Realtime & Development - modes of knowing design computation in architectural practice

Licentiate thesis, 2017

This thesis examines theoretical, methodological and organisational implications of design computation for architectural practice - from an insider perspective. It also proposes a conceptual model for knowing within this practice, in an approach that interrelates theory and actionable knowledge. Dsearch is a research & development network focused on the introduction of design computation at White arkitekter, a large Scandinavian architectural firm with over 900 employees. The research studies Dsearch from an insider perspective, providing a description and discussion of an organisational entity involved in the paradigmatic shift towards computationally augmented design thinking - design computation - in architectural practice. This entails the introduction of new tools, methods and competencies. This thesis contributes to the knowledge in architectural design computation practice, conceptualising documented methodology so as to establish a deeper theoretical understanding. Reciprocally it provides the wider field of design theory with insights into the problems and methods that occur in design computation in architectural practice. It also proposes a conceptual model for how to attain and share knowledge in an architectural practice augmented by design computation. This model articulates Realtime and Development as two approaches to time that are distinguished by design computation. The model builds on practical experience intertwined with notions from cognitive science, philosophy of the mind, design methodology, action research, and management- and learning-theory.