Why does the word design owe its origin to Latin and not Greek roots? Where do the limits of the human mind lie? How does ambiguity enter the deterministic world of computation? Who was Parmenides and why is his philosophy still puzzling today? This unique volume challenges the reader to tackle all these complex questions and more.

Algorithmic Architecture is not a typical theory-based architectural book; it is not a computer programming or language tutorial book either. It contains a series of provocative design projects, and yet it is not just a design or graphic art book per se. Following the tradition of architecture as a conglomeration of various design fields - engineering, theory, art, and recently, computation - the challenge of this book is to present a concept that, like architecture, is a unifying theme for many diverse disciplines.

An algorithm is not only a step-by-step problem-solving procedure, a series of lines of computer codes or a mechanistic linguistic expression, but is also an ontological construct with deep philosophical, social, design, and artistic repercussions. Consequently, this book presents many, various and often seemingly disparate points of view that lead to the establishment of one common theme; algorithmic architecture.* Guides readers in the increasingly popular practice of using algorithms to solve complex design issues* Demonstrates a technique used by many of the big name architecture firms, now cascading down to educational level* Shows architects how to use algorithms to go beyond the mouse and transcend the factory set limitations of current 3D CAD software.


Kostas Terzidis
published 2006,
Publisher: Architectural Press,
ISBN 0750667257,
159 pages

Architects Jesse Reiser and Nanako Umemoto have been generating some of the most provocative thinking in the field for nearly twenty years. With "Atlas of Novel Tectonics," Reiser+Umemoto hone in on the many facets of architecture and illuminate their theories with great thought and simplicity. The "Atlas" is organized as an accumulation of short chapters that address the workings of matter and force, material science, the lessons of art and architectural history, and the influence of architecture on culture (and vice versa). Reiser+Umemoto see architectural design as a series of problem situations, and each chapter is an argument devoted to a specific condition or case. Influenced by a wide range of fields and phenomena Brillat-Savarin's classic "The Physiology of Taste" is one of their primary models the authors provide a cross-section of thinking and inspiration. The result is both an elucidation of the concepts that guide Reiser+Umemoto through their own design process and a series of meditations on topics that have formed their own sense as architects. "Atlas of Novel Tectonics" offers an entirely fresh perspective on subjects that are generally taken for granted, and does so with a welcome punch and energy.

Jesse Reiser and Nanako Umemoto are the founding partners of Reiser+Umemoto RUR, an internationally recognized_architectural firm based in New York City. Their work encompasses a wide range of scales, from furniture design to landscape and infrastructure.__Reiser currently teaches at the Princeton University School of Architeture.


Jesse Reiser and Nanako Umemoto
published 2006,
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press,
ISBN 1568985541,
255 pages

Frank O. Gehry, born in 1929, founded his own architectural firm in Los Angeles in 1962, and since the building of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, he is undoubtedly among the ranks of international architecture superstars. His buildings are complex constructions, with curves and distortions, skilful plastic shapes which never cease to surprise with their breath-taking spatial effects. To create these daring designs, Gehry makes extensive use of the latest electronic tools, physical models are transformed into digital models using software and hardware which has been adapted from the space industry and medical research. This book provides a colourful insight into Gehry's design methods and the creative process behind his fantastic buildings. Bruce Lindsay studied at the Yale School of Architecture; he is now Associate Head at the School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh (USA).


Bruce Lindsey
published 2001,
Publisher: Birkhäuser,
ISBN 3764365625,
93 pages

The Far Eastern International Digital Design Award (The Feidad Award) was conferred for the first time in 2000, its aim being to encourage and honour innovative design created with the aid of digital media. In 2006, the jury which comprised, Greg Lynn (Greg Lynn FORM), Marcos Novak, Jacob van Rijs (MVRDV), Birger Sevaldson (Ocean North), and other distinguished architects, awarded the prize for the sixth time. This book presents the 52 best projects by architects, students and designers worldwide, exploring digital concepts such as computing, information, electronic media, hyper-, virtual-, and cyberspace in order to help define and discuss future space and architecture in the digital age. Fully documented in text and colour illustrations, these award-winning projects provide an excellent overview of the very latest international developments in digital design and an invaluable source-book for all who make use of new media in their work. As special treat also in this edition, "stars" like Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid, Toyo Ito, Fernando Menis, Asymptote, Diller+Scofidio, OCEAN-north, MVRDV and UN Studio were invited to submit projects.


Yudong Liu
published 2007,
Publisher: Birkhäuser Architectural design,
ISBN 3764381205,
227 pages

Combining the insights of designers, theorists, engineers and artists this book examines the cultural, aesthetic and political effects of mapping techniques on the fields of cultural production in art, science and architecture In recent years, new digital mapping techniques have begun to alter profoundly the ways in which we measure and represent space. In architecture, it is such techniques that have made possible such extraordinary structures as Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao. 3D scanning technology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Satellite Positioning Systems to mention just a few have produced unique visions of architecture and its environment. * Digital mapping is redefining the possibilities of architectural construction and is gaining importance throughout all aspects of science and art. * Cross-disciplinary contributions are featured, from engineers, designers, theorists and artists * Richly illustrated, including many extraordinary computer-generated images * Should also be an adoptable title, the author himself keen to adopt it for each of the four years through his course at Yale.


Mike Silver and Diana Balmori
Edition: 1 (25. April 2003),
Publisher: Wiley & Sons,
ISBN-10: 0470850760,
ISBN-13: 978-0470850763,
144 pages