THE PROVING GROUND

Material In/Formation

Instructors

• Adam Marcus, Cass Gilbert Design Fellow, UMN
• Nathan Miller, Director of Computational Design, CASE Inc.

Summary

This studio will investigate the relationship between “big data” and material practice through the construction of a series of full-scale prototypes that merge aspects of computational design, graphic design, information aesthetics, and digital fabrication. The basis for the studio will be the School of Architecture’s upcoming Centennial (October 25-26, 2013). The Centennial celebration will feature a built installation inspired by the history of the School and its alumni. The School is currently in the process of collecting quantitative data from alumni that will be incorporated into this timeline. This Catalyst will serve as a testing lab for (1) innovative and creative methods of material assembly, and (2) ways in which information can be used generatively in the design of a built structure. The studio will have a specific focus on computational design tools as a way to harness large amounts of quantitative data and channel it strategically within a larger design process. Emphasis will be placed on hybrid modes of working and exploring the transformative power of large amounts of information: both digitally and analog; both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Documents

• Catalyst Syllabus

Gallery