Algorithmic Architecture and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Sell Back Your Copy
For a $7.60 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Algorithmic Architecture
 
 
Start reading Algorithmic Architecture on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Algorithmic Architecture [Paperback]

Kostas Terzidis (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

List Price: $48.95
Price: $47.38 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $1.57 (3%)
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Only 9 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Want it delivered Tuesday, January 31? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Textbook Student FREE Two-Day Shipping for Students. Learn more

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $35.16  
Paperback $47.38  

Book Description

0750667257 978-0750667258 July 5, 2006 1
Why does the word design owe its origin to Latin and not Greek roots? Where do the limits of the human mind lie? How does ambiguity enter the deterministic world of computation? Who was Parmenides and why is his philosophy still puzzling today? This unique volume challenges the reader to tackle all these complex questions and more.

Algorithmic Architecture is not a typical theory-based architectural book; it is not a computer programming or language tutorial book either. It contains a series of provocative design projects, and yet it is not just a design or graphic art book per se. Following the tradition of architecture as a conglomeration of various design fields - engineering, theory, art, and recently, computation - the challenge of this book is to present a concept that, like architecture, is a unifying theme for many diverse disciplines. An algorithm is not only a step-by-step problem-solving procedure, a series of lines of computer codes or a mechanistic linguistic expression, but is also an ontological construct with deep philosophical, social, design, and artistic repercussions. Consequently, this book presents many, various and often seemingly disparate points of view that lead to the establishment of one common theme; algorithmic architecture.

* Guides readers in the increasingly popular practice of using algorithms to solve complex design issues
* Demonstrates a technique used by many of the big name architecture firms, now cascading down to educational level
* Shows architects how to use algorithms to go beyond the mouse and transcend the factory set limitations of current 3D CAD software

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Buy $50 in qualifying physical textbooks, get $5 in Amazon MP3 Credit. Here's how (restrictions apply)

Frequently Bought Together

Algorithmic Architecture + From Control to Design: Parametric/Algorithmic Architecture + Digital Fabrications: Architectural and Material Techniques (Architecture Briefs)
Price For All Three: $88.81

Show availability and shipping details

Buy the selected items together
  • In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

  • From Control to Design: Parametric/Algorithmic Architecture $25.05

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

  • Digital Fabrications: Architectural and Material Techniques (Architecture Briefs) $16.38

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details



Editorial Reviews

Book Description

How to use Algorithms to solve complex design issues

Product Details

  • Paperback: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Architectural Press; 1 edition (July 5, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0750667257
  • ISBN-13: 978-0750667258
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting cross-disciplinary book not just for architects, August 12, 2007
This review is from: Algorithmic Architecture (Paperback)
This is a very interesting book on the use of algorithms to come up with interesting solutions to architectural design problems. It is a sort of cross between artificial intelligence, computer science, computer graphics, and, of course, architecture that uses the language of algorithm implementation to get its point across of all of these disciplines intersecting. The first three chapters are introductory in nature and focus on the philosophy of combining the various disciplines. The fourth chapter is where the author gets down to business and begins to discuss specific algorithms. Boolean operations, stochastic search, fractals, cellular automata, and morphing are all shown in algorithmic form and discussed within the context of solving architectural design problems. For each algorithm the author gives code, explanations, and examples. Chapters five and six provide illustrations of types of architectural design that use algorithms. Chapter five presents three projects: a parasite structure, a morphed high-rise, and a Boolean concert hall. Chapter six shows how intricate structures can emerge from simple algorithms. Three projects are presented in this chapter too: a repetitive pattern for a house of worship, a stochastic-based residential high-rise, and a library. Chapter seven acts as a kind of summary of ideas presented in the book. I am involved in computer graphic programming, not architecture, and I still found lots of ideas in this very fascinating and well-illustrated book. This would be interesting reading for people involved in the design of virtual worlds too.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Including MEL scripts, February 21, 2008
This review is from: Algorithmic Architecture (Paperback)
This book starts by explaining the nature of algorithmic architecture. Next to the interesting theories and viewpoints it gives short MEL-scripts. These scripts are the code behind the amazing algorithmic shapes and spaces. I found these MEL scripts very useful and by studying the scripts this book will give you the key to create your own algorithm. I was able to make simple scripts myself, but these nice examples really improved my skills and gave me new ideas of how to use MEL (within maya).
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars interesting, August 17, 2008
This review is from: Algorithmic Architecture (Paperback)
This is a good book for architecture students. There you 'll find an introduction to the use of scripting in architectural design, algorithms, students projects and even MEL code.
Nevertheless I think the first half of the book is forgettable, there the author tries to come up with a BIG theory for design, and falls short.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
shape grammars, stochastic search
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Kostas Terzidis, Harvard University, New York, Princeton Architectural Press
New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:



Books on Related Topics (learn more)

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums



So You'd Like to...



Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject