Emergence: Morphogenetic Design Strategies

Emergence, or evolutionary optimisation, is an important new concept that in recent years has been applied to artificial intelligence, information theory, digital technology, economics, climate studies, material science and biometric engineering. In an architectural context it involves harnessing evolutionary processes for not only the design of buildings, but also the composition of new materials and structural design. In so doing, architecture is aspiring to a new level of complexity as it seeks to match the restless perfection of systems in the natural world. This title is compiled by Michael Hensel, Achim Menges and Michael Weinstock, the directors of the Emergence and Design Group and the new Emergent Technologies and Design masters programme at the Architectural Association (aa) in London. At the aa the group is leading an international research–based unit that is at the very forefront in the tectonic application of emergence. As well as featuring the group′ own work, this publication includes interviews with Frei Otto; Farshid Moussavi and Alejandro Zaera Polo of Foreign Office Architects (foa); and Charles Walker, leader of the Advanced Geometry Unit (agu) at Arup. It also features articles by Professor George Jeronimidis from the Centre for Biomimetics at Reading University, and Johann Sischka, managing director of Waagner Biro, the manufacturing contractor renowned for its complex geometry constructions.

Editorial (Helen Castle). Emergence in Architecture The Emergence and Design Group, Morphogenesis and the Mathematics of Emergence (Michael Weinstock,). Frei Otto in Conversation with the Emergence and Design Group. Finding Exotic Form: An Evolution of Form Finding as a Design Method (Michael Hensel). Types, Style and Phylogenesis Farshid Moussavi and Alejandro Zaera Polo of Foreign Office Architects in conversation with the Emergence and Design Group. Fit Fabric: Versatility Through Redundancy and Differentiation The Emergence and Design Group. Evolutionary Computation and Artificial Life in Architecture: Exploring the Potential of Generative and Genetic Algorithms as Operative Design Tools (Dr Una–May O′Reilly, Martin Hemberg and Achim Menges). Drunk in an Orgy of Technology (Professor Chris Wise). Engineering Design: Working with Advanced Geometries Charles Walker of Arup & Partners in conversation with the Emergence and Design Group. Manufacturing Complexity Johann Sischka of Waagner Biro in conversation with the Emergence and Design Group. Morpho–Ecologies: Approaching Complex Environments (Achim Menges). Biodynamics Professor (George Jeronimidis). Biographies. Interior Eye Retail in the Dumpster (Craig Kellogg). Building Profile The Kunsthaus at Graz (Jeremy Melvin). Practice Profile Dale Jones–Evans (Leon van Schaik). Engineering Exegesis Blurring the Lines: The Chesa Futura (Andre Chaszar). From Political Reportage to Prêt–à–Porter (Eleanor Curtis). Book Reviews. Supercrit #1 and #2 (Samanths Hardingham). Book Club. Site Lines: A Sort of Homecoming: The Art Gallery of Ontario (Sean Stanwick).

Michael Hensel, Achim Menges and Michael Weinstock are co–cirectors of the Emergent Technologies programme at the Architectural Association Graduate School in London. Michael Hensel is a partner in the experimental award–winning practice Ocean NORTH and Michael Weinstock is Master of Technical Studies at the Architectural Association. The activities of the newly Emergent Technologies programme has already attracted considerable interest internationally with their launch exhibition at the Architectural Association in March 2003. CORUS, British Steel, have also confirmed a commitment to sponsoring the unit’s research. The publication  is planned to co–incide with a travelling exhibition that will help to promote the issue.