Week 15: A Strategy for Advance Building Technology (final)

To what extent is architecture a derivation of technology in contemporary times?

Introduction

Architecture is the art of building in which human need and construction materials are displayed via practical and aesthetic solutions. It can be deemed as a social art and an artful science. Architecture involves the design of buildings, cities and spaces, whilst taking consideration of culture, history and transformation to produce new architecture. The designers (i.e. architects); aim to look at the opportunity in general; taking into consideration of the contextual and societal issues. On the contrary, technologies look into technical and buildability matters with the intention of producing efficient and effective solutions to the design and construction of buildings. With the great influence of technology in the built environment, it influences the architect’s imaginative, behaviours and spatial consideration.

Relationship between Architecture and Technology

One might be interested to differentiate between architecture and technology by separating its jobs and subjects. The technology approach was to deal with the buildability and economical aspects of building, whereas architecture provides satisfaction of the end user. The overwhelming triumph of technology that create satisfying sensual experiences for its users is an example of a new design techniques and material usage that create a new experiential spaces in architecture.

There is no uncertainty that every dwelling requires technology to be built. Even with the most basic ability of handling material in a hands-on move to force it into a build form. Looking into the history of the relation between architecture and technology, the exegesis of architecture has evolved according to each moment in the design timeline. Since the early days of pre-historic times, architecture is defined with the need for a shelter against sun and rain. People use natural instinct to construct shelter using natural resources such as tree branches and mammoth bones. The first discovery of human dwellings was found as early as 30,000 years ago.

Figure 1: The earliest human dwelling made from mammoth bones

http://www.lastdays.com/mysteries/babylon/2motherofharlots/mother19.jpg

As technology advances and so did people’s need; it reflects on the illustration of architecture. Architecture took a different manner when man refined their knowledge on construction techniques and building materials. The advancement of technology further assists man’s creation by allowing them to construct designs with heavy materials using machineries. Artisan and craftsmen then further enhance the aesthetic values of designs by carving in ornaments on the building materials. This short study of architecture timeline shows the relationship of technology as a tool to address architecture needs in all building forms. Therefore architect or builder would incorporate both art and craft in the making process. This includes, from manufacturing of raw materials, to mass production, to assembly and fabrication of building materials.

In my opinion, architecture and its associated technology evolves due to cultural needs.

Architecture in Contemporary Times

Technology Informs Imagination

In the contemporary times of today, technology has been used to highlight the ability of architecture and allow a new definition to it. Technology is an external factor of architecture simply because it is a tool used to go beyond the imagination and to overcome the limitations of building materials and the challenges of the environment. As demonstrated by the approaches from Thomas Heatherwick, current technologies were used to stretch the ability of the commonly practiced constructional building methods of concrete and steel material among others in the quest of achieving his intended design. He incorporated technologies by introducing new constructional materials which made up of everyday object such as seeds and umbrella.

Looking into Heatherwick’s UK Pavillion, he uses technology as a tool to aid his architectural imagination. The phenomenal of utilizing seeds became an idea to create a seed cathedral that fuses the building and content together. Heatherwick wanted to present UK with the perception of knowing London as the greenest city in the world; he then relates trees in the public park, gardens and squares with putting the seeds on show. Technology allows Heatherwick to place the seeds into the acrylic rods on both external and internal wall of the pavilion. As a result, technology transforms a usual; everyday object into an exciting technological design which pushes the construction challenges off the limit.

Figure 2: The fusion of building materials and building content by Thomas Heatherwick

https://www.yatzer.com/sites/default/files/article_images/2173/shanghai_expo_pavilion_heatherwick_studio_expo2010-yatzer_7.jpg

The design intends by Thomas Heatherwick often informed by bits and pieces of details on the building materials that can be touch and analyse. It is used to complement the design intension without being detached from the understanding of architecture and surrounding context. With the initiation of the intellectual mind, Heatherwick allows his imagination to sync with the needs and objectives of the design. Technology as an external factor functioned as a mediator that links the imagination and materials availability. Besides acting as a way to materialize the design ideas, technology also aided Heatherwick in creating an experiential space to enhance and enrich user experience. Technology managed to goes along with Heatherwick’s imagination to extend architecture limitation and introduce new definition of functionality and experiential in architecture.

Technology Informs Vernacular

Vernacular architecture is a domestic and functional building that has a limitation to the extent of its development in terms of its material properties and structural durability. Looking into the material of a bamboo, bamboo is a fast growing renewable material. However, bamboo has its limitation to bear structural loadings, prone to splitting and insect invasion. But, the availability of technology improves the quality of the bamboo through preservation, treatment and amalgamation of components into a composite material.

