Algorithmic Design Explained: Decomposing parametric 3D problems into 2D visual illustrations

CAADRIA Conference: Accelerated Design
Singapore, 2024

Castelo-Branco, Renata & Caetano, Inês & Leitão, António

Abstract: Algorithmic Design (AD) is a promising approach that merges two distinct processes - design thinking and computational thinking. However, it requires converting design concepts into algorithmic descriptions, which not only deviates from architecture's visual nature, but also tends to result in unstructured programs that are difficult to understand. Sketches or diagrams can help explain AD programs by capitalizing on their geometric nature, but they rapidly become outdated as designs progress. In ongoing research, an automatic illustration system was proposed to reduce the effort associated with updating 2D diagrams as ADs evolve. This paper discusses the ability of this system to improve the comprehension of AD programs that represent complex 3D architectural structures. To understand how to best explain parametric 3D models using 2D drawings, this research explores problem decomposition techniques, applying them in the visual documentation of two case studies, where illustration aids different comprehension scenarios: illustrating for future use, and illustrating while designing as part of the AD process.

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Illustrating Algorithmic Design

Computer-Aided Architectural Design - Springer Cham
CAAD Futures Conference: Interconnections
Delft, The Netherlands, 2023

Castelo-Branco, Renata & Leitão, António

Abstract: Architectural design is strongly based on visual and spatial reasoning, which is not easy to translate into algorithmic descriptions and, eventually, running programs, making it difficult for architects to use computational approaches, such as Algorithmic Design (AD). One of the most pressing problems is program comprehension. To overcome it, we propose an automatic illustration system for AD programs that produces annotated schemes of the program's meaning.
The illustration system focuses on a basic set of geometric elements used in most calculations to place geometry in space (points, distances, angles, vectors, etc.), and on the way they are manipulated to create more complex geometric entities. The proposed system automatically extracts the information from the AD program and the resulting illustrations can then be integrated into the AD program itself, intertwined with the instructions they intend to explain.
This article presents the implementation of this solution using an AD tool to generate the illustrations and a computational notebook to intertwine the program and the illustrations. It discusses the choices made on the system's implementation, the expected workflow for such a system, and potential future developments.

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Sketching Algorithmic Design

Journal of Architectural Engineering - ASCE Library, 2022

Castelo-Branco, Renata & Caetano, Inês & Pereira, Inês & Leitão, António

Abstract: In the last decades, architecture has experienced paradigm shifts prompted by new computational tools. Algorithmic Design (AD), a design approach based on algorithms, is one such example. However, the architectural design practice is strongly based on visual and spatial reasoning, which is not easy to translate onto algorithmic descriptions. Consequently, even using tailored AD tools, AD programs are generally hard to understand and develop, independently of one's programming abilities. To address this problem, we propose a methodology and a design environment to support AD in a way that is more akin to the workflow typically employed by architects, who represent their ideas mostly through sketches and diagrams. The design environment is implemented as a computational notebook, with the ability to intertwine code, textual descriptions, and visual documentation in an integrated storytelling experience that helps architects read and write AD programs.

• Article at ASCE
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Comprehending Algorithmic Design

Computer-Aided Architectural Design, Springer Cham
CAAD Futures Conference: Design Imperatives - The Future is Now
Los Angeles, USA, 2022

Castelo-Branco, Renata & Leitão, António

Abstract: Algorithmic Design (AD) allows for the creation of form through algorithms. Its inherent exibility encourages the exploration of a wider design space, the automation of design tasks and design optimization, considerably reducing project costs and environmental impact. Nevertheless, current AD uses representation methods that radically differ from those used in architectural practice, creating a mismatch that is further exacerbated by the inadequacy of current programming environments. This creates a barrier to the adoption of AD, demotivating architects from its use.
We propose to address this problem by coupling AD with adequate representation methods for designing complex architectural projects. To this end, we explore three essential concepts: storytelling, interactive evaluation, and reactivity. These concepts can be both complementary and mutually exclusive, which means compromises must be made to accommodate them all. We outline a strategy for their integration with the AD work ow, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each one, and pinpointing their intersection. Finally, we evaluate the proposed strategy using computational notebooks as programming environments.

• Article at Springer
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The Collaborative Algorithmic Design Notebook

ANZAScA Conference: Imaginable Futures - Design Thinking, and the Scientific Method
Auckland, New Zealand, 2020

Castelo-Branco, Renata & Caetano, Inês & Pereira, Inês & Leitão, António

Abstract: Design studios are increasingly interested in collaborative Algorithmic Design (AD) practices. However, AD uses algorithmic descriptions that are often difficult to understand and change, hindering the adoption of AD in collaborative design. We propose improving collaborative AD by adopting a programming environment that allows for (1) developing designs incrementally, (2) documenting the history of the design with visual artifacts, (3) providing immediate feedback during the development process, and (4) facilitating the comprehension of collaborative AD projects. Given that computational notebooks are currently being explored in scientific research to solve similar problems, in this paper, we adapt the notebook workflow to support collaborative AD processes, outlining three main collaboration strategies. We evaluate currently existing notebook environments regarding each of the strategies and the impact they have on the development of AD projects.

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3-Minute Thesis ULisboa | May 2023

PhD DEI (Departamento de Engenharia Informática) at IST | November 2023