Algorithmic Design
The term "Algorithm" may give the impression that a computer is being used to automatically generate architecture. Indeed, programming is an essential skill in ADL. An algorithm is a procedure for solving a certain problem, so as long as the procedure is clear, it is not so difficult to translate it into a computer program and generate architecture in an algorithmic way. No, a programming language is a kind of language, and like English, it takes a certain amount of time to be able to program at will. But anyone can learn to program if they put in the time.
What is really difficult is the opposite. In other words, it is much more difficult to view architecture in an algorithmic manner than to create architecture in an algorithmic manner. To see architecture in an algorithmic way means to explore the laws that lie behind seemingly different architectural groups. The search for the laws of architecture is something that many people have been doing since the birth of architectural science. It is not unique to ADL. However, the architectural design process is still often a black box. Therefore, many students who aspire to become architects tend to rely on their sense, experience, and intuition to design architecture.
At ADL, we also do algorithmic architecture, but we spend a lot of time looking at architecture in an algorithmic way. This is because if we can "see various architectural groups as different manifestations = forms, generated from the same laws = forms," we can reverse the process and "create various architectural groups = forms, using the same laws = forms.
In this way, ADL explores the computability of architecture by writing down every design process related to architecture into a computer algorithm. By doing so thoroughly, the computational "un-"possibilities of architecture and the city will emerge, i.e., what only humans can do and what designers should do.
For more specific activities, please see the following two lecture videos.
Algorithmic Design - Growing Architecture Like Growing Plants-(00:12:16)
Framework of algorithmic design(01:29:47)
If you are at all interested in ADL after watching these videos, please come to our study group.
Even if you are a beginner in architectural design or have no programming experience, you are welcome. If you are interested but concerned, please talk to a current ADL member first. We welcome motivated students who are willing to explore the computational (un)possibilities of architecture with us.