Scribd
Upload
107 views

Benefits of Automatism and Technology in Architecture

This document discusses the benefits of automation and technology in architecture. It explains that while computers cannot replace architects as design partners, they have automated many tedious processes like calculations, structural analysis, and form-finding. This allows architects to focus on more important design aspects and generate optimized solutions through algorithms. Parametric modeling, BIM, 3D printing, and algorithm-generated modular designs are some examples of how technology automates architectural workflows for increased efficiency.

Uploaded by

ayush datta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
107 views

Benefits of Automatism and Technology in Architecture

This document discusses the benefits of automation and technology in architecture. It explains that while computers cannot replace architects as design partners, they have automated many tedious processes like calculations, structural analysis, and form-finding. This allows architects to focus on more important design aspects and generate optimized solutions through algorithms. Parametric modeling, BIM, 3D printing, and algorithm-generated modular designs are some examples of how technology automates architectural workflows for increased efficiency.

Uploaded by

ayush datta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Benefits of Automatism and

Technology in Architecture
CONTEMPORARY PROCESSES IN ARCHITECTURE

Bharat Kandpal | 10 April 2021


SUMMARY
Architecture has always been a long and extensive way of trial and error. But recent developments in
technology allows us to automate most of these processes so one can divert their attention to more
important aspects of design. This report deals with the concept of automatism in architecture, its benefits
and its future potential in the field of architecture.

INTRODUCTION
In fine art, the term "automatism" most often refers to a technique of subconscious drawing in which the
artist allows his unconscious mind to take control. Popularized during the 20th century by Surrealist artists,
who sought to unleash the creative force of the unconscious in art, automatic drawing and painting was
seen as the only way to escape from cultural, intellectual and historical constraints and unlock the basic
creativity supposedly lodged deep within the artist's personality. In this period, the use of software in the
field of architecture has a lot of benefits and drawbacks, but somewhere the benefits overtake the mass of
drawbacks. This report hence focuses on the convenience that software provides in architecture.

BODY
The process of design in architecture has always been a process of trial and error. As designing is a very
humane, to understand space and tailor it to the needs of masses is not something that a machine would do.
That was what everyone thought before the invention of the computer. With the invention of computers
new possibilities were available in every field including architecture. Architects around the world thought
of computers as a machine that not just do all the tedious calculations but also become an equal design
partner. Many architects started opting for the digital architecture. Architects such as Frank Gehry began to
develop truly digital construction methods. It seemed as if the era of paper was finally over. But not all of
those came true in the 21st century. Even though computers have become more advanced, even though A.I
could surpass could surpass the human intelligence it could not become a design partner for the architect.

what exactly is digital architecture? The answer to this question is not as straight foreword as it seems.
Because this so called digital is not the opposite of material rather their mutual entanglements run deep
together and they configure each other. If one looks into architectural offices today one sees only one thing:
paper. Still today architects use paper. Hence digital architecture is not erasing the material but rather
working together to automate the processes.

Although the invention of computer and A I could not fulfil the role of design partner to the architect it has
granted us one thing. To automate processes. The designs are more complex than ever before, the structural
systems are more intricate than ever before, and production is faster than ever before all thanks to the
process of automation. On an urban scale the architect or designer can use Algorithms that can do CFD,
shadow analysis, people movement etc. All these tools can be used to generate optimal design solutions,
which would not be possible without technology. On architectural scale the most important part of design is
form-finding. This is the process that takes up a lot of time and to find the right form for the context the
only way to do it was trial and error. But with computers one could simply enter the parameters required
for the right form such as height, area, winds, shadows etc. with these parameters one could theoretically
generate infinite solutions and chose the best one among them. Architect Toyo ito used this method to
develop the form for the Serpentaine pavilion. This is Parametric architecture, a movement that is currently

PAGE 1
on going. To support form one needs the structure. Automation can be used in structural architecture to
generate intricate geometrical patterns and connects to support the form. Architects could also analyze the
structure for its durability, strength and load bearing capacity. With automation architects could generate
more organic forms by simply defining a set of parameters like the burning man pavilion by Arthur
mamou-mani. On much detailed scale digital architecture is simply data represented in form of lines, points
and geometry. With the help of digital architecture one can access all the data related to the building with
one click. This is building information modelling BIM. While every part of building can be digitized the
vice versa is also true. With the help of 3D printing one can build most intricate and detailed column with
just one click. One can create parts of a structure or print the entire structure itself with the help of 3D
printing. 3D printing does not require much labor and also the time for the construction is very less than the
standard construction time. Another place where automation is used in the field of architecture is modular
architecture. With the help of algorithms architects can generate hundreds of forms and space layouts with
one go. Even though the essence of modular architecture was to be able to repeat one module for cost and
time efficiency, with the help of algorithms one can mass customize the modules and fit according to the
context.

All these combine together and make the work of the architect way faster, easier and efficient. With the
help of automation architect could focus more the experience rather than appearance because it has been
taken care of algorithms.

CONCLUSION
Even though computers and A I could not fulfil the dream of a design partner for the architect they have
introduced a new way of designing the space. The benefits of computers are better and are only progressing
without any limit. In the post-digital era architecture might not be what it is now. Even though computers
cannot fully replace the architect it definitely is changing what architect does. With the digital architecture
progressing the role of architect must also change. Architect with the understanding of algorithms and
coding will become necessary. The role of architect will shift from designing buildings directly from
designing algorithms which in turn design buildings for us.

REFRENCES

PAGE 2

You might also like