Several famous architect; for example Vo Trong Nghia from Vietnam and Kengo Kuma from Japan have explored the potential of bamboo for inspiration. They apply the inherent properties of the plant in their works. With the use of technology, it revives this vernacular material to last longer, resistant to natural decay and to be used in larger scale rather than traditional usage. Technology also made this vernacular material possible in order to explore newer forms practicably.

Figure 3: Bamboo architecture goes beyond its limitation

http://binscorner.com/mails/i/incredible-bamboo-architecture/125770870754.jpg

Bamboo is also used in refined architectural or façade treatment or building structure where sunlight is filtered by bamboo as sunshades. The material itself has both economic and ecological advantages in comparison to our standard concrete and steel constructions; thus providing architectural aesthetic and thermal comfort to users.

Technology is truly an athletic tool that revives vernacular architecture which has died down due to its limitations. It also creates a new generation of vernacular architecture in a more flexible version rather of its traditional usage, or new forms made possible by new technologies.

Technology Informs Form

The development of building technology has been in existence since the industrialism era. It inspires new forms of architecture, breaking free from being a tool for architecture into a movement itself; known as the Parametric design.

Parametric design generates tangible presentation of the contemporary computer age. The advancement of the technology today has enabled high speed data processing of data for complex variables and aglorithms via computer-aided design programmes. This execution of form-finding reflects a thought of design within algorithmic parameters. Computer programmes such as Rhinocerous, Sketchup and Autodesk Maya translate coding and algorithms in to a virtual visualized building design form in relation to space organization. Without limiting the imagination of the designers, the computer generates multiple possibilities of complex forms within the limitation of designated parameters.

Architectural technology today has promoted the sharing of cross disciplinary knowledge within the construction industry to provide new innovative solutions to rethink the moulding of spaces. The exploration of the continuous skin by the firsm, Zaha Hadid Architect firm pushed the limits of a certain technology with every project. Specialising in parametric architecture, the firm explores the possibilities of fabric-like design in order to provide fluidity and seamless design for their clients. A mixed method of conventional reinforced concrete framing and space frame design forms the continuous skin building. The aid of computer programmes provides a platform of communication between multi-disciplines to achieve architectural technology innovations and consequently shaping contemporary parametric architecture.

Figure 5: Parametric architecture creates fluidity and seamless effect

http://buildipedia.com/images/masterformat/Channels/On_Site/2011.06.03_Zaha_Hadid_Cultural_Center/Renderings/Zaha_Hadid_Cultural_Center_Renderings05.jpg

Technology Informs Permeability

In relation to my architectural thesis on the ability of architecture as agglomeration to enhance the permeability of a city, architecture may provide a solutions to address various issues on site. Architecture is the result that reflects on the satisfaction of human activity where individual locates oneself in this physical and cultural world; whereas technology is the result of improved built environment.

The project site remains largely undeveloped in the urban city centre. Therefore, considering the relative lack of programmes such as public spaces and facilities; architectural designs are needed to introduce new spatial configurations within the city. The architecture idea of the mixed-use proposal reflects on the opening of the street area to public access and use. It extends the internal programs inside the building towards the street by increasing permeability from one zone to another. In designing the mixed-use building, a radical approach of amalgamating a commercial, cultural and educational centre will be tested. This approach is much inspired by the approach of Thomas Heatherwick’s Google’s Headquarter. The project introduces amusement and life to the program besides providing a diversity of experience to the undeveloped site.

The findings from the issue on site also suggests ways of reviving a city by designing a building as a connector where people are connected under a single roof. Therefore, technology is used to construct huge steel structure with spaces under a layer of protective skin for users to travel from one point to another. Furthermore, technology is able to increase the building’s aesthetics through utilization of specific devoted materials for claddings and solar shading.

The application of architecture and technology in the design for mixed-use building shows a pleasant yet vibrant building as a connector. Architecture has always been initiated by intellectual and critical mind of the designer to fulfil the need from the user. However technology in architecture is subject to reveal the outcome of the final outcome. It is the image from architecture that is being transferred into technology.

Conclusion

In conclusion, architecture and technology are inrer-dependent. Each has its own set of cognitive tools for application purposes. As seen through the years from the pre-historic times to the current contemporary days, architecture has been a derivation of technology regardless of how technology is used. But technology may be used in certain stages based on cultural progress. However, the usage of technology in architecture has always been initiated by the intellectual and critical mind of its designer. Therefore, architecture is a derivation of technology that is bound by an intent that is much contained by the designers’ concept. It is being embraced and appreciates as part of the tools to develop architecture.