August DeWinkler Creating Interactive Culture December 13, 2013
Introduction
Sense of Place, a design term for disciplines of the
One of the most recognizable performing architectural
Building Arts. It is this mere faction of design that is the
structures is “Blur.” A structure of air and water. It was
igniter to the evolution as architecture meets urban design
built as a pavilion for the Swiss Expo of 2001 in which the
for the singularity of place, which becomes the multiplicity
building is interactive with its surroundings by mystifying
of architectural elements for our environments. As the
the water in which the building sits on to a fog that
apparent advancements in technology shape our social
envelops its occupants. (Ferré and Fasanella)
networks, behind the scenes technology is reshaping our
The Blur Building (Yverdon-les-Bains/ Switzerland)
interaction with our physical space. Performance Architecture is responsible for making everyday life tasks simpler with integrated smart systems performing either stand-alone functions as in providing area lighting or multiple task systems such as surveillance to our urban centers. With Design Interactivity computer programs are improving the aesthetics and functions of architecture for our urban environments. Some may say that architecture is performing tasks;
Digital Urbanism in Interactivity with Performance
thus making the case for the existence of performance
Architecture will also explore our quest for an ease of life
architecture, but it is in this research that will expand the
as architectural structures mixed with technology began to
idea of performance architecture for situations in which
perform as Digital Event Interactivity in either everyday
the architecture undergoes Physical Interactivity with the
functions or for grand celebrations that promote festivals
surrounding environment.
inherent by each of our urban center locations.
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Coursework in Creating Interactive Culture
Table of Contents I.
defining performance architecture as it takes its place in Following current
trends and interactivity technological advancements the
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Performance Architecture in Interactivity with occupiable space between structures and enjoyment by the populace defined in three interactive categories.
As a possible thesis topic this research will aim at the digital urbanism environment.
Introduction
II.
Merging Computer Aided Design CAD Technologies 3 Evolution of architecture software with other specific purpose software as in manufacturing, game virtualizations and film production for Design Interactivity
research will then take focus on how buildings and art installations can perceive, relate, and facilitate for the human experience.
III. Urban Design and 3D Visualizations
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Explorations of how architectural project presentations have evolved from concept construction drawings to multimedia presentations via Digital Event Interactivity. IV. Digital Interactive Art Installations as Architecture
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Precedence of Performing Architecture Structures that can change their appearance by Physical Interactivity with their environment or human participators. V.
Closing Remarks
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Discovery during this research that has led to other articles, essays and books to help document this topic as a viable thesis and an interactive multimedia event. VI. References
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Selected Bibliography, Works Cited, and Image Credits
Digital Urbanism in Interactivity: Performance Architecture
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Merging Computer Aided Design Technologies
Architecture is becoming more diversified in both appearance and structure.
This transformation is
happening due to the ever increasing abilities in computer software that are allowing designers of the building professions to discover through experimentation new methods and ways for creating new and exiting buildings and environments. For many years the Autodesk product named AutoCAD had been the industry standard. But with merging technologies, less expensive software, and a
Perspective Image Created with SketchUp
wider range of talent, the software standard is shifting to many other forms of creation. Some examples of computer aided design (CAD) projects can be seen all over the internet.
Low priced
CAD software such as Sketchup has made it practical for anyone to create 3D environments for proposed sites. I
Perspective Image Created with SketchUp
created a 3D model in SketchUp for a Transit Oriented Development with general CAD knowledge and very little SketchUp knowledge. The perspective view is from the complex model with an elevated train system, a park, the use of new urban ideas for a live, work, play village. The site overlays existing GIS data from Google Earth. Merged 2D AutoCAD Image 3D SketchUp 3
Coursework in Creating Interactive Culture
Design Interactivity is reshaping buildings by merging Computer Aided Manufacturing CAM with CAD systems and practices at the end of the twentieth century. CAM was primarily used for industrial fields such as aerospace and automotive, but it can now be used to create complex architectural structures. Varied shapes can be integrated into buildings such as interior walls or for exterior designs. Their shapes are not just for aesthetics, they offer structural components as well.
Iluma / Crystal Mesh Facade in Singapore
Newer research at SCI-ARC of Los Angeles used CAM to create rearrangable architectural forms from a digital fabrication system. Utilizing computer numerical controls CNC for creating precise non-traditional forms.
The
project (e)3 stands for emergence, effect, and environment it “… embraces a non-linear condition: if proportion and This façade is made up of 3,000 modules of deep drawn polycarbonate tessellated pattern made with CAD/CAM technologies. It covers the exterior walls of “ILUMA” an entertainment district in Singapore. Behind the modules is a synchronized lighting event controlled interactively from guest’s cell phones. Digital Urbanism in Interactivity: Performance Architecture
scale are variable parameters, then the design is able to respond at any given time to the interference of changing material,
manufacturing,
or
assembly,
changing
constraints.” (Ferré, 93) Furthermore, the interactive design engages
space
for
examination
in
its
different
configurations for the aesthetics of variable fields.
