Collaborative Models for Design Computation and Form Finding

Paper in proceeding, 2017

This paper explores the role of frameworks and conventions in design computa-tion workflows for collaboration on the development of design, structure and de-tailed fabrication within a visual scripting environment. The frameworks were developed in the computational team Dsearch of the architectural practice White arkitekter and the engineering practice of str.ucture, and was used in the part-time twelve-month design and build workshop Textile Hybrids at the HafenCity Universität Hamburg. During the workshop, the framework was further developed to facilitate iterative design / analysis studies between design models in a visual scripting environment and a FEM simulation environment through cloud-based data exchange protocols. The authors regard this continuous re-development of workflow frameworks during design development as emergent, and regard this as a valuable and potential mode of development also for architecture and engi-neering practice. This is shown in the individual practices of the authors, where additional layers have been added.