Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Basic knowledge of algorithmic design with ability to write and execute own Python scripts as well as formulate design problems in code. Students will learn the basics of object-oriented programming paradigm using Python programming language with integration in Rhinoceros CAD environment.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 28.02.2023 - 30.05.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Luka Piskorec

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The course deals with methods of algorithmic design applied to the field of architecture, landscape and interior architecture, construction, as well as in the broad fields of industrial and product design. Although many architects still use computers much like they used analogue drawing boards, intrinsic capabilities of computers allow them to formalize their designs through code. This opens novel approaches in design thinking and articulation and gives architects, landscape and interior architects and designers powerful tools for formalizing their work. This approach also captures and exploits the inherent contemporary condition of creative practices - when designs become data, it becomes possible to create what was previously undrawable. The course is taught through 12 weeks with lectures and hands-on computer exercises. At the end the students are required to develop and present a final project.

   

  Non-exhaustive list of topics:

  Programming fundamentals: Python programming language and syntax, data types, operators, conditionals, looping, functions, lists, classes, dictionaries

  Rhino Python and modeling: using Python within Rhino, rhinoscriptsyntax library, RhinoCommon SDK, NURBS modeling, Boolean operations on solids, transformation matrices, mesh modeling

  Computational design: random walk algorithms, attractor fields, vector fields, mapping geometry from external data, Lindenmayer systems, evolutionary algorithms, optimization algorithms, particle-spring systems, voxels, Monte Carlo method, curvature mapping, spatial aggregation of discrete parts, cellular automata systems, dynamic relaxation, agent-based modeling, machine learning

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Students will be evaluated based on the project submitted at the end of the course. The submitted project needs to follow the guidelines which will be clearly communicated in the task description together with reference examples at the beginning of the course. Evaluation criteria fall into three groups:

  1. Formal

  -              student has at least 60 % attendance rate for contact hours

  -              submitted project is within assigned topic and scope

  -              project is submitted on time for evaluation and in correct format

  1. Skill

  -              submitted project demonstrates student s ability to engage and work in an independent fashion in the computational design workflow shown in the class

  -              submitted project demonstrates that the student invested the designated amount of independent study hours to master the software, equipment and methods used in the computational design workflow shown

Workload

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The course spans periods IV and V, totaling 12 weeks. Calculated total workload for 6 cr is 160 hrs. Lectures and computer exercises are held Tuesdays from 09:15 to 12:00 and total 36 contact hours. Students are expected to invest additional 72 hours for working individualy on assignments and the final project, together with 36 hours reserved for individual study, reading and free topic exploration. Leftover 16 hours should be used for the preparation of the final presentation and documentation.

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Substitutes for Courses

Prerequisites

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Teaching Language : English

  Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring IV - V
  2023-2024 Spring IV - V

  Enrollment :

  Minimum number of participants: 5.

  Maximum number of participants: 50.

  Registration for courses: Sisu. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture, https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts

Description