STUDENTS PROJECT

SPECIAL TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE

Prof. Dr. Birgül Çolakoğlu

The course introduces students to concepts and techniques in computational design. It aims at training graduates of architecture in computational thinking and making utilizing shape grammar. Shape grammar is used as a tool to introduce designers to computational design thinking.

“Design thinking draws on logic, imagination, intuition and systemic reasoning to explore the possibilities of what could be, and to create desired outcomes that benefit the end user…” 

(The Design of Business, Roger Martin, 2009)

“Computational thinking overlaps with logical thinking and systems thinking. It includes algorithmic thinking and parallel thinking, which in turn engage other kinds of thought processes, such as compositional reasoning, pattern matching, procedure thinking, and recursive thinking.”

(“Benefits of Computational Thinking, Jeannette M. Wing,2010)

Computational design agglomerates these two thought processes in making design. Shape grammar is a computational design methodology, derived on the basis of mathematics and logic.   It is rule based (algorithmic) process that uses geometric elements, (shapes) as basic elements of design and acts on them via mathematical operations.

The course is structured in three modules: the first module introduces students with introductory computational design method (shape grammar) literature and Shape grammar application on analyses.  The second module focuses on Shape Grammar theory and its applications. The third module consists of the development of computational design literacy of students through parametric applications of shape grammar.