https://armanwu.com/Recent content on Arman WuHugoen-usWed, 17 Jun 2026 08:04:46 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/building-perform-well/Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:04:46 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/building-perform-well/<p><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/posts/building-perform-well.webp" alt="A Building Can Perform Well and Still Feel Wrong" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> </p> <p>Today, architects can measure buildings in more detail than ever before. We can calculate energy use, daylight, temperature, structure, cost, circulation, and many other factors. Digital tools help us compare different options and find solutions that perform better. This is important progress because buildings should be safe, efficient, comfortable, and responsible toward the environment.</p> <p>But good performance does not always create good architecture. A building can meet every technical target and still feel cold, confusing, or out of place. It may work well on paper but fail to create a meaningful experience for the people who use it.</p>https://armanwu.com/posts/bim-represents-building/Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:04:46 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/bim-represents-building/<p><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/posts/bim-represent-building.webp" alt="BIM Represents Buildings Better Than It Represents Design Intent" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> </p> <p>BIM is very good at describing buildings. A BIM model can store dimensions, materials, quantities, systems, and technical data. It can also help architects coordinate drawings, find clashes, and manage project information.</p> <p>However, BIM is less effective at representing one important thing: <strong>design intent</strong>.</p> <p>A model can show where a wall is located. It can store its thickness, material, fire rating, and other properties. But it usually does not explain why the architect placed the wall there, which options were considered, or what design value the decision was meant to protect.</p>https://armanwu.com/works/shard-museum/Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://armanwu.com/works/shard-museum/<figure><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/projects/shard-museum/shard-museum-1.webp"> </figure> <p><strong>Shard Museum</strong> explores the aesthetic of fragmentation. Museums are often monolithic containers of history, but this project envisions a building that looks like history exploding outward. The form is composed of aggressive, jutting shards that pierce the sky, creating a dynamic silhouette that changes from every angle.</p> <p>However, to prevent the building from feeling hostile, the sharp geometry is wrapped in warm, vertical timber slats. It is a &ldquo;soft explosion&rdquo;—a balance between digital precision and natural materiality.</p>https://armanwu.com/works/chaos-crystal/Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://armanwu.com/works/chaos-crystal/<figure><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/projects/chaos-crystal/chaos-crystal-1.webp"> </figure> <p><strong>Chaos Crystal</strong> stands as a digital geode brought to the urban scale. While traditional architecture often seeks symmetry and smooth lines, this project embraces the beauty of the jagged and the irregular. It mimics the way raw minerals form in nature—sharp, unpredictable, yet possessing an inherent geometric logic.</p> <h2 id="the-logic-controlled-randomness">The Logic: Controlled Randomness</h2> <p>The form was generated using a custom script in <strong>Julia</strong>. The core concept was &ldquo;spherical perturbation.&rdquo;</p> <figure><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/projects/chaos-crystal/chaos-crystal-3.webp"> </figure> <p>Imagine a perfect sphere. The code takes every vertex of that sphere and pushes or pulls it by a random amount. As seen in the wireframe process above, this transforms a smooth ball into a chaotic, spiked mesh. The challenge was finding the &ldquo;sweet spot&rdquo; in the code—too much randomness creates a mess, too little looks like a boring polygon.</p>https://armanwu.com/works/eroded-monolith/Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://armanwu.com/works/eroded-monolith/<figure><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/projects/eroded-monolith/eroded-monolith-1.webp"> </figure> <p><strong>Eroded Monolith</strong> challenges the traditional typology of the skyscraper. Usually, high-rise buildings are sealed, air-conditioned glass boxes that isolate people from the elements. This project asks: What happens if we &ldquo;break&rdquo; the box to let nature in?</p> <p>The concept creates a dialogue between two opposing forces: the perfection of the modernist grid versus the imperfection of organic erosion.</p> <h2 id="the-logic-algorithmic-subtraction">The Logic: Algorithmic Subtraction</h2> <p>The form-finding process was driven by a script written in <strong>Julia</strong>. Unlike the additive process used in <em>Jenga Village</em> (stacking blocks), this project uses a <strong>subtractive</strong> method.