AIR STUDIO 7J e a n n i e K o n g

C a m & V i c t o r

Content

Part A CONCEPTUALISATION

Introduction

A1.Designing FuturingA2.Designing Computation

A4.ConclusionA5.Learning outomesA6.Appendix - Algorithmic sketchesA7.Bibliography

A3.Composition vs Generation

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My name is Jeannie Kong. I am currently studying in The University of Melbourne, being a third-year student of the Bachelor of Environments, majoring in architecture. I come from Hong Kong and I came to Melbourne for my tertiary student since 3 years ago. Melbourne is a great place where you can relax and enjoy the things around you. Unlike Hong Kong, people are very stressed about their work, study and even everything.

I have been working in Hong Kong Green Building Council as a student intern during the summer vacation. Although it is not an architectural firm, it provides another opportunity for me to explore how the concept of green architecture has been applied in the real world. I have developed my interest in the green field of architecture. Having a knowledge of like this may help me to develop my design ideas in this studio easier.

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In my first year of architectural study, I had a touch on the digital design. Rhino had been used to create a wearable lantern. Also, Grasshopper was used to create the tabs for the unrolled surfaces for fabrication. The idea of the project is started on the natural processes. As a year one student, I found it was really challenging as the design conceptwas too abstract. However, as time passes, I got used to it and fabricated a lantern hat. Since the architectural industry is moving forward to a new design approach, the digital design, it was a great experience for me to explore the flexibility and the creative power of digital design.

In my second year of study, I have moved away from digital design to a conceptualized ground of ideas development. Moreover, I have developed my presentation skills on communicating the conceptualized ideas by computer programs. For now, I would like to utilize all equivalent skills that I have leant in the previous year for this semester project. Also, to develop some more skills, like the algorithmic think and parametric design skills, and enjoy the whole designing process.

PART A conceptualisation

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A1.Design Futuring

Recently, there is a discourse of architecture. People who involved in the discourse are finding the meaning of architecture. This debate intends to be grounded on a morality base which finding a sense of "sincerity" and "appropriateness".1 It is argued that architecture is not only about form. It is also about something that to shape the community or even the world.2 Architecture is to builds the vision to the community. It has a great interaction with the people around and influences their pattern of life.

At the same time, the issue of defuturing has emerged and been discussing vigorously. Human have come to a critical moment in our existence that we may disappear at some time. Global warming and the diminishing of available resources are the signs. Since that it is claimed in the discourse that architecture is being an important factor in planning our future by directing what the people think.3 Therefore, architecture has assigned a role in addressing problem of defuturing. On one hand, it has to slow down the rate of defuturing; On the other hand, it should redirect the human towards a far more sustainable mode.4 It refers to how people perceive, think and act. Thus, Architecture must be well-designed as to allow its function of transforming people's thoughts to be performed. However, the action should not only focus on the immediate response. It should also know about the consequences beyond the

horizon of immediate concern.5 It is because the immediate response is just a small step in changing the whole picture. Therefore, computer tools come to assist the human for collecting data around the word. Hence, it is able to calculate and predict the future possibilities. Moreover, as there is a change in what architecture is. The design approach that used in the past is not applicable for now. Computation is used as a new approach to design. Also, through computation, the “sincerity” and “appropriateness” of architecture can be found among the outcomes.

In this chapter, architectural projects will be chosen as precedents to show how architecture is performing its role of slowing the effect of defuturing and changing the mind of the world in reality. While in the next two chapter, precedents are selected to study how computation helps in designing in the industry.

1 Neil Leach, Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory (London: Routledge, 1997), p. xiii.2 Stanislav Roudavski, Design Futuring. University of Melbourne. Lecture recording, (2014).3 lbid.4 Tony Fry, Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg, 2008), p. 6.

