In the twenties and thirties of the 20th century, when some architects were disposed systematically to configure modern world, they did it stimulated for a cultural pressure, for a correct adaptation to new times, and fighting for minimum conditions of human existence. On the other hand, today the urgency is bigger. It is about the entire planetary subsistence. The question is not any more a simple caprice, neither an intellectual necessity, neither sensibility for losing less favoured people. Now, the necessity is global, without reservations of classes, races or religions. The whole planet is in front of danger of no-sustainability for all mankind.

By chance, now in this crucial moment, are offered new techniques of an enormous potential: biological techniques and digital techniques. And even fusion of both, in something that can be named biodigital architecture. One that has incorporated the advantages proportioned by the understanding of genetics in both ways, the biological and the digital way, that permit to face with hope some continuity also worthy, but this time a dignity for all The Earth.Then, as the ones that made efforts to break with the ancient classical tradition to found the new modern tradition, we are in front of the challenge of creating the future tradition of biodigital and genetics. For this is necessary that people work on three key elements: research, teaching and profession. This is exactly what we have been doing in Barcelona from 2000, with the Genetic Architecture Research Group and Ph.D. Programme, with the Biodigital Architecture Master’s Degree and with the Genetic Architectures Office. There we learn & teach, we make research and we design: Knowing that there are sufficient differential parameters to predict a complete age’s change.Today, after the first decade of our new Century, it is time to explain, to check, to discuss, fascinations, inspirations, experiences, that the graduates of these Research Group, Master’s Degree and Architecture Office have done in the developing of this biodigital architecture and genetics, up to now.

Alberto T. Estévez Conference Chair

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

BioDigital ARCHITECTURE & GENETICS

ESARQ (UIC), Barcelona, 2011, June, 1st-3rd

SCHEDULE

Monday-Wednesday, 30th - May – 1st June

Biodigital Architecture Workshop (Workshop Directors: Alessio Erioli, Aref Maksoud, Alejandro Muiño)

Wednesday, 1st June

18:00 h. Registration for participants and speakers

18:30 h. Welcome Notes and Introduction to the Conference

- Pere Alavedra, UIC Rector / Frederic Marimón, UIC Vice-Rector for Research

- Vicente Sarrablo, ESARQ (UIC) Dean / Judith Urbano, ESARQ (UIC) Vice-Dean for Academics

- Alberto T. Estévez, Conference Chair, Biodigital Architecture and Genetics

- Mauro Costa, 1st

Doctor of the Genetic Architectures Ph.D. Program, Biological analogies in architecture and design

20:00 h. Dinner and gifts for speakers

Thursday, 2nd June

10:00 h. RESEARCH:

Alessio Erioli, Intensive aesthetics

Diego Cuevas, Fabricating the biodigital

Antonio Vacca, Topological and genetic architecture

11:45 h. Coffee break

12:15 h. RESEARCH & roundtable discussion:

Sergio Hidalgo, Bio-logic and nature’s geometry in architecture

Daniela Frogheri, Digital aggregations and biological knowledge

Julian Ardila, Possible imaginary worlds

14:00 h. Lunch

15:00 h. TEACHING:

Aref Maksoud, Genetic architecture visualization

Lamila Simisic, Architecture of the clash

Alejandro Muiño, Natural process

16:45 h. Coffee break

17:15 h. TEACHING & roundtable discussion:

David Anton, Genobits: Processes’ reactions in architecture of systems

Elif Erdogan, Fusion of computation and genetics in design

Friday, 3rd June

10:00 h. PROFESSION:

Mireia Luzárraga, Form, energy and performance

Arne Riekstins, Animation Methods in Urban Planning

11:45 h. Coffee break

12:15 h. PROFESSION:

Pedro Sousa, Experiences like researcher, teacher and professional in biodigital architecture

Gonçalo Henriques, Digital conception and fabrication: A new morphogenesis

13:30 h. End Keynote Research’s Lecture:

Rosa Cervera & Javier Pioz, Towards a bionic reality

15:00 h. Lunch

16:00 h. End Keynote Profession’s Lecture:

Rosa Cervera & Javier Pioz, The Bionic Tower

17:30 h. End roundtable discussion

Saturday, 4th June

11:00 h. Visit to the Sagrada Familia of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona

Sunday, 5th June

12:00 h., UIC’s Campus, Biodiversity actions, trees’ plantations & Mediterranean diet aperitif

(5th June: Environmental World’s day / 2011: Forests World’s year)

Participants will be awarded a certificate

Research:

Genetic Architectures Research Group & Ph.D

Teaching:

Biodigital Architecture Master’s Degree

Profession:

Genetic Architectures Office, Barcelona