Showing posts with label sustainability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sustainability. Show all posts

Thursday, May 15, 2025

THE THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY AND THEIR ROLE IN SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Bullitt Center, Seattle

Sustainability has become a crucial challenge and aspiration for today’s society, particularly in architecture and urban design. At its heart, sustainability means addressing the needs of the present while ensuring that future generations can also thrive. This vital principle is underpinned by the "Three Pillars of Sustainability": environmental, social, and economic aspects. Embracing and weaving together these three dimensions is essential for fostering resilient, responsible, and progressive architectural practices that will shape a better future for all.


DIAGRAM 1:  Three Pillars of Sustainability



THE THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY (GENERAL OVERVIEW)

1. Environmental Sustainability (Ecological)

Environmental sustainability involves the preservation and responsible management of our natural ecosystems and resources. We must recognize the importance of minimizing our impact on the planet by actively reducing pollution, conserving biodiversity, and using resources wisely. By doing so, we can ensure that our natural environments continue to thrive and provide the vital ecosystem services that all life depends on. Adopting practices such as promoting renewable energy, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, protecting our natural habitats, and focusing on waste reduction can make a significant difference. Embracing environmental sustainability is not just an option; it is essential for securing the long-term health and future of our planet for generations to come.


2. Social Sustainability

Social sustainability is vital for ensuring the well-being of both current and future generations. It embodies essential values such as equity, inclusion, health, safety, and community development. A truly socially sustainable society guarantees access to vital services, strengthens social bonds, and empowers individuals and communities to flourish. Recognizing the integral role of social systems in overall sustainability, we must advocate for fair policies, respect for diverse cultures, and inclusive governance. By championing practices like inclusive urban planning, fair labor standards, accessible healthcare and education, and the celebration of cultural diversity, we lay the foundation for a thriving society that benefits everyone.


3. Economic Sustainability

Economic sustainability is essential for ensuring that our economic systems can thrive over the long term while effectively managing resources. It strikes a crucial balance between financial viability and the well-being of our environment and society. By fostering an economically sustainable society, we embrace innovation, enhance efficiency, and build resilience, all while steering clear of practices that jeopardize our financial future or exhaust our natural resources. Effective strategies, such as adopting sustainable business models, creating circular economies, and investing in green technologies, will pave the way for a prosperous future. By prioritizing economic sustainability, we can guarantee that our development not only endures but also uplifts both ecological health and human dignity for generations to come.



III. The Three Pillars in Sustainable Architecture

1. Environmental Sustainability in Architecture

Environmental sustainability in architecture is not just a trend; it’s a necessity for our planet’s future. Designing buildings that minimize ecological footprints and foster a connection with nature is crucial. By carefully selecting sustainable materials and employing energy-efficient technologies, architects can create spaces that harmonize with the environment. Incorporating passive design strategies, such as natural ventilation, daylighting, and thermal mass, further enhances a building’s performance. By adding renewable energy systems, green roofs, rainwater harvesting, and innovative waste management solutions, architects can ensure their projects are truly sustainable. The Bullitt Center in Seattle (Please see cover photo) stands as a striking example of this commitment, often hailed as the "greenest commercial building in the world," showcasing systems that achieve net-zero energy, water, and waste. Embracing these design principles will lead us to a more sustainable and thriving future.


2. Social Sustainability in Architecture

Social sustainability in architecture is essential for creating spaces that not only serve their functions but also enrich our communities. By designing environments that are accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background, we can foster a sense of belonging and connection. Emphasizing communal spaces encourages social interactions, while prioritizing health and safety ensures the well-being of all users. Projects like Maggie's Centres in the UK showcase the power of socially sustainable architecture, providing compassionate environments for cancer care that uplift patients through thoughtful, human-centered design. These centers harness the benefits of natural light, open spaces, and supportive environments, transforming the experience of care into one that promotes healing and hope.


