Conference Features Presentations by Renowned Computational Design Leaders on Applying Generative Design for Building; register at www.SmartgeometryConference.com/2013

EXTON, Pa. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — April 2, 2013 — Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the leading company dedicated to providing comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure – and a founding member, premier technology provider, and sponsor of the Smartgeometry Conference – today announced that registration is open for Smartgeometry 2013. The conference, which returns this year to London where it was first held a decade ago, takes place April 19-20 at the Institute of Education, University of London. This widely acclaimed conference is the world’s premier event focused on computational and parametric design tools, technologies, and methodologies that allow and encourage new forms of architectural and structural expression. The 2013 conference follows a four-day workshop that enables teams to explore design issues using advanced software such as GenerativeComponents from Bentley.

This year’s Smartgeometry Conference theme, “Constructing for Uncertainty,” recognizes that design and construction are increasingly more information-centric and are simultaneously faced with computational ambiguity since only a subset of the relevant factors can be fully captured and evaluated in traditional design models. Among the many renowned computational design leaders and practitioners who will be sharing their insights on these and other design issues are Tristram Carfrae, Arup structural engineer, Arup board director; Michelle Addington, Hines professor of sustainable architectural design at Yale University; Sarah Jane Pell, artist and researcher; and Ben Cerveny, data visualization artist.

Huw Roberts, Bentley vice president, core marketing, said, “We’re proud to sponsor, for the tenth straight year, this great conference that draws forwarding-thinking architects, engineers, and members of academia from around the globe. What sets it apart from other design conferences is a unique approach that brings together research and practice in ways that tangibly advance the architectural and engineering design processes through the use of computational tools. Seeing how people are pushing the envelope in applying technologies like GenerativeComponents in computational design, especially in multi-disciplinary workflows and in pursuit of ‘BIM’ objectives, not only paves the way for more sustainable, responsive, and inspiring buildings, but also inspires Bentley to explore the next generation of technology.”

The Smartgeometry 2013 Conference includes:

• Talkshop Day, April 19 – Through a series of panel discussions, this interactive first day provides an opportunity to share with tutors and participants critical reflection on the advanced design work of the previous four days during the Smartgeometry 2013 Workshop being held April 15-18, 2013, at The Bartlett. The Workshop enables architectural and engineering professionals, academics, and students to explore this year’s challenge, “Constructing for Uncertainty.” Workshop participants will tackle the realities and future uncertainties and will realize digital design prototypes that cope with the soft reality of an uncertain built environment employing GenerativeComponents – Bentley’s generative design software.
• Symposium Day, April 20 – Day two includes insightful presentations by renowned experts on the theory and practice of computational and parametric design approaches. This is regarded as the world’s premier symposium on the interaction of new technologies, methodologies, and principles in design practice.
• Reception, April 20 – The conference ends with a social gathering celebrating the innovation, creativity, and leadership of the generative design community. It also provides an opportunity to view the work developed during the four-day workshop.

Shane Burger, director, Smartgeometry, said “Smartgeometry is celebrating its 10th anniversary in London, the same city in which it was founded. In reflecting on 10 years of events, the Smartgeometry Community developed the sg2013 Challenge, ‘Constructing for Uncertainty,’ as a means of projecting forward 10+ years to better contextualize our work within a changing built environment. Working with Bentley Systems, our longtime partner since the first Smartgeometry Workshops, and Bartlett, our host for the event, we are able to deliver this year a Smartgeometry Workshop and Conference that will be the most expansive and challenging yet.”

For additional information about, and to register for, the Smartgeometry 2013 Conference, visit www.SmartgeometryConference.com/2013.

About the Smartgeometry Group

Smartgeometry is run entirely by passionate volunteers who balance their professional careers (which often put them in competition with each other) with their investment of time and energy in the wider community. The magic of Smartgeometry lies in its curious mix of community and competition, which conspires to inspire and provoke. The excitement of each Smartgeometry event is the anticipation of the unknown and the creative mix and intensity of ideas. Each year generates heightened expectations that inevitably challenge current design methodologies. The directors of the Smartgeometry Group include Shane Burger, director of Design Technology, Woods Bagot; Xavier De Kestelier, associate partner, Foster + Partners; Lars Hesselgren, PLP/Architecture; Hugh Whitehead, Foster + Partners; and J Parrish, AECOM. For additional information, visit www.Smartgeometry.org .