The architectural industry is gearing up to take a quantum leap in the tech-savvy era. With trailblazing innovations and advanced technological intelligence, architects are in pursuit of design solutions that would transform the future of architecture.
A quasi-paradise that comprises self-driven cars, skyscrapers that graze the clouds, or kinetic facades would have been considered a pipe dream two decades ago. Gauging the rate at which technology is shaping the future of architecture, no one would bat an eye to the prospect of revolutionary ideas like colonising Mars. But here we are, in the midst of it all, unwittingly witnessing the futuristic view of the world.
Vertical Cities
With the rising urban population and the ever-growing need for housing concerns, vertical cities are emerging in full throttle. Although high-rise structures are often condemned for their non-environmental approach, innovative practices are now being implemented to self-sustain these buildings.
Vertical cities occupy minimal land footprint and have the capacity to host a myriad of people. By incorporating passive architectural techniques through solar panels and wind turbines, they have the potential to be sustainable as well. This concept should be designed by considering several factors such as community engagement through recreational spaces, connectivity and safety protocols.
Smart Cities
The evolution of digital technology generated the smart city idea. As the use of technology became more prevalent in the lives of consumers, architecture evolved to judiciously utilize this advantage.
Through these digital strategies, cities can transform into a well-connected and smart network. These applications monitor their day-to-day routines and provide solutions or preventative measures to ensure their well-being.
Healthcare, safety, sustainable living, etc., are some of the multitudes of aspects monitored by smart cities to significantly improve quality of life. It also monitors the consumption of resources as they are depleting at an alarming rate. Being aware of the implications of one’s usage can play a crucial role in confronting the reckless manner of consumption.
Robotics in Construction and Design
Robotics plays a vital role in architecture right from concept development to construction. Although it isn’t the unexplored territory, the potential that this industry holds is indeed immense. The unerringly intelligent system provides accurate information on building design and detects the most trivial errors. This leads to minimal cost and efficient productivity and also ensures the completion of tasks in record time.
All stages of construction can entail the services of robotic technology. Architectural prototypes of designs, customized building parts, and the assembling of fabricated construction elements can be executed with proficiency. The collaboration of robotics and architecture can push boundaries to create an idealistic future of architecture in unthinkable ways.
Virtual Reality
Visualization of architecture is an emerging field wherein users can get a preview of the building and its interiors. Virtual reality takes it a step further and allows people to experience the wonder of design.
A walkthrough that accurately captures the essence of space through the perfect lighting, personalized interior design, and structural details can be produced through VR. It has the power to evoke the feeling of the space and not just what it appears to be. By utilizing it throughout the design process, architects can blur the lines between reality and perception.
It allows the understanding of light, massing, and visual connectivity of buildings. Through BIM modeling and rendering softwares, the images can be obtained on VR. Experimenting with this technology can prove to be a significant benefit in architectural visualization.
Sustainability
The importance of sustainability is downplayed in the construction industry and perceived as a secondary factor. Even though this approach is changing these days, it is certainly not being implemented the way it should be. There are multiple ways in which architects have incorporated sustainability into design.
The use of technology to effectively plan the building design and fabricate it in any shape or form that is suitable for the environment is an imperative strategy to combat climate change. Analysing the air quality, amount of sunlight that enters the building, orientation, wind flow, etc can be determined effortlessly with technology.
Upcycling materials, conserving historical buildings, and revamping existing methods of construction to accommodate the requirements of sustainability is a necessity that cannot be ignored any longer.
The futuristic challenges that the architecture industry face are going to be plenty with the ever-changing demands and requirements. Acknowledging and diligently availing the opportunity that technological advancement offers will revolutionize the way people perceive the future.
One can easily get carried away by the fantasy world that architecture is presumably turning into. But it is crucial to pause and analyse the collateral damage inflicted on the environment as well. Pioneering sustainable methods of architecture go hand in hand with digital technological headway.
Expanding horizons to make way for a remarkable era that addresses the challenges of today and exceeds the limits of technology is the key to a world of architectural marvel.