Maggie's Centre, Carring Cross, London



Roof Garden of Maggie's Centre, London


3. Economic Sustainability in Architecture

Economic sustainability in architecture is crucial for creating buildings that not only meet our needs today but also remain cost-effective over their entire life cycle. By considering factors such as initial construction costs alongside long-term operational expenses, maintenance, and adaptability, we can ensure a smart investment. Key strategies include utilizing durable, low-maintenance materials, designing for energy efficiency, and adopting modular or prefabricated construction methods to significantly reduce waste and costs. A shining example is the BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development) in London, which showcases the power of energy-saving materials and renewable energy sources in a design that minimizes environmental impact while ensuring economic feasibility. Embracing these principles is essential for a sustainable future in architecture.

BedZED, London


FINAL THOUGHTS

The three pillars of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—are intricately linked and crucial to the success of sustainable architecture. For architecture professionals and students alike, embracing these principles in every phase of design and construction is not just an obligation; it's an exciting opportunity. By committing to a holistic approach that harmonizes these pillars, architects can lead the charge in creating built environments that are not only functional and visually stunning but also fair, resilient, and sustainable for generations yet to come. Let's shape a better future together!



Joey Castaneda

Sustainable Architect

Link in account for architectural works.

Linktree account for artworks.



References:

  • World Commission on Environment and Development (1987). Our Common Future (The Brundtland Report).

  • The Bullitt Center. (https://bullittcenter.org/)

  • Maggie's Centres. (https://www.maggies.org/)

  • Bioregional & BedZED. (https://www.bioregional.com/bedzed)

  • United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)



Photo Attributions:

Venn Diagram of the 3 Sustainability Pillars: Andrew, Sunray, based on "File:Sustainable development.svg" by Johann Dréo, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons


Maggie’s Centre: David Hawgood / Maggie's Centre London at Charing Cross Hospital

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maggie%27s_Centre,_Charing_Cross,_London.jpg


Maggie’s Centre: David Hawgood / Roof garden of Maggie's Centre London

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roof_garden_of_Maggie%27s_Centre_London.jpg


BedZED: Tom Chance, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BedZED_2007.jpg



Tuesday, May 13, 2025

THE SCALES OF SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

 

Vauban, Freiburg, GERMANY

There are lots of factors that should be considered in applying the principles of sustainability in the architectural design of a building or a complex development. One of the fundamental factors is that of the scales involved in a sustainable built environment. Without understanding such scales and their impact and interaction with each other, it would be very difficult for us, sustainable architects and designers, to proceed with the proper design of a green building.


OBJECTIVE

For an easy understanding of the audience I am trying to reach out to from all walks of life, such as students, professionals, to homeowners/clients alike, I have compiled information I personally gathered from my work experiences, training, and extensive research. The Sustainable Architecture Certification course I have attended provided just three basic scales (building, site, and region), but I kind of diversified and tried to expand it into five instead, which I believe would help my readers in the proper understanding of the details needed in this subject.


To start it up, the basic scales of the sustainable built environment are the following:

1. Building;

2. Site;

3. Neighborhood;

4. City; and

5. Region


FIGURE 1 -A simple diagram of the basic scales of the sustainable built environment



All of these are deeply interconnected. Decisions made at one scale inevitably influence the others, and sustainable strategies are most effective when they are aligned and integrated across scales. Here’s how they interact:


1. Building Scale

    The scope involved in this particular scale includes materials, energy systems, water use, indoor environment quality. This is how they impact the other scales:

    • A building's energy efficiency affects citywide energy demand – utilizing renewable energy systems such as solar panels and energy efficient household appliances may help the city to cope up and avoid shortage of energy supply;

    • Green roofs or rainwater harvesting system – reduces stormwater loads at the site and neighborhood scale. To learn more, please see one of my blog regarding a complete guide for rainwater harvesting system. Link as follows: https://architalktural.blogspot.com/2025/02/rainwater-harvesting-system-complete.html

    • Material choices affect regional supply chains and waste systems – this is the reason why most of the well-known sustainable architects, such as Hassan Fathy, who uses locally sourced building materials; Le Corbusier, who uses panels; both of whom use less to no energy on transportation.




