yes, anyone?

You're talking about a very large area of architectural theory and practice. Can you be more specific? What is it about digital architecture theory that makes you think it would be an interesting thing to study?

gehry's use of digital tools seems very separated from any theories of architecture he may have. and i haven't heard eisenman talk/write about how he uses digital tools much lately. seems he got over talking about his use of computers after the columbus convention center, daap, and some other projects that are now about 10 yrs old.

greg lynn and those with whom he was teamed back when they did that korean presby church and some others like shop, xefirotarch, etc may have more talk/writing behind what they do. wm mitchell's books might also be useful.

seems you're concentrating on the HOW more than WHAT or WHY. that may be fine, as long as you're aware that this is what you're doing.

good luck.

for me, i'm more interested in architecture that incorporated digital technology into its building, like in facade. an example of it is the federation square bldg in melb, australia. through the age, architecture is impacted by the development that happens during the time. like in the industrial time, buildings are made of glass and steel. or backtracking, during the gothic age the interior of cathedrals are dark because the masonry structure that doesn't allow a lot of openings. input, please? thanks

Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing
by Branko Kolarevic

the AD series published by Wiley:

Designing for a Digital World by Neil Leach

Contemporary Techniques in Architecture by Ali Rahim

Emergence: Morphogenetic Design Strategies by Michael Hensel, Achim Menges and Michael Weinstock

i'm still a luddite when it comes to incorporating technology visibly as a design element. we've got plenty of IT infrastructure running through our builidings now, but that can in most cases be removed, updated, etc as the technology changes.

integrating technology into the building's essential elements - the skin, the structure - seems like a recipe for systems failure and early obsolescence. as much as i love nouvel's arab institute, i'd hate to be the person who not only changes the bulbs in the bldg but has to maintain and repair the beautiful 'shutters'. i'd opt for a non-mechanical sunshading device wherever that's an option and save my digital and mechanical tools for where they're necessary.

in general (BIG general comment) it seems that technologically dumb buildings have the potential to last longer, with fewer things to break. and, for that matter, they are more easily adaptable to purposes for which they weren't originally intended once their original programs go away, i.e. the building is recyclable.

Steve, you are right. I am more concentrated on HOW than WHAT and WHY. Many researches are forused on how to use those new tools, like rapid prototype, 3D scanner, but not actually on how these tool be used in actually building a building. Even current architectural practice, many of them use digital tools to produce so-called digital architecture (maybe only called images) that cant be build. What i am interested in built projects with digital technologies. Practices like Frank Gehry, FOA, are more interesting to me because they can run out of the screen to implement those tools in real life- actually can build something out. Through the study of those practice with 2-3 selected built projects to illustrate their working process and hopefully.. future reader can acquire/improve them or even formulate their own. Any suggestion or opinion?? Many thanks

Steve, you are right. I am more concentrated on HOW than WHAT and WHY. Many researches are forused on how to use those new tools, like rapid prototype, 3D scanner, but not actually on how these tool be used in actually building a building. Even current architectural practice, many of them use digital tools to produce so-called digital architecture (maybe only called images) that cant be build. What i am interested in built projects with digital technologies. Practices like Frank Gehry, FOA, are more interesting to me because they can run out of the screen to implement those tools in real life- actually can build something out. Through the study of those practice with 2-3 selected built projects to illustrate their working process and hopefully.. future reader can acquire/improve them or even formulate their own. Any suggestion or opinion?? Many thanks

"Digital Gehry" is good reading if you're interesting in the jump from screen to building!

^^ interestED

there are online lectures from the AIA-TAP / Acadia conference at the University of Toronto & University of Waterloo School of Architecture back in Nov 2004 (fabrication, examining the digital practice of architecture) on line @ ArchitectureRadio.org

great resource if you cannot find someone with a copy of the conference proceedings. if u r in LA email me.

e-)

I have written an essay about Digital Architecture, and found the most helpful insights written by Kas Oosterhuis in "Game, Set and Match"
=1&cHash=2ada0ebc97]http://www.oosterhuis.nl/quickstart/index.php?id=34&tx_ttnews[pointer]=1&cHash=2ada0ebc97

can also be found in parts in Google Books.
I also admire anything written by Branko Kolarevic


Good luck!

I bought this book a few months back called "Architectural Geometry" by Helmut Pottmann. I havent had much time to go thru it but they have some fine examples and references. It might be more technical than you wouldnt want for your thesis but it could suggest a direction. Bentley press gives you a discount if you you have student ID.

You might want to consider how architectural theory influences digital architecture.

some good advice 4 years too late