Hardly anyone would have believed that after a few years in our career paths, architects will be scripting Generative Algorithms and Structural Engineers - training Artificial Neural Networs. Our roles are rapidly changing, new ones forming in the wake of the obsolete ones. Building on the work of brilliant academic Mario Carpo, this presentation is about the emerging role of the Digital Architect, its History, the challenges we currently face and Hypes we have to deal with. Finally we cast our gaze to see what the future might have in hold for us.

1. History of the Digital
Architect

2. 2
About us
need I history I hype I future
B I G , H e a t h e r w i c k , G r i m s h a w , A l i s o n B r o o k s A r c h i t e c t s , M a k o w e r A r c h i t e c t s , A r n e y F e n d e r K a t s a l i d i s
Computational
BIM Consultancy

3. 3 need I history I hype I future
Need
https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-view-of-sky-256112/

4. 4
Software That Should Be Unifying
the AEC Industry Is Impeding
Progress and Innovation
Konrad K. Sobon
“I think it might actually be in the best interest of AEC firms to create the next generation of developers with AEC background.
Let them go and create technology that will make building process better for everyone. Does it matter if they do it „in house”? ”
“If we think of software and technology as tangential to the “real” problem of creating buildings, then we have lost.”
“We cannot wait for the software vendors to develop better tools. We must demand more from them and engage a broader
playing field of vendors and developers who are aligned with our philosophy.”
Carl Galioto
need I history I hype I future

5. 5 need I history I hype I future
History
https://www.pexels.com/photo/building-architecture-church-monastery-2871/

6. 6
A R T I S A N
C O M P U T A T I O N A L
D E S I G N E R
D I G I T A L
F A B R I C A T O R
need I history I hype I future
B U I L D E RA R C H I T E C T
D I G I T A L A R C H I T E C T
https://www.pexels.com/photo/abstract-architect-architectural-architecture-136720/

7. 7 need I history I hype I future
The Artisan 0.0 Mousgoum Hut
Camerun
http://www.nomads.org/mousgoum.html

8. 8 need I history I hype I future
The Architect 1.0 Leon Battista Alberti
(1404-1472)
http://www.nomads.org/mousgoum.html

9. 9 need I history I hype I future
The Digital Architect 2.0 “It is not about designing a building using digital tools, but rather to design a
building that could not have been either designed or build without them.”
Mario Carpo
Photo by Juan Gomez on Unsplash

10. 10 need I history I hype I future
Timeline of the Architecture, Engineering
and Construction (AEC) Industry
Blockchain, 2008
Deep Learning, 2000
IoT, 1999
CGI, 1968
Augmented Reality, 1968
Machine Learning, 1959
CAD, 1959
Artificial Intelligence, 1957
Virtual Reality, 1952
Facilities Management, 1970
Asset Management, 1970
Cost Engineering, 1950
Real Estate Agent, 1900
Building Development, 1890
3D Printing, 1981
3D Scanning, 1980
Laser Cutting, 1965
CNC Milling, 1945
Industrial Robots, 1937
Electrical Engineering, 1873
Photogrametry, 1850
Civil Engineering, 1818
Acoustic Engineering, 1687
Mechanical Engineering, -200
Structural Engineering, -2700
Surveying, -2700
Plumbing, -2700
Media Facades, 1998
Restoration Architecture, 1975
Smart Cities, 1974
BIM, 1974
GIS, 1968
Computational Architecture, 1965
Sustainable Architecture, 1965
Wayfinding, 1960
Interior Design, 1913
Urban Planning, 1890
Architecture Journalism, 1850
Landscape Architecture, 1828
Architecture Conservation, 1800
Naval Architecture, 1600
Healthcare Architecture, -500
Architecture, -10000
Interactive Design, 1985
Computer Game Design, 1950
Environmental Design, 1940
Product Design, 1940
UX/UI, 1940
Industrial Design, 1919
Lighting Design, 1879
Scenography, 1862
Architectural Photography, 1835
Furniture Design, -10000
Graphic Design, -10000
Computation
Business
Design
Architecture
Engineering
BC 10000 2018 AD2000 AD1500 AD0 AD
A t i m e l i n e o f p r o f e s s i o n s r e l a t e d t o t h e A E C i n d u s t r y s i n c e t h e d a w n o f
C i v i l i z a t i o n . T h e b e g i n n i n g o f e a c h b a n d s i g n i f i e s t h e i n v e n t i o n o f t h e
p r o f e s s i o n b u t n o t a d o p t i o n w i t h i n t h e i n d u s t r y . A d o p t i o n c a n s o m e t i m e s
b e a s l o w p r o c e s s a n d i s s h o w n i n a f a d i n g c r e s c e n t t h a t e n c l o s e s t h e
s t a r t o f t h e t e c h n o l o g y a n d t h e p r e s e n t d a t e .

