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The paper takes a fundamental look at the composition of digital design representations, in particular at the objects they comprise, the properties of these objects and relations between objects. It proposes that the clarity of domain principles underlying such representation should be matched by explicit, flexible implementations that not only fit design actions and transactions rather than institutional classifications and prescriptive views of architectural information but also challenge formulations of the domain principles

Urban Design processes need to adopt flexible and adaptive procedures to respond to the evolving demands of the contemporary city. To support such dynamic processes, a specific design methodology and a supporting tool are needed. This design methodology considers the development of a design system rather than a single design solution. It is based on patterns and shape grammars. The idea is to link the descriptions of each pattern to specific shape rules inducing the generation of formal solutions that satisfy the pattern. The methodology explores, from the urban designer point of view, the capacity of a shape grammar to codify and generate urban form (Duarte et al, 2007). This paper defines the ontology of urban entities to build on a GIS platform the topology describing the various components of the city structure. By choosing different sets of patterns the designer defines his vision for a specific context. The patterns are explicated into shape rules that encode the designers interpretation of the pattern, and operate on this ontology of urban entities generating solutions that satisfy the patterns concept. Some examples of the topological relations are shown.

This paper explores the concept of interactive architecture. The first section begins by formulating a daring vision of a radically new kind of architecture. In the second chapter this vision is further elaborated upon, by proposing a generic approach towards practically accomplishing the originally formulated theoretical concept. Opportunities and threats that emerge from this vision and approach are discussed in the third section and eventually, in section four and five, the proposed approach is brought to practical applications and illustrated with a number of experimental building component examples that all together include all necessary features to create a complete large scale architectural object. All projects and explorations have been conducted as part of the Hyperbody groups research at the Delft University of Technology and have been inspired by groups director, prof. Kas Oosterhuis

Throughout the history of architecture, the Capital the intermediate between a column and the beam or surface it supports has been a recurring feature in architectural composition and articulation. In this paper we describe results and findings from the Capital A to Z exercise within the Ornamatics Course from the TU-Delft MSc curriculum. We will show how this exercise combines various digital and physical processes for form finding and how further insights can come from the actual production of models and prototypes. Conclusions will be drawn regarding the integrated educational setup and regarding the influence of different methods and tools on the design process and the design results.

The design and realization of complex buildings requires multidisciplinary design collaboration from early on in the design process. The intensive use of digital design environments in this process demands new knowledge and skills from the involved players including integrating and managing digital design data, developing custom design tools, and utilizing visualization and rapid prototyping techniques. In order to prepare our students for these evolving practices we have developed a multidisciplinary collaborative design studio, named XXL, where student teams work in groups and each students claims a role: architectural design, structural design, digital design, construction and cladding design, and process management. In this paper, we describe the studio, discuss the contributions of the Digital Design Manager, and relate these contributions to design education and practice.

This paper explores the notion of process-driven architecture and, as a consequence, application of complex systems in the newly defined area of digital process-driven architectural design in order to formulate a suitable design method. Protospace software environment and SwarmCAD software application are introduced and physical, real scale prototypes of architectural installations illustrate the new approach to creating architecture.

This paper critically re-views the professional impact and functionality of the pervasive digital 'matter' we have come to believe we can no longer do without.On the basis of a playful exploration of the first 'half-century' of our digital age, an attempt is made to draw new perspectives for the next 'level'of our digital culture in a broader (multi)media perspective and more specifically: the domains of Architecture. To stimulate an open-minded 'second-half'debate, the paper puts forward some potentially promising (and hopefully provocative) conceptions and strategies for imaginative interface applications and game-based architectural study initiatives.Furthermore, the paper proposes the establishment of a new cultural platform for the exchange of Critical Digital hypotheses and the evolvement of visionary design concepts through creative digital innovation, with the (inter)active involvement of older and younger team-players.

The art and craft of desiesign and creation of buildings is undergoing a radical paradigm shift. This shift is being driven by diverse novel cross-disciplinary technical possibilities, as well as by ongoing cultural transformations. They all, directly or indirectly, originate from omnipresent advancements in information technologies. Instant and ubiquitous availability of information and immediate access to computing power pervasively penetrating our lives is profoundly transforming our culture. This phenomenon has enormous implications for architecture in a multitude of ways.Firstly, the speed of changes that occur in modern-day culture and society makes it inconvenient or even entirely impossible to design buildings with fixed and permanent functionalities. As lifestyle patterns, production methods and environmental conditions, to name a few factors only, may now dramatically change from one day to another, architecture has to become flexible. It has to allow dynamic, active, or even pro-active adaptation and customization of spaces on many levels of its functionality 2.Secondly, these profound cultural changes are not only of technical relevance. In its process-driven character, information technology strongly mandates the already widely recognized ontology of becoming, proclaimed by the prominent minds of contemporary philosophy and science. This process-oriented worldview, supported by latest technological possibilities3, has caused a radical change in the common sense of the manner in which architecture has to be understood and dealt with4. As an effect, it requires an in-depth reconsideration of the nature of processes of both creation and participation in spatial environments.

