Events Calendar

InFORMation inNOVAtion...

Researches in Design and Computation, Optioneering through Associative Parametric Design,
Building Information Modeling and Platforms for Design Integration and Analytics Speaker: Dr. David J. Gerber, Assistant USC School of Architecture, Consultant for Gehry Technologies, Inc. Abstract: Architectural design by definition is an ill defined problem computationally; it is multi-objective and pluri-potent. The research trajectories presented address the application of technologies and methodologies to architecture, engineering, and construction problems in the building, building systems and urban design arenas. These technologies include associative parametric modeling, building information modeling, simulation and the advent of design analytic platforms. Intrinsic to the research is that of integration and the leveraging of geometrically and semantically rich higher fidelity models and simulations. Collaboration, communication and the need for rapid design iteration and visualized validation is core to the development of what we term optioneering methodologies and technologies. The research looks deeply into practice based problems and the opportunities for innovating solutions for the problems of design efficiency and fit; of complex system performance, organizational and project; and of overall sustainability. We look at the current problems and cutting edge of optioneering platforms and the future research into design computation integrations. While the advent of geometric and semantic models, i.e., Building Information Modeling has brought about a step wise change to the industry's best practices, researches into the problem of early stage design iteration, design model validation and analytics, and into opportunities for integration remain an essential arena for improvement. Bio: Dr. David Jason Gerber is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at USC. He concurrently consults for Gehry Technologies Inc., a leading Building Information Modeling consultancy and technology company where he was a Vice President. Prior to Gehry Technologies Dr. Gerber lead research and development as a Vice President of Innovation for a US startup acquired by an Indian company in 2008 where he developed a platform for synchronous global BIM collaboration. Dr. Gerber has worked as an architect and consultant in the US, Europe and Asia, for the Steinberg Group, Moshe Safdie, Gehry Technologies, and as a project architect for Zaha Hadid. While working for Zaha Hadid Architects, Dr. Gerber worked on a number of the recently built projects including the contemporary art museum in Cincinnati, the Phaeno Science Museum in Wolfsburg Germany, the Hoenheim terminus in Strasbourg and a number of well published un-built projects. He was project architect and project manager for the One North masterplan in Singapore where in conjunction he invented and developed a technology platform for managing design iteration and the invention of an associative parametric urbanism methodology. The platform was a technology to manage and visualize design and engineering cause and effect. Upon delivery of the project which included 5 million square meters of planned gross floor area he pursued his doctoral research at Harvard University. His doctoral research, Parametric Practices: Models for Design Exploration in Architecture, focused on associative parametric design technology and its affect on design, theory, processes, and contemporary practice. Publications of his design work and research have been included in "Young Blood," AD (2001); "Corporate Fields," AA Publications (2005); and in Interactive Cities, Hyx Publications (2006). He published a Harvard University book The Parametric Affect: Computation, Innovation and Models for Design Exploration in Contemporary Architectural Practice (2009). Most recently he authored the feature article for the Journal of Building Information Modeling titled: BIM as a Risk Management Platform Enabling Integrated Practice and Delivery. He has held appointments at MIT's Media Lab as a research fellow, as well as numerous teaching and research fellowships at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and as Harvard University's Frederick Sheldon Fellow. He has been full time faculty at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), a lecturer at the Architectural Association's Design Research Laboratory in London, a lecturer at UCLA and has been a guest speaker and critic at Harvard, MIT Innsbruck University, and the EPFL Switzerland. At SCI-Arc and USC he instructed and instructs courses in the Applied Sciences and studios in design, design computation, AEC technologies, and fabrication, emphasizing associative parametric design strategies and Building Information Modeling as a means of design exploration and realization. He is an invited lecturer at Stanford University's Center for Integrated Facility Engineering and CEE department. At USC Dr. Gerber has taught courses in the CEE department on Building Information Modeling. He has lectured globally on the topics of associative parametric design, design and computation, and speaks to industry associations on the implications of BIM and technology on the AEC industry. Dr. Gerber holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California Berkeley (1996), a Master of Architecture from the Architectural Association DRL in London (2000) Master of Design Studies (2003) and Doctor of Design from Harvard University Graduate School of Design (2007).

Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Evangeline Reyes