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As society begins to recognize that complex phenomena are a fundamental aspect of our world, architects are beginning to apply models of complexity in nature and mathematics more efficiently in the design and fabrication of material systems. Designers must equip themselves with the necessary skills to navigate the physical world as well as the virtual landscape of data that is growing at an exponentially accelerated rate.

apomechanes is an intensive 3 week computational design studio held each summer in Athens, Greece. The studio is devoted to furthering techniques and concepts of algorithmic processes as means for design and fabrication. apomechanes brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds and fields of study to discuss, exchange and collaborate on projects that investigate modes of algorithmic and machinic processes in architectural design. At present computational techniques are predominantly employed in the optimization, rationalization or surface decoration of more traditionally created wholes. This research instead focuses on the inherent potential of computation to generate space and of algorithmic procedures to engage self-organization in the design process. During the workshop, participants create their own custom algorithms leading to the fabrication of working full-scale prototypes appropriate to their research trajectories. Participants engage closely with computational processes in order to develop an aesthetic and intuition of complexity that resides in a balance between design intent and emergent character.

apomechanes is derived from "ἀπὸ μηχανῆς θεός" [aˈpo mɛːkʰaˈnɛːs tʰeˈos] literally "god from the machine", which is a plot device of ancient greek drama. In numerous tragedies, the poet would gradually steer the plot/myth to an inflection point at which the natural resolution of the conflict would be very difficult if not impossible. Then, an unexpected event in the form of an intervention of a god would take place and allow for the play to continue. The term "from the machine" was established due to the fact that the god would enter the stage with the help of a "machine" - a wooden crane on which he would appear floating from above.

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apomechanes 2010 will run from Monday, July 19th till Friday, August 6th. More information for prospective participants can be found under Application.
A series of events have been organized around apomechanes this summer:

April	apomechanes 2010 website launch
June - July	Exhibition of apomechanes 2009 in Athens, Greece
Wednesday June 2nd, 7:30pm	Karl Chu Lecture | Benaki Museum, 138 Pireos St & Andronikou
Friday 18th June - Sunday 18th July	Exhibition & Publication of apomechanes 2009 in nous gallery for London Festival of Architecture
Monday 19th July - Monday 26th July	Algorithmic Design Seminar
Wednesday 28th July - Friday 6th August	Algorithmic Design Workshop
Monday 19th July - Friday 6th August	Algorithmic Design Studio
Friday 6th August	apomechanes 2010 Final Review | National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens | Invited critics TBA
Saturday 7th - Saturday 14th August	Sailing Trip to the Islands
October	Exhibition and Publication of apomechanes 2010

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FACILITIES : All Apo Mechanes studio meetings (seminar and workshop) will be held in the, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation brand new, purpose-build Cultural Centre which is located at 206 Piraeus Street, at the heart of what is becoming the new cultural and intellectual centre of Athens. With a modern infrastructure and covering a total area of 6.810 square meters, home to the MCF’s cultural programme since October 2009, the new building is capable of hosting a multitude of different events –corporate conferences, seminars, presentations, exhibitions etc. The seminar and the first two days of the workshop will be held in the black-box hall while the exhibition organized for September 2010 will spread apomechanes 2010 installations all around the building central atrium and exhibition spaces.

FABRICATION : Between Friday July 30th and Wednesday August 4th participants in the full studio program will visit our fabrication facilities in order to produce large scale prototypes of their projects. The factory is located in Kalambaka at Meteora and its fabrication capacities include a large (1.4x2m) industrial laser cutter suitable for a variety of materials such as plywood or Corian. Studio participants will have free access to our facilities and the pre-ordered materials we have allocated for the production of their prototypes. An additional allowance has been allocated for finishings and fixings. Should the studio particpants exceed the allocated budget, additional expenses in the fabrication process (alternative materials, personal tools etc) are not covered.

FINAL ASSEMBLY/REVIEW : The assembly of the final full scale models will start on the 5th of August. The final review will take place at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens on the 6th of August. (Final Review will be open to the public)

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INSTRUCTORS:
EZIO BLASETTI, registered architect TEE-TCG, was born in Athens and holds a MsAAD from Columbia University after graduating from the NTUA. Founder of algorithmicdesign.net Ezio is a partner at ahylo studio, his recent collaborations include Acconci Studio, Serge Studio, biothing and a|Um studio. He has taught at Columbia University, the Architectural Association, the Pratt Institute.
DAVE PIGRAM is the founding Partner of supermanoeuvre, Dave Pigram has taught at Columbia University, the Architectural Association, the Pratt Institute, The University of Michigan and The University of Canberra. He has exhibited and lectured on his work internationally and was formerly a project director for Studio Daniel Libeskind.
ROLAND SNOOKS is the founding partner of kokkugia, Roland Snooks has taught at Columbia University, The University of Pennsylvania, Sci-Arc, University of Southern California, the Pratt Institute, The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and California Polytecnic. Roland was the curator of the Australasian section of this year's Beijing Bienalle.

