Workshop

CDRN Parametric Design Workshop at Subtle Technologies 2006
May 30-June 1 2006
Toronto, Canada

The Scholarship Application is Closed
Application information HERE

Overview
The Canada Design Research Network in cooperation with the Universities of Toronto and Waterloo is holding a workshop dedicated to the future of computer aided design and digital art, design and architecture as part of the Subtle Technologies 2006 Festival, May 30-June 1 2006 in Toronto. Bentley Systems, Inc. is a major supporter of this event. Using practical software tools and advanced rapid-prototyping systems, the themes of digital simulation and fabrication will be explored. This workshop is aimed at advanced graduate and post-graduate students, architectural professionals, scientists, artists and academics involved in design research. Experienced professionals, scientists and practicing artists wishing to exploit parametric design in iterative processes are especially invited to attend.

The workshop will concentrate on the interplay between design and computation. Computation includes simulation, optimization, form finding, evaluation, genetic algorithms and other methodology designed to enhance design/computer interaction. The workshop will be based on using the parametric tools available in Bentley’s Generative Components. Attendants will be given working copies of the software in advance of the workshop.

Digital fabrication equipment will be available for the duration of the workshop, allowing cycles of development and testing as design moves between computational models and physical prototypes. The cost of materials and machine time is included in the registration fees.

Discussions will include keynote speaker Dr. Steven Vogel, Duke University, author of the pioneering text ‘Life in Moving Fluids: the Physical Biology of Flow’. Leading scientists, artists experienced in interactive and new media technology, and architects will participate. The results of the workshop will be presented in a public event at the Subtle Technologies Festival.

Venue
The workshop is hosted at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design and is organized in collaboration with the University of Waterloo School of Architecture at Cambridge.

Schedule

Workshop Organizers

• Prof. Philip Beesley, University of Waterloo
• Prof. Shane Williamson, University of Toronto
• Prof. Rob Woodbury, Simon Fraser University

Senior Tutor

• Prof. Rob Woodbury, Simon Fraser University

Tutors

• Mark Cichy, University of Waterloo
• Davis Marques, Simon Fraser University
• Cheryl Qian, Simon Fraser University
• Sean Hanna, University College London
• Others TBA

Workshop Fee
The fee includes all meals (not travel or accommodation)
$1000 Professional and academic.
$500 Students and underemployed.

A number of scholarships that provide a discount for the fees shown above are available. Instructions on how to apply for scholarships are shown below

Bentley scholarship for young practitioners and faculty:
Young practitioners and faculty can apply for a scholarship (supported by Bentley) for 50% of the professional/academic fee. There are 8 scholarships in total.

Bentley scholarship for students:
Students can apply for a scholarship (supported by Bentley) for 80% of the student fee. There are 8 scholarships in total.

Travel and Accommodation
Travel plans and accommodations must be arranged by participants. Please download our Toronto Accommodations Packet.

Applications
There are approximately 32 places available. A number of scholarships are being sponsored by Bentley Systems, to be awarded at the discretion of the event coordinators and the senior tutor. Applications are accepted by e-mail: communications@subtletechnologies.com

Professional/academic applicants:

• Applicant: Name, address, telephone number, and email address
• Please submit a one-page description of a project to be undertaken during the workshop.
• Describe how parametric modeling and fabrication will enable your work on the project.
• Include one image of your work.

Student/underemployed applicants:

• Applicant: Name, address, telephone number, email.
• Academic advisor (if applying as a student): Name, address, telephone number, email.
• A one-page description of a project to be undertaken during the workshop.
• Describe how parametric modeling and fabrication will enable your work on the project.
• Include one image of your work.

Applicants will be considered for a scholarship based on their project description and image of work.

Deadlines
Applications are due: May 12 2006

Notification of acceptance will be sent May 15 2006

Requirements

• Each participant must bring their own PC laptop, running Windows XP Pro and .Net Framework 2.0. Preferred display resolution of at least 1280x1024. Software installation instructions will be sent before the workshop commences.
• Previous knowledge of MicroStation is not required.
• Applicants should show ability in digital environments and have interesting ideas that can be explored in a workshop environment with like-minded peers.

Benefits
Workshop registrants will receive:

• working copy of Generative Components software
• complimentary full registration to Subtle Technologies Festival (except scholarship students)
• Responsive Architectures book including research papers for Subtle Technologies 2006 (except scholarship students)
• use of digital fabrication machinery including materials during workshop
• lunch and dinner service during workshop
• advanced, personal instruction from leading experts in Generative Components
• opportunity to collaborate with leaders in parallel disciplines
• publication and recognition for workshop research in CDRN/Subtle Technologies web venues

Registration in the workshop includes complimentary full admission to the Subtle Technologies Fesitval Symposium which runs June 1 through 4, located at Innis College, a short walk from the workshop site at the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto. Subtle Technologies is a four-day multidisciplinary event bringing together audience members and presenters to explore complex and subtle relationships between art and science.

This year's theme for Subtle Technologies is Responsive Architectures. The conference includes a wide definition of architecture that encompasses buildings, mechanical and natural environments. Subtle Technologies is hosted by the University of Waterloo and University of Toronto in partnership with InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Gallery and SoundaXis, a Toronto-wide festival inspired by the work of renowned architect-composer Iannis Xenakis. Institutions participating in SoundaXis include Ryerson University, Perimeter Institute for Physics and The Fields Institute for Mathematics.

Subtle Technologies is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and Canadian Heritage. Support by Bentley Corporation, the Canadian Design Research Network and Arriscraft Corporation for the workshop is gratefully acknowledged.

About the CDRN

The Canada Design Research Network is a new consortium of academics and partners from the private, public and non-governmental sectors working together to improve design outcomes in Canadian society through research in design.

www.cdrn.ca