Technology in Architecture - Essay Example

Technology in Architecture affiliation Introduction This essay analyses the effects of current technology onarchitecture. It uses a famous architect Frank Gehry to analyze his contribution in using technology in his projects. This paper looks at the impact technology will have in the future of architecture. It also looks at the changes that have taken place with the use of materials, form and shapes in the construction of designs in projects. Analysis Technology opens the door to the future in architecture and other matters. A main essence shapes the changes of the society. The effect of new technology has reached modern technology building at a fast rate and has brought out a variety of effects. It has brought out effects in space in architecture and the interior design outlook. Since early days, architecture has been an important aspect and needed for humans since it is an aspect to living and work and creates an environment for people to interact and provoke senses and emotions. It is also a platform where experiences and memories are formed and created (Hartoonian 15). Such feelings are evoked by shapes and forms of arrangements of relationships that the space has in the environment or surrounding. The more technology develops, the more architecture adopts in terms of form and shape in coming up with new ideas that ensure buildings are not similar. Changes that computers have brought to architecture are related to innovations in the industrial revolution like, electricity, steel, and elevators that affect the concept of elevators, skyscrapers, and structure. Today the architectural projects are not the same as those of the Renaissance and the Baroque 20 years ago (Hartoonian 33). The Digital Age architects find new ways to express, represent, construct, and generate buildings using digital information. Using techniques and processes identical to those used industry that is the most aspect of Digital Architecture. Such technology allows a variety of calculations and variety of forms that are created with ease using computer algorithms that increase possibilities of architecture designs rather than just production. These technologies allow a way there is a direct relation between what can be built and what can be designed. Digital technologies allow the architecture to have a real image before building and see if it looks nice or ugly. Technology is helpful in architecture, for example, Frank Gehry uses such advantages of technologies and creates new styles and new ways of thinking. In the year, 1982 IBM used the first version of CTIA mechanical design system; it was developed by Dassauly Systems. This system enabled Frank Gehry to become more creative in his ideas and to sketch. CTIA enabled him to achieve tectonic construction that no one else could imagine (Pell, pg 26). Gehrys aesthetic work began in his design for Vitra International Manufacturing Facility and Design Museum in Germany in the year 1987- 89. This change in transition pushed the limits of conventional rectilinear building vocabularies to more bold sculpture forms and shapes. Use of this new form created increased technical complexities that needed technological, computerized solutions (Cavalcanti 14). That when he started to use CATIA (computer aided three-dimensional interactive application).This method Gehry fluid sketches, forms and models to move to build works and be able to promote the realization of new creative designs in projected parameters(Cavalcanti 33). Due to technological advances, Gehry adopted new technological methods in his construction buildings where he collaborated with other firms to transform the industry. He acquired consulting services in his business for delivering his visions. About twenty years ago, his company incorporated a technology-driven approach that was to deliver new projected. He adopted technologies and methods from automotive and aerospace (Yücesan 9). He also incorporated 3D digital platform to enhance fabrication expertise into new designs. Technology has changed potential in the architectural practice and has transformed its boundaries. Technological advances in the 1990s allowed Frank to digitize is complex geometry to his forms with different software, File to factory process evolved from descriptive to generative that enabled him to communicate is a vision into tangible detail. Franks unconventional aesthetics is a continues feature of his work Use of technology is growing daily and therefore designs by drawing by hand are in the past where now most architects use technology to aid them in their design phase. Architects use different types of software where the most common is the CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) that is a process of creating drawings using computer software. This software displays the materials, tolerance, and dimensions. CAD helps the architect to display their design especially in productivity and improves communication in the design. It is capable of displaying 2D and 3D (Cavalcanti 44) Technology opens a door to the future since its one of the main essence that changes and shapes the way in which society reacts and behaves. Today the effect of technology has reached every aspect of the society especially in modern building technology. Its implication is seen in the creation of space in interior design and architecture. In recent times with conventional building technology shape and form of architecture is a form of pure form (Gully 21). This leads to the trend of homogenous building that makes architecture look the similar. Architects become sensitive and focus on crafting experiences in spaces. Such experiences become a memory that is remembered by others and has elements that have an effect on differentiation from different buildings. When this continues visual aesthetic of buildings decreases. With the development of new technology, inventions of cutting edge with looking forms and shapes become possible. This facility a chance for new materials and structure to be created. This has promoted