial exercise, or a class wide interactive interdisciplinary exterior pavilion or interior installation. Digital fabrication will be expanded to include the several interfaces, machinic systems, CAM (computer aided manufacturing software) for tool-paths in 3d Printing, CNC (computer numeric control mechanisms), Robotics and informational processes between computer representation and machine-based output, expanding dimensions between materials, drawing and building processes and systems. Each student will be asked to understand critically the translation differential between computational design as representation and material computation as digital fabrication. The design studio will work to integrate in a hands-on design exercise knowledge acquired in the pre-requisite, co-requisite studios and seminars. Students will address architecture through computational fluid dynamics/simulation, structural simulation, material simulation (3d printing and time-based programmable 4d printing), performance simulation and optimization activating an evidence-based design in forensic architecture and post-occupancy measurement. The project will also work with environmental simulation to activate micro-ecologies for a post-human responsive healthy space researching into materials as mediums to activate ecologies. This hands-on project-driven studio will engage with the design of built prototypes thinking them 1:1 scale, working with emergent material forces. This studio will teach students the emergent issues in digital fabrication and materials to prepare students for applied research in physical computation/robotics and sensors for the third and last studio. The design and investigation of new materials, new fabrication processes exploring 3d Printing and CNC machinic systems, and ultimately robotic technologies will be tested to develop either individual or a class-wide project. The knowledge acquired through the previous studios, core and elective seminars will be integrated into a site-specific, 1:1 scale construction. Each class will be asked to integrate the diverse knowledge previously acquired, and potentially activate new mediums and new media as means of doing architecture, by implementing new technologies that aim to generate new parameters, innovative design-thinking processes and enable proto-architectural structures. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 2-6-6 |
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| ARCH 776 | Seminar II: Fabrication Optimization and Material Simulation | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ARCH 781 ARCH 776 will focus on a 4 steps evidence-based exercise through design and digital fabrication. First, students will work with analog physical models to intuitively study the subjects of the course by testing structures, fluid dynamics, and material properties. Second, students will work on an integrated project through software focusing on the simulation of architectural elements: site, environmental conditions and/or interior environmental conditions and/or systems, structural typologies, and material-based construction systems. Students will develop strategies to address ecological synthetic and/or biological evolution responsive architecture activating a scientific evidence-based design methodology. Third, students will develop their own material, (composites, recycled, filament) polymers customized pellets or composites for 3d, 4d printing (time based) and/ or robotic materials (reacting). Fourth, semester based on applied research exercises will focus on a single material (material-based construction system), structural typology, and environmental condition. Projects will address computational design based on simulation and optimization following an evidence-based approach. Project may or not include scale materialization through computer-based fabrication, CNC, 3d printing, and/or robotic fabrication developing a range of possible results. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-2-3 |
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| ARCH 782 | Computational Design II | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisites: ARCH 775, ARCH 781
Corequisites: ARCH 776 ARCH 782, is the second course offered in Computational Design in the Master of Science in Architecture, Computational Technologies program. The objective of course ARCH 782 is for students to learn and apply computation in relation to architectural design. Students learn, develop skills and apply critical computational thinking and design through architecture exercises and projects. The objective of the two consecutive courses (ARCH 781, ARCH 782) is for students to analyze, research, displace and eventually investigate new paradigms in computer-based systems of representation applied to architecture design. Students will learn to develop skills in visual algorithms through Rhinoceros 3D Grasshopper plugin, Unity 3D, Python programming language, and ML activating AI through frameworks such as TensorFlow, MATLAB, Wolfram Mathematica or others. First, the course will advance computer programming skills through Rhinoceros 3D Grasshopper plugin building up knowledge to develop complex algorithms activating emergent geometry in computational design. Students will learn to develop scripts, algorithms, and code their own programs, and/or other computational design exercises such as executable files, tool development (Rhinoceros 3D and Rhinoceros 3D Grasshopper), in preparation for a plug-in and/or application and/or interface development. Second, the course will study and apply Machine Vision (object tracking recognition), kinetics, Machine Learning (supervised and non supervised /data repositories), ANN, GAN’s and other neural nets advancing studies in various forms of Artificial Intelligence. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| ARCH 784 | Fabrication and Robotics II | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisites: ARCH 781, ARCH 783
Corequisites: ARCH 776, ARCH 782 ARCH 784, is the second course in Fabrication and Robotics offered in the Master of Science of Architecture, Computational Technologies program. The objective of this seminar is for students to learn computation applied to Robotics digital fabrication. The objective of the two consecutive courses (ARCH 783, ARCH 784) is to build up relationships between digital fabrication, machinic systems, sensors and robotics, and architecture. Students will develop skills in visual algorithms applied to fabrication through Rhinoceros 3D Grasshopper plugin, implement Python programming language for fabrication, KUKA PRC (KLR). First, students will build up skills from ARCH 783 in relation to simulating and executing protocols for coordinating one, two, three or four independent and interrelated combined robotic arms through KUKA PRC (KRL). Second, students will learn how to work through robotic fabrication implementing customized add-ons such as various types of injection or deposition 3d printing for concrete 3d printing and other materials. Third, students will learn how to develop and customize material mixes to implement through injection or deposition 3d printing using robotic arms add-ons. Fourth, Students may learn to use machine vision and implement AI for robotic fabrication. Students will Machine Learning to innovative in the relationship between CAM software and CNC, including 3d Printing and Robotic Systems through object tracking recognition. The seminar will study alternative means through machine vision to adjust, calibrate, deviate, and reprogram relationships between tool paths, material behavior under stress, and CAM feedback adjustment. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| Total: 15 Credits | ||
| Total Program Credits = 30 |