QUOTES

You create your own little universe, and then it does what you tell it to do.

You create your own little universe, and then it does what you tell it to do.

Vint Cerf

There are deep moral/practical reasons for our search which give form to our work: with the form we create we can adjust to the laws of matter with all reverence, forming a dialogue with reality and its mysteries in essential communion… For architecture to be truly constructed, the materials must be used with profound respect for their essence and possibilities; only thus can ‘cosmic economy’ be achieved… in agreement with the profound order of the world; only then can have that authority that so astounds us in the great works of the past.

There are deep moral/practical reasons for our search which give form to our work: with the form we create we can adjust to the laws of matter with all reverence, forming a dialogue with reality and its mysteries in essential communion… For architecture to be truly constructed, the materials must be used with profound respect for their essence and possibilities; only thus can ‘cosmic economy’ be achieved… in agreement with the profound order of the world; only then can have that authority that so astounds us in the great works of the past.

An over aching computational method; in essence an incremental specification of design logic in a computational form that eventually yields with a design space open for exploration of alternatives and their variations.

An over aching computational method; in essence an incremental specification of design logic in a computational form that eventually yields with a design space open for exploration of alternatives and their variations.

Halil Erhan

Generative Design Processes is about the modeling of initial conditions of an object (its “genetics”) instead of modeling the final form.

Generative Design Processes is about the modeling of initial conditions of an object (its “genetics”) instead of modeling the final form.

Paola Fontana

A basic form, pattern, or object is automatically modified by an algorithm. The result: infinite random modifications of the starting solution (within a solution space set by the designer).

A basic form, pattern, or object is automatically modified by an algorithm. The result: infinite random modifications of the starting solution (within a solution space set by the designer).

Frank Piller

Generative design approach works in imitation of Nature, performing ideas as codes, able to generate endless variations

Generative design approach works in imitation of Nature, performing ideas as codes, able to generate endless variations

Celestin Soddu

Generative design systems are aimed at creating new design processes that produce spatially novel yet efficient and buildable designs through exploitation of current computing and manufacturing capabilities

Generative design systems are aimed at creating new design processes that produce spatially novel yet efficient and buildable designs through exploitation of current computing and manufacturing capabilities

Kristina Shea

Generative design is not about designing the building – Its’ about designing the system that builds a building.

Generative design is not about designing the building – Its’ about designing the system that builds a building.

Lars Hesellgren

If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.

If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.

Albert Einstein

Computational design is the application of computational strategies to the design process. While designers traditionally rely on intuition and experience to solve design problems, computational design aims to enhance that process by encoding design decisions using a computer language. The goal isn't to document the final result necessarily, but rather the steps required to create that result

Computational design is the application of computational strategies to the design process. While designers traditionally rely on intuition and experience to solve design problems, computational design aims to enhance that process by encoding design decisions using a computer language. The goal isn't to document the final result necessarily, but rather the steps required to create that result

Michael Kikelly

the work of a computational designer means taking a problem and using software to generate solutions to automate aspects of the creation process

the work of a computational designer means taking a problem and using software to generate solutions to automate aspects of the creation process

John Maeda

The unbuilt is the fantasy that underlies everything.

The unbuilt is the fantasy that underlies everything.

Rem Koolhaas

A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable.

A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable.

Louis Kahn

Many computer-aided design studies are relevant only insofar as they present more fashionable and faster ways of doing what designers already do. And since what designers already do does not seem to work, we will get inbred methods of work that will make bad architecture, unresponsive architecture, even more prolific.

Many computer-aided design studies are relevant only insofar as they present more fashionable and faster ways of doing what designers already do. And since what designers already do does not seem to work, we will get inbred methods of work that will make bad architecture, unresponsive architecture, even more prolific.

