5 - 17 January 2010, Damascus, Syria, 13 days

AIU – Arab International University (formerly Arab European University), Faculty of Architecture

Promoted by Arab International University in collaboration with MAG LAB (Materials Advanced Architecture Generative Laboratory)

The “Creative Art” workshop was a journey into territories where natural processes of morphogenesis mixed with the cultural ecosystem. It explored different ways of generating and representing ideas (as well as the intricate interplay between these two creative conditions) through art concepts, which were applied as intensive searches for conditions to configure architectonic spaces. The workshop was intended for first to third-year undergraduate Architecture students at AIU, with little or no knowledge of digital generative tools. The aim of this course was to provide students with insights on different ways of generating and representing ideas. The workshop combined exercises based on art examples and nature processes as paradigms. The final task was the design of a pavilion for AIU. The placement of the site was decided by each of the group’s professors. The goals were achieved through theoretical classes, personal research and practical sessions.

Materials and Machines

MDF, cork, styrene, wood, aluminium, paper, steel wire

Software

Rhinoceros, AutoCAD and 3dsMax were used, although not directly taught.

Participants

Tutors: Professor Alessio Erioli (Università di Bologna, Co-de-iT) and Professor Aref Maksoud (MAG LAB – Barcelona, Spain/Damascus, Syria)

Groups

[ Father]: Kalima Yousef, Abdoulhady El Douer, Ayman Abbar, Alaa al Halabi, Nour Harateh

[Girls Arc]: Sura al Janaby, Basma Haitham, Roula Saegh, Sara Shanour, Mina Saad El Rahim, Roua Al Genaby, Sonya Shya

[BOOOO]: Hamze El Shamy, Qoutayba Qaddour, Mohieldyn Abd El Gany, Ahmad Ibrahim, Abdoul Rahman Kherallah

[lol…]: Majed Fayez Tello, Noelle Oska, Basel Rahawangy, Omar Salal, Ammar Ajlany

[ARCHITISTS]: Amjad Saady, Aleco Touma, Khaled Hamamy, Moaz Soubha, Belal El Soufy

Outcome

Each group of students produced a small and a large scale (up to 3 x 3 x 1.5 m) prototype of their pavilion proposal as well as two A1 panels which showed technical and creative aspects (from the generative to the symbolic) of the final projects along with a video presentation. Students learned about material logics, construction, adaptation, and explored the dynamics between body-space interaction created through the pavilions and expressed in the form of a video. The pavilion projects were exhibited inside the AIU and discussed in a final presentation where an international jury evaluated the outcomes and the students’ effort. The guest jurors included:

Arch. Prof. Muhsen Maksoud (AIU Chairman)

Dr. Prof. Paul Shenyara (AIU dean – faculty of Architecture)

Dr. Prof. Bourhan Tayara

Dr. Prof. Hala Tuffaha (AIU vice dean – faculty of architecture)

Dr. Prof. Artist Buthanya Ali

Notes

Students achieved an introduction to generative techniques (bottom-up logics and process-based morphogenesis), form finding and optimising complex geometry with economic efficiency, structural performance, and environmental impact (especially through the study of body-space interaction).

The construction of a large-scale model also provided an understanding of material systems logics.

The workshop took place during a two week time frame. A more compact schedule would have led to a more intense overall learning experience and a better quality workshop.

Thoughts

Workshops are prolific knowledge intensifiers; their advantages include a short time frame and outcomes, which can be distributed, discussed and evaluated, making them perfectly suitable as theory-practice synapses.

Furthermore, the mixing of international professors and students helps to facilitate both students and tutors to widen their cultural horizons. This leads to expanded knowledge and a new global architectural exchange.

Contact

Prof. Alessio Erioli –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Prof. Aref Maksoud –

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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