Last night I had the opportunity to attend a great lecture which was presented by the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture and hosted at the Newschool of Architecture & Design. This lecture was to be the first of three regarding the research currently being done on the connections between neuroscience and architecture. This first presentation featured architect Gordon Chong FAIA who discussed on the topic of evidence-based design as a way to enhance innovation into the process of design. His presentation was followed by commentary from neuroscientist Dr Fred “Rusty” Gage who talked about the connections between environments and stimulations in the brain.

The presentation began with architect Gordon Chong FAIA presenting the idea of evidence-base design and how these types of strategies can help inform design decisions. He talked about three areas found to be important in gathering evidence.

-Simulation, Modeling and Data Mining |Building Performance

-Social-Psychological Scientific methodologies |Human Performance

-Natural and Physical Scientific Methodologies |Building & Human Performance

He explained how these evidence gathering techniques can be used to inform design decisions and predict possible conflicts. One of the things Gordon Chong discussed that hit right at home was the use of technology and simulation tools to develop a better informed process for the development of high performing designs.  Giving examples of how certain architects and designers are embracing the use of these types of technologies in to their own process as a way to develop more efficient design practices. Then he talked about the importance of human performance and the methodologies used to gather these types of evidences (surveys, observations). Explaining the importance of designing for the actual needs of the user as oppose to the perceived needs that seems to be more common practice.

Then he continued by presenting a case study that used these evidence base design strategies as a way to enhance the building design. The case study was California Academy of Science in San Francisco. Which was done in a collaborative effort between Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Chong partners Architecture (now Stantec), and ARUP.

Then following Gordon Chong was Dr Fred “Rusty” Gage who discussed the ideas of environmental stimulations in the brain. He discussed something that is rather new to me and at the same time very interesting. He explained how the brain is always dividing in a way that generates new brain cells or baby stem cells.  He explained that making new brain cells was not a static process but more of a dynamic process affected by every movement & environment. He then went in further depth about the types of studies being done on the idea of neuroscience and architecture. About the type of tools being used to monitor brain function and how these types of studies can potentially help inform design decisions.

These presentations were then followed by an open discussion triggered by questions and comments from people in the audience. Starting with a few questions in regards to the measurement of success and the ability to define success. Another person (who happened to be me) asked about the idea of possibly adding game design methods to create real-time environments in order to analyze how people (brain stimulation) respond to space. Then another person brought up the idea of flipping the script. Instead of design environments to trigger human response, was the idea of possibly designing a type of neuro-morphic architecture that can respond to human activity. This idea totally reminded me of my thesis project which consist of a self-organizing architecture that adapts to social as well as environmental conditions in-order to enhance experiential and performative qualities. I guess great minds think alike (LOL).  

If you found these ideas interesting or just want to learn more about them check out the website for the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture. They have a good list of resources as well other useful information that could help answer any questions you might have. Another thing to note was that this lecture/ presentation was video recorded. We were told that this video would be posted  on their website possibly sometime in the near future, so check it out. 

www.anfarch.org

This last month has been a really busy time for me, as I have now entered my final (thesis) year at the Newschool of Architecture. As I mentioned in previous posts I am a graduate student pursuing a professional degree in architecture, so most of my time this month has been spent working on research for my thesis.  My thesis exploration will look at the idea of kinetic (dynamic) architecture that can adapt (as needed) to its environment as a way to possibly enhance user experience as well as building performance. The current conditions of finished built structures tend to be static in nature which can at times lead to limits or barriers of how people experience space as well as how buildings perform. This exploration will look at how to potentially integrate parametric and performance strategies as a way to develop high performing architecture that can maximize the experiential qualities of the built environment.

In the last few months my interests on the subject of parameter driven design has increased. Parameter driven design which is more commonly referred to as parametric design gives designers the opportunity to explore the process of creating form. In this type of process designers identify potential variables that could be used to lead the process of form finding. In my thesis exploration I will be looking to further explore the idea of parameter driven design by using social as well environmental conditions as driving factors of form. The use of parametric strategies in conjunction with performative analytical methods will help me develop an optimal approach towards the development of architecture.

While working on my thesis research for the development of high performance architecture, I came across a list of recommended readings posted on Studio Mode’s website. These books are a good source of information on the subject of parametrics, fabrication and performative architecture.

My thesis investigations will give me the opportunity to further explore my goals of adapting performative design strategies for the development of a better approached and more informative process of design. In upcoming posts I will look at simulation software such as Autodesk Ecotect, and Desktop Radiance. Autodesk Ecotect is a popular performance simulation tool can be used in conjunction with Desktop Radiance to create daylighting studies. I have worked with both of these tools in the past during previous employment and found them to be very useful during the design process. The pursuit continues!!

I have to admit being in architecture school is very time consuming and at times extremely stressful, but at the end of the day I can honestly say that it is all worth it. Its a lot of fun.