Harnessing the Informal Processes Around the Computational Design Model

Abstract

This paper presents a strategic framework that facilitates the introduction of computational design techniques into architectural practice. The presented architectural design case, and the strategic framework itself, were developed within the Dsearch, a computational development team part of the R&D at White arkitekter AB. An important aspect of the work within the team is to support the integration of computational processes new to the practice, and promote organisational learning that enables a continuous development. The strategic framework therefore is related to certain concepts within the fields of Sociology and Knowledge Management, such as the notion of boundary objects as first defined by Susan Leigh Star and James R. Griesemer, then later developed by Etienne Wenger as an important factor for collaboration within communities of practice. The strategic framework—an assembly of a number of boundary objects, helps elevate the design model to a design system—a project specific set-up that facilitates design versioning, quality control of processes, and organisational learning. Examples are provided through a case project—the development of a 60 m public bench for Forumtorget (Uppsala, Sweden).