5 Fry, p. 25.

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Supertree Grove 2012

Fig. 1. City Forest under sun light.6

Fig. 2. Supertree Groveat night.7

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This garden is perceived as a public land art. There are total 18 these vertical "trees" in the garden. They are built up to 50 meters.8 These structures consist of rainwater collectors, exhausted agent and cap with solar panels.9 They solar energy is then transformed to electricity to light up the trees at night.10 This garden is seen as a green architecture within the city scape. It is acting as a giant cooling tower as to reduce urban heat island effect and hence reduce the energy consumption of cooling agents. Although the solar panels on top of the tress are not able to generate enough electricity for households. Due to massive scale of the "trees", it can be used to remind the people around to act green anytime. The garden is acting as virtual sign especially for those people who have visited it or see it when they are travelling pass. It is reflected the architecture is not only about a form but also something that used to change human's perception. In this case, the electricity produced from the solar panels for night use is seen as an immediate response. While acting as a virtual sign to redirect people's attitude is perceived as a long term response to the environment.

Apart from creating a virtual sign, the garden also allows change people's perception about green architecture from boring to something interesting. It is because this garden can achieve both environmental and aesthetic performance at the same time.

On other hand, the garden is a tourist attraction where visitors can walk up to the structure. At that height, the urban scape of Singapore can be seen. It allows them to have a great experience. Such great experience may inspire the visitors from overseas may bring the concept of combing green concepts and tourist attraction to their home country. Hence, the architecture may only motivate local people but also the one around the world to act green.

6 aremaKanta, Supertree-Grove (flickr, 2012) < http://www.flickr.com> [accessed 13 March 2014].7 Daily mail, (Daily mail, 2012) < http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news > [accessed 13 March 2014].8 National Geographic, City Forest, Singapore (National Geographic Society, 2013) < http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/07/pictures/120726-green-tech-city-building-solutions-urban-heat-island> [accessed 13 March 2014].9 lbid.10 lbid.

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Blaxland riverside playground JMD Design 2012

Fig. 3. Semicircular swing in Blaxland Riverside Playground.11

11 Brett Boardman, Blaxland Riverside Playground (Architecture Media, 2013) < http://architectureau.com/articles/blaxland-riverside-playground/> [accessed 13 March 2014].12 Linda Corkey, Blaxland Riverside Playground (Architecture Media, 2013) < http://architectureau.com/articles/blaxland-riverside-playground/> [accessed 13 March 2014].

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It is chosen as a precedent since that it is a land art built next to a riverside.12 It has a similar content with the brief. Also, it has some interacting elements with the people. It is not merely a sculpture but also something that people can play around. It allows people to link themselves to the playground.

I suggested there is a meaning assigned for this playground. It is to create a community space for the people who live around. Also, it is acting as a living space to the community which helps to enhance the feeling of a community. It is designed to encourage community activities by designing a nice place for family to go. This project is taking the advantage of its site

location. It is sitting next to the river. The design emphasizes on the visual effect of the river and the vegetation along the riverside.13 Relaxation and the sense of comfort can be created by these views. More people are attached to visit this space because of the special views and feeling that is generated.

However, it has a smaller impact on people's pattern of living than the City Forest in Singapore. It is because it is smaller in scale and not sitting at a place that people can easily access to. Also, similar parks can be found in everywhere. Therefore, I think that less and less people to visit this place as time pass.

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A2.Design Computation

Recently, there is a significant change in the designing process of the architectural industry due to the emergence of the technology age.. It is that computers have been involved in the process. Hence, there are the terms of "computerization" and "computation". "Computerization" is the dominant method of utilizing computers in architectural industry.1 It refers to the process that entering and manipulating the conceptualized idea of the idea of the designers to computer system;2 While, "computation" refers to the process that the deign outcomes are totally generated by the computers while a small initial idea. Usually, algorithmic thinking and parametric modeling are applied.

In terms of design, these two approaches are acting two distinct role. Computerization is usually used to present ideas by render the project. Also, it is used to test some functional performance of the design as to make refinement to the project. However, computerization do not have the ability to develop design outcomes, while computerization has the ability to generate a variety of outcomes. Because of that the design generation has been more efficient. Also, the design outcomes can run out of the conceivable boundary of the designers by the parametric modeling. Hence, unpredictable results are developed. With a wide range of results, designs can choose the one which fits the brief the best. It is suggested that a higher level rational thinking is required as to analyze

the outcomes.

