In today's economy, technology is part of every single aspect of our life. 

Digital architecture uses computer aided design, programming, simulation and images to create virtual forms and physical structures. The same can be said to refer to other aspects of architecture that are defined by digital technologies.

1. Digital Architecture
by Çelik Nimani
The Blue Limit

2. Lets talk about Digital
Architecture
What’s gonna be covered
What is Digital Architecture?
Virtual Spaces & Virtual Architecture
No Limits
Data & Internet of Things
Software
3D Printers and New Materials
Virtual & Augmented Reality

3. What is Digital Architecture?
In todays economy, technology is part of every single aspect of
our life.
Digital architecture uses computer aided design, programming,
simulation and images to create virtual forms and physical
structures.The same can be said to refer to other aspects of
architecture that are defined by digital technologies.
Todays technological advancements have even brought Virtual
Reality and Augmented Reality to the use in architecture.
Digital Architecture

4. Digital architecture is not limited to concepts and
ideas, but also represents spaces that require human
interaction, like the virtual environments created in
games.
During the recent years, the term virtual and virtual
space, has become a central part of our culture.
These terms have different meanings depending on
the context, from the imaginary aspect to
metaphysics and high-tech.
Virtual Spaces
Digital Architecture

5. Minecraft Digital Architecture
Example

6. Architecture is an important part of video games and
together they formed simulated spaces. Architecture
in video games, like in real-life, is always present and
plays an important role.
In video games there are different categories though:
architecture with realistic background (cities in
Assassin’s Creed, environments in GTA 5, etc.),
maze architecture, architecture that tells a story and
surreal architecture (architecture beyond earth).
Virtual Architecture
Digital Architecture

7. Digital Architecture removes the possible limitations an architect
might have when creating complex forms through computer
algorithms.
This new field also enhances the possible outcomes in terms of
design, sparking debates about the role of technology in our
society and also creating non-standard forms that have come to
life from architects like Zaha Hadid or UN Studio.
No Limits
Digital Architecture

8. Heydar Aliyev Center
Zaha Hadid Architects Project in Baku, Azerbaijan - Winner of the award: Design of the Year
2014 from the Design Museum in London
Digital Architecture

12. Whatever you create in todays economy, you will create data.
There’s even entire buildings (the Verizon Building for example)
that serve as data storages or better known as data centers.
These storage buildings with no windows have our pictures, our
banking transactions, our cats on Facebook and what else.
Data in architecture is not that new however with the recent
development of IOT Devices data has now a different and more
important meaning. Customers now want to read that data and
access it on a daily basis, and not leave it there for the firms or
architects.
Digital Architecture & Data
Digital Architecture

13. Todays customers wants to know more about their building.
They want to have automated thermostats that learn their
behaviors and connect with them, they want doors and windows
that can be opened with mobile apps, they want automated
safety systems, they want to know how much power is their
house consuming on their smartphone, etc.
Having these many internet connected devices in mind, it’s
important to emphasize that buildings built today are more
quality and performance oriented and way more innovative then
those built in the past. And you cannot simply built them
anymore just like that.
IOT
Digital Architecture

14. Today, there are over 50,000,000,000
devices that are connected… and the
number is growing every day!
Digital Architecture

15. Some of the ways how IOT Devices can be used:
- Monitoring
- Inspection
- Energy saving
- Security
- Automatization
- Remote Control
IOT
Digital Architecture

16. Besides the data, the architectural creations of today also
create media through users or on their own. If a building is cool,
innovative or has a unique architecture, people come there to
take a selfie to post on Facebook, make a checkin on Swarm,
post a tweet on Twitter or what else. This creates interaction,
visibility, engagement and connection with other users and
makes a new type of marketing, that wasn’t thought of in the
past.
Media
Digital Architecture

17. Digital Architecture cannot exist without the software. These
include software like:
Software
AutoDesk 3DSMax
Rhino
Sketchup
Fuzo VR
IRIS VR
And there are also apps like Houzz, Formit, etc.
Digital Architecture

18. Printerët 3D
3D Printing
From small scale models to big scale printing

19. 3D Printing is an important component of Digital Architecture.
Speed, visualization and cost reduction - With 3D printing,
companies now are able to deliver faster to customers, be more
visible and save a lot of money.
Scale & Details - The 3D printed models can have different
sizes and the amount of details is remarkable compared ot
methods used in the past.
Freedom - 3D printers give creators the freedom to create
models that they would not be able to create through methods
used in the past.
3D Printing
Digital Architecture

20. 3D Printing Robot

21. In June 2016, Beijing saw the world's first 3D-printed house,
which architects said marks a home-building revolution.
Read more: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-
07/02/content_25940126.htm
The first 3D printed house!

22. VR Architecture - The New Revolution

24. Virtual Reality is a computer-generated simulation of a three-
dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in
a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special
electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or
gloves fitted with sensors.
In the recent years, VR has started to make it’s way to
architecture as well and is brining a whole new level of
customer interaction.
With VR there’s no need even for 3D printing, as the experience
for the customer gets immersive, powerful and on a scale from
1:1.
Digital Architecture
VR in Architecture

25. Architecture in VR is not only limited to customer experience.
There are now new ways, although limited ways, to create
entire architectural drawings inside VR environments.
There are also new softwares that are coming up to aid the VR
design process like Fuzor and IrisVR
See this cool video of VR in architecture here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4ldAnAXW8o
VR - A different experience
Digital Architecture

26. VR of course is new in architecture and the applicability is
limited, however we can say for sure that it’s come and it’s
already changing the way how companies interact with
customers.
The client now has a totally different perspective, and besides
the speed, cost and many other things that it will change, VR
will also bring the possibly to have the customer get more
engage with the architect.
VR - What can we expect?
Digital Architecture

27. Augmented Reality in
Architecture

28. Microsoft has developed this new technology called Hololens,
which is an even more immersive environment than VR. It’s
even newer as a technology, but through it, the architect works
together with the virtual environment and real environment. It’s
an amazing tool!
AR also has found applicability in smartphone apps and other
mobile softwares that engage planning, designing and
construction in a whole new level.
Even interior design has become more engaging. The customer
now plans ahead how their favorite sofa will look like through
the IKEA Catalog app or see how their sound system fits with
the Bang and Olufsen AR app.
Augmented Reality in Architecture
Digital Architecture

30. Thank you
For more questions, inquiries or comments please reach out
on twitter: @celiknimani or email: celiknimani@gmail.com
By: Çelik Nimani
(Engineer, Entrepreneur and Inbound Marketing Specialist)
digjitale.com
This module has been specifically lectured for the Architecture Students of the Summer
Academy 2016 of the University for Business and Technology - UBT in Kosovo