Solving Complexities Through Computational Tools / Arturo Tedeschi

The Archiologist

Arturo Tedeschi is an architect, independent researcher and computational designer, since 2004 complemented professional practice in Italy with a personal research on parametric design, focusing on relationships between architecture and new design tools. In 2010 he published “Architettura Parametrica”, a bestseller book on parametric design, translated into english as “Parametric Architecture with Grasshopper” in 2011. In the same year he worked at Zaha Hadid Architects in London. In 2011 he founded A > T a cloud based office which provides computational design services and training for architects, designers and companies.

He’s currently director and teacher of a series of workshops on parametric design and he has been an invited lecturer at universities and conferences worldwide. From 2012 to 2014 he is co-director of the AA Rome Visiting School for the Architectural Association School (London). His projects have been exhibited in Rome (MACRO museum), Milan, London, Paris (Carrousel du Louvre, Centre Pompidou), Cologne and Venice (Off event at Biennale 2014). In 2014 he published AAD_Algorithms-Aided Design the worldwide reference book on algorithmic modeling, based on the Grasshopper platform. In 2019 he has been appointed Italian Ambassador for Design at IDD19 by Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

​In this episode, we talk about his random encounter with a parametric sculpture at a museum and how it changed his whole life. We talk about what architects he has always admired and where to start learning parametric design. We go deep into the topic of computational design as a new way to assist the designer in a project and how he sees the future of architecture changing due to all this. He gives some insights into what his design process is and how he goes through idea, concept, to final product and what are the obstacles he has faced through the fabrication method. He talks about his beliefs about how architecture is not merely building or real estate, but that to him, architecture is about solving complexities in our everyday objects and making our quality of life better. Finally, he gives advice to all architecture students and designers out there, talking about how competition can destroy our lives and how to take advantage of social media.