COMPUTER AIDED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN:
3-D GEOMETRICAL MODELING AND VISUALIZATION

SYLLABUS ARCH 6710/2710 FALL 2014

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

INSTRUCTOR
earl Mark, 322 Campbell, 924-6438
ejmark@virginia.edu

TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Elizabeth Charpentier elc5ad@virginia.edu
Eric Der ed6dt@virginia.edu
Anna Friedrich asf5yb@virginia.edu
Jordana Greenberg jrg4vd@virginia.edu
Christina Griggs cng4ak@virginia.edu
Caroline Kraska csk6eb@virginia.edu
Xiaoshuo (Shirley) Lei xl8zx@virginia.edu
Kaitlynn Long kal9dk@virginia.edu
Graham Snow gs5hb@virginia.edu
...

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STAFF
Jake Thackston, Senior Engineer, jat5c@virginia.edu, 137 Campbell, 924 3122
Eric Field, Senior IT Staff, emfield@virginia.edu, 406 Campbell, 924 4033
Dav Banks, Systems Engineer and Webmaster, eb2b@virginia.edu, 138 Campbell, 243 8883   
Tony Horning, Classroom Support, arh3s@virginia.edu, 136 Campbell, 924 3319
Terrance Sheltra, Windows Platform Support, tls2t@virginia.edu, 136Campbell, 982 3047
John Vigour, Apple Platform Support, jiv5k@virginia.edu, 138 Campbell, 924 1441

The first meeting of the class as whole is on Thursday, August 28, at 3:30 p.m. in Campbell 153. Smaller workshop/discussion sessions will also begin on a modified basis the first week of the semester as will be announced by email on August 25th.

BACKGROUND

Architecture 6710/2710 is a comprehensive hands-on class in three-dimensional computer aided design, geometrical modeling and visualization. It can be taken as a first class in computer aided design or in follow-up to a more introductory class. The subject is taken to an advanced level. Our approach is based on exploring the quantitative basis and invisible geometrical order of shapes found in nature and the built environment that serve as a foundation for design. We explore the step by step derivation of complex geometrical forms, their spatial organization, materiality, interaction with light, tectonic and other physical qualities. We examine macro programming techniques to expand upon the possibilties of geometrical modeling. We exercise three-dimensional thinking increasingly essential to design practice as a previous generation relied upon methods of "descriptive geometry" by hand.

FORMAT

The format consists of one lecture held in Campbell 153 and one individually selected workshop/discussion session goup held in Campbell 105 each week for most groups, and Campbell 107 for the graduate student group that meets on Mondays and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.. Note that each group meets twice per week. Lectures are on Thursdays  at 3:30 p.m..  and typically go until 4:45 a.m..  The lectures provide a theoretical and conceptual framework, describe current and speculate on emerging technologies. Some lectures may provide the option to follow along presentation materials on a laptop computer. The workshop is more intensively focused on specific techniques of computer based 3D geometrical modeling and digital terrain modeling, and include photo-realistic and abstract methods of rendering, image-processing, color-manipulation, photo-montage, lighting, animation, graphics extraction for print media and combined media applications The workshops are hands-on sessions, and combine group and individual instruction.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Attendance to workshops and lecture is required. Switching workshop time-slots once or twice with permission of the instructor is possible under special circumstances, such as a field trip for other classes or some other special event. Absences should be communicated to the course instructor.

FACILITIES

Computer resources are available in Campbell Hall on a 24 hour basis.   Students from outside of the School of Architecture will be given building access through a university ID swipe card system that is located outside a key entrances to the building.  

SOFTWARE

The software used in the class is also available on all of the School's computer labs and througout studios for work on individual assignments.

Personal copies of Rhino 5.0 may be obtained from Cavalier Computers located in the UVA Bookstore at approximately $95.00 each and is the only purchase required for the class.  Discussions are currently underway with a vendor to provide V Ray at a reduced educatioanally discounted price (http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/vray_academic.html). The remaining software used in the class may be obtained at no cost through a special educational partnerships we have established or is availble through the public domain and will be discussed.

 As will be described later this term, most the sofware can be downloaded by students enrolled in School of Architecture classes by following instuctions on the the web site http://www.arch.virginia.edu/computing/software/distribution/.  Please also see Eric Field in 406 Campbell Hall if you need additional support and details. 