2. Site Scale

    In this scale, the scope includes landscape, topography, drainage, microclimate, transportation access, etc. I recently have been involved in the site analysis of a farmland in the southern part of Luzon, Philippines and I believe I could use this as a good example.

    DISCLAIMER: The information provided below are covered by the laws governing the fair use policy in general. I prefer not to disclose the name of the project, its location and the stakeholders’ personal information to protect privacy. The excerpts are for educational purposes only to supplement the blog and not intended as professional advice.

    Our findings during our ocular site inspection are stated in an excerpt of the submitted Site Analysis Report as follows:

Purpose of Inspection
General Site Conditions
Observations and Findings

The purpose of this ocular site inspection is to assess the condition of the property’s site condition such as the accessibility, physical locations of existing vegetation, structures, actual ground terrain, hills, plain and slanting grounds, bodies of water, etc.; verification of coordinates to create satellite photo analysis; all of which to help the planning team find appropriate locations for each facilities and create a functional site development plan. The inspection was also conducted in order to identify any areas requiring immediate attention or remediation and determine appropriate project scheduling.

    Accessibility: Site is currently accessible from the road with no major obstacles or restrictions.

    Surrounding Environment: Surrounding neighborhood seems to be manageable.

    Earthwork: Even though the lot area is multi-level with sloping terrains and some hilly areas, the area is generally plain with very minimal to no requirement for slope protection. The high altitude of the location is assessed to be risk-free from other hazards such as flooding, sea level rise, erosion, landslide,  or liquefaction.

    Utilities: The presence of the existing structures along the road provides assurance that electricity, water supply, and plumbing items are available in the area.

    Safety Hazards: Currently, no potential safety issues have been identified.

    Security Hazards: The property requires proper fencing with a gate prior to or during the construction stage.

    Code Violations: Compliance with local regulations or building codes is  yet to be determined.

    Environmental Concerns: No environmental issues yet, such as water drainage, waste disposal, environmental contamination, etc. However, since animal farming is the main activity to be conducted, the planning team will determine these issues during the planning stage.

Overall, the site is in stable condition, with a few minor issues requiring attention in the short term, such as immediate construction of fencing and a gate, together with some scattered minor site clearing. This has to be done while the planning team is working on the technical matters of the project. Currently, no major structural or safety concerns have been identified yet, but it is recommended that the above suggestions be made to ensure the site remains functional and favorable while the planning stage is being conducted.


Other site scale’s Interaction with other scales of sustainable built environment:

    • Site design (like permeable surfaces) - contributes to neighborhood flood resilience.

    • Solar orientation and landscaping - can boost building performance.

    • Transportation links - tie into citywide mobility networks.




3. Neighborhood Scale

The scope at this scale includes land use, population density, mobility, shared infrastructure, social connectivity, etc. With regards to the land use, there are certain laws that govern this subject in the Philippines. You can check this out in one of my blogs entitled “List of Laws Essential to the Practice of Architecture in the Philippines”. Here is the link: https://architalktural.blogspot.com/2024/02/list-of-laws-essential-to-practice-of.html . Other factors could be determined through research or ocular inspections.

Here are some additional information from the Sustainable Architecture course I attended online through Alison, the following advantages of sustainable neighborhood are enumerated:

1. Design on a human scale;

2. Provide choices;

3. Encourage mixed-use development;

4. Vary transportation options;

5. Build vibrant spaces;

6. Create identity; and

7. Conserve landscapes.

Other site scale’s Interaction with other scales of sustainable built environment:

    • Walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods - reduce regional car dependency.

    • Shared energy or waste systems - benefit building sustainability.

    • Local green spaces - support site and building health outcomes.




4. City Scale

The scope at this scale includes infrastructure systems (energy, transport, waste), zoning, housing policy, economic planning. Such information can be obtained by visiting the city’s main office or city hall. Usually the building official’s office have everything you will need while conducting planning for your projects.

