After successful completion of the course, students are able to...

• develop parametric design systems
• analyze their systems with Finite Element Analysis
• optimize structural systems
• parametrically control a KUKA robot
• develop robotic fabrication paths
• 3d print and control machine paths using GCODE

Design usually follows a linear path from early conceptual developments to execution and fabrication. The digitalization of the design process enables the integration of simulation tools to the earlier stages of design, increasing the understanding of the designers on the structural behavior and design performance from early on. Consequently, the designers can easily access interdisciplinary knowledge and incorporate this in their design. Through this integration, a multi-scalar approach to design emerges. In this multi-scalar workflow, different aspects involving structural, environmental performance as well as fabrication constraints are considered in the initial phase of the design process.

This scientific course investigates this digital chain in order to motivate the students to develop interdisciplinary design thinking from design to production. Consequently, the students will learn to develop holistic design methods constructing feedback loops in between different stages of the design process. Along with the course, advanced simulation and optimization methods will be introduced to students to construct an interface between materialization and design. The main focus will be on the design for robotic assembly. The students will be asked to develop compression structures that can be robotically fabricated. The course tutors lay high importance on a holistic understanding of design and fabrication as a holistic process. Therefore presence is of high importance.

The general aim of the course is to establish a design laboratory, where the students will be exposed to scientific thinking in design through digital and analog experimentation techniques.

This course follows an experimental didactic methodology aiming to concentrate knowledge and maximize the learning effects. Along the course challenges will be implemented, where the students are presented with a brief and asked to solve the tasks of the brief on-site (in the project room or in the library of the department) within a day. The challenges will cover the course topics handled at the tutorials during the course day. These will range from analog prototyping challenges to digital simulation, robotic steering, and robotic fabrication. Th groupwork is encouraged but to balance out the learning effect for everyone the groups will be mixed by the tutors for each challenge.

Theory

• State of the Art in Structural Design
• Modern digital & analog Production Methods
• Emergence in Design
• Design of Experiments
• Inverse Kinematics
• Machine Paths

Workshop

• Visual Coding of parametric Structural Designs
• Analog Prototyping and Structural Analyzing
• Robotic steering and control
• Advanced Simulation using Evolutionary Solvers and Machine Learning(only when the participants achieve an advanced knowledge in gh)

Practice

• robotic construction
• analog prototyping

• physical prototyping
• computational design skills
• commitment
• attendance
• responsibility
• self-initiative
• teamwork

• advanced Rhino/Grasshopper Skills
• Computational Design Skills
• basic knowledge in structural design