New York Digital Design Community

The New York Digital Design Community is a forum that focuses on showcasing technology-driven design by leading New York individuals, practices and universities. It is dedicated to disseminating the application of cutting-edge design methodologies and fabrication techniques related to digital technologies, computation, and digital prototyping in a collegial setting. In a series of quarterly events, design leaders from multiple industries will showcase their most current and stimulating work at a variety of scales and stages of design. These gatherings will bring together individuals from across the field who are in the forefront of developments in digital design, establishing a platform for those who are actively shaping a new profile for their industries and raising the bar for methods of practice in the future.

In this installment of the quarterly series, three practitioners from ARUP, Werner Sobek New York (WSNY), and Zaha Hadid Architects will educate on the various digital design methods and technologies that they employ in their design workflow, highlighting their recent work in pedestrian modeling, discretization, and digital sketch development, respectively.

Introduction:
Michael Brotherton, AIA, VP of Operations, Situ Fabrication LLC
Alexandra Pollock, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Director of Design Technology, Senior Associate, FX Collaborative

Speakers:
Ian Mackenzie, Software Developer, ARUP
Shamil Lallani, Facade Designer, Wener Sobek New York (WSNY)
Jan Klaska, Lead Architect, Zaha Hadid Architects

Moderators:
Andrew Haas, Designer, SOM
Alfonso Oliva, Associate/Director of LERA Consulting Structural Engineers

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Topics:
Pedestrian Modeling in MassMotion | ARUP’s MassMotion software is used to simulate the motion of pedestrians through diverse spaces such as transit stations, stadiums, theaters and museums. Using the social forces model of pedestrian behavior, it tests spatial planning and design ideas to highlight issues with congestion, uncomfortable or dangerous levels of density, or even operational inefficiencies with ticketing or security. This feedback allows designers to evaluate different options, determine specific interventions that improve pedestrian flow, and ultimately design environments that are safer, more comfortable and efficient.

Data, Discretization and the Giant Canopy: A Case Study of Digital Design Rationalization | WSNY is providing ongoing computational and structural design services for the realization of a 450,000 SF corporate headquarters roof canopy. The complex metal roof will consist of 52 unique, doubly-curved elliptical paraboloid roof spans, draping like a tent between 57 columns over 5 cascading levels. In addition to its role as building skin, the roof will generate power from photovoltaic panels shingled over each paraboloid span. WSNY’s digital workflow mediates between the architectural, engineering and construction considerations of this skin system and support structure, demonstrating how computational geometry processing and data management tools can enable custom fabrication at this scale.

Developing the Sketch | Prior to the fabrication of geometries, how can we utilize digital tools in innovative ways for the creation of form? Simulation capabilities of software packages used within the film and game industries offer disruptive influences on the development and representation of form within the design field. These tools and techniques offer opportunities for designers to fully explore the bounds of their creativity. The potentials of these methodologies will be presented, demonstrating how they allow for an extreme amount of diversity and complexity in form generation, capable of providing new opportunities for developing ideas and thought processes for novel design without limiting the evocative and imaginative intent of designers.

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Experiences:
ARUP Sound Lab + Experience Lab
LERA Plus VR (IMMERSIFY)

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Advanced registration is required for this event. Refreshments and light snacks will be served.

Please Note: Registration for AIA New York and Center for Architecture events constitutes your agreement to the use of you and your guest(s) image or voice in event-related digital and print reproductions (photo/video/etc). If you do NOT agree, email info@aiany.org.