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Urban Design and 3D Visualizations
As artistic workflows have become mainstream in the
One local project in particular was the video projection
creation of buildings a whole new genre of technicians
mapping on the side of the Auto Nation building. The
have joined teams to create the presentations for the
projection transformed the side of the building into
proposed buildings. With the creation of film and movie
moving parts that looked so real. Synchronized audio
enhancement software products such as Maya and 3D
special effects of clanking metal sounds helped to establish
Studio, new multi dimensional technologies have been
the realism of the event. Part of Auto Nations expansion
implemented.
this digital urbanism multimedia event took place in the
These systems have had an astounding
effect on shaping building technology presentations. It is
heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale.
in this creative environment with the implementation of visualization techniques that the industry is seeing an influx of audio and visual artists that are transforming presentations into digital event interactivity. These interactive visualizations combine reality with virtuality by adding real time effects, like moving cars, people and birds to a proposed structure, but it allows designers to see how a building reacts to its surrounding environment.
There has even been a crossover from
Auto Nations Video Mapping Projection Project
presenting a video of proposed structure for a building to actually presenting the video on an existing structure in real time.
This image mapping can alter facades of
buildings in real time with virtuality.
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Coursework in Creating Interactive Culture
Digital Interactive Art Installations as Architecture
Discussed in the introduction, the Blur Building is an example of Performance Architecture with Physical Interactivity. These creative projects are the result from collaborations of many professionals in the building art industries and are usually generated by competitions. Another installation is the Aegis Hyposurface Project in which an entry of the outside foyer for the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre was transformed into an interactive multimedia event. Aegis “is a faceted metallic surface that has potential to deform physically as a real time response to electronic stimuli from the environment” such as in movement, sound, light, etc. It is controlled and driven by a bed of 896 pistons; they create dynamic triangulated terrains as real-time calculations. (Leach, 105 – 107)
Aegis Hyposurface
Digital Urbanism in Interactivity: Performance Architecture
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Closing Remarks Discovery and implementation is key to the creation of the physicality of our built environment.
New and
enhanced materials and services are being fused not only into our everyday lives but also into the structures that surround us. There are upcoming technological careers that do not exist today, as inventions are underway that will create new demands for technicians. I am hoping to uncover and implement ideas that can help promote and re-shape our communities into efficient, spaces that will enhance the quality of life for its inhabitants.
Furthermore I hope to create virtual
environments
that
will
promote
and
demonstrate
multimedia events that will provide a link between promoters and city officials that will permit such activities. During this research, I uncovered a tremendous amount of information; enough to give me ample material for a thesis topic.
There are many more cases of
precedence in each of the three areas of Interactivity to report as basis for this study. I also found many books and essays to read and document to substantiate my findings.
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Coursework in Creating Interactive Culture
Selected Bibliography and Works Cited
Image Credits
Colomina, Beatriz. Privacy and Publicity Modern Architecture as Mass Media. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1996.
Diller Scofidio Renfro. The Blur Building (Yverdon-les-Bains/ Switzerland) The Blur Building by Diller Scofidio Renfro. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2013.
Ferré, Albert, and Denise Fasanella. Verb Matters: A Survey of Current Formal and Material Possibilities in the Context of the Information Age : Built, Active Substance in the Form of Networks, at All Scales from the Biggest to the Smallest. Barcelona: Actar, 2004. Print. Grau, Oliver. Media Art Histories. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 2007. Head, Anthony. "Exploring the Issues of Digital Outdoor Architectural Projections." Electronic Visualisation (sp.) and the Arts London Conference. Bath: Academia.edu, 2012. Jansen, Peter Weibel and Gregor. Light Art from Artificial Light. New York: Distributed Art Publishers, 2006.
DeWinkler, August. Perspective Image Created with SketchUp. DeWinkler, August. Perspective Image Created with SketchUp. DeWinkler, August. Merged 2D AutoCAD Image 3D SketchUp. Iluma / Crystal Mesh Facade. Open Buildings. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. Joe Brent. AutoNation 3D Video Projection Mapping Ft Lauderdale, FL. YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. Mark Burry. Aegis Hyposurface. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2013.
Kronenburg, Robert. Spirit of the Machine Technology as an Inspiration in Architectural Design. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2001. Leach, Neil. Designing For A Digital World. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2002. Rijken, Bart Lootsma and Dick. Media and Architecture. Amsterdam: VPRO and the Berlage Institute Amsterdam, 1998. Vidler, Anthony. Warped Space Art, Architecture, and Anxiety in Modern Culture. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 2000.
Digital Urbanism in Interactivity: Performance Architecture
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