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Smart Technology Creates a New Style in Architecture and Technological

Aesthetics

Conference Paper · August 2012

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Smart Technology Creates a New Style in Architecture and Technological
Aesthetics

Salahadin Vaisi
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
University of Applied Science and Technology, Bokan Center, Bokan, W.Azarbaijan, Iran
Email: Svaisi @ uok.ac.ir

Abstract:
Smart and nano-technology have a significant affects on contemporary buildings from the technical
point of view. Modern technological innovations, smart materials, new construction technology,
moveable ingredient and remote control structures have led to many developments and numerous
imitations. Technical inventions seem to be the point of departure for a new sequence of ideas.
Industrial achievements, High tech and contemporary details have flexibility and changeability of
forms, and point to a dynamic-active condition. The moving components of buildings give a unity of
expressions to the design procedure. In the designing of expose structures, architectonic expression is
striven for so that the structures simultaneously exhibit simplicity and rationality. Using descriptive
methodology, this article wants to elaborate on this point that contemporary architecture is influenced
by smart and nano-tech materials. At the present time, buildings display distinguished facades and
features. Stadiums, Bridges, Museums, Stations, etc, have obtained a technological identity.
Technology creates new forms and new shapes of materials, constructions and presents a new
architectural style based on these new forms. This architectural style is very different from previous
generations in form parameters and visionary models. Ultimately, nowadays architecture has its unique
characteristics which are derived from the latest and most developed instruments. This paper
demonstrates some characteristics of this nano-material such as movement, adjustment, excitement and
their effects on architecture and civil engineering.

Keywords: Technological aesthetics; High tech; nano-material; Smart technology; technological

forms

Introduction:
A new wave of architectural projects in the world has brought back the question of aesthetics and
technology [1]. Although the aesthetics of handmade is base, technology appears as a generative force
in new aesthetic explorations (fig.1) and qualities in buildings. The scientific and technological
advances had a big impact on societies after the 1970s. It is important to note that the technical
elements on show to create the industrial aesthetic are not purely there for aesthetic purposes as well
[2]. They are still functional. Contemporary architecture aimed to achieve a new industrial aesthetic,
spurred on by the renewed faith in the progression of technology. Technology developed an
architectural language for example; the building's exposed ducts, structural towers, and free-standing
frames are meant to create a maximum flexibility and efficiency in the internal spaces [3].
The electro-chromic glazing can darken and lighten gradually in response to gradually changing of sun
condition. This adaptation to diurnal changes in daylight availability saves energy in two primary ways.
Today, ecological buildings are an achievement in contemporary architecture. This revolution aims to
create environmentally friendly, energy–efficient and low CO2 emission buildings [4]. It is appearing
that ecological buildings were derived from high technology. Technology not only creates new forms,
shapes and volumes, but also economizes in consuming of environmental resources and identifies
sustainable architecture.

Fig.1: Aesthetic mixed with excitement, London Eye, Architect: Marks Barfield, Frank Anatole, Nic Bailey, 1999

Technology and Aesthetics:

On the other hand, the industrial Revolution made possible new forms in architecture, although
some critics might call them engineering rather than art. The development of new kinds of architecture
was advanced by the use of iron, steel and later concrete. In about 1855 Henry Bessemer invented a
new method of making steel in quantity so that it could be used profitably for large building
components [5]. The most important movement in appearing new architectural style was increasing
used of glazing in 20th century buildings (Fig.2). Metal can hold larger panels of glass than wood and
metal came into prominent use at the end of 20th century, especially in bridges. Moreover, later
designers used cable to build suspension bridges. First, they used wrought iron chain, then drawn wire
cables. The famous Brooklyn Bridge is an example of this type.
Metal and glass construction became common all over Europe and the United States Speedily [6].
Only with these developments in the use of iron and steel could modern cities have been built with new
shapes and new materials that people never had seen those before. With the development of concert
and later reinforced concrete other kinds of dreamy forms were possible. Another innovation, the
elevator, made multi-storied buildings practical. The decade since the mid-1980s has seen an
unparalleled surge in architectural form creativity [7]. Completely new design possibilities have been
open up by technological innovations such as computer-aided design, and at the same time there has
been a growing cross-fertilization between architecture and art (Fig.3).

