UNIT 1 PORTFOLIO
UNIT 1
1
The article, From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technology, the author Dennis Baron compares the evolution of the pencil, once the greatest tool for data collection and self-expression, to a more current contender, the computer. Illustrating the innovations and shortcomings of each new iteration along the way. The paper pertains to technology in its inexplicable dialogue for the history and heritage of the tools of self-expression, as well as illustrating the importance each new breakthrough posed for past iterations.
The paper itself is written through the use of a computer, today's contemporary pencil, this acts quite eloquently as an example of the effect this tool has for communication and the spreading of information. This spread of technology is what gave us the lineage of the computer, all starting with the physical manifestation of text, “The development of writing itself illustrates the stages of technological spread.” From here the levels of information communication only grew, from physical writing, sealed with wax to prevent misinformation, to the telephone, connecting people from all over the world and eventually developing into the vast data collection known as the internet. There is also a slightly underscored fact that the pencil and even the computer were originally not designed for writing, “Just as writing was not designed initially as a way of recording speech, the pencil was not invented to be a writing device.” with the computer having similar roots, “Personal computers were not initially meant for word-processing either, though that has since become one of their primary functions.” This provides insight into the evolution of tools outside of their intended uses, in these cases evolving into what they needed to be to make them more effective tools for the consumer public.
From an architectural standpoint, this article demonstrates the evolution of technologies on many fronts, the pencil being a symbol of writers and artists for centuries has in many ways been superseded by the computer. It is in this, one can understand the delicate nature of our tools, they are always changing, becoming more advanced, and with a profession like architecture, there are always new tools to familiarize oneself with. While also allowing us to understand that evolution can mean a change in the original intended design, for a more fluid work process, solely need-based. This pertains to my topic architecture and the technological landscape as an introduction to the future of design tools and technological innovations. I hope to organize a collection of unique technologies that curate a connection within the field of architecture and the architect.
2
In the article, “Will Architecture in the Future Be a Luxury Service?” written by Duo Dickinson, the question of the overall integrity of my studying profession can be questioned, as new forms of designers can take on roles that historically were performed by many. This phenomenon transcends computer savvy designers and highlights robots new roles in the field of architecture and design. The overall tone is not a warning of the future, but a hesitant question of our survivability. “In architecture, new technologies will inevitably mean that building consumers and contractors will have more ability to bypass architects entirely.” This is a real possibility as innovations in Artificial Intelligence, AI evolves, to help in the creation of self-designing software, systems initially designed to cut out the designer altogether. “BIM and Revit are just the launching pads for the complete transformation of how buildings are designed and constructed. Technology makes everything faster and more
efficient—it gives power for everyone to do more—but it cannot replace humanity.” There will always be an importance in the human aspect of architecture, for it is this connection with the designer and client which can produce such effective results. However, this fact will not necessarily limit the amount of AI used in projects, proving the architect in many cases defunct.
The medium of journalism while engaging and well-sourced provides a poor illustration of the topic and could have been altered to better fit the depth to which AI has in the world of design. Even though AI is still in its infancy in many aspects, a new form of representation would greatly benefit the future research and documentation of this field. The article otherwise, is successful in bringing up important points of artificial intelligence in the world of architecture, as well as highlighting the positive innovations to the field, in conjunction with the negative side of eliminating jobs and human relevance. This concept is a daunting one to the architect but holds a level of clout in its ability to start a dialogue between designers and computer programmer's to find a more inclusive medium.
As for my research on the topic, there are a variety of different directions AI could be perceived in. With minimal functioning AI in the world currently, there is still ample time to develop ways to integrate the two mediums, forming a collaborative approach, one with a human to human interaction in conjunction with simple AI processing platforms. Further iteration would be exceptionally beneficial to my research on the technological landscape in architecture, with AI posing to play a rather crucial role in years to come. This fact, in many ways, gives current and future designers the responsibility to help shape the program in which we operate inside AI’s system, this definitely includes me, making this topic very relevant for the future.
3
Drones in our built environment, supersede almost everything we understand about building design, privacy, communication and countless other subscripts in our world. The short documentary, aptly titled, Elevation, describes a current world in which drones are already being implemented as a source of labor, communication, and surveying, in many ways being seen as a toolset rather than a dysfunction to our landscapes. The film mainly pertains to the field of architecture and the possible outcomes of implementing drones into the surveying, documenting and even building process. In many ways a direct change to the environment of design, one in which would certainly have complications in the future, if not now.
