Ricerc@Sapienza

This book highlights the concept of informed architecture as an alternative or
implementation of a performance-based approach. Starting from the analysis of the
state of art, the book will define an operative methodology through which perfor-
mative parameters lead and inform the generation of the shape becoming design’s
input rather than mere quantitative parameters. Visually dynamic responsiveness,
obtained by the morphological reconfiguration of the systems, become static
through informed design proceedings. Within this scenario, generative design and
digital computing play a key role in the efficient exploration of design solutions, as
well as for the ability to focus formal generation, simulation of dynamic phe-
nomena, and manufacturing on a single workflow. The methodology will be
investigated through the analysis of case studies. The project’s analysis aims to
identify the basic research lines, showing the main results obtained and extracting
the theoretical concepts that follow the investigations carried out at universities and
research centers active on the matter. Specifically, the research lines have different
approaches to the topic in relation to the typology and nature of the relationship
between academic studies and industrial procedures; the use of traditional and
experimental materials and production processes; the exploration of innovative
concepts linked to collaboration between man and machine and cyber-physical
making. In addition to a different way of conceiving and utilizing the manufacturing
tool, at the base of the survey there is a different interpretation of the performance
concept, which is the basis for the definition of informed architectures in relation to
data usage and the optimization procedures. This book presents results of the
studies titled Post-industrial Robotics conducted from December 2014 to August
2016 under the supervision of Prof. Alessandra Battisti at University of Rome La
Sapienza Doctoral Program.