Architectural Design V-IX: Immersives Studio - 54 Foundations Ukraine (Gramazio/Kohler)

Abstract

In the immersive studio we will design in virtual space and assess the current project status regularly from a first-person perspective. We will work with the CAD software Rhinoceros and create our designs directly in 3D. Consistent work on the model ensures that the immersive experience of the project using virtual reality glasses is possible at any time and without additional effort.

Objective

- We learn how to develop and explore our projects with virtual reality - We learn to computationally design with the parametric tool grasshopper in rhino - We present our designs in an interactive way

Content

Immersion: We are used to designing architecture from a supposedly objective perspective. With immersive technologies, we overcome this distance, expand our perception and immerse ourselves directly in the space to be designed. In doing so, we develop a different understanding of space by designing architecture and its construction digitally and moving around in it at the same time. In the Immersive Studio, we will get to know contemporary digital design methods and use them in a creative, sensitive and meaningful way. We will critically reflect on the potential of these technologies beyond pure efficiency thinking and develop an independent and emancipated attitude towards them. We will achieve this by consistently developing our designs using digital 3D models. We will generate and edit these models both manually and algorithmically and parametrically. We will regularly walk through the designs in virtual space, evaluate them spatially and discuss them. Aspects of materialization, fabrication and sustainability will have a decisive influence on the discussion of the architectural design. Program: The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine caused the largest housing crisis in the country’s history since its independence in 1991. Millions of people were forced to leave their homes, and many houses were destroyed. Since this crisis has been going on for two years now, the priority now is to move from short-term emergency measures to long-term solutions. As a task for this semester we will develop strategies to build new housing units on existing foundations. There will be a set of outlines of still existing foundations of houses that have been demolished. Using parametric design methods, we will develop constructive systems that can easily adapt to any given situation.

Resources