Drones being portrayed in the film seem to do the medium justice, for the most effective way to visualize flying is to see it. This form of media also exemplifies one of the main changes drones would have on our environment, the concept for the reorientation of structures so that the roofs become the main attraction rather than the ground levels. “Drones are like an expanded consciousness; an extra eye that allows us to reach places that otherwise we would never reach.” This new approach to architecture can only truly be visualized through drone footage, applying realism to a conceptual idea. The film succeeds as a description, if not the definition of the drone as well as possible implications of the tool in the architectural environment. As an example, “Architecture will change dramatically as the ground floor entrance is replaced by rooftop landing, parking and charging zones and deliveries arrive via specially constructed portals on the sides of buildings, or rooftop platforms, built to accommodate drones.” Other changes to the built environment will take shape as drones evolve, in essence aggregating existing typologies into drone based systems.
In succession with the evolution of architecture through technology, drones offer us many possibilities for the future of design and while this film only skims the surface, there are many insightful topics to discuss. It is for this reason that Elevation proves to be an effective source for demonstrating the implementation of new technology into our landscape, this with the relatively young research base means further iteration is mandatory. Topics like these pose strong opinions on either side, with drones being no exception to this rule, “Now that drones are in the hands of every person in the street, they're potentially as disruptive as the internet.” These opinions broaden the concept for me, a studying architect, as they pose more real-world substance on the topic. In essence, they pose a problem, and while there are good benefits for drones, how they evolve could change architecture for the better, providing useful design innovation for people all over the world, or for the worse, compromising security, happiness, and safety.
4
Augmented reality or AR is the concept of linking the digital data plain with the physical landscape, in an effort to develop a symbiosis between both counterparts. In the scholarly article, Augmented reality research for architecture and design, the concept of AR being implemented into the design and post-production process of architecture is clearly illustrated as a possible future tool. The article overviews the consistent rise in AR-based research, highlighting the growth mainly being implemented in the past decade, this being proven by the hundreds of research-based articles that have been released in that time, in conjunction with a stable profile of AR’s possible applications to architecture. However, as tests procedure, complications arise with possible conductivities between certain architectural platforms, like the Autodesk suite, “The limited integration between CAD and AR applications has hindered users from maximizing exploitation of their combined strength and complementary advantages.” While solvable, there is still a way before AR can be fully implemented in the field of architecture.
The structure of this scholarly article could have been implemented in a more convincing way, seeing as AR is an interactive, if not entirely subversive tool, but regardless the points on AR’s development and possible future uses is thoughtful and well researched. In the overall scheme of my intended topic on the integration of architecture and the technological landscape, AR proves to be a very new and possibly exciting glimpse into the future of design representation. The source also creates the possibility to introduce my own external research on the subject, while a substantial research-based article, there is still so much more that could be discovered and reiterated.
AR will allow a new glimpse into the workflow as well as physical representation of architecture, essentially changing the medium for good. This massive technological change will frame new ways to approach design problems as well as ways to present possible solutions. It is for this reason that implementing AR into my overall research on the technological landscape would be a crucial final piece, for the aggregation of architecture and design.
SOURCES
1
Baron, Dennis. "From Pencils to Pixels." Accessed September 17, 2018. http://www.english.illinois.edu/-people-/faculty/debaron/essays/pencils.htm.
2
Dickinson, Duo. "Will Architecture in the Future Be a Luxury Service?" ArchDaily. August 02, 2018. Accessed September 17, 2018. https://www.archdaily.com/899483/will-architecture-in-the-future-be-a-luxury-service.
3
ELEVATION. Accessed September 17, 2018. https://www.dezeen.com/elevation/.
4
Kim, Mi Jeong, Xiangyu Wang, Xingquan Zhu, and Shih-Chung Kang. "Augmented Reality Research for Architecture and Design." Computational Design Methods and Technologies, January 2011, 225-37. Accessed September 16, 2018. doi:10.4018/978-1-61350-180-1.ch01.
1
The article, From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technology, the author Dennis Baron compares the evolution of the pencil, once the greatest tool for data collection and self-expression, to a more current contender, the computer. Illustrating the innovations and shortcomings of each new iteration along the way. The paper pertains to technology in its inexplicable dialogue for the history and heritage of the tools of self-expression, as well as illustrating the importance each new breakthrough posed for past iterations.
