Computation and Construction in Architecture (CoCoA) Lab
School of Architecture, Design and Planning
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Leading the way in architectural innovation
CoCoA produces forward-looking investigations and applied research to synthesize innovative solutions and novel frameworks through diverse areas and broad applications in architectural technology.
We are currently on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and culture and we further acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the country on which you are on and pay respects to their Elders, past, present and future (image: Google Maps 2022).
Streams
Projects
Re/place Pavilion
Re/place Pavilion has been collaboratively designed by Studio Chris Fox, Bollinger+Grohmann, the University of Sydney and Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne. It combines the creativity and expertise of architects, artists, students, engineers, and designers. Exploring circular design thinking, the team have rethought, reduced, reused, remanufactured, repurposed and recycled materials to deliver the final Pavilion design. […]
Moisture-safe design
One in three Australian homes suffer from excessive dampness and mould proliferation, which is exacerbated by inadequate architectural strategies, poor construction practices and bad maintenance, resulting from a lack of awareness and knowledge in the construction sector about the topic. Indoor mould is correlated to severe adverse health symptoms, such as severe allergic asthma, hypersensitivity […]
PHEBE
Timber envelopes provide multiple benefits in reducing both operational and embodied energy environmental impacts in construction. However, when poorly designed, they may incur in high risk of mould growth, affecting both building performance and occupant’s wellbeing. This research investigates the risk of mould growth associated with emerging timber envelopes in Australia, particularly looking at mass-timber […]
Building Knowledge
The project aims to uncover how architects’ design approaches were affected by a maturing construction industry; an industry that constitutes a vital part of the country’s economy, political life, heritage, and culture. Supported by the prestigious NSW State Library’s Dr AM Hertzberg AO Fellowship.
Circularity by Design
The construction sector is amongst the world’s largest consumers of resources and raw materials, and a major producer of waste accounting for more than 30% of the total solid waste globally. In the current scenario of climate emergency and rapid population growth, the transition to more sustainable models of development becomes imperative for the preservation […]
Human Robot Collaboration
Human-robot interactions can offer alternatives and new pathways for construction industries, industrial growth and skilled labour, particularly in a context of industry 4.0. This research investigates the potential of collaborative robots (CoBots) for the construction industry and subject matter experts; by surveying industry requirements and assessments of CoBot acceptance; by investing processes and sequences of […]
Robotic Acoustic Pattern Geometries
Relationships between sound and architectural space are complex because sound wavelengths span a very large range (1:1000) and are significantly large on an architectural and human scale. As a result, not only is sound propagation in rooms immensely complex, but also human perception of sound is remarkably rich and varied. The macro-geometry or overall form […]
Resilient and liveable neighborhoods
Steel Flexing
Convergence is a site-specific sculpture for Global Switch’s Paris Data Centre. It was produced during 2010-2011 between Sydney, London and Paris. This has been an ambitious project, two years in the making and utilising 370 metres of steel, realised thanks to intelligent modelling software and advanced fabrication techniques. Developing out of the building fabric, Convergence […]
Multifunctional bio-inspired design
This project focuses on the emerging topic of bio-inspired architectural design and how it can integrate multifunctionality through transdisciplinary research methods into the design process. Achieving multifunctionality in this context is defined as a design challenge that exists through contradictory functional requirements often solved by co-existence and trade-off mechanisms, focusing on the contradictions, challenges, and […]
Pre-Occupancy Evaluation in the Metaverse
Multi-sensory evaluation of designs enabled by virtual technologies The overarching goal of this project is to enable the use of pre-occupancy evaluation of buildings and architectural spaces that would allow architecture to be proactive instead of reactive, providing occupancy feedback before buildings are built. The aim of this research is to develop a holistic methodology […]
Hybrid Façade
It has been demonstrated that kinetic sunscreens linked to intelligent building systems have the potential to improve the energy performance of large-scale public and commercial buildings. However, there has been minimal uptake, primarily due to the capital and maintenance costs. The overarching research project investigates the potential, feasibility and real-life applications of a hybrid facade […]
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