UCLA Department of Architecture
and Urban Design
Architectural Design Workshops and SeminarsSummer 2012
Curriculum
View the schedule for the Architecture Workshops
Digital Fabrication
Limited enrollment; This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall computer lab and woodshop
Tuesday and Thursday; August 7, 9, 14, 16; 2p.m. to 5p.m.
This workshop will introduce participants to advanced processes of digital fabrication using CNC routers, laser cutter technology; vacuum forming techniques and Rapid Prototyping.
The workshop will engage different instances of design strategies while incorporating a variety of material and fabrication constrains. It will focus on the translation of information from the digital to the material, and its ultimate outcome as a built product. Materials: $100 to $400
4 classes. Fee: $620
Digital Form
Limited enrollment; This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall computer lab
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; August 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31; 2p.m. to 5p.m.
This workshop will provide the knowledge and skills to develop proficiency in various modes of architectural communication offered by advanced digital environments, using Rhinoceros and Illustrator as the primary software platforms.
In particular, the course explores a wide range of tools and techniques associated to both digital and analogous ways of production to manifest their inherent complexity by underlying their processes of formal and organizational evolution. Highly focused exercises will lead to one of the ultimate aspirations of this workshop; to introduce new ways of thinking about form and geometry and consequently develop techniques that could be actively introduced and actualized into future design studio projects. Basic knowledge of Rhino is required.
Software: Rhinoceros 4.0 SP8, Grasshopper, Illustrator CS2 or higher
6 classes. Fee: $720
Digital Rendering
Limited enrollment; This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall computer lab
Tuesday and Thursday; August 7, 9, 14, 16; 9a.m. to 12p.m.
VRay; Mental Ray, Maxwell and Photoshop will be used as the main software platforms to develop various types of imaginery and architectural visualization.
No previous experience required.
Software: VRay; Mental Ray; Maxwell, Photoshop
4 classes. Fee: $580
Furniture Making Techniques
Limited enrollment; This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall woodshop
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; August 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17; 9a.m. to 12p.m.
In this course students will learn traditional wood working techniques in combination with computer-based fabrication technologies. The course provides access to cnc routers, cnc laser cutters and other technological equipment. There will be hands-on training and instruction for CADCAM software and cnc router operation with the goal of combining these methods with traditional wood working handcraft. Students will begin by making a mallet or toolbox and will complete a small furniture project by the end of the course. Budget for materials will range between $25-$150, depending largely on the species of wood chosen by the student. Scrap lumber will be provided on the first day of class for the beginning project. Please contact the instructor prior to the first class to discuss any special projects.
No previous experience required.
6 classes. Fee: $820
Grasshopper
Limited enrollment; This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall computer lab
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; August 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31; 9a.m. to 12p.m.
This workshop will introduce students to the parametric plug-in Grasshopper for Rhino3D. This graphical editor is ideal for designers exploring new shapes using generative algorithms.
Participants will be exposed to beginner/intermediate level workflows and design strategies for parametric modeling. Emphasis will be placed on data flow, visualization, and analysis techniques that will provide a strong basis for future research and development.
Software: Rhinoceros 4.0 SP8, Grasshopper
6 classes. Fee: $720
Intro to Maya
Limited enrollment. This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall computer lab
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; August 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17; 6p.m. to 9p.m.
As an introduction to MAYA software, this class will deliver technical expertise in using this complex digital modeling platform as an architectural tool. Students will emerge from the course with a strong understanding of the possibilities offered by both modeling and animation in design and how to handle it with precision and control. Skills for representing complex geometry will be honed to make each individual’s interests read clearly through drawings.
No previous experience required.
Software: Maya 9.0
6 classes. Fee: $720
Parametric Design with Revit
Limited enrollment; This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall computer lab
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; August 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17; 2p.m. to 5p.m.
This workshop will provide students with the knowledge necessary to develop an intelligent Building Information Model (BIM) in the Revit software environment. Students will be instructed on the fundamental concepts and benefits of BIM and the role parametrics and information play in the design and documentation process. This course will leave students with the ability to develop a full BIM of a building, render it, and efficiently derive thoroughly coordinated drawing documentation & details from it. Upon completion, students will be well prepared to utilize this technology for their academic endeavors, but perhaps more importantly, have a jump start on directly applying their academic skills & knowledge to the professional architecture environment.
Software: Revit Architecture 2011
6 classes. Fee: $820
Portfolio+
Limited enrollment. This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall computer lab
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; August 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17; 9a.m. to 12p.m.
This workshop is designed to instruct students in skills for portfolio layout, the central component in graduate school applications for architecture, landscape architecture and related design fields. Students will also learn to write and edit their statements of purpose. The workshop will present examples of successful portfolios and introduce techniques for graphic communication including image-work, line-work and diagrams. Students will be given direct feedback through one-on-one critiques as well as pin-up reviews based on the layouts they produce of their own work. The workshop will also include close editing of texts for the portfolio and dedicate time to both conceiving and writing a successful statement of purpose.
No previous experience required.
Software: Adobe Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign; Microsoft World.
6 classes. Fee: $860
Intro to Rhino
Limited enrollment. This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall computer lab
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; August 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31; 6p.m. to 9p.m.
This workshop will explore a variety of possibilities for modeling complex form using Rhino as the main software platform. Students will also learn all necessary skills to develop advanced methods of 2D and 3D representation, from orthographic projections and rendering to STL meshes for rapid prototypes presentation techniques.
No previous experience required.
Software: Rhinoceros 4.0 SP8, Illustrator CS2 or higher
6 classes. Fee: $720
Scripting/Programming
Limited enrollment. This is a non-credit course.
Location: Perloff Hall computer lab
Tuesday and Thursday; August 21, 23, 28, 30; 9a.m. to 12p.m.
Phyton is a scripting tool that runs on Windows and Mac OS X and is compatible with Rhino, Grasshopper, Maya, 3ds Max, Revit, among many others. By writing scripts, one frees themselves from the conventional toolsets prescribed by software packages, allowing access to deeper functionality that is not available up front. Using code and computation enables designers to shift seamlessly between platforms with an unprecedented speed and complexity. No more three clicking needed. A geometric investigation will accompany the workshop designed to encourage students to expand and explore Phyton to fit their needs. The main goal of this workshop is to expose students to the realm of computational design and automation through scripting.
No previous experience required.
Software: Phyton
4 classes. Fee: $580