Saturday 16 June 2012

rat[LAB] Launch 2012


rat[LAB] – Research in Architecture & Technology
What is rat[LAB]?
rat[LAB] is an architectural research cell based out of London, United Kingdom, envisioned in  Summer 2012, by architects and researchers Sushant Verma and Pradeep Devadass, during their course of post-graduation studies (Em.Tech.) at The Architectural Association (AA) School of Architecture, London. The rat[LAB] focuses on research agenda centred around integration of technology in architectural design, with a focus on materiality, complexity science and emergence, operating at multiple scales in architecture and urbanism.
The research cell intends to function as a collaborative and inter-disciplinary laboratory facilitating design research that leads to novel spatial tectonics and smart built environments. The focus is on generative system development at the initial phase, leading to an architectural or urban intervention / application of the same, at a later phase of open-ended research.

The current research agenda
The current research is based on adaptive [skins] which is focused on development of building skins at architectural scales, with a focus on smart system development integrating smart materials and smart geometries, through an evolutionary process using genetic algorithms for optimization, with respect to structure, environment and spatial effects.

About the researchers
Sushant Verma is an Indian Architect who earned his Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)degree from SSAA, New Delhi with a Gold Medal Award for his Design Research and Thesis in 2010. He started working as a part-time assistant architect with Design Consultants (India) Pvt. Ltd. in 2007 and started his collaborative research firm named studio[2121]architecture in 2008. His constant involvement with reputed architectural firms like Mani Chowfla Architects, New Delhi and M:OFA Studio (Manifestation of Fluid Architecture), New Delhi has allowed him to gain experience of projects with varied scale and program.
Presently, Sushant is pursuing Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree in Emergent Technologies & Design (Em.Tech.) from The Architectural Association (AA) School of Architecture, London. His current research interests are focused on relationship studies between simplicity and complexity in architecture, continuing his published work on Plectic Architecture. His parallel on-going research focuses on ‘super-complexity’ in architecture with digital-analogue fabrication and computation as primary aspects.
Pradeep Devadass is an Indian Architect who earned his Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree from RV School of Architecture, Bangalore in 2011. He has been involved with reputed architectural firms like Mathew & Ghosh Architects, Bangalore and RSP Design Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore and has worked on a number of medium and large scale projects in India.
He is currently pursuing Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree in Emergent Technologies & Design (Em.Tech.) from The Architectural Association (AA) School of Architecture, London. He is also working as an assistant in Digital Prototyping Lab at the AA, with a good knowledge and experience of prototyping tools such as 3D printing, CNC Milling and Laser Cutting. His research interests revolve around digital fabrication techniques and computational tool development for architecture.

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