Envisioning the Future with Computational Design: Next 3.0

THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE: An Online Interactive Conference with global frontiers on computational design.

Computational Design: Next 3.0 was a two-day interactive conference on the 23rd and 24th January 2021 with global frontiers and design thinkers collaborating on a single platform for live presentations, tutorials, interactive sessions, live mentorship, and panel discussions. 

A collaborative initiative by ParametricArchitecture (PA), rat [LAB]EDUCATION, Design Morphine, and A>T, CD Next 3.0 is a one-stop-shop to everything in the world of computational design. To watch the videos of the conference click here.

Computational Design: NEXT 3.0

Day 1

CD Next 3.0 took another greater step to delve the audience into an immersive and intriguing journey of experiencing computational design like never before. A 2-day conference from 23-24th January 2021, with the ultimate product mix of workshops, panel discussions, tech demonstrations, and discussions.

Arturo Tedeschi, an Italian architect, computational designer, and writer. Also, the founder of the architecture practice and design consulting A>T. He discussed the future of computational design with a comparative study and a captivating presentation. 

Followed by the Design entrepreneur, architect, computational designer, and educator – co-founder and design head of rat [LAB] studio – Sushant Verma with his insights on some of his works and implementation of computational design skills in large-scale projects by merging ecology and parametric architecture. 

Michael Pryor, Computational designer at Nike NXT Digital innovation, Design direction at Design Morphine, and Author of Pufferfish Grasshopper3d Plug-in then discussed computational design and coding as a professional practice. 

The principal of the practice VA | DESIGN, Volkan Alkanoglu showcased his works that integrate technology in design to create a futuristic architecture. Taking back to the modernist era, Alkanoglu intricately emphasized how parametric architecture will shape in the near future. 

The keynote lecture was followed by an interactive and insightful Guest workshop by Cherylene Shangpliang, Architect at Zaha Hadid Architects on Maya + Enscape. It was a demonstrative workshop on Computational design in achieving an end product within 90 minutes including generic interface know-how, key points and shortcuts, and first-hand experience in creating complex geometries. 

Later, Moritz Waldemeyer, the British/German designer and engineer presented his philosophy of playful experimentation by forging links between technology, art, fashion, and design. He extensively talked about his experimentations in the fields of lighting design and digital art, along with his wide range of collaborations with the music industry. An eccentric presentation that captivated the audience’s attention towards the infinite possibility that computational design brings to the table. 

After this Ján Pernecký, founder “rese arch” – a platform for support and teaching of conceptual and computational architecture curated an eccentric presentation on the behind-the-scenes of what goes into while making and executing a computational-based project. He also emphasized the BOID Grasshopper Plugins, bringing in new technological advances in the light through his presentations. 

After a string of an innovative palette of architects and design thinkers, Daniel Caven, an experimental design architect from Daniel Caven Design curated a workshop on Grasshopper 3D. The workshop was focused on exploring the boundaries of Grasshopper to realize it as one of the pivotal game-changers in the fields of computational design. An engaging workshop with simplistic steps on learning to add complexity like curves, geometries while collaborating with Lumion, were some of the useful insights. Learning software from a stalwart who created the first 3d printed modular home in itself was a captivating experience. 

The engaging workshop was followed by a guest lecture by Niccolo Casas, Italian architect, professor, principal, and founder of Nicola Casas architecture where he discussed the Emergence of digital technologies and additive manufacturing in architecture and Fashion. The endnote was done by Hamid Hassanzadeh, Founder of PA concluding day 1 and updating the audience with the list of events for Day 2. 

Day 2

Day 2 included a wide array of speakers, workshops, walkthroughs, keynote lectures, and Q&A sessions. 

Michael Pryor, Design Director & Computational Designer, DesignMorphine & Sushant Verma, Co-founder & Design Head, rat[LAB] Studio ran a collaborative cross-platform workshop that shuffles Computational Design methods from one technique to another, integrating to build a Bridge through multiple techniques of computational overlaps. 

Each tutor built this program on rational decision-making aided by computational tools, right from seating design, sightline optimization, structural skin design, environmental design integration, panelization, etc. as a part of an integrated and collaborative process using Grasshopper3d + MAYA. Comprehensive knowledge on 3 different computational software was curated in a session of 45 minutes covering the multiple techniques with an interactive narration to ease out the learning process. 

Aldo Sollazzo, architect, researcher, and founder of Noumena and Fab Lab Frosinone showcased his works and studio methodology by highlighting some unknown points about Lumion. An expert in computational design and digital fabrication, he has been director and coordinator of the RESHAPE digital craft community, a platform promoting the development and implementation of innovative ideas from the world of digital design and fabrication. He also emphasized implementing innovative solutions in the fields of Robotics, 3D printing, and Wearable Tech.

Accounting as some of the most eccentric parts of CD Next 3.0, a walkthrough was presented by ILLUSORR taking virtual reality to a newfound level through an online session. ILLUSORR is the world’s first design-oriented virtual platform. The platform ILLUSORR is providing will introduce the world to the latest frontiers of design, and provide a completely immersive experience that will include; fashion shows, exhibitions, showrooms, virtual stores, workshops, competitions, talks, and even concerts! It is a platform that will allow virtual gatherings and interactions, using uniquely designed avatars, and moving beyond the 2d-webcam configuration that has become custom.

An immersive walkthrough was followed by a dynamic workshop on Grasshopper 3D Plugins by James Dalessandro, computational designer and Co-Founder and Director at Emergent Design, a design technology company focused on delivering computational solutions for complex design goals in the fields of architecture, design, and engineering. The workshop was based on Data-Driven Strip Morphologies and Computational Pen Plotting. 

This followed by a Guest Lecture from Valentina Sumini, Ph.D., is Space Architect and Research Affiliate at MIT Media Lab in Responsive Environments and Space Exploration Initiative, and Visiting Professor at Politecnico di Milano, where she teaches the course “Architecture for Human Space Exploration” at the School of Architecture, Urban Planning, and Construction Engineering. The presentation included comprehensive know-how on the invention of new computational design methods for multi-performance habitats. A vision of making humans a multi-planetary species with the help of computational design helped in understanding the dynamic facets of its adaptability. 

Joseph Sarafian, AIA is co-founder and CEO of Form Found Design presented his studio works that integrate fabrication as well as design development in complex form-making. Form Found Design is a Los Angeles-based architecture and design studio that operates at the intersection of technology and nature. Sarafian believes that innovative design requires both experimentation and therefore mastery of both material and technology. His work bridges this gap, exploring advancements in robotics, material science, and form-finding. The result is an architecture that is derived rather than contrived. 

The guest lecture was Followed by an eccentric presentation on the journey of Virtual Reality in architecture by Hamid Hassanzadeh, an Iranian architect, computational designer, researcher, speaker, and the founder of PA. Since the inception of PA in 2016, he has interviewed many architects and designers. Previously, he also conducted and supported workshops, organized events, and lectures. Globally, he has shared knowledge about computational and parametric design tools. In this session, Hassanzadeh created an engaging narrative to simplify the complex journey of parametric architecture and computational design right from inception to its current scenario. 

This was followed by a vote of thanks by organizers & speakers, Hamid Hassanzadeh (Turkey/Iran) – Founder & Editor in Chief, ParametricArchitecture) and Sushant Verma (India) – Co-founder & Design Head, rat[LAB] Studio.

A collaborative initiative by ParametricArchitecture (PA) with rat[LAB]EDUCATION, DesignMorphine, A>T, CD NEXT 3.0 covered a wide range of insightful discussions, interactive workshops, and an eclectic panel of stalwarts in computational design. To watch the videos of the conference click here.