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Beijing

Saturday 28 January – Sunday 5 February 2012

Neo-Centre will investigate how to inject the intelligence and automation of computational design into more practical and comprehensive models through experimentation on a high-density redevelopment.

With Beijing as our testbed we will look at current plans to diminish the bottleneck that has suffocated the growth of the capital by creating 11 new distributed city centres. According to city planning policy, Tongzhou will be the paradigm among these new centres. In 2010 the local government adopted the concept of ‘River of Time and Space’ – a play on the history and culture of Tongzhou Canal – as the basis of its new urban plan. Associated with this are four themes: Shadow of Islands, Shadow of Pagoda, Shadow of Buildings and Shadow of Trees. Rather than interpreting this scheme from a metaphorical perspective, however, the workshop aims to explore a series of generic computational models in neighbourhood scale integrating parameters that are extracted from social and economic dimensions. 

We will explore three main issues: 
1. The use of computational processes to generate time-dependent outcomes that respond to changing conditions with minimum redundancy and maximum capacity – as an alternative to one-off development.
 2. The potential of computational design to achieve social integration and maintain social diversity on the basis of communal integrity.
3. Boosting economic growth – can we use computational design to stitch an economically robust higher-density district into the city? 

Participants will compare the history of new city centres in Beijing and in the West and analyse the Ton gzhu planning scheme. Although several computational tools will be taught (among them Rhino Scripting and Grasshopper, Processing and Maya), it is more important to grasp the merits of computational thinking as a way of delivering creative proposals.

Applications

The deadline for applications is 14 January 2012. All participants travelling from abroad are responsible for securing any visa required. After payment of fees, the AA can provide a letter confirming participation in the workshop. A portfolio or CV is not required, only the online application form and payment.

This programme is now full.

Fees

The AA Visiting School requires a fee of £695 per participant, which includes a £50 Visiting Membership. If you are already a member, the total fee will be reduced automatically by £50 by the online payment system. Fees are non refundable. Fees do not include flights. Accommodation during the workshop is not provided, but advice on nearby accommodation options can be given. Students need to bring their own laptops, digital equipment and model making tools. Please ensure this equipment is covered by your own insurance as the AA takes no responsibility for items lost or stolen at the workshop.

Eligibility
The workshop is open to architecture and design students and professionals worldwide.