Fig.2: Dresden Ufa, cinema center, Germany, Fig.3: The city of arts & sciences, Valencia, Spain,
Coop Himmelblau Santiago Calatrava, 1996
 In the past, building design followed the restriction factors such as few numbers of traditional
materials for example brick and rock. They also followed the weak systems of load bearing walls,
barrel-vaults construction method and unprogressive construction technology. Consequently, most of
the forms were changed in the elevation surface and only the shapes of the arcs from half circle
(Roman architecture) to the other shapes such as lancet arc (Gothic Architecture) were changed. In the
period of Modern architecture, architects such as Alvar Alto, Le Corbusier and others gradually
receded from cubic forms. The most beautiful building form in this period is Sydney Opera House by
Jorn Otzon. The second half of 20 th century is very important in architectural history. More materials
quickly have been created and harmonizing, with these new innovated materials, new construction
methods also were proposed.
Knauf, Drywall systems, 3Walls, Aluminum tiles, Dampers, Fiber glass covers, Tent systems and
ultimately, Pneumatic structures led to the creation of unprecedented building’s volume, form and
materials. High tech as a structural solution created a new generation of buildings. Expose elevators,
elevator escalators, glass staircases, suspension roofs, intelligent structures and flexible shaded
Introduce a different type of aesthetics. It seems that human's emotion and frightening joy in front of
contemporary technology create a new generation of technological aesthetics. Architects such as
Richard Rogers, Norman Foster, Kenzo Tange, Frank.O.Gehry and Santiago Calatrava could design
unprecedented buildings with new forms in the best way that their patterns did not exist even in the
people's visionary memory. The Guggenheim Bilbao museum designed by Frank.O.Gehry (Fig.4) and
Milwaukee art museum by Calatrava are the best examples in this field (Fig.5).

Fig.4: The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain, Fig.5: Milwaukee Art Museum,
Building made of glass, titanium & limestone. The featuring the wing-like
Frank. O.gehry, 1997 Santiago Calatrava, 2001

Furthermore, a final project, the L’Oreal factory at Aulnay–sous –bois, France, by architects Valode
and Pistre, is in many ways symbolic of the search for new forms in architecture. The 1991 project is
most notably marked by its enormous curved roof inspired by the image of the three-petal flower
floating above the ground. Made of aluminum polyethylene “sandwich”, the roof elements are
suspended without columns by a tubular space frame superstructure designed by the late engineer Peter
Rice. Because of new production techniques, the unusual curving complexity of the roof elements was
made possible not only by computer-aided design, but also by a laser-guided checking system for the
placement of the 20,000 panels. The L'Oreal factory shows that technology, new materials and a
willingness of clients and architects have created a condition for true renewal in architecture.
Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler, both professors at ETH's Institute for Technology in
Architecture, Zurich, were among the first to use robots in architectural design. Since 2006 the duo has
explored various manufacturing techniques, including both subtractive and additive fabrication, as well
as a wide range of materials, to create astonishing structures entirely built by robots. The use of robots,
combined with digital design tools, means a new aesthetic becomes possible, with novel shapes and
patterns that would be nearly impossible to achieve without the automated machines: industrial
manipulators that are extremely precise and good at repetition [8]. Transparent silica aerogel would be
very suitable as a thermal insulation material, significantly limiting thermal losses of buildings. The
first residential use of aerogel as an insulator is in the Georgia Institute of Technology's Solar
Decathlon House where it is used as an insulator in the semi-transparent roof.

