INTRODUCTION
The InnoChain ETN network is a shared research training environment examining how advances in digital design tools challenge building culture enabling sustainable, informed and materially smart design solutions. The network aims to train a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers with a strong industry focus that can effect real changes in the way we think, design and build our physical environment.
IAAC is among the six academic partners of InnoChain, a European project developed within the framework of Horizon 2020 Programme. The project, with a budget of 3.900.000 €, was launched in September 2015 and will be running until August 2019.
This initiative trains a group of 15 PhD candidates, with a strong industry focus that can effect real changes in the way we think, with the mission to research advanced design and building solutions for our physical environment. The industry focus is furthermore implemented, thanks to the active support of 14 industries, renowned in avant-guard construction technology breakthroughs.
The programme investigates the extended digital chain as a particular opportunity for interdisciplinary design collaboration. Challenging the traditional thinking of design as a linear process of incremental refinement, InnoChain identifies three axes of design innovation potential communication, simulation and materialisation appearing as distributed and interdisciplinary activities across the design chain. The network will develop new interdisciplinary design methods that integrate advanced simulation and interface with material fabrication.