</p>https://armanwu.com/works/flux-paviliun/Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://armanwu.com/works/flux-paviliun/<figure><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/projects/flux-pavilion/flux-pavilion-1.webp"> </figure> <p><strong>Flux Pavilion</strong> is an exploration of continuity and flow. In architecture, we often deal with rigid lines and static forms, but nature operates on curves and rhythms. This project attempts to capture the essence of movement—like a sound wave or a rolling ocean—frozen in a structural shell.</p> <p>It reimagines the concept of a public shelter not just as a roof, but as a landscape that rises and falls to create pockets of space.</p>https://armanwu.com/works/jenga-village/Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://armanwu.com/works/jenga-village/<figure><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/projects/jenga-village/jenga-village-1.webp"> </figure> <p><strong>Jenga Village</strong> is a playful yet serious exploration of modular housing. While modern apartment blocks often feel repetitive and isolating, this project asks: Can we use code to create a &ldquo;vertical village&rdquo; where every unit feels unique?</p> <p>Using the metaphor of the game <em>Jenga</em>, the design stacks living units (voxels) in a seemingly random arrangement, creating a rich texture of solids and voids that adapts to the hillside topography.</p>https://armanwu.com/works/titanium-clash/Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://armanwu.com/works/titanium-clash/<figure><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/projects/titanium-clash/titanium-clash-5.webp"> </figure> <p><strong>Titanium Clash</strong> is an experimental project exploring the boundaries between algorithmic chaos and architectural order. Drawing inspiration from the fragmented style of deconstructivism, this project investigates how code can be used to generate complex spatial collisions that would be hard to model manually.</p> <h2 id="the-process-code-as-the-sketchpad">The Process: Code as the Sketchpad</h2> <figure><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/projects/titanium-clash/titanium-clash-1.webp"> </figure> <p>Instead of starting with a sketch or a massing model, this project began with a script written in <strong>Julia</strong>. I chose Julia for its fast computational capabilities, allowing for rapid iteration of complex geometric calculations.</p>https://armanwu.com/posts/intuition-algorithm/Sun, 22 Sep 2024 16:01:46 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/intuition-algorithm/<p><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/posts/intuition-algorithm.webp" alt="Intuition and Algorithm in Harmony: Architects in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> </p> <p>The rise of AI in architecture raises a critical question: How do we merge the intuitive intelligence built over years of practice with the logic of algorithms? Both are powerful forces. But for them to work in harmony, architects must learn to wield these tools effectively, rather than being replaced by them.</p> <p>To thrive in this new era, architects need to cultivate specific technical skills that bridge the gap between creative intuition and computational power.</p>https://armanwu.com/posts/critiquing-bim/Mon, 17 Jul 2023 21:01:46 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/critiquing-bim/<p><img src="https://armanwu.com/img/posts/critiquing-bim.webp" alt="The Importance of Critiquing BIM in the Architecture World" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> </p> <p>As an architect and daily user of Building Information Modeling (BIM), I am the first to admit its tremendous value. It has undeniably revolutionized how we handle efficiency and quality in architectural projects. But here is the thing: if we want this technology to keep evolving, we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to its flaws.</p> <p>Being a BIM advocate doesn&rsquo;t mean accepting it blindly. In fact, pointing out where BIM falls short is exactly what we need to drive the industry forward.</p>https://armanwu.com/posts/church-technology/Sun, 09 Jul 2023 21:02:57 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/church-technology/<p>We live in a world that changes fast. With technology advancing every day, the church faces a unique challenge: how do we respond? Do we resist the tide, or do we learn to surf?</p> <p>Rather than seeing technology as a threat to tradition, I believe we should view it as a bridge. The church has a massive opportunity to embrace the digital world, not to replace our treasured traditions, but to amplify them. It is about becoming a community that adapts to the times while staying deeply rooted in its values.</p>https://armanwu.com/posts/game-age-ratings/Thu, 06 Jul 2023 19:28:58 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/game-age-ratings/<p>A lot of parents worry about the games their children play. They are often afraid that some games might not be suitable for their kid&rsquo;s age. But actually, parents need to know that every game already comes with an age rating set by the developers. These ratings exist to help parents decide if a game is okay for their children or not.