Mario Carpo: on Hensel, Menges, Weinstock

Throughout this excerpt, Carpo stresses the significance of morphogenesis in the creation of computational design; as explored in Menges' introduction to Computational Design Thinking, 'computational design exists for the purpose of solving the irregularities in nature'. Thanks to the aid of 3D modelling software and an exploration into parametricism, we can now approximate and emulate the irregular behaviours of nature through system theory. Through the analysis of the structural forms of materials such as 'soap bubbles, catenary ropes... textiles, perforated membranes' and other 'inelastic, anisotopic or non-homogenous materials',  the process of design and construction has been revolutionised. Sustainability and Menges' concept of 'performativeness' has become much more prominent and considered; or the self/re-organisation of materials in order to adapt to exposure to various kinds of stress. In this manner, the de-formation of these structures becomes the most notable feature of a systematic approach to design.