Des-Comp.Central

The Design & Computation Group consists of PhD and Master's degree students who inquire methods of architectural design, and challenges the limits of current technology, as well as conventional design teaching and practice. We focus on the development of innovative computational tools, processes, and theories, and apply these in creative, socially meaningful responses to challenging design problems. We work in diverse and mutually supportive areas ranging from digital modeling and visualization to Rapid prototyping and CAD/CAM technologies. Shape representation, shape synthesis together with Generative and parametric algorithms are another area of research. Digitally mediated remote collaboration in design and construction and software/hardware development of advanced tools for design at all scales from buildings to urban and larger spatial configurations also form an aera of investigation. The work benefits from the perspective of architectural practice as well as a wide variety of disciplinary perspectives including mathematics, computer science, cognitive science, philosophy, history, and art. We take subjects in Computation, but are encouraged to be interdisciplinary in our studies so we take subjects and participate in research projects across the different discipline groups in the Architecture Department as well as other departments at MIT. Rigorous critical reflection on the implications and potentials of computation for contemporary design practice is part of our agenda.

Focus and Initiative

The group is interested in raising awareness to the research conducted by the group itself as we all work in various disciplines. A common forum will enable us to develop and further the discourse and vision about computation in architecture. We also encourage other students from other disciplines to get involved with the group as collaborations are the basis for many projects. We are also inviting potential collaborators and sponsors to be involved in current and future research.