AAE 495/795
Advanced Computational Architecture:
Geometric and Spatial Parametric Systems | Spring 2015
http://unlvmake.org/computation
Instructor: Joshua Vermillion
Room ARC 156
josh.vermillion@unlv.edu
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12-1pm
3 Credit Hours
Room ARC 147
Tuesdays 2:30-5:15pm
This course offers a topical exploration of computational design tools utilizing digital
modeling, parametric design, and digital fabrication. We will examine computational design as
an inherently algorithmic and editable process informed by geometric, material, and
fabrication logics. We will apply digital design skills in short exercises and small fabrication
projects.
OBJECTIVES + OUTCOMES
Throughout the semester students will:
- develop advanced modeling skills with Rhino and Grasshopper (via a series of short
exercises) and apply these skills in small, installation-scale fabrication projects;
- be introduced to and deploy a variety of fabrication methods and tools;
- further develop leadership, teamwork, and presentation skills; and
- read about and discuss how digital technologies are transforming our design
professions.
REQUIRED SOFTWARE
Rhinoceros v5 (available for purchase at http://rhino3d.com refer to the course website for
more information about purchasing).
Grasshopper (available for free at http://grasshopper3d.com).
RECOMMENDED TEXTS/WEBSITES
There are no required textbooks. Required readings will be provided by the instructor as
printouts or PDFs. There are many recommended web resources for this class. For details,
please visit the course website.
COURSE CALENDAR OUTLINE
This course is comprised of four main exercises/focuses:
1) Algorithmic Drawing (weeks 1-3)
2) Surface Modeling (weeks 4-6)
3) Parametric Systems (weeks 7-10)
4) Material/Spatial Systems (weeks 11-15)
Each of these will be addressed in 3-4 week modules, but this is subjective to adjustment
based on student progress through the course materials. The instructor is well aware of the
learning curves when building digital software skills and this has been considered while
structuring the course, particularly the first two modules (drawing + modeling).
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE LETTER GRADE DESCRIPTION
A
Superior: Represents comprehensive excellence. Not only does the work fulfill all
requirements in an excellent and professional manner, but goes beyond the given
requirements aiming at standards higher than requested. The student is an active and
engaged participant in all class activities and intellectual progress and development
have been demonstrated by the timely preparation of thoughtful work on a regular
basis. This work is of a quality that is instructive to the teacher and exemplary to the
rest of the class and sets a standard for the exercise and/or the course.
B
Above Average: Represents work that can be distinguished as being of truly “good”
quality. The work is free of significant flaws, is comprehensive in scope and exceeds
all minimum requirements. The student is an active and engaged participant in all
class activities and intellectual progress and development have been demonstrated by
the timely preparation of work on a regular basis. This work is of a quality that is
exemplary for the exercise and/or the course.
C
Average: Represents satisfactory and average performance. The work is free of major
flaws, is comprehensive in scope, and meets all minimum requirements. Intellectual
progress and development have been demonstrated by the timely preparation of work
on a regular basis. The student and instructor can take “satisfaction” in the average
resolution of the exercise and/or course.
D-F
Failing: Represents substandard work that is not passable. The work has not fulfilled
requirements, or has not been completed on time, or does not appropriately address
the issues raised by the exercise and/or course and is unacceptable.
I
Incomplete: An “incomplete” on a project can only be given in exceptional cases in
which failure to complete the assignment is a result of illness or injury requiring a
visit to a doctor, a death in the immediate family, military or legal obligations, or
other equally serious reasons that can be documented in acceptable written form
(such as a medical record or legal notification). When possible, all outstanding
circumstances that might impact the completion of a project should be brought to the
instructor’s attention in advance of the class(es) that may be missed. In addition,
documentation for excused absences must be provided no later than the third class
meeting following the event or the absence(s) will be counted as unexcused and no
Incomplete can be given. All incomplete work is subject to late penalties as per the
instructor’s policy.
An “incomplete” in a course is only given in exceptional cases where there is/was a
serious excusable reason for not completing course requirements (see above). The
quality of work in the course up to that point has been satisfactory and passing (see
Academic Policies section of the Undergraduate Catalog for further details).
Instructors are permitted to assign + or – grades. However, there is no grade of
“A+” within these guidelines.
GRADING SCALE
The university +/- grading scale will be used in this course. The following standard cutoffs
will be used to determine your final grade:
93.3 + ……
A
90.0 + ……
A86.7 + ……
B+
83.3 + ……
B
80.0 + ……
B76.7 + ……
C+
73.3 + ……
C
70.0 + ……
C66.7 + ……
D+
63.3 + ……
D
60.0 + ……
D< 60 + …… F
GRADING
As stated on this syllabus, School of Architecture policies stipulate that “any course required
for a major in which a grade of D+ (C+ for graduate level courses) or less is received must
be retaken with an earned grade of C- (B- for graduate level courses) or above.” The grading
criteria for this course are explained as follows:
-
Preparation and participation in discussions and individual reviews;
Completion of assignments;
Products and outcomes of the design process;
Progress through the course;
Comprehension of complexity of issues under consideration;
Communication of ideas, both graphically and verbally.