11. 11 need I history I hype I future
Scale
Photo by Verne Ho on Unsplash

12. 12
Architecture
as in Form Finding
Architecture
as in Creating Buildings
need I history I hype I future
https://unsplash.com/photos/SRjZtxsK3Os,
https://www.pexels.com/photo/apartment-architecture-buildings-business-425047/

13. 13 need I history I hype I future
Hype
https://www.pexels.com/photo/architectural-design-architecture-blue-build-417273/

14. 14 need I history I hype I future
Hype cycle for emerging
technologies
Visibility
Time
Technology
Trigger
Peak of Inflated
Expectations
Trough of
Disillusionment
Slope of
Enlightenment
Plateau of
Productivity
Innovators Early Adopters Early Majority Late Majority Laggards

15. 15 need I history I hype I future
Emerging technologies
cheat sheet
https://www.pexels.com/photo/long-exposure-photography-white-dome-building-interior-911758/
Security
Predicting, guessing
Optimizations
Photos
Measuring, surveying
Interface
Opportunities +
Problems
Minority report
More data than needed
Sensors, smart spaces
Resin, material, scale
Fabrication
Database
Be afraid! Construction
( B L O C K C H A I N )
( A I )
( G e n e r a t i v e
D e s i g n )
( D R O N E S )
( 3 D S C A N N I N G )
( V R , A R , M R )
( A u t o n o m o u s
d r i v i n g )
( S M A R T C I T I E S )
( B I G D A T A )
( I o T )
( 3 D P r i n t i n g )
( D i g i t a l
F a b r i c a t i o n )
( B I M )
( R o b o t i c s )

16. 16 need I history I hype I future
AI
https://www.pexels.com/photo/abstract-art-blur-bright-373543/
“Ultimately, AI is not about substituting human
intelligence, but about substituting human labor”
David Ruy

17. 17 need I history I hype I future
Generative
design
https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-metal-building-1143416/
“Welcome to 2019, the year of Generative
Design.”
Kean Walmsley, Autodesk

18. 18 need I history I hype I future
Future
https://www.pexels.com/photo/worm-s-eye-of-white-and-black-inside-basket-158571/

19. 19 need I history I hype I future
3d printing 3D Printed
House
24h

20. 20 need I history I hype I future
Asia + Africa
by 2100
World
Population
Data from World Bank Group
Photo by Trevor Cole on Unsplash

21. 21 need I history I hype I future
Autonomous
driving
“Self driving cars have already been invented,
they're called taxis.”
James May
https://www.pexels.com/photo/light-trails-on-highway-at-night-315938/
data by Allied Market Research

22. 22 need I history I hype I future
Hyperloop
https://hyperloop-one.com/global-challenge-winners/#ukedinburghlondon
Edinburgh
68km
7min
193km
14min
158km
13min
71km
7min
55km
6min
Newcastle
Glasgow
Leeds
Manchester
Liverpool
545km
47min

23. 23 need I history I hype I future
Mars One Departure
Crew One
Photo by anton repponen on Unsplash

24. 24 need I history I hype I future
Building for ...
Alpha Centauri
https://www.pexels.com/photo/sky-space-telescope-universe-41951/

25. Thank you