Antoine
Picon’s ‘Digital Culture in Architecture: an Introduction for the Design Profession‘
talks about the evolution and changes of technology and how it affects not only
the process but the theory behind architecture. It is no longer about whether
this digital incorporation is “good or bad for design but; it is rather about
the direction architecture is taking under its influence”. Philippe Morel’s ‘Notes on Computational Architecture’
also discusses the ability to endlessly repeat experimentation in design till,
essentially, perfection. Picon goes on to state that architecture and design
are no longer limited to mathematical equations and algorithms, the birth of
topological singularities, “blobs” and folded surfaces have risen and become
increasingly popular than before. Eisenman
set out to use a computer as a “procedural modelling tool capable of drafting
predefined figures at varying alignments and scales in endless sequences based
on logical statements in code” This is what Morel talked about, the ability to
unlimitedly reproduce virtual physical experiments which in turn, allows for
accurate facts rather than predicting the outcome as it would be readily
available. Picon further reiterates important technical inventions throughout
history such as the electric tabulating machine and the telephone, and then
continues on to the advance on computers through military use and cybernetics.
Cybernetics in architecture leads to a new movement and well as rethinking of urban
architecture with the incorporation of cybernetics. Picon talks of recent
developments such as the internet and gaming consoles then ends with the role
of architecture and its relationship with digital aid.