The paper itself is written through the use of a computer, today's contemporary pencil, this acts quite eloquently as an example of the effect this tool has for communication and the spreading of information. This spread of technology is what gave us the lineage of the computer, all starting with the physical manifestation of text, “The development of writing itself illustrates the stages of technological spread.” From here the levels of information communication only grew, from physical writing, sealed with wax to prevent misinformation, to the telephone, connecting people from all over the world and eventually developing into the vast data collection known as the internet. There is also a slightly underscored fact that the pencil and even the computer were originally not designed for writing, “Just as writing was not designed initially as a way of recording speech, the pencil was not invented to be a writing device.” with the computer having similar roots, “Personal computers were not initially meant for word-processing either, though that has since become one of their primary functions.” This provides insight into the evolution of tools outside of their intended uses, in these cases evolving into what they needed to be to make them more effective tools for the consumer public.
From an architectural standpoint, this article demonstrates the evolution of technologies on many fronts, the pencil being a symbol of writers and artists for centuries has in many ways been superseded by the computer. It is in this, one can understand the delicate nature of our tools, they are always changing, becoming more advanced, and with a profession like architecture, there are always new tools to familiarize oneself with. While also allowing us to understand that evolution can mean a change in the original intended design, for a more fluid work process, solely need-based. This pertains to my topic architecture and the technological landscape as an introduction to the future of design tools and technological innovations. I hope to organize a collection of unique technologies that curate a connection within the field of architecture and the architect.
2
In the article, “Will Architecture in the Future Be a Luxury Service?” written by Duo Dickinson, the question of the overall integrity of my studying profession can be questioned, as new forms of designers can take on roles that historically were performed by many. This phenomenon transcends computer savvy designers and highlights robots new roles in the field of architecture and design. The overall tone is not a warning of the future, but a hesitant question of our survivability. “In architecture, new technologies will inevitably mean that building consumers and contractors will have more ability to bypass architects entirely.” This is a real possibility as innovations in Artificial Intelligence, AI evolves, to help in the creation of self-designing software, systems initially designed to cut out the designer altogether. “BIM and Revit are just the launching pads for the complete transformation of how buildings are designed and constructed. Technology makes everything faster and more
efficient—it gives power for everyone to do more—but it cannot replace humanity.” There will always be an importance in the human aspect of architecture, for it is this connection with the designer and client which can produce such effective results. However, this fact will not necessarily limit the amount of AI used in projects, proving the architect in many cases defunct.
The medium of journalism while engaging and well-sourced provides a poor illustration of the topic and could have been altered to better fit the depth to which AI has in the world of design. Even though AI is still in its infancy in many aspects, a new form of representation would greatly benefit the future research and documentation of this field. The article otherwise, is successful in bringing up important points of artificial intelligence in the world of architecture, as well as highlighting the positive innovations to the field, in conjunction with the negative side of eliminating jobs and human relevance. This concept is a daunting one to the architect but holds a level of clout in its ability to start a dialogue between designers and computer programmer's to find a more inclusive medium.
As for my research on the topic, there are a variety of different directions AI could be perceived in. With minimal functioning AI in the world currently, there is still ample time to develop ways to integrate the two mediums, forming a collaborative approach, one with a human to human interaction in conjunction with simple AI processing platforms. Further iteration would be exceptionally beneficial to my research on the technological landscape in architecture, with AI posing to play a rather crucial role in years to come. This fact, in many ways, gives current and future designers the responsibility to help shape the program in which we operate inside AI’s system, this definitely includes me, making this topic very relevant for the future.
3
Drones in our built environment, supersede almost everything we understand about building design, privacy, communication and countless other subscripts in our world. The short documentary, aptly titled, Elevation, describes a current world in which drones are already being implemented as a source of labor, communication, and surveying, in many ways being seen as a toolset rather than a dysfunction to our landscapes. The film mainly pertains to the field of architecture and the possible outcomes of implementing drones into the surveying, documenting and even building process. In many ways a direct change to the environment of design, one in which would certainly have complications in the future, if not now.
Drones being portrayed in the film seem to do the medium justice, for the most effective way to visualize flying is to see it. This form of media also exemplifies one of the main changes drones would have on our environment, the concept for the reorientation of structures so that the roofs become the main attraction rather than the ground levels. “Drones are like an expanded consciousness; an extra eye that allows us to reach places that otherwise we would never reach.” This new approach to architecture can only truly be visualized through drone footage, applying realism to a conceptual idea. The film succeeds as a description, if not the definition of the drone as well as possible implications of the tool in the architectural environment. As an example, “Architecture will change dramatically as the ground floor entrance is replaced by rooftop landing, parking and charging zones and deliveries arrive via specially constructed portals on the sides of buildings, or rooftop platforms, built to accommodate drones.” Other changes to the built environment will take shape as drones evolve, in essence aggregating existing typologies into drone based systems.
