Computational Thinking and the Architectural Curriculum Simple to Complex or Complex to Simple?

Abstract

Recent trends in architectural education and practice have encouraged the use of computational tools and methods for solving complex design problems. Newer technology can augment the design process by applying progressively more-advanced computational tools. However, the complex nature of these tools can lead to students getting lost at the skill-building stage, they can become trapped in computational design terminology, leading to designs of limited spatial quality. This paper introduces a pilot study from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) for the integration of computational design technology in the undergraduate architectural curricula, based on a workshop series using a top-down teaching strategy.