Abstract

Apropos Digital Alberti and Palladio Virtuel.
The preponderance of tools for research in history of architecture
ABSTRACT
Engaging architecture with research continues to be an issue of concern among most
schools of architecture, mainly when addressing the way in how design can be translated
into and be considered research. Innovative tools imported from the computational
universe to the realm of design have caused diverse transformations within the
methodologies and ultimately continue to transform aesthetical conceptions, while
investigate form and search for disruptive solutions.
Likewise it is also crucial to study how these tools are changing the actual processes of
research within the investigation of history of architecture, and to assess the
preponderance of these instruments for the production of theory. Hence, this paper will
focus on two current research projects – Digital Alberti and Palladio Virtuel – which share
the return to the Renaissance and also the use of computational tools to enhance
research, even if with different objectives, methods and ends.
RESUMO
Relacionar arquitectura e investigação continua a ser uma preocupação latente em grande
parte das escolas de arquitectura, principalmente, em como o projecto pode ser
considerado e ser traduzido em investigação. Novas ferramentas trazidas do mundo
computacional para o projecto causaram diversas transformações nas metodologias e em
última instância continuam a transformar as concepções estéticas, enquanto investigam a
forma e procuram soluções disruptivas.
O presente artigo procura reconhecer como estas ferramentas estão a mudar os
processos actuais de investigação no âmbito da história da arquitectura e avaliar a
preponderância dos instrumentos para a produção de teoria. Assim, incidir-se-á em dois
projectos de investigação em desenvolvimento – Alberti Digital e Palladio Virtuel – que
partilham o regresso ao Renascimento e também o uso de ferramentas da computação
para potenciar a investigação, se bem que com diferentes objectivos, métodos e fins.
BIOGRAPHY
Bruno Gil
Architect graduated from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Sciences and
Technology, University of Coimbra, 2005. Following the graduation thesis “Architecture
School, Today” he continues research in that subject. Currently, he is developing the
PhD Thesis “Architectural Research Centres: towards research in 21st Century
architecture schools” at the Centre for Social Studies (CES) and at the Department of
Architecture of the University of Coimbra, where he is also a teacher. Co-founder of the
magazine NU, he was its director between 2003 and 2004.