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This paper goes back fifty years to a period that can be considered the birth of the computational design research. During the sixties the computer was only accessible to a few mathematicians or programmers and it becomes object of a much wider theorization and influence. Calculus and mathematical logic inherent to the computer support the emergence of areas including the information theory and the operational research, which would call the attention of social science and arts. Some Design and Architecture Research Centers, in the UK and the USA start using the computer to support design methodologies based on analysis and mathematical logic as well as to assist the design conception process. A similar approach can also be found at he Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm (HfG-Ulm), in Germany, founded in 1953 by the Swiss architect Max Bill. Despite its short existence, it was considered a very important school in the twentieth century, where a remarkable group of teachers and ideas converged. In this context, this paper describes the relevance of the HfG Ulm regarding the exploration of scientific analysis methods associated with the Design Process. Comparing to other contemporary Research Centers, this approach at the HfG Ulm was remarkable because it was introduced and practiced without the use of computers. Therefore, this paper dedicate its attention to tracing, analyzing and illustrating the particular contribution of Horst Rittel, based on the manuscripts used at the HfG-Ulm classes. Being a mathematician, his integration in the design curriculum was innovative and resulted in the development of a scientific methodology in design. This article thoroughly demonstrate that the work developed by some teachers, like Horst Rittel launched the foundations that constitute the basis for further computational approaches in architecture. Este artigo desenvolve uma análise sobre parte do contexto cultural e tecnológico que contribuiu para o surgimento do pensamento e prática computacional na arquitectura. Pretende-se questionar e demonstrar a relevância da contribuição de Horst Rittel para a abordagem científica ao Projecto no início da era computacional, durante a sua colaboração como professor na Hochschule für Gestaltung - Ulm, Alemanha, no contexto da análise de métodos científicos associados ao projecto, ainda sem a utilização de computadores. Argumenta-se que nesta Escola, através das ideias desenvolvidas por professores tal como Horst Rittel, criaram-se fundamentos que estão na base das posteriores abordagens computacionais na arquitectura, as quais mais tarde vieram a utilizar a computação não como uma ferramenta de desenho geométrico, mas sim como uma ferramenta de desenho computacional. Algumas destas matérias viriam a ser investigadas e ampliadas anos depois em centros de investigação académicos de departamentos de Arquitectura e Design. Para dar resposta à questão levantada durante a investigação do presente artigo, procedeu-se à análise do material da biblioteca da Escola, encerrada em 1968, que se encontra armazenado no Arquivo e Museu da HfG-Ulm, sendo que a recolha de material original das aulas das disciplinas científicas que Horst Rittel leccionava, proveniente desse Arquivo, foi o eixo metodológico fulcral do presente trabalho. Esta investigação contribuiu assim para clarificar alguns territórios não tão investigados, servindo esta de complemento a uma série de outras investigações que analisam as relações e sinergias entre protagonistas e instituições, que conformaram uma perspectiva computacional na arquitetura nos anos 60. Finalmente, este artigo contribuiu assim para cartografar e estudar o papel do matemático e investigador Horst Rittel, suas ideias distintivas, pelo modo como definiram uma nova abordagem ao projecto, marcadamente influenciada por métodos científicos.

Nowadays the use of computational design processes in architecture is a common practice which is currently recovering a set of theories connected to computer science that were developed in the 60s and 70s. Such pioneering explorations were marked by an interest in employing scientific principles and methodologies many developed in Research Centres located in the US and the UK. Looking into this period, this paper investigates the relevance of the German design school of the Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG) Ulm to the birth of computation in architecture. Even thought there were no computers in the school. It is argued that the innovative pedagogies and some distinct professors have launched clear foundations that can be understood as being at the basis of further computational approaches in architecture. By describing and relating the singular work by Tomas Maldonado (educational project), Max Bense (information aesthetics) and Horst Rittel (scientific methods), this paper describes the emergence of analogical ways of computational design thinking. This analysis ultimately wishes to contribute for inscribing the HfG Ulm at the cultural and technological mapping of computation in architecture.

Nowadays the use of computational design processes in architecture is a common practice which is currently recovering a set of theories connected to computer science developed in the 60`s and 70`s. Back then, such pioneering experiences were carried out by an interest in employing scientific principles and methodologies in architectural design, which, with the help of computers, were developed in Research Centres mainly located in the USA and the UK. Looking into this period, this paper investigates the relevance of the German design school of the Hochschule für Gestaltung of Ulm to the birth of computation in architecture. Even though there were no computers in the school, this paper argues that the innovative pedagogies introduced by a group of distinct professors built clear foundations that can be understood as being at the basis of further computational approaches in architecture. This paper focuses on the remarkable work done by Tomas Maldonado. His contribution was paramount in the emergence of analogical ways of computer design thinking. This analysis ultimately wants to emphasize how the HfG Ulm’s role and its scientific approach have paved the way for the onset of the computational era in architecture.