Associate Professor, Associate Dean (Research & Innovation)

Joshua M. Taron is an Associate Professor of architecture at the University of Calgary's School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape where he runs the Laboratory for Integrative Design (LID). His current research focuses on structurally intelligent swarms as an alternative to conventional wholesale building demolition by grafting complex morphological assemblies into existing buildings. This work is done in partnership with a variety of disciplines such as computer science, structural engineering and city planning. The work has been published internationally and orients itself toward finding new ways of revitalizing and sustaining the already-built environment.

Taron is also Principal of Synthetiques, an award-winning research+design+build outfit focusing on the hybrid ecologies afforded through the interface of computational and physical economies across multiple scales. He earned his undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley and holds a Master of Architecture degree from the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

Selected Work

Edited Publications and Contributions

• Taron, J., Parlac, V., Kolarevic, B., Johnson, J. (eds), Integration through Computation: Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, ACADIA Press, 2011.
• Johnson, J., Taron, J., Parlac, V., Kolarevic, B., (eds). Integration through Computation: Project Catalog of the 31st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, ACADIA Press, 2011.
• Johannesson, L., Eggermont, M., Taron, J. (eds), Journal of Computational Media Design, Calgary, Summer 2011.
• Taron, J., “On the Integrative Program”, in Integration through Computation:Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, ACADIA Press, 2011.
• Taron, J., “Inducing Disconnection: Dissensus, Incongruency, Liminality”, in Integration through Computation: Project Catalog of the 31st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, ACADIA Press, 2011.

Refereed Journal Articles

• Taron, J. “Speculative Structures”, 30th eCAADe conference: Digital Physicality / Physical Digitality, Prague 2012 (in Press).
• Taron, J., “Structurally Intelligent Swarms: Exploiting Interoperability toward Generative Design”,6th ASCAAD Conference: CAAD / Innovation / Practice, Manama, 2012.
• Von Mammen, S., Taron, J., “A Trans-Disciplinary Program for Biomimetic Computing and Architectural Design”, 6th ASCAAD Conference: CAAD / Innovation / Practice, Manama, 2012.
• Johnson, J., Marquez, W., Taron, J., Re:Connecting Devington – Parametric Agricultures, FORMCities Symposium Publication, Jackson, 2011.
• Taron, J., “Interactive Localized Particle Swarms in Complex Restricted Environments”, ALGODE, Kanagawa, 2010.
• Johnson, J., Taron, J., “Swarms, Cells and Infrastructure: Designing for Indeterminate Futures”, ALGODE, Kanagawa, 2010.
• Taron, J., Von Mammen, S., “Interfacial Design: Situating Contemporary Autopoietic Techniques within the Context of the Autonomy Project and Biotechnological Revolution”, 28th eCAADe Conference: Future Cities, Zurich, 2010.
• Taron, J., “Interactive Hemostasis Modeling In Urban Network Design”, International Journal of Architectural Computing, 2009.
• Von Mammen, S., Jacob, C., Taron, J., “Dynamic and Complex Modeling with Swarms”, presented at Insect Nest to Human Architecture: Workshop on Engineering Principles of Innovation in Swarm-Made Architectures, Venice, 2009.

Curated Exhibitions

• Johnson, J., Taron, J., Parlac V., Integrative Sensibilities, (AX2011), EVDS Kasian Gallery/Banff Center, 2011.
• MAK Center + Sci-Arc Vertical Garden Competition, Los Angeles, 2006.

Invited Exhibitions, Installations and Workshops

• Taron, J. “Structurally Intelligent Swarms”, in AX2011 Project Exhibition, Banff/Calgary, 2011.
• Taron, J. “Animal Stripping”, in AX2011 Project Exhibition, Banff/Calgary, 2011.
• Johnson, J., Taron J., “Weather Stripping”, in AX2011 Project Exhibition, Banff/Calgary, 2011.
• Parrish, D., Taron, J., “Little Billionaires”, Collaboration with Drura Parrish of PRvD, Kasian Gallery Installation, Calgary, 2011.
• Taron, J., “Phlebotomic Formations Installation”, Synthetiques at the Land of Tomorrow Gallery, Lexington, Kentucky, 2011.
• Taron, J., “Particle Protocols Workshop”, University of Kentucky College of Design, Lexington, Kentucky, 2011.
• Taron, J., Von Mammen, S., Jacob, C., “Bio-Designs”, Research Studio Exhibition and Panel Discussion, History of Medicine Days Conference, Calgary, 2010.
• Parrish, D., Taron, J., Johnson, J., Collaboration with Drura Parrish of PRvD, Kasian Gallery Installation, Calgary, 2011.
• Kudless, A., Johnson, J., Taron, J., Collaboration with Andrew Kudless of Matsys Design,Kasian Gallery Installation, Calgary, 2010.
• Fornes, M., Johnson, J., Taron, J., Collaboration with Marc Fornes of The Very Many, Kasian Gallery Installation, Calgary, 2009.
• Taron, J., “Quarantine”, Research Studio Exhibition at the History of Medicine Days Conference, Calgary, 2009.
• Taron, J., “South Street Seaport – Re-envisioning the Urban Edge”, New York, 2008.

Public Lectures

• “Speculative Structures”, co-hosted by DRL and EmTech Graduate Programs, Architectural Association, London, 2012.
• “Speculative Structures”, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, 2012.
• “Speculative Structures”, American University, Dept. of Architecture, Sharjah, 2012.

Joshua Taron CV

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