Master's Degree in Parametric Design in Architecture

FIRST SEMESTER

 

S1 studio 1

6 ETCS / 48H

Through the study of a wide range of complex built architectural study-cases, the student is introduced to generative modelling control and analysis. The work is focused on the generalization of the building system by understanding the geometric dependencies and its constructive constraints which have to be defined and evaluated. The challenge is then to propose enhancements to the system and a study of constructive trade-offs when the building system is applied to an arbitrary geometry.

This consultancy-oriented approach comes along with the study of different form-finding modelling strategies for efficient structures that are the basis of the next semester. The scope of this part covers curvature and topology, complex systems modelling, dynamic relaxation and optimization.

PARAMETRIC MODELLING OF BUILDING SYSTEMS, FORM-FINDING , EFFICIENT FORM

 

BI BUILDING INFORMATION

6 ETCS / 48H

Performance driven design. This subject will provide tools to evaluate structural and energetic performance while learning how to control the flow of information in efficient ways. From structural analysis to energy efficiency evaluation, with an intense workshop on BIM and interoperability.

 

STRUCTURAL AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE DRIVEN DESIGN AND INTEGRATION.

 

PG parametric geometry

5 ECTS / 40H

Geometry is the graphical language of design. In this course, we will immerse into the core of geometry to understand and solve design, construction and fabrication problems through mathematics. With a mixture of theoretical blackboard sessions and applied Grasshopper practices, geometric concepts will be explained and expanded.

 

GEOMETRIC FOUNDATIONS , ARCHITECTURAL GEOMETRY

 

FA from sign to algorithm

5 ECTS / 40H

Part 1: The course architecture and computation aims to give a theoretical basis to the new forms of generating architecture with computers, whatever its methodology. It provides an introduction to computers and to formal systems and relates these ideas to the architectural trends of the last half-century. It is based on lectures, readings and discussion of a range of topics and representative texts of some of these theoretical ideas, and of the architectural trends to which they are related.

Part 2. Introduction to Programming focuses on the very basic principles behind computer programs execution with an initiation to the design of algorithms using the Python language in Grasshopper environment. RhinoScriptSyntax and Math libraries are presented gradually along the course.

LOGIC SYSTEMS, ALGORITHMIC THINKING

 

SECOND SEMESTER

 

s2 studio 2

6 ETCS / 48H

The course is focused on construction-aware design and concludes with the fabrication of 1:1 model based on novel and experimental building systems developed by exploiting all fields of knowledge unfolded at the master. Instead of designing a shape and later plan the fabrication, a building system is instead designed and the form may subsequently emerge given the geometrical and mechanical properties. 

The confrontation of the parametric modelling including the simulation, analysis and fabrication to the reality of assembly process, organization and building precision, raises the level of self-exigence and highlights the value of computational design.

CONSTRUCTION-AWARE DESIGN, LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURES

 
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AT ALGORITHMS IN TECHNOLOGY

5 ETCS / 40H

The course tackles in parallel the use of algorithms in design for construction technology at different levels of complexity. From the pseudocode and algorithms sketching in visual programming, to scripting in several frameworks. All exercises are around construction and geometry, although to be applied to any specific problem.

Content include : Design of algorithms applied to architectural construction both in visual and scripted programming. Algorithms for quick programming versus algorithms for long-lasting programming or multi-author programming. Algorithms for our own use versus algorithms for others. Numerical techniques: matrix analysis.

DEVELOPMENT OF ALGORITHMIC THINKING AND PROGRAMMING

 

df digital fabrication

6 ETCS / 48H

Acknowledging architecture in discrete, and industrial material are mainly planar, different rationalization techniques are studied to reparametrize surfaces for arbitrary double curvature into planar pieces. The second block is focused on substrative 3D manufacturing where instead of designing an object to be milled, students are encouraged to design the milling process that will define the object.

 

RATIONALIZATION, DISCRETIZATION & EFFICIENT FABRICATION

 
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PL PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE

5 ETCS / 40H

This module focuses on a large scale and is divided into two different blocks. The first one, Territory, is dedicated to searching, study and display of several indicators regarding economic and social reality at the big scale. Plenty of information arises both from Open Data administrations and Social Networks. After an initial discussion on the validity of each parameter for the main analysis, the assignment is to process large amounts of data in order to synthesize it into the minimum amount of ink while maximizing the number the understanding of reality.

The second block, Landscape Design, consists on the approximation to nature taming through construction a broad set of parametric tools on top of the classical landscape strategies. Sessions are focused on the modelling of a park in a back-and-forth process where the different layers inform the rest. Students are encouraged to work with as many complexities as possible from the analysis of reality to the design of the final proposal.

DATA ANALYSIS AND DESIGN RESTRICTIONS INTEGRATION

 

COMPLEMENTARY

 
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W1 WORKSHOPs SM 1

5 ECTS / 40h

This subject frames a series of special intensive courses around visual programming, geometry and optimization. These courses are said to be transversal, since they are fundamental and used in all other subjects. Exceptionally they are exclusively taught during the academic week, providing an ambience of concentration, dedication and high interaction. The aim of the subject is to level all students, to provide a common language and to provide a set of basic and intuitive tools for the rest of the master.

 

TOPOLOGY , MULTIOBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION 

 
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W2 Workshops sm 2

5 ECTS / 40h

This subject frames a series of special intensive courses around structural modelling, analysis and optimization. These courses are said to be transversal, since they are fundamental and used across other subjects. Exceptionally they are exclusively taught during the academic week, providing an ambience of concentration, dedication and high interaction. The aim of the subject is to provide a complementary toolset to the knowledge provided on Building Information and applied to the main work developed at Studio 2.

 

ANALYSIS, SIMULATION, CALIBRATION

 
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MT Master Thesis

6 ECTS / 16h

Master thesis is dedicated to generating original work, based on research, were the student will show how parametric design has changed his/her skills to produce architectural projects. This research work will be done under assistance of a tutor, one of the professors of the master, a will be evaluated by a jury of several members, from the faculty of the master.

 

RESEARCH , INNOVATION