Other site scale’s interaction and impact with other scales of sustainable built environment:

    • Urban policy - drives neighborhood design standards and building codes.

    • Citywide transit investments - impact site selection and building accessibility.

    • Data from buildings (smart meters, sensors) - can inform city energy policy.




5. Regional Scale

The largest scale is the regional scale which includes watersheds, ecosystems, climate zones, transportation corridors, resource management. From the Sustainable Architecture course I attended, the following similar scope items are enumerated as follows:

1. Climatic conditions;

2. Topography/terrain;

3. Vegetation;

4. Water Resources;

5. Land as a resource; and

6. Connectivity

Such information required whenever planning is conducted for building or complex projects can be obtained from regional offices or some city halls. However, if available, some of these can be obtained online through the region’s website.



  • Interaction:

    • Regional climate - dictates building design strategies (e.g., passive cooling).

    • Watershed protection policies - influence site drainage and neighborhood planning.

    • Regional transit - affects city form and neighborhood structure.




Here is a holistic example of an ongoing scenario where certain environmental policies are being implemented in a city as a whole, which affects all scales of the sustainable built environment:

A city enforces green building codes → Buildings adopt solar panels → Local energy demand shifts → City upgrades its grid → Regional emissions decrease → Better air quality improves public health at all scales.






The Edge, Amsterdam


Bullitt Center, Seattle



FINAL THOUGHTS:

Sustainable architecture is a subset of sustainable development. Architecture is a social and economic exercise that leads to environmental impact and in turn is affected by it, and so it has to respond to all these in a balanced manner. The primary principle is to understand the sustainable built environment as a system that comprises various scales. Therefore it is imperative that all sustainable architects must learn these scales and their impacts first before proceeding with the planning and design of green buildings.


JOEY CASTANEDA

Sustainable Architect

Link in account for architectural works.

Linktree account for artworks.



Photos, diagram and table attribution:

The Edge, Amsterdam (MrAronymous, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Bullitt Center, Seattle (Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Vauban, Freiburg (Andreas Schwarzkopf, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Figure 1 - uploaded by Bernhard Pucher on Researchgate website (https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Three-scales-of-NBS-implementation-in-the-built-environment-green-building-materials_fig1_337737446)

Table 1: Sustainable Built Environment: Practices by Scale (AI info, ChatGPT)

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

FREEHAND SKETCHES AND DIGITAL METHOD IN THE DESIGN ARENA (PART 3)

This is the last episode of our 3-part mini-series, the second of which, I concluded with the following words:

As we have been discussing so much about digital design and architecture, I should say that nowadays, AI technology is becoming so popular and widely used in the design industry. It is so phenomenal, and its rapid growth far exceeds all the recorded advancements in the world of digital technology. It is so imminent that even non-professionals can create something that appears professional to many, not only in architecture and interior design, but in almost every field: from song composition and music arrangement to creating artworks, graphic design, and creative writing, among many others. Now, we couldn’t hide the fact that it seems so threatening for designers like us, huh? What do you think? Let’s talk more about it on the last episode of this series. Thanks for following.


As I have always said, “I have nothing against the digital method...” and now we have finally arrived at the most awaited discussion on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of Architecture. In this article, we will explore the term “machine learning,” a subfield of AI, based on a conference presentation written by Mr. Giuseppe Gallo, a PhD candidate in Architecture at the University of Palermo, Italy, and submitted to Academia.edu. In my interpretation, it is through the subfield of machine learning that AI is being applied to the architectural design process.


OBJECTIVE

Although AI is being highlighted in this article, I would still maintain my full support for the importance of manual sketching in the design process. After all, that is actually my main goal, or should I say, an advocacy that I have supported ever since I started discussing this subject matter. Moreover, some parts of this article shall serve as a commentary on the writings of Gallo in order to help us understand more deeply how AI affects the architectural design process. So, some excerpts may be expected occasionally to meet our objective.

