formZ Joint Study Report 2004-05

Book excerpt: Material published in this edition is compiled by Dr. Chris Yessios. While no attempt was made to group the articles, since each is quite unique, they can be viewed under a number of thematic categories. There are at least 7 articles that deal more or less directly with the use of digital tools for the generation of innovative forms. Another 8 articles present specific building designs and 5 more present specific urban design schemes. The common denominator for all is the use of the digital tools to create forms that are distinctly different from traditional forms. A group of some 6 papers specifically discusses and compares digital versus analogue methodologies. In all cases, the former are more persuasive. Fabrication or computer aided manufacturing (CAM) is represented by at least 3 papers, while hints of digital fabrication can be found in a number of other papers as well. 6 articles are directly concerned with education: either the theoretical ties of digital design to “ancient principals” or how to de- velop particular skills. The only paper from a high school elaborates on this topic. Finally, there are 5 articles that cannot be grouped with the above categories but would fit in a category possibly labeled “miscellaneous theories.” For example, “Transforming Habit” and “Interpreting Babel” would belong to such a category.