attachment with architects and visual appearance. Using technology allows architects to discover new shapes and forms to reflect ideas of what is being designed. The impact of such trends causes the design of current architecture to be reduced and be restricted to visual experiences. Form, tools, materials, and function of architecture change due to resources available in the environment. Need for better shelter and materials have made building technology to advance. Use of different materials and technologies allows a person to have unique experiences that they generate that is later enriched in the psychological and physical sensory of the architecture. Where there are no building technologies, then there are limitations in the creation of forms where they are able to produce simple and pure form that makes building look similar. Nature and value of architecture have shifted and adapted due to the use of technology in architecture. It has revolutionized architecture where architecture has provided a new range of tools and materials that satisfy their advanced forms. Transportation of materials from different locations has become feasible where the ability for mass production has made most of the construction to be lower, and a new innovative material has been possible. This has made architecture become more efficient in every layer especially in time of completion, experience achieved in the space and form of architecture. The traditional materials that were used in prehistoric times were wood which was considered as the ancestor of all current materials. Prehistoric people used it to build tents and constructing the trunks to create an inverted shape (Ching 33).This created simple foundations of the architecture form. Human beings continued to evolve so did the materials evolve. Materials moved from wood to stone, and as humans moved to civilization the desires, needs and beliefs continue to develop. The form of architecture started to do vertically and higher where pillars and columns, arch and domes were being used to build that fulfilled the duties of architecture. In the middle age, castles were built that become a new form of architecture where some looked similar due to limitations due to lack of technology and materials. In the 19th century, modern technology developed where unique materials were being used that were lightweight and malleable due to their strength (Cavalcanti 13). Glass was used in this period due to its optimal balance between functions and aesthetics. This allows building to be able to change and create certain environments since they allow light to transmit it that creates new experiences in architecture. The advancement of technology materials and tools used in construction has expanded. Building is able to go higher and become skyscrapers or even go underground. It has allowed building to be built diagonally where they have moved from geometric to organic form. Technology has allowed architecture to enter into a visual form that is more or less creation of building tangible and visible shapes. An example of a visual architecture is the Beekman Tower by Frank Gehry that is a clear effect of technology on the current architecture. This building is a fusion of private and public zones where its exterior skin of the building is intoxicating that used aluminum foil. The materials used evoke rivulets of water, melting ice and crinkled sheets. This building is a successful design that appeals to human senses that are visual. The interior of the space is conventional (Cavalcanti 11). Conclusion It is clear that technology opens the door to the future of architecture since architects are able to use such innovations in the technology sector to come up with new form, materials and shapes for new buildings that create different experiences for human senses and ensure that buildings constructed are not similar. Technology has opened a platform for the growth of architecture where there have been changes in the use of materials used in the past that are not used in current ties. Frank Gehry was an architect who incorporated technological advances to create new forms and shapes for his buildings that he constructed. He used technology that affect his designs and created new creative ideas for future architects. It is clear that visual senses create a sense of attachment to architecture and human senses. The Human experience is based on the surroundings through senses like the sound of steps, light through space that penetrates through and how visitors interact with the architecture. Such interaction is strengthened through human senses and perceived as an experience by visitors. Vision is the first connection between humans and architecture. Technology plays a key role in such experiences as it provides a platform for new creativity and new ideas for materials, forms and shape where better buildings are constructed, and this increases the human senses and creates better experiences for visitors. References Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Cavalcanti, José C. Effects of It on Enterprise Architecture, Governance, and Growth. , 2014. Internet resource. Ching, Francis D. K, Mark Jarzombek, and Vikramaditya Prakash. A Global History of Architecture. Hoboken, N.J: J. Wiley & Sons, 2007. Internet resource. Gully, Rebecca. "Cognition and process vs. design artifact in fashion design pedagogy." Cumulus 38º South. Swinburne University of Technology, 2009. Hartoonian, Gevork. Architecture and Spectacle: A Critique. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate, 2012. Print. Pell, Ben, Andreas Hild, Sam Jacob, and Alejandro Zaera. The Articulate Surface: Ornament and Technology in Contemporary Architecture. Basel: De Gruyter, 2010. Internet resource. Robotic Fabrication in Architecture, Art and Design 2014. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2014. Internet resource. Yücesan, Dilek. The effects of interdisciplinary relations on architecture: A case study Frank Gehry. Diss. MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, 2004. Read More