Cybernetics, Architectures and Robotics (2011)

A PhD course with international seminar organised by CITA Centre for Information Technology and Architecture, Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation, School of Architecture and the Modular Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Group, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute, University of Southern Denmark.

Aims
This inter-disciplinary course aims to provide an introductory grounding to Cybernetics, identifying its philosophical and theoretical foundations together with its core concepts, methodologies and principle models. It also aims to identify the relevance and limits of the application of these resources to these design disciplines.

The discipline of Cybernetics provides concepts for the study of complex systems and their organisation. It therefore holds relevance for the both architecture and robotics as these disciplines are concerned with the design of complex systems that function within broader environments. As researchers from these disciplines increasingly look to each other for design methods, means and applications, it is timely to ask and test whether cybernetics can provide a common vocabulary through which to promote and foster enriching and collaborative dialogue.

The course is structured around two parts: two introductory course days and two seminar days. The course days will introduce the concepts, engage itnerdisciplinary exchange and allow participants to prepare contributions to the seminar. The seminar invites leading theoreticians and practiitioners to present current research as well as participant presentations and discussion.

Video material from lectures
Lectures during the seminar/course were recorded, as seen below (not necessarily in chronological order):