OBITUARY: W.J.

Mitchell A Personal Reflection

international journal of architectural computing

issue 02, volume 08 219

OBITUARY:W.J. Mitchell A Personal Reflection

220

William J. Mitchell, an early champion of computational design, passed away June 11, 2010. Bill Mitchell had a talent of making complex ideas accessible by explaining them in clear language. He brought wonder and excitement to exploring the possibilities of new technologies. He revealed the deeper beauty of rational structures and cognitive processes behind architectural compositions. He reached a wide audience with visions of networked communities, cyberculture and future cars. He invited everyone along for the ride: no matter what your background, your perspective could help shape the future. His wide range of writing included: design thinking, landscape design, graphic programming, shape grammar, historic reconstruction, image processing, design collaboration, virtual communities, digital fabrication, parametric design & new transportation for new cities. He kindled free global access to education by inspiring Virtual Design Studio collaborations and MIT OpenCourseWare. His quick smile and balanced critiques made even failed experiments on the "bleeding edge" feel like a stealthy adventure. Bill delighted at bringing out everyones best ideas, amplified with technology to challenge conventional wisdom. By challenging us to question and by encouraging us to dream, he inspired a world-wide community of scholars. Forever an SOB (Student of Bill)

Nancy Yen-wen Cheng, University of Oregon, USA nywc@uoregon.edu, ACADIA President

OBITUARY:W.J. Mitchell 221 A Personal Reflection