ACADIA 2011

The ACADIA 2011 Organizing Team is happy to announce the workshops and panel discussion for the upcoming conference to be held in Calgary/Banff. The workshops will be held October 11-12 at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Environmental Design (EVDS), and will represent a broad cross section of parametric and building information modelling software packages. They will be led by researchers and designers who are experts in the emerging use of these powerful tools for development of contemporary design practice. The workshops will be followed by a panel discussion on the topic of Integrative Parametrics. This panel discussion will focus on what is new and emerging in the field of software development as it applies to the design and building industry. A reception and exhibit opening will follow and allow participants and attendees to discuss further the opportunities that these integrative forms of collaboration enable.

Workshop P1: Conceptual Design and Analysis in Project Vasari and Revit Architecture
Sponsor: Autodesk
Instructors: Nancy Clark Brown, Matt Jezyk
Day/Time: 2 Sessions: Tues. 9:00-12:00 (Session 1), Weds. 9:00-12:00 (Session 2)
Cost: $150 (Students $90)
Location: PF Computer Lab
Level: Intermediate
Software: Project Vasari Technology Preview / Autodesk Revit Architecture
Day 1: Theme: Form Making, Parameters, Surface Rationalization, Components
Day 2: Theme: Performance-based Design, Conceptual Energy Analysis, Solar Radiation, Climate Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics

Description:
Interested in learning how to build parametric design models that can be used for early energy analysis? Wondering how to design a shading device that adapts geometrically based on position relative to the sun? Would you like to better understand how natural phenomena like wind direction and incident solar radiation can be used as a design input? Want to build rationalized models that can transfer seamlessly into Autodesk Revit Architecture for the rest of the project team to use? Attendees of this workshop will learn how to answer these questions using new software currently in development and available for download at Autodesk Labs.

The aim of this workshop is to explore conceptual design workflows, specifically parametric modeling and performance-based design using the new Autodesk Project Vasari Technology Preview. The first part of the workshop will focus on the ins and outs of the new form making and manipulation tools including creation of parametric rigs to drive and modify form, surface panelization, reporting parameters and adaptive components. The second part of the workshop will focus on analysis applied early into the design process (conceptual energy analysis, solar radiation, climate analysis and computational fluid dynamics).

Special Notes: Course will take place in EVDS computer lab. Revit Architecture, Vasari and 3ds Max will be installed on the computers in the lab before the event.

Workshop P2: Parametric Design in Grasshopper
Sponsor: McNeel
Instructor: Andrew Kudless
Day/Time: 5 Sessions, Tuesday 9 AM - 5:30 PM,

Wednesday 9 AM - 4 PM
Cost: $250 (Students $150)
Location: PF3160
Level: Intermediate
Software: Rhinoceros + Grasshopper

Description:
An Intermediate level workshop in Grasshopper for those with some exposure to the to the platform. This workshop will focus on Grasshopper and the range of plug-ins that extend its capabilities. Specifically the workshop will focus on Kangaroo and Weaverbird plug-ins as well as topics such as: data tree management and fabrication layout planning.

Andrew Kudless is an architect based in San Francisco where he is an assistant professor at the California College of the Arts. Andrew has taught design studios, workshops, and seminars at The Ohio State University, the Architectural Association (London), Yale University, and Rice University. His work is archived online at www.matsysdesign.com

Special Notes: Participants will need to provide their own laptops. Links to download and install software will be provided prior to the workshop.

Workshop P3: Introduction to Python Scripting in Rhino
Sponsor: McNeel
Instructor: Skylar Tibbits
Day/Time: 5 Sessions, Tuesday 9 AM - 5:30 PM,

Wednesday 9 AM - 4 PM
Cost: $250 (Students $150)
Location: PF2140
Level: Advanced
Software: Rhinoceros + Python

Description:
SKYLAR TIBBITS is a trained Architect, Designer and Computer Scientist whose research currently focuses on developing self-assembly technologies for large-scale structures in our physical environment. Skylar is currently a lecturer in MIT's Department of Architecture, and was recently awarded a TED2011 fellowship. He has been named a Revolutionary Mind in SEED Magazine's 2008 Design Issue. Skylar is the co-author of the Python for Rhino Primer and has led workshops on the subjects of scripting and computation. This workshop will engage participants in a number of topics related to Python scripting in Rhino including: Running Scripts, Syntax, Data Types, Variables, Flow Control, Tuples/Lists/Dictionaries. Python is now available as a scripting language for use in Grasshopper.

