RESEARCH ARTICLE

Digital representation methods: The case of algorithmic design

  • Renata Castelo-Branco ,
  • Inês Caetano ,
  • António Leitão
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  • INESC-ID/Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Received date: 06 Sep 2021

Revised date: 30 Nov 2021

Accepted date: 23 Dec 2021

Published date: 15 Jun 2022

Copyright

2022 2022 Higher Education Press Limited Company. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Abstract

Architectural representation encompasses the means used to describe architectural entities. This discipline has long been under constant change due to architects’ everpresent desire for innovation. Algorithmic design (AD) is currently making its way into the plethora of representation methods that integrate the architect’s day-to-day work tools. However, it provides its fair share of controversy and hardship as it goes. This paper assesses whether AD is suitable as a representation method for architectural design by making a systematic analysis of this medium as a contemporary representation method. Specifically, we investigate (1) its birth and evolution as a means of representation, (2) the characteristics that make it simultaneously appealing and off-putting to the architectural community, (3) the influence of technological evolution and education on its proliferation, and (4) its capacity to represent design problems in comparison to the currently predominant means of digital architectural representation, that is, computer-aided drafting and building information modeling.

Cite this article

Renata Castelo-Branco , Inês Caetano , António Leitão . Digital representation methods: The case of algorithmic design[J]. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 2022 , 11(3) : 527 -541 . DOI: 10.1016/j.foar.2021.12.008

Outlines

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