In addition, computation allows the integration the parametric design with the simulation software for structural and other performance calculation.3 Hence, it improves the efficiency of eliminate design outcomes due to that they may not fit to the structural or other required performance. Also, it walks a step forward that those project using computerization. It is because of those conceptualized forms may not know whether it is structural stable or not till the designs have been sent to the engineers.

It is found that in contemporary architectural projects, the use of these two approach is mainly affected by the scale of the project. Computerization is more likely to see in large scale architecture while computation is seen in smaller scale structure, especially land art. It is because in the larger-scale , more complicated aspects should be considered that may required human intelligence. For example, they are the visual composition, ecology and the landscape. The outcomes that are merely generated by computer may be not able to solve the issues well. However, this interesting phenomenon will change in the future due to that the more simulating software is developed and able to corporate those issues in the parametric design.

14 Stanislav Roudavski, Design & Computation. University of Melbourne. Lecture recording, (2014).15 Rivka Oxman and Robert Oxman, "Introduction", in Theories of the Digital in Architecture, ed. by Rivka Oxman and Robert Oxman (London; New York: Routledge, 2014), pp. 1-10 (p. 6).

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Gaudis Puffy Jacket Supermanoeuvre 2013

Fig. 4. Timber from work of the structure that are developed by computation.16

Fig. 5. Thin-shell concrete is laid on top of the timber frame work.17

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This pavilion is made up by a timber frame work and ornamental thin-shell concrete. The most interesting about this project is that the form is developed by computation. Through computation, differentiations of design elements can be create and modulate easily. It may generate innovative variation that designers may not generate initially. This method of using computation to facilitate the design process is moving away from the old architectural design approach. It is an approach that based on compositional and representation. Also, it provides a more efficient production path.

Layers of algorithmic modes have been set up for this pavilion to explore the design opportunities, including spatial, structural and ornamental. This implies that there is an emergence of integrating the parametric design with the simulation software for structural calculation. Moreover, in this project, it can be seen that the materials, tin-shell concrete and timber frame, are acting as a tectonic elements of the structure. It indicates there is a shift of ideas development from representation theorizing to

material design in contemporary architecture. The architecture is seen as a “surface with complex material system”. Computation is used in this case as to find possibilities of the material system and transform to the material design to production. This method allows the material design to be an integral part to the whole design process.

The fabrication of the timber frame is also aided by computation using algorithm. It allows triangular tile elements to mesh on the form. The timber fame is formed by unrolling, cutting and assemble those bits together. Apart from the computation process, the fabrication stage is also important to the architecture. Since some of the outcomes from parametric design may not be feasible in the reality, prototypes are important to test the structural ability of the design. In this project, designers explore numbers of prototypes to test before the whole structure have been made as to make sure its workability, reduce the risk and cost.

16 Supermanoeuvre, Gaudis Puffy Jacket (Supermanoeuvre, 2013) < http://supermanoeuvre.com/iaac-workshop/ > [accessed 20 March 2014].17 lbid.18 lbid.19 lbid.20 lbid.21 lbid.

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Beko Masterplan Zaha Hadid ARchitects

Fig. 6. Aerial view of Beko Masterplan. It shows how the design sits in the context.22

Fig. 7. Perspective view of Beko Masterplan.23

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Beko Masterplan is a project designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. It is a project is a master plan which consists of residential, commercial and retail spaces.24 This project is practically focusing the interaction with its surrounding elements. For instance, they are the habitable landscape and the views of the two rivers.25 Computerization has been used in this project to transform the primarily sketches to a digital 3D model. It is seen as computerization rather than computation as the project is in a very large scale and several of aspects should be added into consideration before designing. Because of this, human intelligence is required in human intelligence in considering the ecosystem, the landscape, the visual combination. Computerization creates possibilities for designers to refine their design. For example, computer programs are used to test the light penetration and the energy efficiency. Architects may require making minor changes to the design in order to solve some unpleasant issues. Moreover, through some software, the architecture is rendered and "come to a reality" as to show the scale and materiality of the structure. Hence, communication between

architects and client is aided. In contemporary architectural projects, most of the projects are using computer as a presentation media to express the conceptualized design ideas to the client or to the public through rendering.

