Smart buildings and sustainable design

Intensive tutorial classes to learn 3D modeling skills with specific focus on Rhinoceros. These skills are the foundation to a parametric design approach able to embrace the contemporary complexity. During an intensive first week students learn the essential tools of Rhino, which are implemented later in the Smart Design Studio I module.

Software tutorials on algorithmic design and modeling, specifically using Grasshopper. The course makes students able to model parametric geometries, such as NURBS and Mesh, starting from setting and manipulating information in order to define the entire design process. They progressively build parametric data structures from simple lists to complex data trees, inform their data-driven geometry/envelopes, create populations of responsive models and use relevant information from such models for construction processes.

Introduction to the fast prototyping processes using numeric control machines and actual fabrication of prototypes using laser cuts, CNC-mills, robotic arms and 3D printers. This module explores the technologies, materials and applications of 3D printing, with a focus on 3D modeling software. In the end, participants will be able to design, model and produce any kind of 3D object.

Introduction to creation of electronic circuits with controllers, sensors and actuators and to the acquisition of the processing based programming language Arduino. Processing is a popular prototyping instrument, which is useful for very different projects, like 3D printing, interactive installations, and video control.
The proximity between Processing and Arduino environments makes possible for every student to learn two languages employing just one.

Design and fabrication of an interactive installation of about 2x2m big, 1:1 scale, using the numeric control machine. A series of short design workshops aims at developing specific skills on innovative and emerging sustainable design systems such as cnc wooden structures, photoactive envelope surfacing, design for emergency, etc.

Design of a residential unit from the conceptual definition to the pre-executive phase of design, using IES Architectural software package. The Unit will be completely in wood, reversible, and autonomous in terms of energy production and usage. The use of this software package is very common among top Engineers and the training provided by this module make students able to work as such high levels, to easily collaborate and to exchange models with professionals – facilitating an improved integrated and data driven process.

Theoretical lectures on contemporary technologies used in Architecture and Engineering to reduce energetic wastes and to produce energy from renewable sources. Sudents use Ecotect software, which enables the evaluation of: climate data of different places all around the world; shadow analysis at urban scale in order to define the best orientation, distances, and height of buildings; shadow analysis at building scale, solar energy on a specific surface of a building, daylight factor analysis and daylight distribution inside a building.

Classes dedicated to specific topics on technology integration in Architecture and Engineering. This module consists of lectures by guests coming from different institutions and companies who contribute with their professional experience to the debate around the main issues of sustainable engineering.

Urban or landscape scale project. Students are asked to develop their Final Project as a sustainable built environment with specific features such as energy consumptions reduction through passive and robotic based active strategies; energy from renewable resources; physical connection to the web as part of a smart city. Students work both on a design and on a prototypal phase and the project will be presented at the end of the Master course during an open event at the presence of local stakeholders.