According to Gallo, The proliferation of data together with the increase of computing power in the last decade has triggered a new interest in artificial intelligence methods. Machine learning and in particular deep learning techniques, inspired by the topological structure of neurons network in brains, are omnipresent in the IT discourse, and generated new enthusiasms and fears in our society.” And so, this article is somehow aimed at alleviating that growing fear, especially to the professionals who have spent a lifetime of devotion to the field using just their acquired knowledge and manual sketching method.



DEFINING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

According to Wikipedia, “Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the capability of computational systems to perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. It is a field of research in computer science that develops and studies methods and software that enable machines to perceive their environment and use learning and intelligence to take actions that maximize their chances of achieving defined goals. Such machines may be called AIs.”

For me, I still find definitions on Wikipedia sound a little technical in nature, and you still need further reading or more research efforts to get the definition you need, regardless of the specific purpose. I have read the definition of AI in the Academia.edu article I am referring to, but somehow found it a little profound, receiving a combination of opinions from different architects being interviewed at the conference. Most of them are pointing to different subfields of the subject AI, and so, it prompted me to consult with ChatGPT about the different subfields of AI, and here is exactly what I got (exactly what the selected architects interviewed by Gallo are trying to say):

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a broad and diverse field with many subfields. Each subfield focuses on different aspects of intelligence and problem-solving. Here are some of the major subfields of AI:

1. Machine Learning (ML)

• Definition: A subset of AI that enables systems to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.

• Types:

○ Supervised Learning: Learning from labeled data to make predictions.

○ Unsupervised Learning: Learning from unlabeled data to identify patterns or structures.

○ Reinforcement Learning: Learning through trial and error, receiving rewards or penalties based on actions taken.

○ Semi-supervised Learning: Combines labeled and unlabeled data for learning.

○ Deep Learning: A type of machine learning based on neural networks, especially deep neural networks.

2. Natural Language Processing (NLP)

• Definition: Focuses on the interaction between computers and human language.

• Applications: Machine translation, sentiment analysis, chatbots, text summarization, speech recognition, and more.

• Tasks: Syntax and semantics analysis, text generation, language translation, etc.

3. Computer Vision

• Definition: AI field that enables machines to interpret and understand the visual world.

• Tasks: Image recognition, object detection, facial recognition, video analysis, and image generation.

• Applications: Autonomous vehicles, medical image analysis, security systems, etc.

4. Robotics

• Definition: Focuses on creating intelligent machines that can perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously.

• Applications: Manufacturing robots, drones, medical robots, service robots, and more.

• Sub-disciplines: Kinematics, control theory, and robot perception.

5. Expert Systems

• Definition: AI systems designed to emulate the decision-making ability of a human expert in specific domains.

• Components: Knowledge base, inference engine, and user interface.

• Applications: Medical diagnosis, technical troubleshooting, financial planning, etc.

6. Cognitive Computing

• Definition: AI systems designed to simulate human thought processes and decision-making.

• Related Technologies: Natural language processing, machine learning, and reasoning.

• Applications: Personal assistants (like Siri or Alexa), decision support systems, and intelligent automation.

7. Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (KR&R)

• Definition: Focuses on representing information about the world in a form that a computer system can use to solve complex tasks.

• Tasks: Logic-based reasoning, ontologies, semantic networks, and probabilistic reasoning.

• Applications: Question answering, inference systems, and AI reasoning tasks.

8. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

• Definition: A hypothetical AI system that can perform any intellectual task that a human can do.

• Research Goal: Achieving human-like cognitive abilities in machines.

• Current Status: Still theoretical and not yet realized.

9. Fuzzy Logic

• Definition: Deals with reasoning that is approximate rather than fixed and exact, mimicking human reasoning.

• Applications: Control systems, decision-making, and systems where precision is not required.

10. Swarm Intelligence

• Definition: Inspired by the collective behavior of decentralized, self-organized systems (e.g., bird flocks, insect colonies).

• Applications: Optimization problems, robotic control, and network design.

11. AI Ethics

• Definition: The study of ethical issues related to AI development and usage.

