Alexandros’ Egg Architecture Lecture provided us with a rich overview of the potential of computer assimilated ghost-in-the-(egg)shell EDM-Techno Cyborg AI Architecture. In his presentation, Alexandros gave us an overview of the projects that he has been involved in at ZAHA, such as The Morocco Theatre, and has also given us an insight into the experience of being a part of a team through his AA Athens Visiting School.
From the generative phase of a design project all the way to fabrication the human is aided and enhanced by computation. Creating feedback loops between different specializations is key to make these advancements in coordination with each other. Ultimately, Alexandros recommends that we develop skills by trying something, and if you don’t like it, you move onto something else. To join the fun you must explore digital mediums in meaningful and critical ways.
Flocking is the sort of behaviour observed in a group of birds when they are flying. You can use processing to imitate this behaviour digitally and use is it as base for a variety of design projects.
These algorithms can be used to generate a variety of outcomes. This can also be used in optimization processes. These processes were very hard to manipulate but we can now use Wallacei, a new tool for grasshopper that helps us control optimization.
Fabrication is evolving. Robots are now helping us expand fabrication possibilities, for instance a robot can turn its arm 360 degrees and move in a 3D space. The flexibility of this tool creates new potentials for fabrication. It will eventually push the boundaries of our imagination as we start to manifest our ideas through bodies that perform differently from the traditional human body and tool.
There are often counterproductive presumptions surrounding new technologies and the developments of the digital age. The root of this is our fear of losing ‘’our way‘’, our sense of meaning, purpose and role in architecture. It is precisely at times like this that we must challenge ourselves to think about meaning responsibly, whilst understanding the processes underpinning the new wave of tools that are so present but often invisible and misunderstood to most. Our society, and in particular the architecture profession, has evolved rapidly thanks to new technological developments. It would be a mistake not to embrace that change of medium as our ancestors have done, so many times, in the past. Ultimately they are tools for connections that should be embraced.