Achim Menges: Computational Design Thinking - Introduction

- Menges describes computation as the various interactions between information and components which encompass particular environments; in contrast to computerisation, which offers an objective solution made simpler with the use of software, the term computation expands to a mentality and way of approaching a problem.

- He also moves onto analysing the holistics 'Systems Thinking', as well as explains Bertalanffy's understandable perception of nature and biology as existing outside the bounds of this; due to its random yet intricate nature, Bertalanffy declared it impossible to fully understand/predict (to replicate it even more so). Menges explains the impact of 'systems thinking' had on architecture, noting the change in perception of architecture from static points to the dynamics within 'its context in matter, physicality, and personal engagement', as well as computation's approach to emulating the sporadic personality of nature.

- This is the evolution of morphogenetics, our efforts to define the 'particular behaviour of forms and forces' as mathematical equations; he also notes Thompson's view of our emulation of transformation as 'generative', proven by present day usage of computational design. Menges also stresses the 'inseperable' relationship between our approaches to our results.

- Menges states that computational design exists for the purpose of solving the irregularities which occur in nature, enabled by mathematics and computer software. Furthermore, as a designer operating within the possibilities of computation, we become 'the author of the rules as implicit descriptions for the development of form'.