Thesis Project: Critical Computation
'Discreteness' is a notion that comes from the sciences, referring to what is individual and separate. It is the opposite of the continuous. Discreteness is not only the redefinition of units by science and technology, but also the redefinition of construction supply chain economically in the changing world. In the future, the building tends to be Discrete, that is, the building will exist as aggregation of sustainable modular. The construction process relies on more detailed modules, high level of mechanized prefabrication and assembly. Therefore, architecture is more of a high-resolution assemblage of discrete objects, rather than an organic whole.
Discrete building systems have primarily been used to realize orthogonal form. This thesis investigates how computation and component design can be deployed to achieve curvilinear form. By comparing components, materials, and system aggregation in three precedents, the thesis strives to redefine the curve through the aggregation of a set of components designed and tested specifically for non-orthogonal building elements. These elements are then combined into a prototype for a specific site and program.
