WSU School of Design + Construction

The SDC Lecture Committee is privileged to invite you to "The White Rabbit: Disruptive Technologies in the AEC"  a virtual lecture, by Martha Tsigkari The talk will address how innovation and technology outside the AEC are disrupting our industry and taking us down the rabbit hole: a world of challenges but also possibilities. It will discuss GPU computing, distributed computing, optimization, digital twins, extended reality and – finally- the transformational power of AI for our industry. Martha Tsigkari is a Senior Partner and Head of the Applied R+D (ARD) group at Foster + Partners. Her background spans architecture, engineering, and computer science.  She has two decades of experience working in projects of all scales and uses. Her work incorporates computational design, human-computer interaction, machine learning, and optimization. She has investigated the usage of deep neural networks and genetic algorithms in the design process, aiming to solve problems ranging from passively actuated micromaterials to performance-driven urban layouts. She is also an Associate Professor at the Bartlett, UCL and has lectured and published on the subject of computational design internationally. The lecture will be held on Monday, October 21, at 1:30 PM PDT on Zoom. Register for the zoom session here: https://lnkd.in/gk3gkGzQ #GoCougs #Architecture #Engineering #AI

VCEA, Composite Materials and Engineering Center and Simpson Strong-Tie are hosting an in-person student symposium for Civil Engineering, Construction, and Architecture students on Saturday, October 12th in the PACCAR Environmental Technology Building. There will be hands-on construction demos, materials testing, and industry networking/insights. This is a free event and breakfast and lunch are both provided. While this is geared toward undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff are also welcome to attend. Learn more about the event and to register: https://lnkd.in/d5zjeTzj 

VCEA, Composite Materials and Engineering Center and Simpson Strong-Tie are hosting an in-person student symposium for Civil Engineering, Construction, and Architecture students on Saturday, October 12th in the PACCAR Environmental Technology Building. There will be hands-on construction demos, materials testing, and industry networking/insights. This is a free event and breakfast and lunch are both provided. While this is geared toward undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff are also welcome to attend. Learn more about the event and to register: https://lnkd.in/d5zjeTzj #GoCougs

The SDC Lecture Committee is privileged to invite you to "Architecture now: Product or content?" a lecture, by Hassan Ragab   From the first look, the architectural practice seems to be undergoing significant challenges and changes, directly impacted by the rapid pace of technological advancement. This shift has become especially apparent over the past two years, with many AI models and technologies becoming accessible to the masses. While many are focused on the future of the practice in this new paradigm, it is crucial to understand the current challenges that this ancient discipline faces today. Additionally, we must consider how architecture connects to the broader world, to the extent that it can be difficult to define what it truly means to be an ""architect"" in this context. In this lecture, I will demonstrate my practical experience over 15 years of design practice, highlighting my transition from a computational designer in the AEC industry to what some might call a philosopher of architecture, art, and design, focusing on the last few years of my career and how AI has impacted both my philosophy and practice. I will explore how various elements such as the global economy, social media, and AI have shaped my perspectives on the history and present state of architecture and design, as well as highlighting my own views on the impact these tools might have on both students and professionals in the near future.   Hassan Ragab is an architect/ artist and interdisciplinary designer with over 15 years of expertise in architecture, exhibition design, furniture design, computational design, and generative art. As the founder of HSNRGB Studio, Hassan is known for his innovative integration of identity, technology, and aesthetics. His work, recognized globally, has led to collaborations with several institutions such as Adobe, BMW Designworks, and MIT among others. Hassan's pioneering use of Generative AI in art and design challenges traditional norms, creating a unique and impactful visual vocabulary.     The lecture will be held on Monday, September 30, at 5:00 PM PDT at Goertzen Hall 21. #GoCougs

This month, DATMA received a $10,000 Challenge America Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant will support the commission of a new interactive public art piece entitled “Mood-vironment” by artist and architect Mona Ghandi. Read more on this story at: https://lnkd.in/gvsX-Xte

SDC's Energy Conscious Construction Masters Program has been recognized as a Zero Energy Design Designation (ZEDD) recipient in the 2024 cohort! Read more about this at: https://lnkd.in/g2BdP3GN

The SDC Lecture Committee is excited to share this year's lecture series. The theme of the lectures is "Post-Artificial Design & Construction." SDC students are encouraged to attend. Our first speaker is Sandra Manninger who will talk about "Design in the Age of Distributed Intelligence."  The lecture will be held on Monday, September 16, at 5:00 PM PDT on zoom. Share the link below with your students, as registration is required for all participants: https://lnkd.in/ggfumiCg

The SDC Lecture Committee is privileged to invite you to the opening lecture of this academic year, "Design in the Age of Distributed Intelligence," a virtual lecture, by Sandra Manninger. Dr. Sandra Manninger, an architect and educator, co-founded SPAN Architecture with Matias del Campo in 2003. Her architectural projects have been recognized and displayed in international forums, including La Biennale di Venezia in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021, as well as the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna and the Autodesk Pier 1 in San Francisco. Her works are part of the permanent collections at the FRAC Centre-Val de Loire, The Design Museum/Die Neue Sammlung in Munich, the Albertina in Vienna, and The Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna. Her academic career spans teaching roles at several prestigious institutions worldwide, such as the IAAC and ESARQ in Barcelona, TU Vienna, the University for Applied Arts in Vienna, the Bauhaus in Dessau, the Stuart Weitzman School of Design in Philadelphia, Tongji University, Tsinghua University, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Architecture, and the University of Michigan. In 2022, she joined the faculty at the New York Institute of Architecture. Dr. Manninger’s academic practice centers on applying computational tools in architectural design, with a particular emphasis on developing protocols for using robotics and machine learning to innovate design and fabrication processes. Her collaborations with the Institute of Robotics and Computer Science have led to significant contributions in this area, as reflected in her numerous publications and papers. In her new role at NYIT, she plans to further deepen the integration of these computational tools while exploring how technological advancements will influence the organizational patterns of design. This presentation will begin with an overview of artificial intelligence (AI), covering its fundamental concepts and evolution. The discussion will then explore how artists, designers, and the building industry have integrated AI into their fields, highlighting innovative applications and developments. The potential challenges and limitations facing the 3D architectural design sector will be addressed, including the possibility of an AI winter—a period of reduced interest and investment in AI considering the implications of such a scenario for the future of design and architecture. The lecture will be held on Monday, September 16, at 5:00 PM PDT on zoom. Use the link below to register: https://lnkd.in/ggfumiCg