Project

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Architecturality: How Space is Organised by Computation

Applicant Savic Selena
Number 172090
Funding scheme Early Postdoc.Mobility
Research institution Vienna University of Technology Institute of Mechanics
Institution of higher education Institution abroad - IACH
Main discipline Architecture and Social urban science
Start/End 01.01.2017 - 30.06.2018
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All Disciplines (2)

Discipline
Architecture and Social urban science
Information Technology

Keywords (6)

Algorithmic Performance; Computational design; Collaborative Qualification; Digital Literacy; Architectural experience; Computer-aided design

Lay Summary (French)

Lead
Les outils numériques ont devenue standard dans la conception et la fabrication d'architecture aujourd'hui, qui est, de plus en plus assistée par les technologies informatiques. Les logiciels de la conception assistée par ordinateur (CAO) sont de plus en plus facile à apprendre et à utiliser, leurs interfaces et fonctions adaptés a une pratique quotidienne du travail d'architecte. Toutefois, un écart considérable reste entre la manière dont les architectes comprennent et utilisent ces technologies, et la manière dont ces processus sont articulés dans la théorie d'architecture.
Lay summary

L'objectif de ce projet est d’offrir un cadre théorique pour un débat productive et éclairé sur le rôle de l'informatique dans la pratique d'architecture. Une première étape dans ce trajet sera fait par une analyse de l'écrit - des textes théoriques mais aussi le discours quotidien sur l'architecture contemporaine dans les média.

Ensuite, un support informatique sera développé pour assister à l'organisation de ce discours autour des processus informatiques dans la conception et la production/construction d'architecture. Ce support va permettre à mieux comprendre ce qu'on pense l'essentiel dans l’expérience architecturale et comment cette expérience est (ou n'est pas) affecté par la pratique de la conception assistée par ordinateur. Une série des conférences sur l'architecturalité, un terme théorique décrivant un expérience architecturale, va compléter ces activités de recherche.

"Architecturality: How Space is Organised by Computation" va relever le défi de déléguer l'organisation du discours autour l'architecture numérique (ça veut dire qui a un lien avec le numérique - est conçu en utilisant les outils CAO ou bien équipé avec technologies numérique comme smart buildings etc) aux outils numériques. En faisant évoluer un vocabulaire qui décrit la convergence entre l'architecture et l'informatique, ce projet va permettre aux architectes et aux théoriciens de discuter les processus et les produits informatiques d'une manière plus ouverte et plus constructive. En plus, le dit vocabulaire va contribuer à un transfert des idées entre l'informatique et design plus éclairé, ce qui peut être décrit comme "digital literacy".
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 02.12.2016

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
The use of digital tools in design and fabrication of architecture have become mainstream in architectural practice. Computer-aided design software (CAD) has become easier to learn and use. Its interface design is ever more adapted to the everyday work of architects. Nevertheless, there seems to be a gap in the way architects manipulate computer-based tools and the way these processes are articulated in architectural theory.
Lay summary

In this project, I propose a theoretical framework for an informed and productive discussion about the role of computation in design and making of architecture. 

The first step towards understanding the role of computation in architectural design will be to use classical interpretation and text mining on a combined corpus of architectural discourse in academia and in social media. Following the acquisition, computational tools will be developed to mine and organise the textual material. This analysis will open insights into what is perceived as essential in architectural experience (the experience of architectural, designed space) The project explores how the challenge of organising a discourse that addresses computational process in architectural design could be delegated to computation. These steps will be complemented by a continuous lecturing activity in the form of seminars on architecturality, which will be held every semester as part of the Architecture Theory department curriculum.

By developing the language that describes the convergences of architecture and computation, the outcomes of this project will help architects and theoreticians to discuss computational processes and outputs in a more informed and productive way. Next to this, the project contributes to a clarity in the transfer of computational concepts into the realm of the design of spaces, which can be described as digital literacy.

 
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 02.12.2016

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Publications

Publication
Great New Design: How Do We Talk about Media Architecture in Social Media
SavicSelena (2019), Great New Design: How Do We Talk about Media Architecture in Social Media, arXiv.org , Ithaca, NY.
Ghosts of Transparency
Doyle Michael R., Savić Selena, Bühlmann Vera (2019), Ghosts of Transparency, Birkhäuser, Basel.
Travelling on Planets of Resonating Concepts. Identification and Directionality between Computational and Architectonic
Savić Selena (2019), Travelling on Planets of Resonating Concepts. Identification and Directionality between Computational and Architectonic, in Doyle Michael R., Bühlmann Vera, Savić Selena (ed.), Birkhäuser, Basel, 255/21.
Measuring Scarcity or Balancing Abundance: Some Reflections on Human-Building Interaction Paradigms from an Architectural Perspective
Savic Selena (2018), Measuring Scarcity or Balancing Abundance: Some Reflections on Human-Building Interaction Paradigms from an Architectural Perspective, in Streitz Norbert, Konomi Shin’ichi (ed.), Springer International Publishing, Cham, 264-274.
Landscape of connectivity. Measuring and representing fluctuations in wireless network traffic in space
.
Space of Communication
Savic Selena (2018), Space of Communication, in de Vega Mario, Silvestrin Daniela, Mazon Gardoqui Victor (ed.), n, Mexico City / Berlin, 64-58.
Exploring the Identities of Digital Processes in Architectonic Context
Savic Selena (2018), Exploring the Identities of Digital Processes in Architectonic Context, in Digicult, 00-00.
On the Table: Extending a Conversation Between Four Angles
SavicSelena (2017), On the Table: Extending a Conversation Between Four Angles, in Fassl Georg, Bühlmann Vera, Chiappone-Piriou Emmanuelle (ed.), Technische Universität Wien, Department for Architecture Theory and Philosophy of Technics (ATTP), Vienna, Austria, 70-74.
Digital Literacy in Architecture: How Space is Organized by Computation
Savic Selena, Bühlmann Vera (2017), Digital Literacy in Architecture: How Space is Organized by Computation, in the 2017 CHI Conference Extended Abstracts, Denver, Colorado, USAACM, New York, NY, USA.

Communication with the public

Communication Title Media Place Year
Talks/events/exhibitions On Bringing Light, Air and Internet into Buildings International 2017
Talks/events/exhibitions Twitter Bots and Architecture International 2017

Abstract

Digital design and fabrication are mainstream practice in architectural design. Nevertheless, there seems to be a gap in the way architects manipulate computer-based tools and the way these processes are articulated in architectural theory. More often than not, the integration of architecture and digital technologies happens only on an instrumental level, where digital is associated with making the design and construction process more efficient. In this project, I propose to critically study the relationship of architecture and technology as organisers of space.The principal goal of this project is to offer a framework for an informed and productive discussion about the role of computation in design and production of architectural experiences. As a first step towards understanding the role of computation in producing architectural artefacts and their experience, I propose the use of classical interpretation and text mining on a combined corpus of architectural discourse in academia and in social media. The project explores how the challenge of organising a discourse that addresses computational process in architectural design could be delegated to computation. These steps will be complemented by a continuous lecturing activity in the form of seminars on architecturality, which will be held every semester as part of the Architecture Theory department curriculum. By developing the language that describes the convergences of architecture and computation, the outcomes of this project will help architects and theoreticians to discuss computational processes and outputs in a more informed and productive way. Next to this, the project contributes to a clarity in the transfer of computational concepts into the realm of the design of spaces, which can be described as digital literacy.
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