A Matter of Perspective
Unique Technion Course Combines Computer Science, Architecture
Technion students taking a one-of-a-kind course called “A Matter of Perspective” – a collaboration of the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science and the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning – recently showcased their final projects. The class engaged students in using digital manufacturing technologies to produce a physical product, through the realization of a geometric algorithm.
The class gave an opportunity to both architecture and computer science students to work together in small teams, exposed to each other’s worlds. They then submitted a final project, which included an algorithm that produces geometry, and a physical object produced using digital technologies (e.g. 3D printing or laser cutting).
Among the final projects were:
- A printed object that casts a shadow in various shapes when rotated
- 3D “eclairs” dominated by a pattern of laser-cut parameters based on oxidation shape
- A printed object that contains three different images, which reveal themselves depending on the direction from which you look at them
- 3D-printed lenses with transparency and color transitions that create shapes projected on the wall
The course was taught by Prof. Gershon Elber (Computer Science), Prof. Miri Ben-Chen (Computer Science), Yoav Sterman (Architecture) and Kacper Pluta (Computer Science, TA).
“By combining the creativity and design capabilities of architecture students with the computational mindset and algorithmic abilities of computer science students, this course has the potential to create holistic ideas and designs that go much further than what each discipline can create individually,” the professors say. “Specifically, computational tools allow for easy automation and form finding, whereas the design aspect drives shape exploration towards functional and inspiring objects.”
They added that, in the long term, the course can be a stepping stone towards joint research and collaboration between the two faculties. The course A Matter of Perspective will be taught again in the Spring semester of 2022.
3D “eclairs”