Design Workshop Elective :: Computing Drawing Space

Student: James Lanzisero

Title: Computing Drawing Space

Instructor name: Carl Lostritto

Date: Fall 2011

This course is a structured exploration of the roles of computation in the theorization, conception, representation and fabrication of architecture. Throughout the semester, students use the Python Programming language to create speculative gestures and engage in creative experimentation-two hallmarks of what has historically been the domain of drawing and sketching. At the conclusion of the course students will have demonstrated an understanding of programming concepts and an ability to employ programming techniques in an open-ended, functional manner within a design process.

Initially, students create iterations of drawings generated by writing 

Python code.While learning the structure and syntax that govern what

is for most students a foreign language, the class explores the 

qualitative tendencies a generate methodology.

As the project progresses, students incorporate user input,from

the mouse and/or keyboard, into their generative algorithms

As students refine their code for their drawing apparatus we pause to 

explore a material analog: drawing with graphite, ink, or any other 

medium on paper. These drawings are intended to be computational

and algorithmic despite the fact that no [digital] computer was involved.

Analysis of and discussion around these drawings was then invited to 

influence  students' code.

Before passing on their apparatus to a peer, students created graphic

documentation to explain/influence/communicate with future users.

This documentation is both instruction manual and explanatory

diagram of the coded algorithms

A drawing made by David Hansen using James Lanzisero's drawing

apparatus.