ITA PhD course

Computational research with COMPAS

Description

The PhD-level course (primarily for A&T PhDs) will introduce computational methods for architecture engineering, fabrication & construction, incentivising computational literacy. Students learn the theoretical background and basic implementation details of fundamental data structures and algorithms, and to solve real-world problems using the COMPAS framework and other open-source libraries.

Learning objectives

• understand the scope and relevance of computational methods for architecture and engineering research and practice,
• the theoretical background of fundamental data structures,
• the basic principles of algorithmic design;
• implement basic versions of prevalent algorithms related to architectural geometry, structural design, robotic assembly, volumetric modeling & 3D-printing, high-performance computation;
• use sophisticated algorithms available through open-source libraries to solve real-world problems; and,
• use common CAD tools as interfaces to self-implemented solutions.

Overview

Course will consist of a few lectures, several tutorials and project-based exercises.

Topics will include:

• Intro Python programming
• Intro COMPAS open-source framework (https://compas-dev.github.io/)
• Intro to geometry processing, data structures, topology, numerical computation
• Domain-specific case studies (e.g. on architectural geometry, structural design, robotic assembly, volumetric modeling and 3D printing, high performance computation)

Schedule

Week	Date	Lead	Title	Description	Links
1	Oct 2	BRG	Introduction	Course overview, COMPAS intro	Slides
2	Oct 9	GKR	Getting Started	Development Tools 101 Python 101 COMPAS 101	Slides, Assignment
3	Oct 23	BRG	Data structures and Geometry	Basic theory and examples	Slides, Assignment
4	Oct 30	BRG	Module 1: Structural Design	Theory: Form Finding methods	Slides, Assignment
5	Nov 6	BRG	Module 1: Structural Design	Case study: The HiLo cablenet formwork system	Slides
6	Nov 13	GKR	Module 2: Robotic Assembly	Theory: Robotic fabrication planning and executing
7	Nov 20	GKR	Module 2: Robotic Assembly	Case study: Robotic assembly of a brick wall
8	Nov 27	DBT	Module 3: Volumetric Modeling	Theory: Modelling with signed distance functions
9	Dec 4	DBT	Module 3: Volumetric Modeling	Case study: Modelling of a node
10	Dec 11	BRG	Next Steps	Using COMPAS in your own work

Join us on slack

https://tinyurl.com/yxse82a7

Jupyter and extensions

If you have Anaconda installed, then jupyter is already installed. If not, then install jupyter with pip.

To run the jupyter notebook, you simply have to type:

jupyter notebook

in your command line.

Configure workspace

To configure the workspace, type

jupyter notebook --generate-config

This writes a default configuration file into:

%HOMEPATH%\.jupyter\jupyter_notebook_config.py (on windows)

or

~/.jupyter/jupyter_notebook_config.py (on mac)

If you want jupyter to open in a different directory, then change the following line:

c.NotebookApp.notebook_dir = 'YOUR_PREFERRED_PATH'

Download nbextensions

To install nbextensions, execute the commands below in Anaconda Prompt:

conda install -c conda-forge jupyter_contrib_nbextensions
conda install -c conda-forge jupyter_nbextensions_configurator

After installing, restart the Jupyter notebook, and you can observe a new tab Nbextensions added to the menu. Install the following extensions:

1. Split Cells Notebook - Enable split cells in Jupyter notebooks

2. RISE - allows you to instantly turn your Jupyter Notebooks into a slideshow.