Surface of Affect/Effect

3 units

This course is a digital design and fabrication seminar that introduces the notion of architecture affecting human senses as well as the effects generated by the architectural entity. The affective ability will focus on tactility since it is the sense perceived by the entire body and opticality due to the visual nature of architecture. Both affect and effect focus on the surface as a plane of contact between people and their architectural environment. The class will develop digital modeling techniques that will lead to the development of physical prototypes that explore dynamic conditions responding to environmental variables that continually modify the visual and tactile boundary of the surface as division between a person and the exterior environment. In particular, the class will develop surfaces that explore physical movement, implied movement, and perceived movement. The course will involve readings and discussion along with the production of digital and physical prototypes. The class is a prelude to the digital fabrication studio in the spring 2015, but not a prerequisite for the studio. Students enrolled in this seminar will receive priority placement in the studio.