Special Notes: Participants will need to provide their own laptops. Links to download and install software will be provided prior to the workshop.

Workshop P4: Parametric Design in Bentley’s Generative Components
Sponsor: Bentley
Instructor: Volker Mueller
Day/Time: 5 Sessions, Tuesday 9 AM - 5:30 PM,

Wednesday 9 AM - 4 PM
Cost: $250 (Students $150)
Location: PF3177
Level: Advanced
Software: Bentely GC

Description:

This parametric design workshop is for intermediate to advanced students and practitioners of parametric design and beginning to intermediate GenerativeComponents users. Focus of the workshop is the additional workflow afforded by the improved symbolic representation of the model formerly known as Symbolic Diagram, now known as Graph. We will explore new tutorials touching on the conference theme of "integration through computation." Depending on progress of the group we will start to pursue small self-defined projects.

Special Notes: Attendees are expected to bring laptops with GenerativeComponents installed. A link to the software installer will be made available to enrolled attendees in a timely fashion.

Workshop P-5: The new form.Z and its Parametrics for Digital Design
Sponsor: AutoDesSys
Instructor: Matthew Holewinski
Day/Time: 2 Sessions, Weds. October 12, 9 AM - 4 PM
Cost: $150 (Students $90)
Location: PF 2110
Level: Advanced
Software: FormZ & Bonzai3d

Description:
Instructor: Matthew Holewinski, Manager of Instructional Support, AutoDesSys. Wednesday, October 12, 2011 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm Instructor: Matthew Holewinski, Manager of Instructional Support, AutoDesSys. For more than 15 years, Matthew H. has been authoring tutorials and offering demonstrations and hands-on instruction on 3D modeling, particularly with form.Z and bonzai3d, at numerous universities and professional firms across the USA and overseas. More recently he has had great success with webinars, which are attended heavily. Workshop Description: In form.Z 7.0, with its "game-changing" intuitive interface, all model building is dynamic, intentionally tentative, and continuously changeable, which allows you to explore and experiment with no restrictions during the design process. Concepts can be sketched quickly, altered fluently, and at the right moment of decision making they can be solidified into robust models. These CAD accurate models can be directly fabricated, rendered, and/or animated. Also any required section, plan, or elevation can be readily extracted from them for communication with other members of the design team. This one day workshop will offer an overview of form.Z 7.0 and specific tutorial examples. You will learn how the new Reshape tools let you sculpt and conceptualize your design ideas with ease and efficiency. You will experience how easily you can create organic forms and how to perform unlimited design iterations using parametric controls. You will observe how form.Z's real-time Booleans will always provide clean worry-free solid geometry that can be used in any other program and 3D printers.

Special Notes: Attendees will be required to have their own laptops. Licenses of the program will be provided for the workshop.

Workshop D-1. Computational Tomography in Buildings - Making the Invisible Visible
Speaker: Andrew Marsh
Dates: 3 Sessions, Tuesday 1-5:30 PM, Weds 1-4 PM
Location: PF Computer Lab
Level: Advanced
Cost: $150 (Students $90)
Special Notes: We will be in a large computer lab and they will install Revit Architecture, Vasari and 3ds Max to the computers in the lab before the event.

Description:
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) scans are a widely available medical technique that use x-rays to construct 3D images of the hard and soft tissues within a human body. Tomography is the process of taking a series of sections or slices and tomographic reconstruction is the process of assembling them together into a 3D image or model. This is exactly how many volumetric data visualisation techniques work and they are able to provide unique insights not just in medicine, but many other areas.

