This book intends to advance a dialog between history, theory, design, construction, technology, science, ecology, and sensory experience through digital design that enhances the assessment and values of our material choices.The book is not a how-to software guide but a critical look to inspire the future.  

In the contemporary practice of architecture, digital design, and fabrication are emergent technologies in transforming how architects present a design and form a material strategy that is responsible, equitable, sustainable, resilient, and forward-looking. Bridging knowledge from academia into practice and vice versa can help architects become better stewards of the environment, make healthier and more accountable buildings, and find ways to introduce policy to make technology a critical component in thinking about and making architecture.

Alvar Aalto is our primary protagonist for channeling discussions related to these topics. Architects like ALA, Shigeru Ban, 3XN, Peter Zumthor, and others play the role of contemporary guides in this review. Aalto said, "building is not in the least a technological problem; it is an arch-technological problem." These terms from Aalto and the work of our selected contemporary architects and the potential of computer modeling and simulation make a case for the importance of comprehensive design. 

Within this realm, we have organized the book into five chapters that discuss the Five "T's" of a contemporary architectural discourse; Topology, Typology, Tectonics, Technic, and Thermodynamics. These "T's" connect history through Aalto and develop conversations concerning historical and contemporary models, digital simulations ecological and passive/active material concerns, construction and fabrications, and healthy sensorial environments. 

A discussion of the book including insights from practice with:  

Velux Group: Tina Christensen, Senior Architect, D/A daylight & architecture. Architect MAA at VELUX and Nicolas Roy, architect, the VELUX Daylight Visualizer