</p> <p>When making a game, developers and publishers already have a target audience in mind. They set the age rating based on what is inside the game—like violence, bad language, or adult themes. For instance, a game with intense fighting will have a higher age rating than a family-friendly game. Parents should treat these ratings as important guidelines, not just suggestions, to pick the right games.</p>https://armanwu.com/posts/church-and-vr/Sun, 02 Jul 2023 20:04:46 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/church-and-vr/<p>It feels like every time we blink, the world moves a little faster. Technology has fundamentally shifted how we learn, how we work, and how we talk to each other. We have accepted that smartphones keep us connected and streaming services bring entertainment to our living rooms.</p> <p>But when it comes to our spiritual lives, the conversation gets a bit more complicated. Is there meaningful space for cutting-edge tech like Virtual Reality (VR) inside the church? It sounds like science fiction, but it is a reality we are already facing. I want to explore how these digital advancements might change the way we worship, interact with our community, and experience faith in a world that is increasingly glued to screens.</p>https://armanwu.com/posts/gen-design-techniques/Fri, 23 Jun 2023 22:01:46 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/gen-design-techniques/<p>Generative design is often talked about as a single concept, but in reality, it is a collection of distinct mathematical and computational techniques. For architects, these aren&rsquo;t just abstract formulas; they are tools that allow us to explore design territories that human intuition alone might never reach.</p> <p>By leveraging algorithms, we can push past simple geometry into complex, optimized forms. Here is a look at some of the most prominent techniques that drive this process.</p>https://armanwu.com/posts/computational-think/Thu, 06 Jan 2022 21:44:46 +0700https://armanwu.com/posts/computational-think/<p>The use of computers in the field of architectural design initially only involved digitizing tasks that were traditionally done manually. Computer-based modeling or drawing still relied on additive logic, which involved adding overlapped information without associative relationships, heavily relying on the designer&rsquo;s consistency. This additive logic persisted for a long time as it was considered stable for exploring and refining variations through traditional image media. However, this logic had limitations as it lacked connections between depicted elements and couldn&rsquo;t incorporate physically relevant aspects that shape the generation of real-world forms. These limitations prompted architects to develop their design mindset.</p>https://armanwu.com/about/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://armanwu.com/about/<p>I am Arman Arisman (also known as Arman Wu), an architect, researcher, and design technologist based in Indonesia. For over 15 years in building and planning consulting—most notably at Penta Architecture—I have led and integrated architectural computing (AI, BIM, and computational workflows) into real-world project delivery.</p> <p>I hold a doctorate from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), where my research focused on Generative Design using Genetic Algorithms, examining the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Design Cognition &amp; Creativity. Rather than treating algorithms as black-box optimizers, my work investigates how computational systems and emerging AI can genuinely collaborate with human designers without compromising design intent or critical intuition.</p>https://armanwu.com/code/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://armanwu.com/code/<p>A selection of open-source tools, BIM add-ins, Model Context Protocol (MCP) bridges, and computational design scripts.</p>https://armanwu.com/publications/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://armanwu.com/publications/<p>Selected publications and talks on architecture, computation, and design cognition.</p> <h2 id="books">Books</h2> <p>Arisman, A. (2026). <em>Desain dan Kepastian Terlalu Dini: Arsitektur, BIM, dan Bahasa &ldquo;Konstruksi&rdquo;</em>. ITB Press. <a href="https://www.itbpress.id/desain-dan-kepastian-terlalu-dini-arsitektur-bim-dan-bahasa-konstruksi/">Book Link</a></p> <p>Arisman, A. (2026). <em>Human-Centric BIM: Menempatkan Manusia di Pusat Digitalisasi Konstruksi</em> (Self-published). <a href="https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22109566">https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22109566</a></p> <p>Arisman, A. (2025). <em>Model, Sistem, dan Ruang yang Belum Terhubung: Kajian Reflektif Terbuka terhadap SOP Implementasi BIM 2024 Kementerian PU dari Perspektif Arsitek Perencana</em> (Self-published). <a href="https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22089835">https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22089835</a></p> <h2 id="journal-articles">Journal Articles</h2> <p>Arisman, A., Widiastuti, I., Indraprastha, A., &amp; Sudradjat, I. (2025). Creativity in generative design: The impact of architects&rsquo; control over geometric parameters in early-stage form-finding using genetic algorithms. <em>International Journal of Architectural Computing</em>. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/14780771251340203">https://doi.org/10.1177/14780771251340203</a></p>