Call for Applications

Spring University “CAx: Dimensions of Computer-Aid in Architecture, 
Biological Sciences, Design and Medicine”

2-7 April, 2017

Cluster of Excellence »Image Knowledge Gestaltung. An Interdisciplinary 
Laboratory«
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Sophienstr. 22a
D-10178 Berlin


Computer-aided design, computer-assisted surgery or computer-aided 
manufacturing: the advent of conception, simulation and intervention 
through digital means has already wrought a permanent change to the ways 
of thinking and acting in the areas of architecture, design, biomaterial 
science and medicine. Recently, the deployment of advanced robotics, 
tracking systems and real-time imaging promises to not only close and 
‘seamlessly’ link but to establish permanent feedback loops that 
mutually transform digital processes and physical materialities. For 
example, designing a construction in architecture by means of 
computer-aided design software, automatically transferring the data to 
3D-printing devices, and controlling the process by augmented-reality 
technologies to detect deviations between planning and materialization 
points to the fundamental role of computer-aided techniques. Besides 
constructive computer-aided techniques, interventional practices that 
are enabled by computational processes as in computer-assisted surgery 
pose literally vital questions of how computing ‘aids’ certain practices 
and actors and point to ethical, legal and socio-economic issues.

If computer-aided methods can no longer be thought of primarily as 
design or conceptual tools residing in the computer's black box, how can 
they be understood in their transformative potential that crosses the 
ontological threshold to the environment, bodies and materials? What 
kind of specific aid or assistance do computational methods provide in 
architecture, biological sciences, design and medicine, and how can one 
analyze the overlay and merging of digital and physical layers of CAx 
from an interdisciplinary perspective?

To discuss these questions the spring university will focus on five core 
areas:

-Histories and Contexts of CAx: As a way of placing current techniques 
in their historic context, there will be a particular focus on the 
development of computer-aided design software in architecture and 
design.

- Simulation and Visualisation: Simulation methods with their basic 
mathematical models as well as visualisation strategies provide tools to 
evaluate outcomes of planned constructions and interventions as well as 
to communicate among actors.

- Robotics and Automation: Robotic systems such as in computer-assisted 
surgery are transfor-ming the workflows from surgical handicraft to 
remote controlled and automated modes of intervention. Besides practical 
challenges such as the search for appropriate control and interaction 
modalities as well as visualisation methods, the transformation of 
surgical knowledge, cooperative practices and the shift in 
responsibilities and work routines are key issues when analyzing the 
application of robotic systems.

-Material Resistances: The question of how digital design can be 
transferred into material construction or »digital materiality« also 
evoked the search for »smart« and responsive materials. This focus will 
examine the processual gaps between code and matter and the resistance 
of materiality in CAx applications, in particular in architecture and 
design.

- Hands-on CAx and Fieldtrips:  Visits to exemplary contexts of 
application as well as a workshop will provide participants with 
practice-based insights on CAx methods. Whilst fieldtrips will show 
certain applications in situ, a workshop will give participants the 
opportunity to experience a computer-aided design process first-hand 
(e.g. constructing a 3D-printable object).

Confirmed Faculty

Gabriele Gramelsberger, Chair of Philosophy of Digital Media, 
Witten/Herdecke University

Daniel Cardoso Llach, School of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University

Sven Pfeiffer, Department for Digital Architectural Production, 
Technical University Berlin

Friedrich Schmidgall, Interaction Design, Interdisciplinary Laboratory 
Image Knowledge Gestaltung, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Richard Weinkamer, Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of 
Colloids and Interfaces Potsdam

Who should apply
The spring university invites Master’s and doctoral students from the 
fields of Architecture, Biological and Biomaterial Sciences, Design, 
Media Studies, Medicine, Philosophy of Science, History of Science, 
Science and Technology Studies and related fields. Both on-going 
theoretical as well as practice-based investigations into technologies, 
practices and contexts of CAx in different fields of application are 
welcome. During the spring university you will have the opportunity to 
discuss your project with the other participants and the faculty. The 
working language will be English.

How to apply
Please submit your CV (1 page) along with a 300-word abstract of your 
current research project until February 19th, 2017. Please also note in 
your application: full name, affiliation, address and dietary 
restrictions.

Please email applications as one PDF-document to: [log in to unmask]

All accepted applicants will be notified by February 22nd, 2017. 
Participants are expected to present their projects in the format of 
their choice (e.g. 20 min. presentation; poster; demonstration) in the 
course of the spring university. Please indicate in your application how 
you would like to present your research.

Venue, Accommodation and Travel Arrangements
The spring university mainly takes place at the Cluster of Excellence 
»Image Knowledge Gestaltung. An Interdisciplinary Laboratory«, 
Sophienstr. 22a, D-10178 Berlin-Mitte. Fieldtrips will be arranged by 
the organizers.

There is no participation fee.

Accommodation for all participants will be arranged by the organizers at 
the Humboldt Universität’s guesthouse (Ziegelstr. 13a, D- 10117 Berlin).

Participants are asked to organize travel arrangements on their own. 
Travel costs will be financed and reimbursed shortly after the spring 
university concludes by the Cluster of Excellence »Image Knowledge 
Gestaltung. An Interdisciplinary Laboratory«.

Please direct any questions to: [log in to unmask]

The spring university is part of the Cluster of Excellence »Image 
Knowledge Gestaltung. An Interdisciplinary Laboratory« funded by the 
German Research Foundation (DFG) 
(https://www.interdisciplinary-laboratory.hu-berlin.de/en/bwg/)

Organization: Dr. des. Kathrin Friedrich, Sarah Scheidmantel, Puo-An Wu


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