After studying both computation and computerization projects, I have discovered that the use of these two approach is affected by the scale of the project. Computerization is more likely to see in large scale architecture while computation is seen in smaller scale structure, especially land art. It is because in the larger-scale , more complicated aspects should be considered that may require human intelligence. The outcomes that are merely generated by computer may be not able to solve the issues well.

22 Zaha Hadid Architects, Beko Masterplan (Zaha Hadid Architects, 2014) < http://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/beko-masterplan > [accessed 20 March 2014].23 lbid.24 lbid.25 lbid.

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A3.Composition vs Generation

In the previous chapter, we have talked about the change in architecture that more designs are developed by computation rather than computerization. Apart from that, the form development of architecture has been changed from composition to generation. Composition is seen as a process of creating an architectural form from conceptualized ideas.26 Also, it is a rational composition of placing elements together to form a coherent whole.27 This approach focuses on the visual expression and the technical performance of the structure.28 However, a critical move has been made. Due to the emergence of computation, the architectural from can now turned to an approach of generation for form development. "Generation" refers to that designers are relying on the computer programs for generate an architectural from by setting a simple rules.29 Indeed, in contemporary projects, designers have taken natural process as the primary rule for generation.30 It is because components in the nature consists of a high level of detail and complexity. The nature is seen as a great architecture and usually admired by the designers because of this reason. Hence, designers would like to immediate the form of such. However, human

are not able to create a form with such a high level of complexity. Therefore, computation is required. Usually, algorithmic thinking assists the process. It is because by inputting a simple geometry (called as primarily surface) and rules that created by designers to the algorithmic process, the computer can generate the form easily in a short period of time. The result ended up can be extremely complex that cannot be predicted and imagined by human. Also, it may be made up of micro details. On the other hand, various types of information of some curved primarily surfaces is not visible by the designers. However, these kinds of information can assist the form generation and develop something new.31 It is because computers are able to create variety of forms based on the invisible information, for instance, curvature and intersection of the surface. Hence, more outcomes are produced. These outcomes are seen to be innovative and hence they can inspire the minds of the designers.

To sum up, generation benefits the industry by helping designers to create a complex structure with high level of details. Also, through combing the use of computation, million outcomes that

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26 Stanislav Roudavski, Composition/ Generation. University of Melbourne. Lecture recording, (2014).27 lbid.28 lbid.29 lbid.30 lbid.31 lbid.

are unpredictable by human can be created. Regards of these benefits, generation requires a high level of critique of the outcomes as the outcomes do not consider the interaction with the surrounding environments that the structure is placed. Unlike the old composition method, there is a thoughtful process of considering how things are interacting and responded to the surrounding. Therefore, rational thinking is required as to find the most suitable outcomes for the context. Moreover, the fabrication of the generated form is labor intensive and time-consuming. However, with the help of the computers and machineries, complicated calculation of the unrolling process can be done. After that, by simply assemble the unrolled surfaces, the whole structure is formed.

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Grid Shell SmartGeometry 2012

Fig. 9. Details showing how materials are connected.33

Fig. 8. Final product.32

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Architects and designers are now moving away from compositional design to generation. This structure is chosen to be a precedent as to show how generation can be achieved in reality. Parametric tools have been used in this project as to develop a form. Some basic rules are set for the parametric models. It is that the structure should only built up by bending straight wood members along the geodesic lines with various types of materials.34 Also, it has to be self-supportive.35 Because of this the structural and material performance has been a major concern of the generation process. Therefore, there is an integration of the parametric design and the analytic tools to test the structural and material performance. In fact, a parametric geometric model and a structural model are created.36 Hence, a feedback loop is generated between the two models as to allow adequate refinements to be made.37 Apart from all digital process, a small scaled physical prototype is produced. It is used to test whether its analyzed results that shown in the computer achievable in the reality or not. Furthermore, the prototype is

used to see how the structure can fit in the context and being responsive to it.

