Systemic Approach to Architectural Performance

Abstract

I propose the integration of physical and digital outputs in one GIGAmap and the participation and co-design of biotic and abiotic agents into one rich design research space, which is resulting in an ever-evolving research-design process-result timebased design.Keywords: systems-oriented design, rich design research space, GIGA-mapping, prototyping, full-scale, media mix, time-based design, co-design, biotic and abiotic agents. IntroductionThe use of computing in architecture emerged in the nineties. Offices and collaborative networks, such as Ocean (Hensel, 2015a), Nox (NOX, 2016), Asymptote (Asymptote Architecture, 2016), dECOi (dECOi architects, 2015), FOA and others began to submit experimental design research proposals to competitions. These projects used computing in highly artistic and experimental ways. They achieved unprecedented results in their experiments by using different tools, such as animation. Sevaldson, who is at the Ocean network, described his experience in this innovative climate:The rudimentary traces of an experimental design practice developed further when I slowly became aware of the generative potential in the machine. The machine had the ability to surprise me (Sevaldson, 2005).Sevaldson (1999) stated that computer technology can help to understand, visualise and design complex systems. However, partially developed digital tools that are specialised for different disciplines included several bugs. Several kinds of specialist computer software have been used in exploratory design processes, such as film animation software, sound analysis software, biological system simulations and others. The different disciplinary properties, as well as the so-called bugs, were utilised in design, and they became effective arena in mixing such media in the creative design processes in these offices. Today, design computation is usually discussed in relation to performance (Peters, 2013). The term media is used here as "an intervening agency, means, or instrument by which something is conveyed or accomplished" (Dictionary, 2017). The first processes used systems that were soft compared with the currently used parametric design, which is "a process based on algorithmic thinking that enables the expression of parameters and rules that, together, define, encode and clarify the relationship between design intent and design response" (Jabi, 2013, p. 201). The rise of 3D printing techniques and technologies enabled the prototyping of these design attempts and provided an easier way to mix physical and digital media. Capjon (2004) first explained method of 3D print prototyping for design innovation through trial and error in the field of product design. In 2005, Sevaldson discussed the hybrid design process in which many digital and traditional techniques and design strategies were combined. He discussed the mix of media in addition to the different roles of individuals with different responsibilities in the team (Sevaldson, 2005). He then introduced GIGA-mapping, which is a type of visual diagramming that m...

COLridor

“…While establishing the aims, each participant was asked to print reference pictures of the items they wanted to discuss for the next GIGA-Mapping workshop that was already public. The use of images during GIGA-Mapping also brings tacit, even sub-conscious, layers into play (Davidová, 2016b(Davidová, , 2016d(Davidová, , 2017dDavidová & Uygan, 2017) and therefore better stimulates Shön's 'reflection in action' (Schön, 1983) during the design process. This is because the GIGA-Map has several more dimensions as well as relations within these dimensions.…”

“…must have been somewhat related to the topic of the project. Therefore, the trans-disciplinary performers co-designed the project through their performance, the project's interpretation (Davidová, 2017d) and their influence on the audience. The fields consisted of local community ecological NGOs (see Figure 15), politicians (see Figure 14), social-geographers, architects (see Figure 19), national heritage architects (see Figure 14), systemic designers (see Figure 17), ecologists (see Figure 18) and biologists as well as dancers and performing artists (see Figure 16) and audio-visual shows (see Figure 20).…”

“…Therefore, the hotel caters to a large diversity of insects and other species that are also supported by the terrain and world axis orientation. This wooden platform offers dwellings for algae, which also moderate its performance through moisture content (Davidová, 2017a(Davidová, , 2017d. Both the wood and the algae, performing together, also generate microclimatic performance (see Figure 25).…”

“…This impact through interaction was specifically increased through the EnviroCity festival discussed above. After receiving local as well as global public attention, open access to the TreeHugger Grasshopper 9 model code was made available to download online on the Systemic Approach to Architectural Performance page (Davidová, 2016c) and shared the link with network. The project and its code can be adapted to local specific settings during workshops and through online recipes in other locations, such as in Prague or Cyprus, to exhibit the adaptation.…”

Synergy in the systemic approach to architectural performance

“…So too, the cities (Bratton, 2019). By integrating several projects presented in previous studies (Davidová, 2017a(Davidová, , 2017b(Davidová, , 2019bDavidová, Pánek, & Pánková, 2018;Davidová & Prokop, 2018;Davidová & Zímová, 2018), this paper presents the Systemic Approach to Architectural Performance (SAAP) that has been developed by the author in response to above challenges. Bateson states that an aggregate is greater than the sum of its parts because the combining of the parts is not a simple adding but is of the nature of a multiplication or a fractionation, or the creation of a logical product.…”