When architects look at a building site, one of their interests is the amenity available to that site and how well it can be or is being utilized by the buildings built upon it. Amenity can mean all sorts of things ranging from daylight, solar radiation and views, through to parking and public transport links. Many of these amenities are volumetric in nature, so need to be considered not just in one flat slice somewhere near the ground, but over the whole volume of the site. Obviously this is where tomographic reconstruction can play a unique role.

This workshop looks at how tomography and other similar techniques are being used to help make visible a whole range of performative design data that would typically be invisible and therefore most often ignored within the design process. The focus is not entirely on volumetric visualization, but rather on ways of viewing data differently or contrasting it with other data in order to gain additional insights. Expect to be involved in a range of data mash-up sessions that use a whole range of different tools such as Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Project Vasari, Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Ecotect and Autodesk Green Building Studio. If you don't already have them, these tools will be available to participants during the workshop.

Workshop D-2: Physical Computing in Firefly
Sponsor: McNeel
Instructor: Andrew Payne
Day/Time: 5 Sessions, Tuesday 9 AM - 5:30 PM,

Wednesday 9 AM - 4 PM
Cost: $250 ($150 Students)
Location: PF 2165
Level: Intermediate
Software: Rhino + Firefly

Description:
Interest in physical computing has risen dramatically over the last fifteen years in the fields of architecture, engineering, industrial design, and art. Designers in the future will be called upon to create spaces that are computationally enhanced. Rather than simply design traditional buildings and then add a computational layer, it is better to conceive and design this integration from the outset. A review of the literature reveals that there are no established methodologies for designing architectural spaces as smart or intelligent spatial systems. As such, it is clear that a new multidisciplinary approach is needed to bring together research in the fields of interaction design (IxD), architectural design, product design, human computer interaction (HCI), embedded systems, and engineering to create a holistic design strategy for more livable and productive spaces. Preparing architectural designers for these challenges demands a range of knowledge, skills, and experience well beyond the traditional domain of architectural education. This workshop in Physical Computing at the ACADIA 2011 conference is in line with the conference theme of Integration Through Computation.

Special Notes:

Software:
All students will be required to bring their own laptops preloaded with the latest versions of Rhino, Grasshopper, and Arduino. The latest build of Firefly will be provided to all workshop participants. Trial software will also be made available.

Hardware:
Given the nature of the workshop, each student will be required to bring a small set of hardware components to begin their physical prototypes. There are many different packages to choose from, but the following are recommended:

Starter Pack
Arduino Starter Pack or equal [includes the new Arduino Uno Atmega328, Protoboard, and a good selection of starter components]. 2 Standard Servo Motors similar to these: Adafruit or Hi-Tec from Servocity.
High-End (Recommended)
Arduino Experimentation Kit v1.0 or Sparkfun's Inventors Kit for Arduino [includes the new Arduino Uno Atmega328, Prototyping bundles, and a great selection of starter components]. 2 Standard Servo Motors similar to these: Adafruit or Hi-Tec from Servocity.

Students are encouraged to bring other components if they have them, but the packages should serve as a good starting point.

Workshop D-3: Structural morphogenesis with solidThinking Inspired
Sponsor: SolidThinking Inspired
Day/Time: 1 Sessions, Wednesday 1 - 4 PM
Cost: $75 ($45 Students)
Location: PF 3176
Level: Beginner
Software: SolidThinking Inspired

Description:
Morphogenesis is the biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape. In many cases, these shapes are structurally efficient. Computational algorithms have been developed which can predict the most efficient reinforcement structure for any shape. SolidThinking Inspired was developed to help architects and designers leverage these algorithms to evolve highly efficient, organic structures based on the loading conditions, materials and shape of their project. Use of the tool generally leads to significant weight and material cost savings. Workshop attendees will generate efficient structural concepts for several architectural shapes.

Special Notes: Participants will need to provide their own laptops. Links to download and install software will be provided prior to the workshop.

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