In this case, generation helps to create in various of geometric forms in a short period of time. Also, by integrating all the parametric designs and the simulation tools, some of the outcomes that are failed to meet the performance requirements are quickly eliminated. It minimizes the time of the designers to calculate and find the best outcomes. In addition, computation allows the designers to fabricate the model easily as to create a prototype. However, there are short coming of generation. It is that designers should spend a lot of time to select the best outcomes. Rational think is required to select from those similar outcomes and see which one fits the context the best. Also, the final result that is generated in the computer is just an ideal. In the reality, people should also deal with the varying material strength, availability of materials, time and the context. In order to minimal the negative impact, prototypes should be made for testing.

32 Matsysdesign, SG2012 Grid Shell (Matsysdesign, 2012) < http://matsysdesign.com/2012/04/13/sg2012-gridshell/ > [accessed 25 March 2014].33 lbid.34 lbid.35 lbid.36 Smartgeometry, Gridshell Digital Tectonics (Smartgeometry) < http://smartgeometry.org> [accessed 25 March 2014].37 Matsysdesign.

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Subdivided Columns Michael Hansmeyer 2011

Fig. 11. Detail of the ornamentation on columns.39

Fig. 10. Subdivided Columns.38

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This precedent has been chosen as to discover the fabrication process of the generated products. Again, this projects is staring form a the form of a Doric column and a rule. Indeed, it is the natural subdivision process. The designers aim to find a new column order with highly-detailed ornamentation. Data of the Doric order column including the proportion of column’s shaft, capital, and supplemental base for generation. Computer at this point is used to generate various of outcomes based on the input data of each components and the rules. Therefore, the developed outcomes is allow to generate different form of ornamental at each part of the column. Designers have to choose the outcomes that achieve overall coherency that the ornamentation is seen as a continuous flow.

In terms of fabrication, a full-scale model with the height of 2.7 meters are produced of numerous layers of 1mm sheet. Fabrication machineries such as layer cutters and 3D printers are used in this project. Computer programs facilitates the fabrication process by

intersecting sheets of plane with the parametric model. Sheets with the shape of each layer are being cut. After that, other computer programs are required to calculate the interior offset distance as to reduce the weight of the finished column after assembly.

In this project, with the help of computation, numerous of thin sheets can be laid out in the computer and cut it out easily by the machines. It reduce the need of labor and time. In comparison, the fabrication process of this project is much easier than the Grid Shell project. It is because there are only one material needed for fabrication. Also, the sheets are assembled together simply by stacking up; while for the other one, nods are needed to joint timber members together. Moreover, there is less likely for a risk of material to be happened in the Stacking process.

38 Evolo, Algorithmic Column with Six Million Faces / Michael Hansmeyer (Evolo, 2011) < http://www.evolo.us/architecture/algorithmic-column-with-six-million-faces-michael-hansmeyer/ > [accessed 20 March 2014]..39 lbid.40 lbid.41 lbid.42 lbid.43 lbid.44 lbid.

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A4.Conculsion

In the previous chapter, it is found that the industry is setting a new definition to architecture. Architecture is now perceived as an object to transform the people's mind in a moral base. It is particularity addressing to the problem of defuturing. It is aiming to make changes in both short and long term. With such a change, computer tools have been used to assist the design generation process as to collect data and predict future possibilities. Apart from that, computation also creates numbers of benefits in the design process. The most amazing one is that it can generate numerous of outcomes from simple rules. With the integration of the parametric design and the stimulation tools, performance of the design can be tested. It allows the designer to select desirable outcomes easily. Moreover, computation helps in the fabrication process as to reduce the production cost, material waste and the labor intensity.

It is suggested the discourse will continuous until architecture can perform its function ideally. However, I think that it is hard for the whole world to reach this ideal. It is because the concept is still staying in an abstract stage and not many people aware the issue. Therefore, the semester project is a good start for architectural students to touch on the concepts and being prepared. On the other hand, by integrating the concept with computation, students are able to explore different possibilities of design and being inspired by how powerful can architecture be.

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A5.Learnign outcomes

Through learning the theories and practices that newly emerged in lectures, readings and tutorial discussions, I have broadened my view of the role of architecture in the design industry. Also, it inspire me in terms of approaching my design in the later semester. I would like to create a structure that user can interact with. Through the interaction, energy can be generated to power up the households. I would like to convey a message to the users that they can contribute to save the environment.