Nicholas Negroponte

Algorithms are nothing more than an opportunity to create an architecture that respires

Algorithms are nothing more than an opportunity to create an architecture that respires

An algorithm must be seen to be believed

An algorithm must be seen to be believed

Donald Knuth

The idea becomes a machine that makes the art

The idea becomes a machine that makes the art

Sol Lewitt

Une confrontation permanente entre théorie et expérience est une condition nécessaire à l’expression de la créativité.

Une confrontation permanente entre théorie et expérience est une condition nécessaire à l’expression de la créativité.

Pierre Joliot

Le goût est l’ennemi de la créativité.”

Le goût est l’ennemi de la créativité.”

Pablo Picasso

L’art est toujours le résultat d’une contrainte. Croire qu’il s’élève d’autant plus haut qu’il est plus libre, c’est croire que ce qui retient le cerf-volant de monter, c’est sa corde.”

L’art est toujours le résultat d’une contrainte. Croire qu’il s’élève d’autant plus haut qu’il est plus libre, c’est croire que ce qui retient le cerf-volant de monter, c’est sa corde.”

André Gide

Of the many potentialities afforded by the computer, one of the most significant is its capacity to operate as a search engine. If, then, we think through the logic of the search in the context of ‘design’, what such an approach suggests is that if all possible solutions already exist, it is simply a question of defining a set of constraints and conducting a search, and then selecting one of the many outcomes. The potential implications of this are far reaching. Not only does it challenge the traditional notion of the ‘genius’ of the architect/designer and the originality of the work of art, but it also suggests that if there is still any creativity in the ‘design’ process, it should lie, firstly, in defining the constraints that generate the range of possible solutions to a problem, and, secondly, in developing an effective method of filtering or evaluating them

Of the many potentialities afforded by the computer, one of the most significant is its capacity to operate as a search engine. If, then, we think through the logic of the search in the context of ‘design’, what such an approach suggests is that if all possible solutions already exist, it is simply a question of defining a set of constraints and conducting a search, and then selecting one of the many outcomes. The potential implications of this are far reaching. Not only does it challenge the traditional notion of the ‘genius’ of the architect/designer and the originality of the work of art, but it also suggests that if there is still any creativity in the ‘design’ process, it should lie, firstly, in defining the constraints that generate the range of possible solutions to a problem, and, secondly, in developing an effective method of filtering or evaluating them

[…] if I can picture possible solutions, I have a much better chance of finding the right one.

[…] if I can picture possible solutions, I have a much better chance of finding the right one.

Ivan Sutherland

The art of structures is where to put holes

The art of structures is where to put holes

Robert Le Ricolais

Structural Engineering is the art of molding materials we don’t wholly understand, into shapes we can’t fully analyse, so as to withstand forces we can’t really assess, in such a way the community at large has no reason to suspect the extend of our ignorance

Structural Engineering is the art of molding materials we don’t wholly understand, into shapes we can’t fully analyse, so as to withstand forces we can’t really assess, in such a way the community at large has no reason to suspect the extend of our ignorance

Dr A.R. Dykes

The diagram is an invisible matrix, a set of instructions, that underlies - and most importantly, organises - the expression of features in any material construct

The diagram is an invisible matrix, a set of instructions, that underlies - and most importantly, organises - the expression of features in any material construct

Stanford Kwinter

Form [...] is a ‘diagram of forces

Form [...] is a ‘diagram of forces

D'Arcy W. Thompson

any development that saves money and effort in construction contributes more to the general well-being of mankind than all the messianic claims so common in the profession

any development that saves money and effort in construction contributes more to the general well-being of mankind than all the messianic claims so common in the profession

[…], la beauté exige en architecture la liberté, mieux : la surprise. Alors que l’angle droit sépare, divise, j’ai toujours aimé les courbes, qui sont l’essence même de la nature environnante.

[…], la beauté exige en architecture la liberté, mieux : la surprise. Alors que l’angle droit sépare, divise, j’ai toujours aimé les courbes, qui sont l’essence même de la nature environnante.

