The Architecture industry has made impressive progress over the last few decades. There is so much math to decode and debate about how optimally we use our resources, especially tech resources. Architects like Zaha Hadid, and Antonio Sant’elia are the face of futuristic architecture, creating breakthroughs like Wakra stadium- a statement to modern engineering. Well, there is more to it in today’s age and time! What more does modern engineering have to offer to architects?
Recognizing the criticality of harnessing technology in the digital age, architectural technology has emerged as a field of study that examines how technology and design interact. Architecture necessitates evolution. Without new technologies, designers would not be able to accommodate the more complicated demands of the industry. Architectural breakthroughs in technology have guided the way for architects from the time ancient civilizations first began stacking stones. With smart technology that can sift through data at lightning speed, this fact is truer today than ever.
The architecture industry in India has experienced significant technological advancements since 2022, enhancing design processes, construction methods, and sustainability practices. Here are a few that Architects predominantly use-
Artificial Intelligence is a concept that has been introduced previously in the world of engineering and architecture today. Generative design is a transformative approach in design and engineering that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and computational algorithms to autonomously generate a wide array of design alternatives. However, the way it is aiding in creating blueprints for real estate constructions and buildings, generating plans, and advancing the procedure of architectural projects is certainly very innovative and unexpected. A large percentage of architectural firms are significantly dependent on AI-driven systems and designs today to attain more static, precise, and faster outcomes for their projects. The AI-aided Building Information Model that is BIM has become a key part of modern architecture and design and is considered to be a more strategic approach to establishing projects that are more adaptable to the surroundings, natural threats, and other conditions.
The next groundbreaking technology that is also being considered to play a vital role in shaping the future of architecture is Virtual Reality. Products like Enscape and Unreal are buzzing around, used to create immersive walkthroughs, VR has been a substantial contributor to the architectural industry. It has the power to provide clients with a crystal clear view of the idealized construction project outside the screen in realistic dimensions and its efficiency is only on the rise.
Computational design involves using algorithms to generate optimal architectural solutions based on specific criteria. This approach allows for enhanced adaptability of structures to their environments, improving energy efficiency and reducing construction costs. Tools like Grasshopper 3D and Dynamo are popular in this domain, enabling architects to explore innovative design possibilities. The Vancouver House, designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), features a striking twisting facade that responds to its unique triangular site constraints. By simulating various design scenarios, Grasshopper helped optimize the facade for both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity, accommodating over 200 different unit layouts behind its undulating surface.
“As technologies multiplied in number and complexity, the building profession started to fragment”, writes Stephen Emmitt, pointing to the inception of the new discipline in his book Architectural Technology: Research and Practice. In complete agreement with this statement, what has made it difficult to use technology optimally, instead of complete dependence? Are architects losing the human touch in designs built for humans? Ironic, isn’t it?
Understanding cultural contexts, social nuances, and the activities people engage in within spaces sums up what design caters to on a broader scale. The use of technology, tools,s, and AI products ideally should accelerate the process of design and assist with better presentation and visualization, rather than mass generating designs itself. There certainly is a silver lining lying there, as to how we consume these complex technologies and put them to use. A purely technological approach risks overlooking these critical factors, leading to designs that may be efficient but lack a sense of identity or connection with the community. To navigate this evolving landscape, architects must find a balance between leveraging tech capabilities and preserving their unique creative insights. Architects need to be more than just designers; they need to become orchestrators who guide upcoming technology in achieving the desired outcomes.
References:
admin@krmangalam and admin@krmangalam (2020). Technological Trends Changing The Face Of Architecture Today. [online] krmangalam_© https://www.krmangalam.edu.in/technological-trends-changing-the-face-of-architecture-today/ [Accessed 6 Dec. 2024].
Designblendz (2022). The Benefits of Technology in Architectural Design. [online] www.designblendz.com_© https://www.designblendz.com/blog/the-power-of-technology-in-architecture-today.
Álvarez-Díaz, R. (n.d.). How Technology Is Transforming Architectural Design. [online] AD&V® | Architecture & Interior Design_© https://www.alvarezdiazvillalon.com/blog/how-technology-is-transforming-architectural-design
Soto, C. (2024). 20 Architecture Industry Trends: Technology, Design, and More. [online] OpenAsset_© https://openasset.com/blog/architecture-industry-trends/.
