Course Content
6 Lessons
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This workshop is for architecture and structural designers and students interested in the simultaneous design of structure and architecture.
2 courses5.0
Evolutionary Computation (EC) is a sub-field of artificial intelligence (AI) which uses the “Evolutionary Algorithm” (EAs) to solve problems that have too many variables for traditional algorithms. This method selects the best alternatives between various solutions based on problems’ criteria and constraints, known as “Optimization.” The engineering community (including architects and structural engineers) could benefit from this design method as a rapid and high-quality decision-making method and tool to increase the speed and quality of their design choice in the building design field.
After the successful first edition of the workshop, this time, participants will dive deep into how to use the EAs to study the effect of architectural design decisions on buildings’ structures’ performance and how to select optimum design alternatives among various design solutions. To achieve this goal, we use “Karamba3D” as a Finite Element (FE) analysis tool, which provides an accurate analysis of spatial trusses, frames, and shells in the early design stage, and “Galapagos” as an optimization tool based on the genetic algorithm.
They are both fully embedded in the parametric design environment of Grasshopper, a plugin for the 3D modeling tool Rhino. This makes combining parameterized geometric models, finite element calculations, and evolutionary optimization algorithms easy.
Understand the main criteria and evaluation factors of a “FE analysis,”
Learn how to model and analyze simple structures using “Karamba3D,”
Understand the basic concepts and application of “Evolutionary Algorithms,”
Learn how to use a “Genetic Algorithm” for optimization and design framework in the architectural design process.
Learn how to use “Galapagos” to define a generative structure and architecture optimization workflow.
In this workshop, you’ll learn about using Karamba3D and Galapagos as Finite Element Analysis and Genetic Algorithm optimization tools to create non-standard structural forms in static equilibrium using a computer-aided design framework. The design workflow depends on implementing a series of operations (generation, evaluation, optimization, and regeneration) that allow the creation of multiple design alternatives and navigating in the architectural design space according to objective and subjective criteria defined by the designer.
Evolutionary Computational Design 2.0 is for architecture and structural designers and students interested in the simultaneous design of structure and architecture. All modeling and computational analysis will be done in the grasshopper/Rhino7. Having beginner to intermediate knowledge of Grasshopper is a must. Karamba3D will be used for modeling and analyzing the structure during sessions. No prior Karamba3D knowledge is required. The trial Karamba3D version is sufficient. The Evolutionary Optimization Algorithms will be explained from scratch, and Galapagos, the single objective optimization tool based on the genetic algorithm, will be introduced. Prior knowledge of optimization algorithms is an advantage but not necessary.
Course Content
Ghazal Javidannia is a Computational Design Architect specializing in generative design and optimization using evolutionary algorithms. She holds a Ph.D. from Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) in Tehran, focusing on computational design and structural performance. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at eCAADe and SimAUD.
Javidannia has led international workshops on architectural optimization and collaborates with major design firms on building performance simulation and AI-driven parametric design.
I just finished Evolutionary Computational Design 2.0 — and it was super interesting! The course taught me how to use Karamba3D for structural analysis and Galapagos (a genetic‑algorithm optimizer) inside Rhino 3D/Grasshopper to explore many design‑structure options and pick the best one.  By the end I felt comfortable generating and evaluating multiple structural/architectural proposals — it gives a hands‑on taste of combining creativity with engineering logic. If you’re into architecture or structural design and a bit familiar with parametric tools, this workshop is a neat way to level up.
Thumbs up Ghazal! Great course boiling the complex subject to simple & abordable concept. Hope to see you soon with EC with Wallacei or Octopus.
Amazing