IN-PERSON Barcelona. Section B
Abstract
Designing in complex terrains, such as wetlands, poses significant challenges for designers and developers, often leading to suboptimal walkways, land reclamation, and the introduction of vehicular pathways. These interventions can result in the destruction of sensitive areas, dramatically altering the landscape. This paper proposes a computational workflow that optimizes walkability on complex terrains with contrasting topography and other sensitive areas, such as wetlands. The workflow involves a computational model for simulating actions and interactions based on swarm intelligence (agent-based simulation). The generated walkway is then tested using a generative workflow, which includes analyzing map data and building contextual models with population and amenity data. The applicability and effectiveness of the workflow are tested in a challenging terrain involving ecologically sensitive areas, such as wetlands. This research equips designers to make better decisions in master planning and can be leveraged by stakeholders in real estate, public services, public health, and other urban built environments.
Jerwin Geo is a recent graduate with a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) from the University of Hertfordshire and is a computational designer. He has been teaching parametric and computational design for almost four years, along with other software related to architecture. His interests revolve around exploring architecture through computational methods, emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge technology with traditional architectural principles, aiming to create sustainable and efficient designs.
Ian W. Owen is an Architect and the Programme Director of the Master of Architecture in the School of Science, Engineering, and Environment at the University of Salford. He is an active member of the Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA) and the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA), contributing to the forefront of architectural discourse and technology. Additionally, Ian serves as an Architectural Archives Advisory Panellist for Wales, playing a crucial role in preserving and curating the architectural heritage of the region. His research delves into the preservation and interpretation of post-war architectural heritage, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies to provide a comprehensive understanding of this pivotal era.
Dr Silvio Carta is an architect (ARB/RIBA), Chartered Building Engineer (MCABE) and Professor of Architecture at the University of Greenwich. His research includes Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning design methods applied to the built environment, urban data science, data-driven approaches and computational design. He is currently the Section Editor of Computational Sustainability and Design, City and Built Environment (Springer/Nature), and a member of the technical committee: Data Sensing & Analysis (DSA) of the European Council on Computing in Construction (EC3). He is the author of Big Data, Code and the Discrete City. Shaping Public Realms (Routledge 2019), Machine Learning and the City: Applications in Architecture and Urban Design (Wiley 2022), and Accidental Collectives: How Computers Create Social Structures (Palgrave MacMillan/Springer Nature 2024).
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Wednesday 17th July, 2024