The Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia will the first Global Summer School programme in Muscat, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
The Global Summer School Muscat programme, entitled Space Dynamics, will be focus on the development of new concepts of mobility in order to propose an augmented system of transportation, where different modes of transport within Muscat will intersect.
The course will focus on giving an introduction to parametric and computation design, later moving on to applying these techniques to the design of a multi-modal transport hub for Muscat.
Professionals and students alike will learn the latest computational design techniques in an intense period of 13 days composed of lectures and studio time focused around design experimentation, extending the projection of contemporary architectural discourse in national and international Arab cultures,” said the Global Summer School Muscat website.
Participants will work with elements such as fluid dynamic, data driven design, data mapping, programming, material behavior, morpho-ecologies, advanced structures, composite tectonic, and digital fabrication through a rigorous computational design workflow.
The programme has been designed by participating tutors who are made up of Muscat-based architects and academics as well as international practitioners, in collaboration with IAAC.
Haitham Al Busafi, founder of Muscat-based BusafiArc studio is one of the lecturers and tutors for the 13-day workshop.
“I will be focusing on the digital fabrication sessions where we aim to leverage digital design and manufacturing for perceptual, spatial, and formal effects and the reverse engineering approach for its optimisation,” he said.
“Participants will explore the flow of information from design to fabrication, implementing nowadays equipment and build their project proposal using CNC machines, 3D Printing, and laser cutters.”
Other tutors include Dario Donato, founder and design principal of international firm Spatialconnection(s); Samir Al Azri, head of the Engineering Department at the Higher College of Technology; and Perth-based architect and computational designer, Paolo Borghetti.
“There is an increased adoption of parametric and computational design tools within the region, specially in emerging architecture and design firms as well as branches of larger firms. This is being supported by the educational institutes within the region which focus on computation design processes,” Busafi explained.
The course will be taking place between 15-27 July. To apply for the course, click here.