USC Arch 517: Spring 2011 Featured

Summary

This page contains a selection of work from the USC Arch 517 Course: Problem Solving Using Evolutionary Systems. The course was held 1 day a week for 5 weeks in the Spring of 2011.

Galapagos, a unique feature within Grasshopper, became a tool for introducing students to the world of evolutionary problem solving. Supplemental material on genetic algorithms and evolutionary computation was also introduced for context. This included a simple VB.NET implementation of a genetic algorithm so students could understand what goes on "under the hood" in a tool such as Galapagos.

Every week, a selection of optimization problems were introduced. The students were walked through how to construct simple parametric models in Grasshopper and then use Galapagos to optimize the model based on a fitness objective.

For their final assignment, the students were asked to identify a unique optimization problem that could be used in the context of architecture.

In-Class Weekly Exercises

Single-Objective Exercises demonstrated the use of evolutionary computing for the purposes of single-objective optimization. Galapagos was used to optimize a parametric model using one fitness goal. VIDEO: Single-objective exercises
Multi-Objective Exercises demonstrated the use of evolutionary computing for the purposes of multi-objective optimization. Galapagos was used to optimize a parametric model using two or more fitness goals. VIDEO: Multi-Objective exercises
Complex Objectives Exercises demonstrated the use of evolutionary computing for the purposes of finding solutions to more complex design and optimization problems. The traveling salesman problem and feedback-loops with analysis software were introduced. VIDEO: 'The Traveling Salesman' problem in an urban design context.

Featured Student Work

Click the student's name for a more detailed look at their investigations. Pages included descriptions, images, and videos. Grasshopper files are also available for download.

Yingying Zhang YINGYING_SELECTED.jpg
Mohamed El Sheikh MOHAMEDELSHEIKH_SELECTED.jpg
Suhee Jung SUHEEJUNG_SELECTED.jpg
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