DLAB Computation & Advanced Digital Fabrication

DLAB is a two-week programme taking place at the AA London HQ’s unique atmosphere.

DLAB experiments with the integration of advanced computational design, analysis, and large-scale prototyping techniques. The programme continues to build on its expertise on complex architectural design and fabrication processes, relying heavily on materiality and performance. DLAB brings together a range of experts – tutors and lecturers – from internationally acclaimed academic institutions and practices, Architectural Association, Zaha Hadid Architects, amongst others.


DLAB investigates on the correlations between form, material, and structure through the rigorous implementation of computational methods for design, analysis, and fabrication, coupled with analog modes of physical experimentation and prototype making. Each cycle of the programme devises custom-made architectural processes through the creation of novel associations between conventional and contemporary design and fabrication techniques. The research culminates in the design and fabrication of a one-to-one scale prototype realized by the use of robotic fabrication techniques, with the aim of integrating of form-finding, material computation, and structural performance.

Course leader

Elif Erdine

Milad Showkatbakhsh

Target group

The workshop is open to current architecture and design students, PhD candidates and young professionals. Software Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino 6. No prior knowledge of software tools is required for eligibility.

Course aim

Teaching team: DLAB tutors are selected from recent graduates / current tutors at the AA. The small student ratio allows for personalised tutorials and debates.
Facilities: AA's cutting-edge facilities used for the fabrication of physical outputs and prototypes. Digital Prototyping Lab (DPL) offers laser cutting, CNC milling, and 3D printing facilities, and two KUKA robotic arms.
Computational skills: The toolset of DLAB includes but is not limited to Rhinoceros, Processing, Grasshopper and various analysis tools.
Theoretical understanding: Dissemination of fundamental design techniques and relevant critical thinking methodologies through theoretical sessions and seminars.
Professional awareness: DLAB performs as a simulation of the professional environment due the priority given to team-based design approach. Participants range from second-year students to PhD candidates and full-time professionals.
Robotic Fabrication: According to the specific agenda of each year, scaled working models are produced via advanced digital machining tools, followed by the fabrication of a scaled prototype with the use of KUKA KR60 and KR30 robots.
Lecture series: A series of lectures conveying the diverse expertise of professionals from some of the world’s leading practices in the areas of digital design and fabrication techniques

Fee info

GBP 1760: DLAB requires a fee of £1,760 per participant, which includes a £60 Visiting School membership fee deposit which is deducted from the total fee.

Scholarships

Partial scholarships available. Please send your portfolio and motivation letter to visitingschool@aaschool.ac.uk