Ce n'est pas l'angle droit qui m'attire ni la ligne droite, dure, inflexible, inventée par l'homme. Seule m'attire la courbe libre et sensuelle, la courbe que je retrouve dans les montagnes de mon pays, dans le cours sinueux de ses rivières, dans les vagues de la mer, dans le corps de la femme préférée. De courbes est fait l'univers, l'univers courbe d'Einstein.

Ce n'est pas l'angle droit qui m'attire ni la ligne droite, dure, inflexible, inventée par l'homme. Seule m'attire la courbe libre et sensuelle, la courbe que je retrouve dans les montagnes de mon pays, dans le cours sinueux de ses rivières, dans les vagues de la mer, dans le corps de la femme préférée. De courbes est fait l'univers, l'univers courbe d'Einstein.

In biology material is expensive but shape is cheap. As of today the opposite was true in the case of technology.

In biology material is expensive but shape is cheap. As of today the opposite was true in the case of technology.

Julian Vincent

The characteristic form results from the organisation of matter in space, the arrangement of elements according to a number of embedded rules

The characteristic form results from the organisation of matter in space, the arrangement of elements according to a number of embedded rules

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

Albert Einstein

[One must not] fear that the adoption of forms and volumes closely following natural laws must lead to a monotonous and unsupportable uniformity of products.

[One must not] fear that the adoption of forms and volumes closely following natural laws must lead to a monotonous and unsupportable uniformity of products.

Pier Luigi Nervi

Consciously emulating Nature’s genius means viewing and valuing the natural world differently. In biomimicry, we look at Nature as model, mentor, and measure

Consciously emulating Nature’s genius means viewing and valuing the natural world differently. In biomimicry, we look at Nature as model, mentor, and measure

J.M. Benyus

Without data you're just another person with an opinion

Without data you're just another person with an opinion

W. Edwards Deming

Data is a reinterpretable representation of information in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing.

Data is a reinterpretable representation of information in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing.

If your Architecture practice is not also a Software practice then bye-bye.

If your Architecture practice is not also a Software practice then bye-bye.

Fools ignore complexity. Pragmatists suffer it. Some can avoid it. Geniuses remove it.

Fools ignore complexity. Pragmatists suffer it. Some can avoid it. Geniuses remove it.

Alan J. Perlis

Complexity as the capacity to transmit the maximum information with the minimum data

Complexity as the capacity to transmit the maximum information with the minimum data

BIG

Simplicity Is complexity resolved

Simplicity Is complexity resolved

Constantin Brancusi

Design is... "decision making, in the face of uncertainty, with a high penalty for error.

Design is... "decision making, in the face of uncertainty, with a high penalty for error.

Morris Asimov

Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. The only function of a school is to make self-education easier ; failing that, it does nothing

Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. The only function of a school is to make self-education easier ; failing that, it does nothing

Isaac Asimov

Nature does nothing uselessly.

Nature does nothing uselessly.

Aristotle

Not form, but forming, not form in its final appearance, form in the process of becoming, a genesis.

Not form, but forming, not form in its final appearance, form in the process of becoming, a genesis.

Anderson on Paul Klee

The resistant virtues of the structure that we make depend on their form; it is through their form that they are stable and not because of an awkward accumulation of materials. There is nothing more noble and elegant from an intellectual viewpoint than this; resistance through form.

The resistant virtues of the structure that we make depend on their form; it is through their form that they are stable and not because of an awkward accumulation of materials. There is nothing more noble and elegant from an intellectual viewpoint than this; resistance through form.

Form poses a problem which appeals to the utmost resources of our intelligence, and it affords the means which charm our sensibility and even entice us to the verge of frenzy. Form is never trivial or indifferent; it is the magic of the world.

Form poses a problem which appeals to the utmost resources of our intelligence, and it affords the means which charm our sensibility and even entice us to the verge of frenzy. Form is never trivial or indifferent; it is the magic of the world.