On the other hand, through doing the algorithmic exercises, I discover how the new technology assists in the design process and create numerous of unpredictable outcomes. Also, I find that some designs which perform well aesthetically are only generate by simple rules.However, I find it very hard to understand the rationale behind the algorithmic thinking. By simply following the online tutorial, full understanding of the algorithmic still cannot be gained. Also, the commands that used in the tutorial will be forgotten very soon. Therefore, by redoing the tutorial exercise for several times, it helps to understand the whole process and explore more possibilities of parametric design can create. I hope that the algorithmic skills that I have learnt in these weeks are useful for next stage of design exploration. If not, I can at least develop new skills from the principle of algorithmic thinking that I have learnt.

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A5.Appendix - Algorithmic sketches

The steps that I have gone through in this exercise echoes with the readings and the materials we had gone through in part A. It reflects the simple principles of computation and generation. It is that several of unpredictable results are generated from simple rules. This exercise starts with a closed-lofted surface and layers of extruded surface. After that, keep the intersection surfaces of the two. By baking those intersections surfaces and delete the unwanted surface, the original lofted surface is now produced with contours.

While deleting the surface, I found that some mistakes have been made. For an example, some the contours has been deleted unconsciously.

It will then end up with some little surfaces stood apart from the main form. However, an alternative is created; those surfaces can either be deleted or acted as some meaningful element within the structure. The above example shows that besides from having all computer-generated result, designers can modify the unsatisfied final outcomes as to create some meanings.

Apart from applying the theories into practice, all the innovative results may able to inspire me for design generation in this or another projects. It is always good for a designer to explore a variety of creative ideas and form.

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A6.Bibliography

AremaKanta, Supertree-Grove (flickr, 2012) < http://www.flickr.com> [accessed 13 March 2014].

Brett Boardman, Blaxland Riverside Playground (Architecture Media, 2013) < http://architectureau.com/articles/blaxland-riverside-playground/> [accessed 13 March 2014].

Daily mail, (Daily mail, 2012) < http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news > [accessed 13 March 2014].

Evolo, Algorithmic Column with Six Million Faces / Michael Hansmeyer (Evolo, 2011) < http://www.evolo.us/architecture/algorithmic-column-with-six-million-faces-michael-hansmeyer/ > [accessed 20 March 2014].

Linda Corkey, Blaxland Riverside Playground (Architecture Media, 2013) < http://architectureau.com/articles/blaxland-riverside-playground/> [accessed 13 March 2014].

National Geographic, City Forest, Singapore (National Geographic Society, 2013) < http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/07/pictures/120726-green-tech-city-building-solutions-urban-heat-island> [accessed 13 March 2014].

Matsysdesign, SG2012 Grid Shell (Matsysdesign, 2012) < http://matsysdesign.com/2012/04/13/sg2012-gridshell/ > [accessed 25 March 2014].

Neil Leach, Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cul tural Theory (London: Routledge, 1997).

Rivka Oxman and Robert Oxman, “Introduction”, in Theories of the Digital in Architecture, ed. by

Rivka Oxman and Robert Oxman (London; New York: Routledge, 2014), pp. 1–10.

Smartgeometry, Gridshell Digital Tectonics (Smartgeometry) < http://smartgeometry.org> [accessed 25 March 2014].

Stanislav Roudavski, Composition/ Generation. University of Melbourne. Lecture recording, (2014).

Stanislav Roudavski, Design & Computation. University of Melbourne. Lecture recording, (2014).

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Stanislav Roudavski, Design Futuring. University of Melbourne. Lecture recording, (2014).

Tony Fry, Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg, 2008.Supermanoeuvre, Gaudis Puffy Jacket (Supermanoeuvre, 2013) < http://supermanoeuvre.com/iaac-workshop/ > [accessed 20 March 2014].

Zaha Hadid Architects, Beko Masterplan (Zaha Hadid Architects, 2014) < http://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/beko-masterplan > [accessed 20 March 2014].