Damon Leverett

Geometry Algorithms in Architecture: Exploring the math behind generative grid systems

Architect Walter Netsch of SOM explored symmetric grid systems in the 1970’s in his work known as “field theory”. Netsch was a visiting professor at Lawrence Technological University School of Architecture in the Spring of 1983. As a student of Netsch, I was inspired by my work with him, and his field theory influenced me in both art and architecture. 40 years later, algorithms reveal the dynamics of the biomimetic form that Netsch referred to as the “chrysanthemum” and highlights special properties of its twelve-point iteration.

Our in person and online guests will learn to:

1. Identify and critically evaluate formal, aesthetic, historical, social issues engaged by architects employing computational strategies.
2. Examine synthetic, analytic and/or computational reasoning as needed to solve problems.
3. Solve computational problems using coding concepts of variables, branching conditionals and loops.
4. Recognize how computational strategies have influenced the history of architecture and contemporary architecture practices.
5. Demonstrate basic computer coding strategies using the P5.js programming environment.

About Damon

"Damon Leverett, AIA, NCARB, NOMA is an architect, artist and educator working in the southwest region of the United States. He is Senior Lecturer at the College of Architecture and the School of Information at the University of Arizona where he teaches design studio, environmental systems and computing in the arts. A graduate of Lawrence Technological University, he served as Adjunct Instructor for its School of Architecture and Design from 1990 to 2001 and as Visiting Lecturer of Architectural Design at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts in Web Design and New Media from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

In 2015, Damon was awarded the Distinguished Architectural Alumni Award by the Lawrence Technological University Alumni Association. Damon is currently the 2023 President of AIA Arizona and a past Director at the National Architectural Accrediting Board. He was formerly with the American Institute of Architects national office in Washington DC, where he served as Managing Director, Workforce Development and Strategy with departmental duties in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion, academic and K-12 engagement, and emerging professionals. In 2018, Damon was awarded the AIA Presidential Citation for his work in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Damon has over thirty years of experience working in the architecture and design industry as design leader, architect, and principal.

Recent projects as lead designer include the Yavapai County Superior Court, Camp Verde, Arizona, Archibald Granville Bush Science Center at Rollins College, Winterpark, Florida, North Quad Room 2435 for the University of Michigan and the Monte Sinai Medical Office and Inpatient Addition in Juiz de Fora, Brazil A licensed Architect in Arizona and Michigan, his former professional associations include Albert Kahn Associates, SmithGroup in Phoenix and EYP in Washington DC. Originally from Detroit he currently resides in Tucson, Arizona and has been a member of the American Institute of Architects since 1986."