Albert M. Dalq

Consciously emulating Nature’s genius means viewing and valuing the natural world differently. In biomimicry, we look at Nature as model, mentor, and measure.”

Consciously emulating Nature’s genius means viewing and valuing the natural world differently. In biomimicry, we look at Nature as model, mentor, and measure.”

J.M. Benyus

To understand is to perceive patterns

To understand is to perceive patterns

Isaiah Berlin

A topological description of a pattern is concerned not with exact values of distances and angles but rather with the number of connections.

A topological description of a pattern is concerned not with exact values of distances and angles but rather with the number of connections.

A. L. Loeb

We are right to speak of repetition when we find ourselves confronted by identical elements with exactly the same concept. However, we must distinguish between these discrete elements, these repeated objects, and a secret subject, the real subject of repetition, which repeats itself through them. Repetition must be understood in the pronominal.

We are right to speak of repetition when we find ourselves confronted by identical elements with exactly the same concept. However, we must distinguish between these discrete elements, these repeated objects, and a secret subject, the real subject of repetition, which repeats itself through them. Repetition must be understood in the pronominal.

Gilles Deleuze

On the largest and smallest scale, we find serial elements, repetitive patterns. … And if we turn our eyes to the great natural domains, periodicity expands to include the ocean itself

On the largest and smallest scale, we find serial elements, repetitive patterns. … And if we turn our eyes to the great natural domains, periodicity expands to include the ocean itself

Hans Jenny

Imagination is a process of arranging knowledge into new formats

Imagination is a process of arranging knowledge into new formats

Syd Mead

Belief in the significance of architecture is premised on the notion that we are, for better or for worse, different people in different places.

Belief in the significance of architecture is premised on the notion that we are, for better or for worse, different people in different places.

Alain de Botton

We become what we behold. We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us.

We become what we behold. We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us.

Marshall McLuhan

Be curious. Read widely. Try new things. What people call intelligence just boils down to curiosity

Be curious. Read widely. Try new things. What people call intelligence just boils down to curiosity

Aaron Swartz

A bridge is a communication medium as much as a connector

A bridge is a communication medium as much as a connector

Paolo Soleri

Un bâtiment commence toujours par ses fondations

Un bâtiment commence toujours par ses fondations

Luigi Snozzi

If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, designed or removed from production.

If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, designed or removed from production.

Pete Seeger

Intuition plays a large part in architecture, because we don't have an IBM machine big enough to take all the factors into consideration. So, you depend on intuition. But, boy! Wherever you can apply straight thinking or IBM machine methods or things like that, you absolutely have to do it.

Intuition plays a large part in architecture, because we don't have an IBM machine big enough to take all the factors into consideration. So, you depend on intuition. But, boy! Wherever you can apply straight thinking or IBM machine methods or things like that, you absolutely have to do it.

Eero Saarinen

Perhaps one day our home will be reduced to just our skin, infinitely sophisticated...

Perhaps one day our home will be reduced to just our skin, infinitely sophisticated...

Guy Rottier

L’Utopie en effet n’est pas pure illusion mais mise à jour d’un système positif de normes qui, indépendamment de toute référence à leur possibles réalisation, donne seul la mesure de ce qui se passe.

L’Utopie en effet n’est pas pure illusion mais mise à jour d’un système positif de normes qui, indépendamment de toute référence à leur possibles réalisation, donne seul la mesure de ce qui se passe.

Lucien Sebag

From where I stand it is easy to see the science lurking in robotics. It lies in the welding of intelligence to energy. That is, it lies in intelligent perception and intelligent control of motion.

From where I stand it is easy to see the science lurking in robotics. It lies in the welding of intelligence to energy. That is, it lies in intelligent perception and intelligent control of motion.

Allen Newel

At bottom, robotics is about us. It is the discipline of emulating our lives, of womdering how we work.