Fig.6: Olympic 2008, stadium, Beijing, China Fig.6: The city of Arts and sciences, river Turia,
Valencia, Spain, Santiago Calatrava, 1996

Nevertheless, the most important characters of technological aesthetics can be summarized as

following table. Contemporary architecture gives new visionary messages to applicants mixed with
unprecedented feelings such as

Table1. The Most Important Characters of Technological Aesthetics

Characters Where used in Buildings Building sample
1 Remote Control Remote Control Doors, Open able 1. Banks, 2. Office Buildings, 3.
Dooms, Remote Control Air Parking doors
Conditioners
2 Adjustability and Temperature Control with PID, Portable Multi- Functional Furniture s,
changeability Structures, Intelligent Security Systems
3 Moveability Mobile Structures, Portable Cabins, 1. Amsterdam Arena Stadium. 2.
Retraceable Roofs Milwaukee Art Museum. 3. Sapporo
Dome
4 Excitement Suspension Bridges, Frees Wheels, 1. London eye, 2. Golden Gate Bridge,
Elevators 3. Milau Viaduct Suspension Bridge, 4.
Stadium Olympic 2008 Beijing
5 Adjustable with Photovoltaic cells, Areogel Materials, 1. Home in Gainesville, Florida, USA,
Environment Smart Glasses, ZEB Buildings, Solar 2. Home in Lakeland Florida, USA
Lights
6 Unprecedented Reinforced Concrete, Curtain walls, 1. Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao,
Skyscrapers, High Ways, Nano- Spain, 2. Ufa Cinema, Germany 3.
Materials Hong Kong Bank

excitement, fear, glory and greatness of technology and in other words, technology forms the main idea
of most smart buildings. Technological competition brings significant senses to our aesthetic taste,
which is strange and cannot be described with classical methodology of aesthetics. Therefore, it is
necessary to introduce a new base to study of aesthetic in third millennium to close the gap regarding
the marvelous sense of technological beauty.
 Conclusion:
Nineteenth century was the origin of new transformations in architecture. Replacing metal skeleton
instead of thick and load bearing walls, creates this possibility that the thicknesses of walls have been
lowered. The important achievement of this movement was the lack of necessity to putting walls on
each other. Consequently, walls could take new forms and kinds of curved walls were appeared in the
elevation and volume of buildings. Deconstruction Architecture brought these changes to the climax.
Born as revamped emissary of Modernist functionality, using new technology, high tech design style
could create new forms that they were unprecedented. In comparison with 19th century buildings,
contemporary generation of buildings has these following characteristics feature from the viewpoint of
form and aesthetics:
1. From Modern Architecture period until now, a new generation of architecture was created from the
viewpoint of shape and form.
2. Nano-technology and smart materials have the most important role in creating this new generation of
architecture. In the field of design, computer aided design, virtual spaces, and animations and so, in the
field of construction, reinforced concrete, advanced technology, new materials, remote sensors, lead to
a revolution in contemporary architecture. This was conducted that architects could use all human's
achievements and innovations to shape their buildings in the best manner. In other words, new spirit of
time penetrates in the contemporary buildings' face.
3. Most of the forms in present buildings are 3 dimensional because of twist in the space (Fig.6). New
technology gives contemporary buildings the possibility of changing condition or even changing
orientation during daytime. These changes did not exist in the past architecture. In masonry buildings,
forms were changed only in elevation surface (two dimensional) from the viewpoint of geometric
shapes and most of the previous styles were different only in 2dimensional elevation, but new
generation of contemporary architecture is completely different from past architecture. If this
architecture has not technological identity, technology has an important role in creating of its form,
volume, facade and materials. Technological aesthetics is the most important exclusivity of present
buildings.
4. Technology has some characteristics from the viewpoint of aesthetics. Movement, excitement,
changing the situation and adjusting with environmental condition are the new technological- aesthetic
characters of contemporary buildings.

References
[1] Tzonis Alexander, Lefaiver Liane, lecture on technology & aesthetics, MIT tech talk, (1996)
[2] Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia, High-Tech architecture, (2012)
[3] Www. Artandculture.com, High tech architecture, (2012)
[4] Christensen Bill, Sustainable Building Source book, Green building program of the city of Austin,
Texas (HTML).
[5] Sullivan Mary Ann, the Development of Modern architecture, the use of metal, Bluffon College,
(2006)
[6] Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia, Modern Architecture, (2006)
[7] Jodidio Philip, New forms: Architecture in the 1990's, Benedikt Taschen Verlag Gmblh, (1997),
pp: 239-241.
[8] http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/industrial-robots/robots-in-architecture, 2012

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