In succession with the evolution of architecture through technology, drones offer us many possibilities for the future of design and while this film only skims the surface, there are many insightful topics to discuss. It is for this reason that Elevation proves to be an effective source for demonstrating the implementation of new technology into our landscape, this with the relatively young research base means further iteration is mandatory. Topics like these pose strong opinions on either side, with drones being no exception to this rule, “Now that drones are in the hands of every person in the street, they're potentially as disruptive as the internet.” These opinions broaden the concept for me, a studying architect, as they pose more real-world substance on the topic. In essence, they pose a problem, and while there are good benefits for drones, how they evolve could change architecture for the better, providing useful design innovation for people all over the world, or for the worse, compromising security, happiness, and safety.
4
Augmented reality or AR is the concept of linking the digital data plain with the physical landscape, in an effort to develop a symbiosis between both counterparts. In the scholarly article, Augmented reality research for architecture and design, the concept of AR being implemented into the design and post-production process of architecture is clearly illustrated as a possible future tool. The article overviews the consistent rise in AR-based research, highlighting the growth mainly being implemented in the past decade, this being proven by the hundreds of research-based articles that have been released in that time, in conjunction with a stable profile of AR’s possible applications to architecture. However, as tests procedure, complications arise with possible conductivities between certain architectural platforms, like the Autodesk suite, “The limited integration between CAD and AR applications has hindered users from maximizing exploitation of their combined strength and complementary advantages.” While solvable, there is still a way before AR can be fully implemented in the field of architecture.
The structure of this scholarly article could have been implemented in a more convincing way, seeing as AR is an interactive, if not entirely subversive tool, but regardless the points on AR’s development and possible future uses is thoughtful and well researched. In the overall scheme of my intended topic on the integration of architecture and the technological landscape, AR proves to be a very new and possibly exciting glimpse into the future of design representation. The source also creates the possibility to introduce my own external research on the subject, while a substantial research-based article, there is still so much more that could be discovered and reiterated.
AR will allow a new glimpse into the workflow as well as physical representation of architecture, essentially changing the medium for good. This massive technological change will frame new ways to approach design problems as well as ways to present possible solutions. It is for this reason that implementing AR into my overall research on the technological landscape would be a crucial final piece, for the aggregation of architecture and design.
SOURCES
1
Baron, Dennis. "From Pencils to Pixels." Accessed September 17, 2018. http://www.english.illinois.edu/-people-/faculty/debaron/essays/pencils.htm.
2
Dickinson, Duo. "Will Architecture in the Future Be a Luxury Service?" ArchDaily. August 02, 2018. Accessed September 17, 2018. https://www.archdaily.com/899483/will-architecture-in-the-future-be-a-luxury-service.
3
ELEVATION. Accessed September 17, 2018. https://www.dezeen.com/elevation/.
4
Kim, Mi Jeong, Xiangyu Wang, Xingquan Zhu, and Shih-Chung Kang. "Augmented Reality Research for Architecture and Design." Computational Design Methods and Technologies, January 2011, 225-37. Accessed September 16, 2018. doi:10.4018/978-1-61350-180-1.ch01.
I felt as if you utilized your quotes very well. They fit in to what you were talking about and you explain the context of them. This is very helpful to the reader trying to make the connection.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Michael Phelan
I really think you did a great job at allowing the reader to get a good understanding of your sources. You had thorough summary's and analyses for each source you used and the Quotes really brought it all together.
ReplyDelete-Jamie L
I really like the organization and structure of this portfolio. The overlap and balance between the color scheme, layout and content provides a concise and clean representation, which matches your work.
ReplyDelete-Cole
I think the topics of the sources you chose are very interesting. I also think you did an excellent job summarizing the article and after analyzing the source itself.
ReplyDeleteHey man, this is Anthony.
ReplyDeleteLike Mike mentioned above, I really appreciate how organized your article was. Everything is easy to read and has a definite beginning and end. I especially appreciated how, in each source, you gave a detailed (but entertaining) analysis of the content of each article and then gave a review/"how is this relevant" discussion at the end of each analysis.
A prime example of this is your third article where you first give an overview of how the article discusses drone proliferation in our society and then gave a discussion as to how drone usage can either be a huge boon to society or can bring fourth a large number of potential problems... ranging from the compromising of security (although a specification would be nice here... are you referring to the government, private or corporate sectors here... or all of them?) to the widespread endangerment of personal safety.
Good stuff man.