Playing Dimensions: Images / Models / Maps

Conceptualizing Architecture with Big Data and Artificial Intelligence


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Date

2023-10-21

Publication Type

Conference Paper

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Altmetric

Data

Abstract

This article presents a novel architecture design workflow that explores the intersection of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and storytelling by scraping, encoding, and mapping data, which can then be implemented through Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies. In contrast to conventional approaches that consider AI solely as an optimization tool, this workflow embraces AI as an instrument for critical thinking and idea generation. Rather than creating new AI models, this workflow encourages architects to experiment with existing ones as part of their practice. The workflow revolves around the concept of "Canonical architecture," where data-driven techniques serve to traverse dimensions and representations, encompassing text, images, and 3D objects. The data utilized consists of information specific to the project, gathered from social media posts, including both images and text, which provide insights into user needs and site characteristics. Additionally, roughly 9,000 3D models of architectural details extracted from 38 different architectural projects were used. The primary objective is to assist architects in developing a workflow that does not suggest starting from scratch or a tabula rasa, but to work with already hyper-connected objects, be it text, images, 3D models, et cetera. These conceptualizations can then be enacted in game engines and/or experimented with in AR/ VR platforms, while keeping their connections alive. Through this process, the framework aims to develop a sensibility of working with large amounts of data without losing focus, and letting the electric grounds of the internet help us in articulating projects.

Publication status

published

External links

Book title

Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture

Journal / series

Volume

2

Pages / Article No.

560 - 568

Publisher

Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture

Event

43rd Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA 2023)

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

An AI framework for architectural design

Organisational unit

03563 - Hovestadt, Ludger (emeritus) / Hovestadt, Ludger (emeritus)

Notes

Funding

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