by Theodore W. Hall

This year the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA) marked its first quarter century of involvement in promoting the use of computers to enhance design creativity in architecture, planning, and building science.

The 26th annual ACADIA conference convened in Louisville in October 2006, hosted by University of Kentucky associate professor Gregory Luhan, who planned the event and strategically aligned it with the Idea Festival organized by the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation. The Idea Festival brings together people with diverse backgrounds to explore innovations and novel ideas emerging from the intersections of creative fields.

With the theme of "Synthetic Landscapes," the ACADIA conference explored the relationship between design and physical construction with 24 peer-reviewed paper presentations, and five keynote speeches, plus plenary presentations, works in progress, hands-on workshops (on Revit, Rhino, form-Z, Digital Project, and Generative Components), and a "digital exchange exhibition."

Form, Material, and Manufacturing

A continuing topic of discussion within the ACADIA community during the past few years has been the relationship between design and the built environment. Some have questioned the necessity of materiality in all architecture, promoting a vision of "cyber-architects" who specialize in designing virtual spaces and experiences.   >>>

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A full-scale prototype of an actuated tensegrity structure for use within a responsive building envelope. This prototype was built from cast-aluminum pieces that were first CAD-CAM rapid-prototyped. The structure (shown not yet clad) is programmable and responsive to its surrounding environment. Photo: Tristan d'Estrée Sterk Mersive Technologies' 50-million- pixel display. Photo: Theodore W. Hall   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.