Computational Design: NEXT 5.0 was a power-packed event that showcased the versatility of computational design methods, geometries and thinking to make human life on Earth and beyond much more enhanced. It highlighted some of the astounding works that are way ahead of their time and are taking architecture to the next level. Exploring through innovations, and new high-tech methods, CD NEXT 5.0 included a series of stalwarts and pioneers from all industries to meet and discuss new emerging technologies in art, architecture, design, and manufacturing.
The Computational design NEXT series is a Two-Day Online Conference with Live Presentations, Workshops, Tutorials, Interactive Sessions, one-on-one discussions, Live Mentorship & Panel Discussions. A collaborative initiative by ParametricArchitecture (PA) with DesignMorphine it includes the global frontiers of Computational Design & Parametric architecture to open up about these crucial subjects through a mix of discussions, dialogues, tutorials, and mentorship, workshops, etc to a global audience. The conference intends to showcase the versatility that technology can bring into the design and what better way to share it than the valuable insights from the pioneers of this industry.
After a successful round of CD Next 1-4, Computational Design: NEXT 5.0 took another step to delve into new-age design technologies through the eyes of global advocates in the domain. It was held from 17-18 July 2021 (Saturday & Sunday). This article is a comprehensive takeaway from the enthralling and engaging event of Computational Design: NEXT 5.0, read more to find out!
You can watch the previous versions of CD NEXT the links below:
Day 1
CD NEXT 5.0 started with an engaging introductory presentation by all the panellists to give the audience knowhow on what’s in store over the weekend of engaging exchange of ideas in architecture. Hamid Hassanzadeh, Founder of PA and Michel Pryor, Computational designer at Nike NXT Digital innovation, Design direction at Design Morphine, and Author of Pufferfish Grasshopper3d Plug-in welcomed the audience by giving a comprehensive know-how guide through the event and PA ACADEMY’s workshops as well as studios.
This was followed by Melike Altinisik, award-winning architect, designer and educator showcasing her journey, visions and works that include a strong integration of BIM and computational design in his extensive architectural and construction practice. The works are oriented towards the innumerable possibilities of technological advancements and their potential in design.
Michael Pryor, Design director at Design Morphine hosted a key workshop on Rhino + Grasshopper 3D. This was followed by an intriguing Q&A session. The session explored diverse geometries and showcased an easy wayfinding method to achieve it in no time on Rhino + Grasshopper 3D. It explored various possibilities of the geometries through Pufferfish. Pryor gave his insights on why we need to be acquainted with these tools and how they can help computational designers to design better. This gripping workshop was followed by an interactive Q&A session.
The guest speaker Eric Goldemberg, architect, and is a principal designer at Monad Studio, showcased his technological affiliation in design through some thought-provoking works.
Being worked under Peter Eisenman as Senior Designer for the City of Culture of Galicia, Spain and various design competitions, Goldemberg narrated an inspirational set of works through this session. Which was followed by a Q&A session with the Moderator.
Tom Svilans, architectural designer, design consultant, and researcher talked about his explorations on the intersection of fabrication, materiality, and emerging technologies.
He explained the process of going from biomimicry to creating parametric structures through computational methods. The session was followed by an interactive Q&A session with the architect.
Alice Labourel, architect, digital artist, and educator instructed a Cinema 4D workflow for about 90 minutes through her intuitive background as Art Director and Digital artist for Architecture companies and TV Productions Studios.
Platt Boyd founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Chattanooga based construction and technology company, Branch Technology, curated a session on how to build sustainably and efficiently through the development of hardware, software, pre-fabrication innovations, and solution-driven products.
Being an award-winning architect himself, Platt highlighted his take on ongoing digital through 3D printing and robotics. This talk was followed by a Q&A session where they talked about the future of technology to make humans an interplanetary species.
Day 2
Day 2 started with a welcome note from the panellists, Hamid Hassanzadeh, Founder of PA and Michel Pryor, Design director at Design Morphine and Author of Pufferfish Grasshopper3d Plug-in.
This was followed by an engaging workshop curated by Antoine Maes, architect, and lead computational designer at A2M architecture who demonstrated a Grasshopper 3D workflow. This gripping workshop was followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Andrew Heumann, educator, and software developer hosted a presentation about Hypar, a cloud platform for generating buildings that makes it easy to publish, distribute, and maintain the building design logic. He also showcased some of these works that have been using this platform and are computationally driven, this was followed by an engaging Q&A session.
Heumann has written more than 20 plug-ins for 3D modelling software like Rhino and Revit, including the popular “Human” and “Human UI” plug-ins for Grasshopper. Interaction with him regarding the same proved to be an insightful experience for the audience at CD NEXT 5.0.
Daniela Mitterberger & Tiziano Derme, Co-Founders of MAEID [Büro für Architektur und transmediale Kunst] presented a insight on the interaction between computation, the material and the virtual, living systems & machines. by showcasing some of their astounding works.
MAEID [Büro für Architektur und Transmediale Kunst] is an interdisciplinary practice working with the relationship between the human, space and performativity. These queues made the session a highlight of the day as their works were a seamless interaction between computation, materials and virtuality.
Alan Cation the New York-based computational designer, artist, and educator hosted an exciting workshop on Rhino + Grasshopper3D.
His works being focused on parametric architecture, complex geometry, sustainability, and natural behavioural systems, it was insightful to learn about the sustainable possibilities of this software to create timeless architecture.
Marvin Bratke, German architect, entrepreneur, and founding partner of spatial innovation studio URBAN BETA and the architecture office BART//BRATKE showcased his works that are based on new ways of social inclusion as well as co-designing. He merges physical and virtual to create greater democratization of technology for construction and architecture, focussing on a positive social and ecological footprint. Engaging with the speaker in his works was truly an inspiring experience.
Xavier De Kestelier from Hassell Studio, architect and technologist and director of Smartgeometry presented about the latest emerging technologies, 3d printing, Human Habitats on other planets, and architecture on Mars. He expressed his thought on making humans an interplanetary species, through intuitive technological uses.
This was followed by a vote of thanks from the panellists and speakers. The intent of this event is to bring about thought-provoking ideas and design intents to the table, through Computational Design: NEXT 5.0 the audiences were able to gather the complexity of parametric architecture and how it can simplify daily life through viable design solutions.
You can watch the previous versions of CD NEXT in the links below:
