Algorithms in Design of Architecture: Aesthetic or Scientific

What does algorithmic architecture mean?? It might be the ones which are designed with algorithms. Ones with Mel scripts. The others with Rhino scripts. At the circumstances, various architecture generated by manipulating algorithms can be seen in many scenes including competitions, student’s works, etc. However, are such applications to design really enough in terms of potentials of computation? The answer for me is “No”. Although proliferation and differentiation might be successfully completed with algorithms so far, the true benefit derived from uses of computers is not probably acquired.

Just at that moment, the Earth is facing one of the most critical moments in its history, which is an environmental problem. Various elements such as changes of air temperature, sea-surface rising, increases of CO2 emissions, and so on. As far as concerned about such problems, what are social responsibilities in architectural field? In my mind, computation in architecture would be one of the most important factors in future in terms of solutions toward environmental problems. “Not only aesthetic, but also scientific,” this is my concept which is always contemplated at present. In other words, final aim is the fusion between sensation and beauty, and science and rationality.

There are several interesting examples in relation to uses of algorithms in terms of environmental factors. John Frazer is a pioneer in computation and architecture, who started to research at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in 1960’s. His book “An Evolutionary Architecture” is one of his research results, which can be downloaded freely from the aaschool website. In addition to him, Indian architect, Manit Rastogi who is cofounder of Morphogenesis and actually was one of former students of John Frazer at aaschool, completed environmental algorithmic architecture recently. The building is formed in relation to sunpath and glare.