COORDINATORS:
PAVLOS XANTHOPOULOS architect NTUA, MΑrch Architectural Association [AADRL], phd candidate NTUA. Executive coordinator. Partner at ahylo studio. He was an architect at Zaha Hadid Architects and his work has been published and exhibited internationally.
IOULIETTA ZINDROU architect NTUA, MArchAA Iaac [Institutto de Arquitectura Abancada de Catalunia]. Digital Fabrication Lab coordinator. Partner at ahylo studio, her collaborations include ΑCTAR architecture and Guallart architects in BCN. Invited jury at UPC, Iaac, Pratt Institute.
ELISAVET ANTAPASSI (UoA, CSSD - UoL): Executive coordinator. Elisavet works as a director and a set & costume designer in film, video and theater. She has worked internationally and has represented Greece in the XII Biennale for Young Artists.

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The Apo Mechanes Instructors have a wide range of international teaching experience including teaching design studios and seminars in algorithmic design at Columbia University, the Architecture Association, SCI-Arc, Cal-Poly, The Pratt Institute, UPenn, RMIT and the University of Michigan. In addition, the intstructors have lead the following short-course workshops/intensive studios of similar duration and intent to Apo Mechanes:

Complex Formations, CITA, Copenhagen, 2009
Recursive Morphologies, Arhus School of Architecture, Arhus, 2008
Summer DLAB, Architecture Association, London, 2008
Rhinoscript Workshop, Silicon and Skin, Acadia Conference, Minneapolis, 2008
Novel Making, Cebu, The Phillipines, Summer 2009
Substance Abuse, University of Canberra, Australia, Summer, 2009
Speculatis, Opo'lab, Portugal, Summer 2010

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FLOARTING AMPLIFIER Inspired by constantinos doxades' delos meetings apomechanes is inviting the participants of the studio as well as a curated group of emerging designers to a week long sailing symposium around the greek islands. This initiative is seeking to formalize, through a series of records of proceedings, an on-going dialog around the future of contemporary methodologies in architectural design and fabrication technologies. The yachts will embark on a week long adventure beginning the 6th August. The exact route and itinerary will be determined according to weather conditions.

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Who is Apo Mechanes for?
Apo Mechanes is for architects, designers, artists and futurists (both professionals and students) interested in learning the latest teqhniques, methodolgies and concepts of algorithmic design in a project based setting. Applicants with previous experience in algorithmic design are encouraged to apply and should contact the organisers to enquire about advanced standing for the first 2 days of the workshop or to arrange for the creation of a tailored advanced program to suit your ambitions.

Under which coding platforms will apomechanes 2010 run?
Apomechanes 2010 will run primarily under rhinoscript (Vbscript for Rhinoceros 3D). Processing, IronPython (for iRhino, Rhino 5.0 BETA) & VB.NET for grasshopper will be also supported on a per project basis.

Do we need to bring our own laptops?
Yes, it is essential that each participant bring thier own laptop. Trial versions of all required software will be provided. Rhinoceros (Educational and Commercial versions) and associated Plug-Ins will also be available for sale.

Is the accomodation in athens included in the fees?
The cost of accomodation is not included within the studio tution fees, studio participants are free to make their own accomodation arrangements. Alternatively, hotels (with various star ratings) within walking distance of the venue can be booked through Apo Mechanes with group discounts offered. As a guide, standard accomodation rates for the center of Athens are approximately 40 Euros per night and lower rates can be found.

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To apply for admission into the Apo Mechanes studio or workshop download the application: Application Form and attach all required material at: contact@apomechanes.com, info@ahylo.com

The studio is organized in 2 parts; the first part is the seminar and it includes a series of lectures on algorithmic design concepts, methodologies and techniques, while the second focuses on project development and fabrication. Apo Mechanes staff will review all applications and succesful applicants will be notified by June 15th. Upon receipt of the letter of acceptance participants will need to pay a 100/150/200 Euro (seminar/workshop/studio) deposit by June 31st to confirm their position.

Along with the completed application form applicants must also include a small and recent work sample to support their application (5 -10 images jpeg format) as well as a short description (300 words max) of their perticular research trajectory that they would like to develop during apomechanes 2010. Applicants wishing to apply as a group or team should clearly include this fact and include the names of each group in the email/letter accompanying their application. Precedence will be given to early applicants. The key dates are as follows:

Sunday 20th June	Application Extended Deadline
Monday 19th July - Monday 26th July	Algorithmic Design Seminar	750 €
Wednesday 28th July - Friday 6th August	Algorithmic Design Workshop	800 €
Monday 19th July - Friday 6th August	Algorithmic Design Studio	1350 €
Saturday 7th - Saturday 14th August	OPTIONAL: Sailing Trip to the Islands	Price TBA

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Ahylo Studio

176 Johnson Str #5D	10 Tzortz Str
Brooklyn, NY 11201	Kanigos Sqr, Athens 10677
USA	Greece
+1 718 974 7937	+30 210 3800185, +30 693 2200048

contact apomechanes (contact@apomechanes.com cc: info@ahylo.com)

subscribe apomechanes (subscribe for information about future events: info@ahylo.com)

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Please follow the links for the material:

Press Release apomechanes 2010 - English

Press Release apomechanes 2010 - Greek

Poster apomechanes 2010 - print quality ~80mb

Poster apomechanes 2010 - low resolution ~1mb

apomechanes 2009 - portfolio long ~40mb

apomechanes 2009 - portfolio short ~20mb