* A note about my expectations. I’m very aware of the steep learning curves involved with
learning new software in parallel with design projects. We all learn differently and we all have
certain strengths and weaknesses. Progress, improvement, and learning are valued just as
much (if not more) than a final product Given that much of this course work will be performed
in teams, I expect every individual, regardless of specific roles, to make meaningful and
proportional contributions within their teams in order to deliver professional results.
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE POLICIES
All work produced within the School of Architecture becomes and remains the property of the
school for use in documenting work for accreditation. All work must be documented for your
personal use prior to its final submittal.
Any course required for a major in which a grade of D+ (C+ for graduate level courses) or
less is received must be retaken with an earned grade of C- (B- for graduate level courses) or
above. For design studio courses this must be accomplished prior to progressing to the next
studio level.
The School of Architecture is a professional school. While in class and in the studio students
are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. This means showing the respect
for property and for other individuals. Actions which might be offensive to another individual
are to be avoided. Language and attires should be appropriate for a professional environment.
Materials displayed within the classroom, the studio, or on a computer screen should also be
appropriate to a professional environment. Please refer to the UNLV School of Architecture
Student Handbook for other policies applying to the School of Architecture.
LIBRARY SUPPORT
The Architectural Studies Library, under the leadership of librarian Caroline Smith, has
extensive materials to support your class work in the School of Architecture.
Online guides in a variety of areas, including citation format, finding scholarly articles, Las
Vegas information, etc. are available at: http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/instr/
In addition, the librarian is available to work with you one-on-one, or in groups, to identify
resources on a topic. Staff in the Architecture Studies Library are also available to work with
you to find materials and to answer questions. You can ask at the service counter in the
Architecture Studies Library, online at http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/archquestions.html or
by calling 895-1959.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all
share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility
and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the
expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices
to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct
themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution.
An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of
another, from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources. See the
Student Academic Misconduct Policy (approved December 9, 2005) located at:
http://studentconduct.unlv.edu/misconduct/policy.html.
COPYRIGHT
The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and
to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for
violations of copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect nor defend you nor
assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of
copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as
well as disciplinary action under University policies. Additional information can be found at:
http://provost.unlv.edu/copyright/statements.html.
DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER (DRC)
The Disability Resource Center (DRC) determines accommodations that are “reasonable” in
promoting the equal access of a student reporting a disability to the general UNLV learning
experience. In so doing, the DRC also balances instructor and departmental interests in
maintaining curricular standards so as to best achieve a fair evaluation standard amongst
students being assisted. In order for the DRC to be effective it must be considered in the
dialog between the faculty and the student who is requesting accommodations. For this reason
faculty should only provide students course adjustment after having received an “Academic
Accommodation Plan.” If faculty members have any questions regarding the DRC, they should
call a DRC counselor.
UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The DRC is located in the Student Services
Complex (SSC-A), Room 143, phone (702) 895-0866, fax (702) 895-0651. For additional
information, please visit: http://drc.unlv.edu/.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS POLICY
Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of
observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up
missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the
responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the end of the first two weeks
of classes of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state
holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering
the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor
or the university that could not reasonably been avoided. For additional information, please
visit: http://catalog.unlv.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=164.
INCOMPLETE GRADES
The grade of I – Incomplete – can be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed all
course work up to the withdrawal date of that semester/session but for reason(s) beyond the
student’s control, and acceptable to the instructor, cannot complete the last part of the course,
and the instructor believes that the student can finish the course without repeating it. A student
who receives an I is responsible for making up whatever work was lacking at the end of the
semester. If course requirements are not completed within the time indicated, a grade of F will
be recorded and the GPA will be adjusted accordingly. Students who are fulfilling an
Incomplete do not register for the course but make individual arrangements with the instructor
who assigned the I grade.
TUTORING
The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring and academic assistance for all UNLV
students taking UNLV courses. Students are encouraged to stop by the ASC to learn more
about subjects offered, tutoring times and other academic resources. The ASC is located
across from the Student Services Complex (SSC). Students may learn more about tutoring
services by calling (702) 895-3177 or visiting the tutoring web site at:
http://academicsuccess.unlv.edu/tutoring/.
UNLV WRITING CENTER
One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV
students at the Writing Center, located in CDC-3-301. Although walk-in consultations are
sometimes available, students with appointments will receive priority assistance. Appointments
may be made in person or by calling 895-3908. The student’s Rebel ID Card, a copy of the
assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested for the
consultation. More information can be found at: http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/
REBELMAIL
By policy, faculty and staff should e-mail students’ Rebelmail accounts only. Rebelmail is
UNLV’s official e-mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive
official university communication such as information about deadlines, major campus events,
and announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been
admitted to the university. Students’ e-mail prefixes are listed on class rosters. The suffix is
always @unlv.nevada.edu.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS
The University requires that final exams given at the end of a course occur at the time and on
the day specified in the final exam schedule. See the schedule at:
http://www.unlv.edu/registrar/calendars