The paper presents a framework for the recognition of free-hand sketches based on spatial and temporal information that permits identification of strokes, grouping of strokes into graphic symbols and recognition of depictions of building elements in the graphic symbols. It proposes that the symbols involved in 2D projections are generally small and manageable despite the vagueness and multiple layering of sketches.

ABSTRACT The concept of postmodernity has been debated intensely. This paper argues its useful, though limited applicability. We analyze it as a new socio-cultural complex, performing necessary socio-reproductive functions, a result of a transformation of the capitalist mode of production. We argue the rise of a new system of personal relations and involvement in spaces: a postmodern, narcissist psychological system. Our conceptual definition in terms of cocooning may explain changing notions of public space, shopping mall, home and automobile driving. Postmodern existence has become volatile. On the one hand there is a growing need for super-safe cocoons, allowing the narcissist his Panzer Ego. The design of automobiles, gated communities and enclosed shopping malls are interpreted as such. On the other hand there is the need to feel challenged or to defy, permitting someone, counterpunctually as it is, to feel his existence.

After The Great Fire in the spring of 2008, the Faculty of Architecture of the TU Delft (Bouwkunde) has equipped its new, temporary lodgings with flexible workspaces for students, teachers and researchers. Together with organisational changes, this spatial solution involves an acute change in what was before a university department based on principles of academic freedom and liberal institutions. Protest was waved aside. This combined intervention involves a ‘revolution from above’, transforming of an ‘old-fashioned’ faculty into an authoritarian organisation.

It is widely acknowledged that housing conditions have an enormous influence on the health of residents. Poor housing is consistently associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity, specifically with an increase in infectious and chronic diseases, stunted development in children and poor mental health (Krieger and Higgins, 2002). The importance of housing in assuring both physical and mental well-being is further underlined by the fact that adequate housing is considered a human right and as such is protected by numerous international laws including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Thiele, 2002). In the Netherlands, the right to adequate housing is considered a fundamental right and as such is protected by the Dutch Constitution.1 While the bearing of housing conditions on health is unattested, the potential negative impact of housing, though adequate, but nevertheless not meeting the needs of residents, is poorly understood. This gap in our knowledge has resulted in districts and neighborhoods filled with houses that are adequate but also unimaginative, monotonous or both. The recognition of the importance, not only of sufficient housing but above all of housing that corresponds with the needs of the residents lies at the heart of this article. In the coming paragraphs I will sketch the current state of (public) housing in the Netherlands, focusing on the role of housing associations in creating and maintaining communities that comply with the needs of modern housing consumers. Whilst the focus of the article is on the Dutch context, I believe that lessons can be drawn for Ukrainian housing policy all the same.

Sociale-cohesie in wijken krijgt in Nederland veel aandacht. De focus richt zich op excessen en ook veel wetenschappelijk onderzoek volgt die koers. Ontwerpers richten zich meer op kansen, op de duurzaamheid van onze samenleving, dit in het belang van bewoners maar ook omdat de fysieke herstructurering van wijken veel kost. Om tussen die twee benaderingen een brug te slaan is in de wijken IJburg in Amsterdam en Hoograven Tolsteeg in Utrecht nieuw kwalitatief onderzoek verricht. De conclusies zijn dat sociale-cohesie geholpen is bij de kleinschaligheid van ontmoetingsplekken, betrokkenheid bij groene ruimte, wijkactiviteiten en mogelijkheden voor ouderen en moeders met kinderen.

Since computers were introduced in architectural design as a valuable tool, there was a growing need to develop tools that would support the designer from the initial phase of the design till the detailing. In a computer aided architectural design environment it is feasible to stimulate the spatial design ideas and create alternatives in an efficient way. Pattern Grammar approach is one of the design alternatives where patterns, based on complex spatial geometry, are used as an underlayer for a design. In this research, the wavelets techniques are used as pattern grammar and applied to spatial information processing for the generation and analysis of the architectural patterns as well as for supporting decision-makings in structural realisations.

There is considerable variation in the extent to which environmental measures are adopted in housing construction in various European countries. Whereas sustainable housing is dearly part of day-to-day building practice in some countries, in others the topic seldom receives serious attention. None of the environmental measures which are considered as such in the Netherlands are adopted frequently in all countries. On the other hand, various measures are adopted regularly everywhere. An overall comparison of 24 countries shows that Denmark is currently the country where the greatest number of sustainable housing measures are actually adopted, followed (some way behind) by countries such as Austria and Sweden.