To underscore expections, if you don't have a copy already, you should only purchase Rhino 5.0 for now. Rhino 5.0 is the only purchase requirement for the semester. Here is a summary:

    Required academic license -
        Rhino 5.0 -  (purchase at special price at Cavalier Computers, http://www.rhino3d.com/)

    Recommended academic license for possible purchase later this semester (stay tuned) -
        V-Ray 2.0 Plugin For Rhino (http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/vray_academic.html)
 
    Free Academic Licenses -
        AutoDesk Maya
        Bentley Microstation Geopak (bentley.com)
        Bentley AECOsim Building Designer V8i  (bentley.com)
        Bentley Microstation (bentley.com)
        Grasshopper (www.grasshopper3d.com)
        MakeHuman (public domain)
   
    Additional Products -
        Bongo 2.0  Animation Plugin for Rhino 

REQUIREMENTS

The exercises in the class are cumulative in technique and lead to a final project. The first five exercises count for 10% of the grade each. Two supplemental exercises count for 5% of the grade each. The final project counts for 30% of the grade. Class participation through attendance in lecture and the workshops, and through regular contact with your TA counts towards 10% of the grade.

Wednesday Schedule

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following citations are for optional reading, unless otherwise noted in class. Some of these materials will be placed on reserve in the fine arts library.

Training Guides

Rhino 5 Training Guide (free from McNeel)   http://download.rhino3d.com/download.asp?id=Rhino5Level1Training
Learning Rhino 5, Infinite Skills Video Training, InfintieSkills (DVD or download), 2012
Conforti, Frank, Inside Microstation V8i, Delmar Learning, 2010 
Reas, Casey and Fry, Ben, Getting Started with Processing, 2010, O'Reilly Media (Note, a compact guide to the processing language and likely to benefit first-time exposure).
Reas, Casey and Fry, Ben, Processing: A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists, August 2007, MIT Press.
Shiffman, Daniel, Learning Processing: A Beginner's Guide to Programming, Images, Animation and Interaction, 2008, Morgan Kaufman.

Books

Krishnan, G.V., Taylor, James, Harnessing Microstation V8 XM. Delmar Learning, 2006 (Note, this book has an especially strong index for referencing specific techniques and tools.)
Negroponte, Nicholas, Being Digital. Published by Hodder & Stoughton, 1995.
Negroponte, Nicholas (editor), Computer Aides to Design and Architecture. Published by Petrocelli/Charter, 1975. (Read chapters by Gero, Steward, Sutherland).

Articles and Papers

Dreyfus, Hubert and Stuart. Why Computers May Never Think like People, Technology Review. M.I.T., January 1985, pp. 42 - 80.
Eastman, Chuck, Fundamental Problems in the Development of Computer Based Architectural Models, Proceedings of the Computers & Design Research Symposium, M.I.T., August 4, 1986.
Greenberg, Donald, A True Design Tool, Architectural Record. September 1984, pp. 150 - 159.
Kvan, Thomas, Mark, Earl,Oxman,Rivka, and Martins, Bob, Ditching the Dinosaur: Redefining the Role of Digital Media in Education, International Journal of Design Computing, June 2003 .
Mark, E , Woodbury R. (Senior Editors), Built Environment, Architectural Theory and Computer Aided Architectural Design, International Journal of Architectural Compuing, Issue Volume 9, Number 2 / June 2011 (accessible via UVA Library subscription on-line or can be purchased).
Mark, E , Woodbury R. (Senior Editors), Built Environment, Architectural Theory and Computer Aided Architectural Design, International Journal of Architectural Compuing, Issue Volume 8, Number 3 / September 2010 (accessible via UVA Library subscription on-line or can be purchased).
Mark, E., Martens, B. and Oxman, R,, Preliminary Stages of CAAD Education, Automation in Construction.Volume 12, Issue 6, November 2003, Pages 661-670
Mark, E., Martens, B. and Oxman, R, 2001, The Ideal Computer Curriculum, Architectural Information Management: eCAADe Helsinki, pp. 168-175.
Mark, Earl (2007), Simulating Dynamic Forces in Design with Special Effects Tools, Predicting the Future [25th eCAADe Conference Proceedings / ISBN 978-0-9541183-6-5] Frankfurt am Main (Germany) 26-29 September 2007, pp. 219-226
Mark, Earl,: 2000, A Prospectus on Computers Throughout the Curriculum, Promise and Reality: eCAADe Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, pp. 77-83.
Mark, Earl, Reconstructing Architectural Geometry, Architectural Research Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, England, March 1999
Mark, Earl, The Physical and Conceptual Assembly of Architectural Form,in Cinema & Architecture, 1997, BFI Press, England.
Mark, Earl, A Design Automation Paradox, Conceptual Modeling of Buildings, CIB Proceedings, CIB W74 + W78 Seminar, Publication 126, C M Gruppen, Stockholm Sweden, 1990, ISBN 91 -7332-557-0.
Mark, Earl, Case Studies in Moviemaking and Computer Aided Design, in The Electronic Design Studio. (Edited by McCullough, Mitchell and Purcell), M.I.T. bss 1990.
Mark, Earl, Architecture In Motion in Computers in Architecture. (Edited by FranÙois Penz), Longman 1992.
Mitchell, William and Stiny George. The Palladian Grammar, Environment and Planning B. May 1978, 5 - 18.
Schmertz, Mildred F., A New Museum by Walter Netsch, Architectural Record. January 1980.