Jonas Runberger

Del av den individuella studieplanen

Project title: Prototype Development within Architecture
Thesis language English

The PhD project explores the potential of design driven Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and industrial processes as applied in the field of architecture and building in relation to prototype development principles. The renewed interest in industrial development within the building industry has been aimed at cutting costs and maintaining quality during the production process. Parallel development within the international architectural community has sought for innovation in architecture dislocated from economy and management issues. This PhD aims at linking these approaches through design techniques, prototype methodology, ICT, modes of practice and design management.

Important  empirical material will be generated through the participation in architectural design projects. These cases will consider very specific design intents and results, with the aim to extract relevant and generic conclusions regarding the processes employed in relation to the prototype approach. Prototypes in different media will be deployed as platforms for design collaboration, evaluation tool and basis for dissemination. AS design toos, they are considered valuable in development based on few known parameters, in which the specifications are being formed during the actual design development. This development will in itself be a critical and reflective one, based on the idea of a research by design, but the documented design projects will be accompanied by critical evaluations in relation to theoretical and practical references. The notion of architectural prototypes and this particular mode of design based research was initially explored in the licentiate thesis Architectural Prototypes (KTH School of Architecture 2008), and will now be informed by the new context at the KTH School of Industrial Engineering and Management / Project communication.

The PhD project is initiated though a survey and overview over the contemporary use of ICT tools for design development and project communication within experimental as well as implemented architectural design. This material will be published by Arkus in the spring of 2009. Parallel studies of methods and concepts within the field of Industrial Engineering and Management are aimed at expanding the field of research. The research will then commence though prototype development as part of the participation in design projects, as well as writing aimed at submission and presentation at least two international conferences (specific venues yet to be decided).

Prototype development:
1. Digital design systems and production methods in practice.
This work would be based on the Gotland Arena project, a conceptual proposal for a new indoor arena near Visby designed by Jonas Runberger in collaboration with YAJ Architects and Adams Kara Taylor Structural Engineers. The project is based on the idea of new production methods linked to the local limestone industry.

2. Experimental design development within education.
A new research collaboration has been set up with Diploma Unit 16 (Dip16) at the Architectural Association (AA) in London. The AA is attracting some of the most talented and rigorous architectural students in the world, and has a tradition of introducing strong research agendas to the students. Dip16 has been exploring architecture with an emphasis on parametric design and sustainability issues. 17 trips have been planned for HT2008/VT2009, as part of a continuous interaction with Dip16.

3. The role of the Architect in Industrial System Development.
Jonas Runberger has as an employee of Scheiwiller Svensson Architects been a system architect for Skanska Xchange project since 2007, and has previously conducted research on industrial production supported by Boverket. The association to the Skanska development platforms will provide invaluable bench mark examples of implemented design and production systems, and provide a close affiliation to the industry.

4. Parametric architectural design development and fabrication
The ParaTable design project explores parametric design principles, fabrication, production, and the tools for communication and the management of relevant processes within its development. Operating at the scale of furniture, it is meant to be used as a prototype and probe to establish connections with new collaborators at KTH and elsewhere that can provide resources for design tools, communication tools and production means.