Space Craft : Developments in Architectural Computing

The handsomely illustrated Space Craft is a snapshot of the rapidly developing subject of architectural 3-D computer modelling. Increasingly important in contemporary architecture, many of todays iconic free-form structures simply couldnt be made without the advanced digital techniques described here.

Packed with cutting-edge case studies by acknowledged leaders in the field, the book explores the contemporary state of the art and hints at its monumental potential, a potential that is within reach of very small practices even sole practitioners.

Readable, accessible and informative, the book contains sections on Architecture and Structure, Evolution and Emergence, Animation, Design Interrogation, Drawing, Technology and Fabrication, Modelling the Unseen, and Collaboration.

The detailed case studies, many of them of recent, well-known buildings, include explanations of how the visualisations and structures were created.While the complex software supporting these advances is becoming ever more sophisticated and powerful, the smaller, cheaper packages can also provide superb results.

Aimed at all architects, engineers and construction specialists with a professional interest in computational design, the book shows that both landmark buildings and modest, low-budget structures can benefit from this approach. Space Craft is an inspirational, enlightening and important milestone in the literature about architectural computing.

David Littlefield