In Peter Eisenman’s “Visions Unfolding: Architecture in the Age of Electronic Media,” he explains a paradigm shift from mechanical to electrical processes and how it affects our perception of space and materiality. I interpreted his definition of the mechanical paradigm as a vision of architecture overcoming various forces of nature, making humans feel like they are able to control natural phenomena. By contrast, this “electronic paradigm” seems to consider the effects of media and simulation, getting rid of the ideas of vertical/horizontal or interior/exterior in appearance. It considers that architecture may be able to react to the human as we react to it.
The new tools used to alter appearance also allowed designers to produce variation very quickly and discover forms and concepts that would not be possible by hand. Now, over twenty years after Eisenman’s article was published, these toolsets are finally becoming the norm. However, there seems to be more and more questions about defining reality with all of the different forms of electronic simulation and how architecture can keep up. I am very curious to learn more about how we will balance the idea of a “fully customizable environment” with a more choreographed architectural design. With the increased desire for customization and collaboration in every aspect of our lives, will it be counterproductive in architectural design? I am interested in the challenge of figuring out what role the architect plays as technology develops and people are able to customize their lives more and more, potentially creating a separate reality for themselves. I am also interested in how we will define reality in the next few decades, no longer associating architecture with only physical reality.
During my undergraduate studies at The University of Cincinnati, in one of the vertical studios, we created a project that predicted how mixed-reality technology would be used in the future as well as the economic and social consequences that would arise. We also discussed cyberspace and how society interpreted that idea decades ago, comparing it to newer mixed-reality technology headed our way. The final project was displayed through Oculus Rift so we could also gain experience using the animation technology. Overall, the conclusion of the studio was that we need to find ways to adapt architecture to these alternate realities or it may become obsolete. After taking great interest in this topic, I decided to continue my studies in the graduate program at The University of Michigan in hopes of finding ways to design for future technologies and the social and economic changes that will accompany them.
Source:
Eisenman, Peter. "Visions Unfolding: Architecture in the Age of Electronic Media." Architectural Design, 1992. Accessed October 24, 2017.
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