Keio University Syllabus and Timetable

As the name suggests, the Algorithmic Design Lab (ADL) is a research group that researches and practices the architectural design process known as “algorithmic design”.

The word “algorithm” may give the impression that architecture is being generated automatically using a computer. It is true that programming is an essential skill in ADL. An algorithm is a set of steps for solving a problem, so as long as the steps are clear, it is not difficult to translate them into a computer program and generate architecture algorithmically. Or rather, even if it is a programming language, it is still a type of language, so it takes a certain amount of time to be able to program freely, just like English. However, if you put in the time, anyone can learn to program.

The real difficulty is the opposite. In other words, it is far more difficult to look at architecture algorithmically than to create architecture algorithmically. Looking at architecture algorithmically means exploring the underlying rules that govern groups of buildings that at first glance appear to be different. Exploring the laws of architecture is something that many people have been doing since the birth of architecture. It is not something unique to ADL. However, the design process of architecture is still often a black box. So many students who aspire to become architects tend to rely on their sense, experience and intuition when designing buildings.

At ADL, we also create architecture algorithmically, but we spend a lot of time looking at architecture algorithmically. This is because if we can “view diverse groups of architecture as different manifestations generated from the same regularity = Kata”, we can then reverse the process and “create diverse groups of architecture using the same regularity = Kata”.

In this way, ADL is exploring the computational potential of architecture by reducing all design processes related to architecture to computer algorithms. By doing this thoroughly, the things that only humans can do and the things that designers should do, in other words, the computational “impossibility” of architecture and cities, will come to light.

For more specific details of our activities, please see the following two lecture videos.

・ Algorithmic Design - Growing Architecture Like You Grow Plants (00:12:16)
https://youtu.be/zhvGj70Oq2g?si=fEFh2d9BVc4cvIjj

・ The framework of algorithmic design (01:29:47)
https://www.youtube.com/live/8fO7SmqGYXk?si=1VnxjVyag_xYY6cX

If you are interested in ADL after watching these videos, please come to our study group.
We welcome even beginners in architectural design and those with no programming experience. If you are interested but worried, please talk to the current ADL members first. We welcome motivated students who want to explore the (im)possibility of architectural calculation together.

The ADL (Algorithmic Design Lab) seminars can be broadly divided into three categories.
1. “Studio Seminar”
2. “Book Review Seminar”
3. “Programming Seminar”

1. The Studio Seminar is a seminar in which each student brings in the architectural studio assignment they are working on, and everyone in the seminar works on an eskiz together. The aim is to learn through the eskiz what is necessary to output the form of architecture. It is held every Monday during the semester in the Mori Atelier from 4th and 5th period.

2. The “Book Review Seminar” is a seminar where everyone discusses the book reviews written by the person in charge each week. The aim is to “view diverse architectural groups as different manifestations generated from the same regularity = form”. It is held online every week at 17:00 during the semester.

3. The “Programming Seminar” is a seminar in which we use the programming language Python to automatically generate different variations of studio assignments created in the past. The aim is to “create a diverse group of buildings = forms using the same regularity = form”. This seminar is held during the long summer and spring holidays using the Special Program.

In addition to the above seminars, we also hold projects for the entire laboratory during the long summer and spring holidays.
In addition, we hold separate “graduate seminar” for graduate students and “graduate seminar” for graduate students.

In this way, the goal of the ADL (Algorithmic Design Lab) is to conceive of architecture with a philosophy = “kata”, and to create a diverse group of buildings = “katachi” using the same rules = “kata”.

Algorithmic design

Same as above

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We will introduce it in the seminar as needed.

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