Architectural Assemblages as Computational Medium: Introducing Assembler, a tool for the design and study of architectural assemblages

Assembler is a computational tool designed for the creation and study of assemblages in architecture, interweaving mereology, combinatorial design, and decision at scale. The tool leverages the potential of automation and repeated parts to generate scalable and spatially heterogeneous assemblages, emphasizing the computational role of both parts and relations in creating emergent qualities. Assembler utilizes iterative, rule-based heuristic, enabling computation across scales via part/assemblage/environment relationhood. The design process is understood as a decision network, where the user has control over the design of parts, connections, and heuristics of the system, and the tool enacts those decisions in space and time. After a theoretical contextualization and an overview of precursors and precedents in architecture and combinatorial design, the tool logic is explained and its current status and potential developments are discussed.