This course introduces students to structural design as an inverse problem guided by performance objectives such as minimal weight, embodied carbon, and whole-life energy use. Students learn to formulate and solve optimization problems that satisfy equilibrium, stability, geometric compatibility, and fabrication-related constraints.

This course addresses early-stage design as a multi-objective, iterative, and data-informed process involving diverse stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and clients. Students learn to structure the design process through algorithmic and parametric modeling, enabling rapid exploration and evaluation of “what-if” scenarios.

Gennaro Senatore has developed a suite of interactive applications to support the teaching of structural mechanics and design across educational levels, from secondary school to graduate studies. These tools — PushMePullMe 2D and PushMePullMe 3D — have been adopted by educators to broaden access to structural principles through active and game-based learning.

This course transfers core competencies in academic writing, information literacy, and research communication.