In 2015 the Aarhus School of Architecture hosted a 10 day workshop in collaboration with the Architectural Association. This was part of an initiative between the two schools to investigate the implications of computational tools in design and fabrication under different scales of architecture. The workshops focused on novel computational software coupled with fabrication techniques that investigated designs particular to the ecology of Denmark.

As a part of the workshop, the participants were introduced to the basics of parametric modelling, digital fabrication and material behaviour. Aarhus has a large array of different digital fabrication tools, where the participants mainly used laser cutting and digital cutting, however for 2016 we will expand on the applied fabrication techniques. Students worked as groups to investigate surface morphologies and more specifically how surfaces can be used to modulate light through pattern manipulations. The groups further explored the relationship between surfaces as 2D elements and how these can be manipulated into spatial elements through folding, bending or morphing among others.

For this year we will run two units within the theme of last year: Affects of Light through Pattern and Geometry manipulations. The first unit titled “Mesh Morphologies” will focus on teaching students how to control and manipulate local regions of complex geometries as a response to external factors through constant feedback between physical and digital models. This unit favors all levels of grasshopper knowledge, but if you are a beginner this is the unit to choose.

The second unit titled “Robotic Collaboration” will focus on the robotic fabrication paradigm in architecture and how this can potentially be re-interpreted. This unit will experiment with creating an automated assembly system, and it is assumed that you have an intermediate to advanced level of grasshopper knowledge.

Besides having two different units this year, we have also been lucky enough to receive financial support from the Maersk foundation, which we will use to support a select number of students, pay for material expenses and build a pavilion.

If you are interested in receiving financial support for this years AA_Aarhus Visiting School you have to be a registered student and forward us your CV, portoflio and a written application to: aarhus.aaschool.ac.uk. We will then select 5 recipients by mid June.

The scholarship will cover 70 pct of the tuition fee.

It is the ambition of the AA_Aarhus Visiting School to develop knowledge in digital fabrication and pattern formations, which are at the forefront when it comes to the field of architecture & design. Furthermore, the participants are to leave the Visiting School having gained new knowledge and novel skills in architectural design/make and theory, which they can continue to use in their practice or in the remaining years of their study.

We hope that through our continued work within this field, we will be able to contribute to the ongoing architectural discussion on parametrics, pattern making and fabrication

Prominent features of the workshop / skills developed

• Novel modeling and parametric techniques based on local ecological factors.

• Introduction to new fabrication techniques now prevalent in the field of design and architecture.

• Robotic fabrication in design.

• Discussions on new architectural processes and theories.

• Applying theories that are highly applicable in contemporary practice through computation.

• A lecture series from leading researchers and theorists.

Registration deadline
1st of August

Scholarship application deadline
25th of June

Visiting School duration
3rd – 12th of August

Contact Information
Aarhus@aaschool.ac.uk

Location
Aarhus School of Architecture
Nørreport 20
8000 Aarhus
Denmark

Tutors
David Reeves, Asbjørn Søndergaard, Ryan Hughes

Directors
Jens Pedersen, Ali Farzaneh

Video
2015 Documentation


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