Computational Design Thinking

The current transition from Computer Aided Design (CAD) to Computational Design in architecture represents a profound shift in design thinking and methods. Representation is being replaced by simulation, and the crafting of objects is moving towards the generation of integrated systems through designer-authored computational processes. While there is a particular history of such an approach in architecture, its relative newness requires the continued progression of novel modes of design thinking for the architect of the 21st century. This AD Reader establishes a foundation for such thinking.  It includes multifaceted reflections and speculations on the profound influence of computational paradigms on architecture. It presents relevant principles from the domains of mathematics and computer science, developmental and evolutionary biology, system science and philosophy, establishing a discourse for computational design thinking in architecture. Rather than a merely technical approach, the book will discuss essential intellectual concepts that are fundamental not only for a discourse on computational design but also for its practice. This anthology provides a unique collection of seminal texts by authors, who have either provided a significant starting point through which a computational approach to design has been pursued or have played a considerable role in shaping the field. An important aspect of this book is the manner in which adjacent fields and historical texts are connected. Both the source of original inspiration and scientific thought are presented alongside contemporary writings on the continually evolving computational design discourse. Emerging from the field of science, principally the subjects of morphogenesis, evolution and mathematics, selected texts provide a historical basis for a reconfigured mindset of processes that generate, arrange and describe form. Juxtaposed against more contemporary statements regarding the influence of computation on design thinking, the book offers advancements of fundamental texts to the particular purpose of establishing novel thought processes for architecture, theoretically and practically. The first reader to provide an effective framework for computational thinking in design. Includes classic texts by Johan W. von Goethe, D’Arcy Thompson, Ernst Mayr, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, Gordan Pask, Christopher Alexander, John H. Holland, Nicholas Negroponte, William Mitchell, Peter J. Bentley & David W. Corne, Sanford Kwinter, John Frazer, Kostis Terzidis, Michael Weinstock and Achim Menges Features new writing by: Mark Burry, Jane Burry, Manuel DeLanda and Peter Trummer.

8 Preface Achim Menges and Sean Ahlquist 10 Introduction Computational Design Thinking Sean Ahlquist and Achim Menges 30 Formation and Transformation Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 32 On the Theory of Transformations, or the Comparison of Related Forms D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson 42 Variational Evolution Ernst Mayr 50 The Meaning of General System Theory Ludwig von Bertalanffy 58 Systems Generating Systems Christopher Alexander 68 The Architectural Relevance of Cybernetics Gordon Pask 78 Towards a Humanism Through Machines Nicholas Negroponte 86 A New Agenda for Computer-Aided Design William J Mitchell 94 Algorithmic Form Kostas Terzidis 102 Architecture and Practical Design Computation Mark Burry 120 An Introduction to Creative Evolutionary Systems Peter J Bentley and David W Corne 131 Constrained Generating Procedures John H Holland 142 Real Virtuality Manuel DeLanda 149 A Natural Model for Architecture John Frazer 158 Morphogenesis and the Mathematics of Emergence Michael Weinstock 168 Philosophy of Mathematics for Computational Design: Spatial Intuition Versus Logic Jane Burry 179 Associative Design: From Type to Population Peter Trummer 198 Integral Formation and Materialisation: Computational Form and Material Gestalt Achim Menges 211 The Computational Fallacy Sanford Kwinter 216 Select Bibliography 218 Index