Head of Centre:  Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen
Secretary: Vibber Hermansen

Centre for Information Technology and Architecture - CITA

The Centre for Information Technology and Architecture is a new research centre at the The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture. The centre is supported by the Danish Ministry of Culture and researches what consequences information- and communication instruments have for the architectural profession. The centre focus on information technology as a design-, realisation- and communication tool and has over the last 2 years started up projects within complex 3D modelling, CAM processes (Computer Aided Manufacture), controlled materials and real time visualisation and interaction design. In addition, the centre has started projects within Building Information Modelling (BIM) and DDB supported directly by the Danish Ministry of Culture.

CITA's primary objective is to study the changes that take place in the architectural profession when the design- and production tools are being digitalised. Nowadays, architecture is drawn with software programmes, which automatically couple the main architectural drawings, plans and sections together in integrated 3D models. This new way of drawing has profound consequences for the communication between the partners in the building process. The possibility to programme the drawing with different variables or parametrical conditions makes the design- and realisation process much more flexible and open for external changes. Computer Aided Design (CAD) is furthermore directly linked to an increasingly computer-controlled production apparatus (CAM) thus creating opportunities to design and realise highly complex buildings without standardised components. CITA studies how these new tools effect the way we conceptually and technologically consider architecture and how these new tools both optimise the existing practices and produce new ones as well.

Research strategy
The issue of Technology Transfer enframes CITA's research- and education strategy. By simultaneously studying the existing digital tools and practices of architecture, but also the potential technological transfers between high- innovative industries, which today stand at the forefront in the development of new digital design and production tools, it is our goal to create a synergy between the profession's contemporary reality and its future perspective.

CITA examines three focus areas: Digital Formations, examining new parametrical drawing tools and their physical counterpart, rapid prototyping technologies and CAD CAM tools. Behaving Architectures, examining the new programmable materials including detailing and control of interactive textiles and Interface Ecologies, examines real time visualisations, interface design and intelligent programming.

The ph.d. project Komplekse Overflader (Complex Surfaces) can be seen as directly related to the first two focus areas.

CITA is directed by associate professor Mette Ramsgard Thomsen, ph.d. and consists of a staff of 6 associate professors, 1 lecturer, 4 ph.d. students and 3 professional assistants.