Today, the spectrum between a part and its subparts can be vast and rather static, yet already, there are prototypes for architectural systems that can adapt to triggers to self-perpetuate their own form — and blur the boundaries between where their sub-parts begin and end. Such is the character of adaptive design.

As adaptive architecture evolves, systems will become more seamless and their behaviors will stream more fluidly. The idea of nesting, fusing and embedding behaviors into a design’s systems and sub-systems will require that you consider the in-between states of your form — slowing down real-time behavioral movements and speeding up that which appears to be standing still.

Of course, if you don’t have it already, this all will require a mindset shift from you, the designer; thus, calling upon you to think of Read more

As new emerging technologies surface, the idea of “transition” will take on entirely new form. Not only will “transition” continue to exist between building materials (like you see in buildings today), but “transition” will also be present within a material’s properties — changing the very nature of how a particular material behaves at any given time.

For instance, smart materials will be able to change in real time as certain variables like temperature, light or stress trigger them. Similarly, new sensing technologies will come together to yield smart environments where ubiquitous computing is tuned to give occupants a more personalized experience.

Furthermore, as nanotechnology and biomimetic systems rise into the forefront, you as an architect will need to consistently rethink how building materials typically function — by building for them from the bottom up.

The “rules” behind designing for material behavior are changing and new smart material systems will give you a new kind of flexibility which you can optimize by taking both function and form to entirely new levels.

A key to doing this is to rethink your notion of Read more

THE IMPACT OF RAPID MANUFACTURING

Rapid manufacturing is developing beyond the ability to make “models” or “prototypes” — it is evolving into a way for designers to make a “brand” where their design actually is more of a “matrix”. Designers will be focusing progressively on a systems approach so users can “customize” their “version” of a design to their needs.

Here is a short video where Paolla Antonelli, the MoMA curator of Architecture and Design, discusses the impact of rapid manufacturing and how it will work:

MASS CUSTOMIZATION

As customer selection allows for perhaps a greater multitude of “customized versions” to meet different occupant needs over time, perhaps architecture will be better able to feed occupant senses by integrating selections from a fuller spectrum of design ideas and choices — for less money and with minimal energy.