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Ddf ResearchFrom TTU College of ArchitectureWelcome to the ddf research page. Here we post current research agendas and any issues related to the ongoing work of our faculty and students. Our current general agenda is to provide a theoretical basis and skill development in creative computational modeling, digital design strategies and emergent technologies all based on parametrics through studio and course offering. Emphasis in both is on the generative development of form, computing in terms of formfindung (formfinding) and extending to the performance and behavior of resulting structures and geometries. A separate course on materials research and innovative methods of assembly works in concert to link the parametric design strategies to advanced material systems.
Research topics facultyChristian Pongratz & Maria Perbellini : The Architectural Geometry of SurfacesNSF proposal 05_2010 In this proposal, Texas Tech University (TTU) initiates the design and implementation of a new joint course that will provide the mathematical underpinnings of the geometric aspects of the architectural design process, with particular emphasis on the theory of curves and surfaces and their associated computational generation. Faculty from the departments of Mathematics & Statistics and the College of Architecture will jointly design and deliver the course. 1st proposal, Requested amount: $199,820.00
Analog-Digital DesignIn March 2010, Associate Professor Bennett Neiman received a 2009-2010 ACSA Faculty Design Honorable Mention for his project "Constructed Improvisations". The project focused on the design, laser-controlled fabrication and construction of an exhibit quality three-dimensional physical model translated from jazz inspired two-dimensional improvisations. The work was presented at a special focus session during the 98th ACSA Annual Meeting in New Orleans. In April 2009, Professor Neiman presented and published "Bebop Constructions Analog-Digital Design Improvisations" at the Communicating (by) Design conference in Brussels, Belgium. The project is a series of architectural improvisations that spontaneously transpose, manipulate and articulate various links, connections, joints and transitions present in jazz music. The process of improvisation involves an expanding series of analog and digital design techniques developed over many years. Later experiments build on the knowledge of earlier ones. The production is for the pure effect of production. Student work from Professor Neiman’s media elective, the Poetic Potential of Computers, received the 2009 form.Z Joint Study Award of Distinction for Visualization and Illustration. Student work from Professor Neiman’s graduate topical studio received a 2009 Honorable Mention in the Architectural Design category of the form.Z Joint Study Awards. This award winning work can be seen at the form.Z Joint Study Awards web site.
Adaptive Material Systems for Scalable Building Envelope ComponentsNSF SEED proposal 11_2009 In this research, the rules, selection and performance criteria for smart materials will be developed for an adaptive scalable building envelope component strategy. This will be based on emerging trends in mechanics and science of materials, material response sensing systems and the architectural parametric design process. Traditionally, the design and construction of building envelopes involve the use of multiple layers of different materials to achieve a wide array of functionalities including strength, light filtering, thermal insulation, sound insulation, weather resistance and architectural appearance. This research is intending to overcome what can be called "weak links" in the building envelope causing durability problems. The goal of this research is to develop intelligent and versatile material systems, which adapt to structural loads and provide opportunities to develop self-sensing capabilities in the material to achieve energy efficiencies and environmental comfort. This can be achieved by integrating the design process constraints with opportunities from emerging material and construction systems. This strategy enables each phase of the material system development to account for critical downstream design constraints, construction scenarios and efficiencies needed for a possible self-sustaining system state. The research goal will be achieved through an interdisciplinary effort involving the following disciplines: (1) material science for design and characterization of specific materials, (2) materials and structural engineering to evaluate structural performance, (3) architecture to develop guidelines for the adaptive design process involving building form, appearance, utility and material- and construction specifics, (4) sensing and information technology to integrate and control the smart building envelope. The uniquely interdisciplinary nature of the research plan also provides an opportunity to develop an educational framework for Integrated Sustainable Building Design. The intellectual focus of this research proposal is to develop an adaptive material system for the building envelope to optimize material use and to integrate additional functions such as self-sustaining energy production, climate control inside the building and lighting control. The inspiration for this research approach is the way natural organisms evolve their structure and shape in response to environmental changes. This research is an interdisciplinary collaboration to tap into synergies within the research team to integrate material properties, architectural design, structural behavior, building requirements and new modes of production. 1st proposal, Requested amount: $ 452,485 emergent design potential diagram
September 16th, 2009 @ Noon lectures : Pongratz & Perbellini Christian Pongratz : Design Research as Surface ParametricismProfessor Pongratz will discuss the prevailing design tendency of surface “treatments” as forming a research trajectory through his theoretical and professional projects. Issues related are the evolution from explicit modeling to parametric design strategies and their gradual adaptation to generative non-linear and non-hierarchical design concepts and practices guided by morphogenesis and emergence. The concept of integrative parametric “systems thinking” is emphasized as it gears to learn from the complex, but synergetic structures of biological organisms and their components. The intense formal differentiation as a new paradigm within the discipline, coming out of a proliferation of dynamic associative design environments and the convergence of distributed design sensibilities opens up a whole new domain of design research. Retooling the methods of the discipline means research for innovation.
Research within Practice, Teaching, and WritingProfessor Perbellini will discuss her research into design strategies related to professional work from building components to an urban scale master-plan proposal. Her interest in the research and development of customized fabrication methods, materials and product design will be illustrated via the recent publication of the book “Cyberstone”. Examples of articulated complexity in design research are the involvement of practice agendas through student projects and the newly launched materials lab/course of the DDF program. pongratz perbellini researchlink to> pongratz perbellini research
Research topics studentslink to> ddf students research | |
