Courses:
Arch 533 Advanced Environmental Systems (aka Simulation-based Design)
Evaluation is part of the iterative design process. It is a measure of how well a given design solution or proposed design alternatives fulfill the expected performances. Simulation based design is a course that focuses on computational simulation tools and techniques to evaluate the performance of a design or design alternatives, starting at earliest conceptual design phases to help architects to make informed design decisions.
Computer visualization is a powerful tool for architects. Visualization has always been the permanent part of the discipline, though it fluctuates in the wide range of 2D drawings, 3D modeling, rendering, animation, walkthrough, and full-scale virtual environments. Advanced rendering tools use computer models to simulate the complex physical processes that occur during the light transport and material reflection/refraction/transmission within a given geometry to generate digital images that can mimic the physical world and predict the final appearance of a design.
Arch 582 Computational Lighting Design
The course is based an innovative program that draws from recent developments in lighting simulation, visualization, per-pixel data measurement and analysis techniques. The objectives of this course are to:
The development of this course was funded by the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education.
The course is intended to provide the opportunity for a guided preliminary exploration and refinement of a research topic in Design Computing. Weekly seminar meetings focus on the review of principles, theories, and methods that underlie the applications of computational research in architecture. The course begins with an overview of computing within the context of architectural design. This introduction is followed by a review and discussion of selected topics concerning the utilization of computation for presentation, analysis, and synthesis. The course concludes with a critical review of the past and present research as well as emerging fields in computation.
Arch 380 Introduction to Computers in Architecture
This course introduces students to Design Computing. Weekly lectures and laboratory sessions focus on theoretical aspects and practical applications of image processing, drafting, modeling, and rendering. The overview of the role of computing in architectural design is followed by discussions and hands-on experience with selected topics on the utilization of computation for representation and communication. The course concludes with a critical review of various emerging fields in Design Computing.