Complex matter will discuss the expanding role of the architect to engage in the detailed organisation of matter for qualitative design affects. The use of non-linear computational design methodologies that operate through behavioural and self-organisational processes enable designers to address a wide range of practical and discursive issues within a designed architectural expression. By challenging the agency of matter, energy and time; new opportunities arise through embracing generative design opportunities within architectural production. The lecture will include a number of recent architectural projects in addition to work from Robert’s studio at the AA School’s Design Research Laboratory which has been exploring the design of qualitative architectural affects through rethinking aspects of building life cycle.

Robert is a founding director of Robert Stuart-Smith Design, a co-founding director of the collaborative research practice – Kokkugia and a Studio Course Master in the AA School’s Design Research Laboratory (AA.DRL) in London. Robert studied architecture in the UK, France and Australia and holds a Masters in Architecture + Urbanism from the Architectural Association School of Architecture’s Design Research Laboratory (AA.DRL). He has extensive design practice experience from the offices of Lab Architecture Studio and Sir Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners; having practiced architecture in Australia, the US and the UK before founding rs-sdesign and kokkugia. Specialising in non-linear algorithmic design processes, Robert has also consulted to Cecil Balmond on algorithmic design research and is a well known design educator through his teaching at a number of high ranking institutions such as the AA School in London, RMIT University in Australia and WU in St Louis USA. He is an internationally invited lecturer and critic.