Terzidis , Kostas. “A Brief History of Algotecture .” Algorithmic Architecture.

2. Terzidis, Kostas. “A Brief History of Algotecture.” Algorithmic Architecture. arch5550 – Algorithmic Design Strategies Tony Harrington | Kyle Erickson

3. “Yet, there are some problems whose complexity, level of uncertainty, ambiguity, or range of possible solutions required a synergetic relationship between the human mind and a computer system. Such a synergy is possible only through the use of algorithmic strategies that ensure a complementary and dialectic relationship between the human mind and the machine.” thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

4. Computer qua Computer – What is a computer’s true nature? Why use the computer for something like this (above right), when we can use it for something like that (below and below right?) SHoP Architects, Dunescape at P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center, Long Island City New York 2000 thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

5. “… and prominent avant-garde practices, such as Gehry, Morphosis, or Zaha Hadid, use the computer as a means of marketing and presentation, despite their unsubstantiated claims to the opposite.” The Simpsons demonstrates Gehry’s design pocess, and also proves why it’s the greatest. Show. EVER. Frank Gehry, Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA 2003 Zaha Hadid, Phaeno Science Center, Wolfsburg Germany 2006 thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

6. Aalgorithm - a procedure for addressing a problem in a finite number of steps. “It involves deduction, induction, abstraction, generalization, and structured logic. It is the systematic extraction of logical principles and the development of a generic solution plan… The intellectual power of the algorithm lies in its ability to infer new knowledge and to extend certain limits of the human intellect.” Aalgotecture - defined to denote the use of algorithms; it is different from CAD or computer graphics in that the algorithms are not necessarily dependent on the computer for their use. “This distinction is important as it liberates, excludes, and disassociates the mathematical and logical processes used for addressing a problem from the machine that facilitates the implementation of those processes.” thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

7. Acomputation - the physical act of calculating, of finding a solution through mathematical or logical methods. Acomputerization – the act of entering, processing or storing information in a computer or a computer system. “The dominant mode of utilizing in computers in architecture today is that of computerization; entities and processes that are already conceptualized in the designer’s mind are entered, manipulated, or stored in a computer system.” Adigital - reduction of a process into discrete patterns and the articulation of those patterns into new entities to be used by a computer. “… the achievement of the collective organizational properties of computers not the intrinsic nature of the appearance of their products. In other words digital is a process not a product. If it is seen as a process, then the emphasis is placed on understanding, distinguishing, and discerning the means by which design can enter the world of computation, and not the other way around.” thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

8. The 1960’s and 1970’s – missed opportunities • “The rise of the computer” • The introduction of set theory, structural analysis, and the theory of computation as tools for design • Representation of quantitative elements in the design problem • Suggestive of an open-ended, , non-deterministic flexible process • Led not just by designers, but by software developers and programmers thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

9. Structural Linguistics • a method of structuring a design problem by grouping areas into its constituent parts, i.e. zoning, circulation ,structure, and dealing with them independently. • Converted to linguistic structures, represented in sentences. These algorithms become space allocation programs. • Heuristic/Adaptive Decision Procedures • The computer “learns by experience” through the creation of a database that is based on observation of the designer’s decisions – the basis for expert systems, where specific areas of expertise are codified. • The system arrives at a solution through a dialogue with the designer. • Can lead to paradoxes in the computer’s reasoning. thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

10. Shape Grammars • Designed to carry out spatial computations visually. • Used to generate designs based on production rules, based on rules and an initial shape. • Fractal Generative Systems • Consist of an initial (base) shape, and one or more generators. • Every segment of the base is replaced by the shape of the generator. • Self-organization/self-similarity at every level - can begin at any time/place. thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

11. Augmented Design - GLIDE • Allowed the user to assemble buildings. • Stored building information in symbolic forms to be manipulated by its user – the BIM of its day? • Augmented Design - Simulation • Simulated the various states of the particular designed environment • Limited in scope – “…no model was formulated which could encompass both the relationships between the components of a building and it’s environment.” • Ultimately, design interpretation and design decisions are made by the designer, with little help from the computer. thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

12. Structural linguistic algorithms have been concerned largely with space allocation problems , the languages of which can be resolved by computer. Fractal generative processes arise from a base shape and one or more generators. Every line segment will be replaced by the shape of the generator. thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

13. Design as Intuition – “black box” theories “…design, as well as its evaluation, tends to be highly subjective. While such a position relieves the designers from explaining, justifying, or rationalizing their decisions and actions, it also enables the designer and a circle of critics top exercise authoritative power. The problem with that is not necessarily in the lack of objective criteria but rather in the lack of rational consistency… The presence of intuition as a source of inspiration, decision or action is considered arbitrary, obscure, and, as such, ‘black.’ “ Design as problem-solving process “…design can be conceived of as a systematic, finite, and rational activity… for every problem a solution state exists…Problem solving then can be characterized as a process of searching through alternative solutions in this space to discover one or several which may, therefore, be considered solution states.” thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

14. John H. Holland, in his book Emergence: From Chaos to Order, discusses emergent phenomena through game theory, in which state space is the collection of all the possible configurations – solutions – of the pieces on the board of a particular given game with a particular set of rules. thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

15. Barriers to algorithmic design • “an ethos of artistic sensibility of intuitive playfulness” • Logical, mechanistic nature of algorithms – non-human, remote • The lack of precedent • The ultimate question of authorship • The ultimate problem lays with designers – “…they do not take full advantage of the computational power of the computer.” thesis definitions history design process recapitulation

16. “Traditionally, the dominant paradigm for discussing and producing architecture has been that of human intuition and ingenuity. For the first time perhaps, a paradigm shift is being formulated that outweighs previous ones. Algorithmic design employs methods and devices that have no precedent. If architecture is to embark into the alien world of algorithmic form, its design methods should also incorporate computational processes. If there is a form beyond comprehension it will lie within the algorithmic domain. While human intuition and ingenuity may be the starting point, the computational and combinatorial capabilities of computers must also be integrated.” “The intellectual power of an algorithm lies in its ability to infer new knowledge and to extend certain limits of the human intellect.” thesis definitions history design process recapitulation