Latest advances in digital architectural design enable applications of computation and fabrication strategies for the development of adaptive mechanisms. Adaptive design processes, influenced by environmental and human related conditions, are only developed partially with regard to the design, fabrication, and multi-objective performance based context. The current paper proposes an adaptive design process that investigates the design of a kinetic structure emphasizing material behaviour, embedded technology and computation. In parallel, it allows design proposals to adapt or transform with regard to geometrical configuration and structural behaviour according to external and internal influences. An adaptive hybrid structure is developed at digital and physical prototype level, where its behaviour is examined in real time under the influence of physical conditions. The development is based on a holistic design approach driven by environmental and human activity related conditions, while focusing on the application of elastic materials and embedded technology. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of International Journal of Architectural Computing is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper attempts to explore the interrelation between a) the architects’ individualism and “pre-structures” b) research- based findings during the designprocess through experimentation and c)an integrated design approach, wheremorphology, construction and bioclimatic design are integrated from an early designstage. Through a thorough presentation and analysis of a competition proposal forthe Cyprus News Agency, we discuss a number of important findings in relation to thepresent and possibly future form of the design studio. We suggest that thedesigner’s “prestructures” may not only be the basis for creative action, but also thebasis for understanding and interpretation. Design informed and enriched at everystage by a research-based process, might well be the transmission andtransformation of “prestructures”, a process of elaboration and discovery whichfacilitates and enhances design creativity and possibly allows for a multiplicity ofapproaches through a range of possibilities. Furthermore, an integrated approachfrom the early stages of the design process facilitates innovation in materials andsystems.

The aim of this paper is first to present the results of how first year students of architecture are exposed through an introductory course, (2nd semester, University of Cyprus), to ways of visualizing relations in time rather than objects in space. Further on, the paper will link such pedagogical approach to a broader thinking of making explicit relations, therefore performances in architecture and especially in "architecture as practice". Usually students, through architectural education, become acquainted with means of representation of objects in space. This approach quite often, leads to "architecture as building" approach (object-based design) rather than "architecture as practice" one, (process-based design). The difference between the two is that the latter takes into account not only the object to design but also the systems of actors who are involved in the design process and their priorities. In order that architects find a decisive role within "architecture as practice" approach, they need to be able to visualize relations between project actors, their complex environments, their priorities and the design outcome. Such approach gives to the notion of performance a prominent role and of that of diagram an important tool in communicating such information, especially on how performative are relations between project actors in a process based design approach. To accomplish such objective the workshop uses the 'cosmos' of musical instruments. Every year the workshop focuses on different types of musical instruments in different kinds of context: wind instruments during the rehearsal of Cyprus State Orchestra, chord instruments in "Buena Vista Social Club" movie of Wim Wenders, percussions in "You Tube' video music clips. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of Design Principles & Practice: An International Journal is the property of Common Ground Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)