At bottom, robotics is about us. It is the discipline of emulating our lives, of womdering how we work.

Rod Grupen

When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.

When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.

Richard Buckminster Fuller

Aesthetics is not a luxury, but a universal human desire.

Aesthetics is not a luxury, but a universal human desire.

Virginia Postrel

We can accommodate climate change through the creation of new urban space.

We can accommodate climate change through the creation of new urban space.

Guy Nordenson

Les Nations différentes bâtissent suivant leur goût particulier et leurs besoins ; les différentes températures de leur air servent de règle pour la distribution et la forme de leurs édifices.

Les Nations différentes bâtissent suivant leur goût particulier et leurs besoins ; les différentes températures de leur air servent de règle pour la distribution et la forme de leurs édifices.

A.Ch. D'Avilier

All models are wrong. The practical question is how wrong do they have to be to not be useful.

All models are wrong. The practical question is how wrong do they have to be to not be useful.

George E Box

The ultimate test of your knowledge is your capacity to convey it to another

The ultimate test of your knowledge is your capacity to convey it to another

Richard Feynman

Without mathematics we cannot penetrate deeply into philosophy. Without philosophy we cannot penetrate deeply into mathematics. Without both we cannot penetrate deeply into anything.

Without mathematics we cannot penetrate deeply into philosophy. Without philosophy we cannot penetrate deeply into mathematics. Without both we cannot penetrate deeply into anything.

Leibniz

not form, but forming, not form in its final appearance, form in the process of becoming, a genesis.

not form, but forming, not form in its final appearance, form in the process of becoming, a genesis.

aul Klee

Ἀγεωμέτρητος μηδεὶς εἰσίτω (Let no one ignorant of geometry enter)

Ἀγεωμέτρητος μηδεὶς εἰσίτω (Let no one ignorant of geometry enter)

Plato

By style people meant ornamentation

By style people meant ornamentation

Adolf Loos

Inventer le bateau, c’est inventer le naufrage

Inventer le bateau, c’est inventer le naufrage

Paul Virilio

Cities conform to certain universal dynamics - just like biological organisms.

Cities conform to certain universal dynamics - just like biological organisms.

Geoffrey West

Technology is the exoskeleton of ideas

Technology is the exoskeleton of ideas

Kevin Kelly

C’est la qualité de l’œuvre qui doit porter et légitimer la technologie et non l’inverse.

C’est la qualité de l’œuvre qui doit porter et légitimer la technologie et non l’inverse.

Jean Zeitoun

Architecture in general is frozen music

Architecture in general is frozen music

Friedrich von Schelling

Good design is good business.

Good design is good business.

Thomas Watson, Jr.

What works good is better than what looks good. Because what works good lasts.

What works good is better than what looks good. Because what works good lasts.

Ray Eames

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

[Design means] changing existing situations into preferred ones.

[Design means] changing existing situations into preferred ones.

Herbert Simon

Design isn't problem solving. Design is cultural invention and imagination.

Design isn't problem solving. Design is cultural invention and imagination.

Dan Hill

Art, like morality, consists of drawing a line somewhere

Art, like morality, consists of drawing a line somewhere

G. K. Chesterton

Art & Science have their meeting point in method

Art & Science have their meeting point in method

Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

L’architecte n’est pas l’artiste plasticien, le sculpteur du monde. L’architecture est quelque chose de plus profond…il faut entendre l’architecte comme le philosophe de l’espace, comme l’anthropologue de la création, le psychologue de cette dépendance entre corps et espace.

L’architecte n’est pas l’artiste plasticien, le sculpteur du monde. L’architecture est quelque chose de plus profond…il faut entendre l’architecte comme le philosophe de l’espace, comme l’anthropologue de la création, le psychologue de cette dépendance entre corps et espace.

Morena Campani

L’architecture est art de suggestion.

L’architecture est art de suggestion.

Daniel Pennac