• Issues: Bias in AI models, data privacy, accountability, AI fairness, and ensuring AI systems are aligned with human values.

12. Neural Networks

• Definition: A computational model inspired by the way biological neural networks in the brain process information.

• Applications: Deep learning, image recognition, natural language processing, and more.

13. Automated Reasoning

• Definition: Focuses on the automation of logical reasoning and proofs.

• Applications: Theorem proving, verification of software/hardware systems, and automated decision-making.

14. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

• Definition: The design and use of computer technology that interacts with human users.

• Applications: User interfaces, voice assistants, and smart devices.

These subfields often overlap, and researchers may work in multiple areas simultaneously. Together, they contribute to making AI systems more capable, adaptive, and intelligent.

I think I am now finding myself getting too far from my real objective. But somehow, this time I just have to use my intuition to simplify the definition. Let’s just begin with a machine that can think like a human. Perhaps now, you are thinking about a robot. But this robot, although it can talk, perhaps write, or communicate with us in any way it can, still, the information it could provide will depend on the data received from humans, initially from its creator or inventor, then from the users themselves. The learning process could be both supervised and non-supervised, allowing the AI to process available data by itself or while being trained by the inventor or the users. In the long run, both the AI and the users tend to benefit from each other and develop a reciprocal and infinite learning process. Now, in the light of architecture, I would rather attribute the traditional sketching to human ability and the parametric architecture to AI ability. For me, both are useful tools in the design process and cannot be separated from each other. Well, by integrating some of the technical definitions initially derived from research, I hope I am able to satisfy the objective that we are trying to reach here.


WILL AI BE USEFUL IN ARCHITECTURE?

This was an important question Mr. Gallo asked when he interviewed ten architects of different specialties from February to July 2019. It somehow turned into a survey where the participants tend to vote on certain categories. So, to cut the story short, here’s a table and an excerpt of the result:


Machine Learning is the technology that obtained the highest score with a total of 53 out of 70 achievable points, followed by digital manufacturing with 51, third “other computational methods” with 47, then Internet of things with 38, BIM and Augmented Reality with 37, last Virtual Reality with 30. It is interesting to note that Machine Learning and "other computational methods" both obtained the first place in the personal rankings of the designers four times, as well as happened twice for BIM and once for Digital Manufacturing. It is therefore clear that based on the experiences and expectations of the interviewed designers, machine learning and its derivations are expected to play a role within the architectural practice, a role that, for many of the interviewees, will be decisive in ten years.”

Such a piece of concrete information somehow supports my own definition of AI, as I have provided above, and has somehow satisfied the objective of this article. However, if you still need further clarification, let's discuss further, and please feel free to leave a comment.


EXPECTATIONS OF AI TECHNOLOGY IN ARCHITECTURE

It has been five years since Gallo conducted his research work, and the above survey was projected for ten years. Here’s an excerpt:

Architecture is a complex practice. On the contrary, sectors where Artificial Intelligences are showing an important impact, have a more linear nature than that of our profession. The interviewee goes on saying that, by breaking up the architect's work into separate tasks, describing the process rigorously, it is easier to imagine an AI capable of solving these operations individually. It is therefore important to ask ourselves several questions: Are we able to manage these enormous potentials to generate new concepts and ideas? Can we describe this complexity so that a machine can process it? Maybe in the future.”

Now that we are actually more than halfway through the projected time of the survey, do you think that at that time, they might have overlooked the capability of AI technology in the field of Architecture? The way I experienced it, it came so drastically at a very high speed, that even non-professionals could produce professionally looking products on their own. I guess that’s where it becomes intimidating for the professional community.

AI may sound intimidating due to the unpredictable speed in terms of the development of technology. However, as we continue reading Gallo’s research, he says:

It is therefore still too early to understand how much these technologies will erode from an architect's professional practice, and certainly nothing in terms of responsibility. In this sense, Arthur Mamou-Mani declares that even by using AI, designers retain the right to control the design process at any time, making choices and questioning answers provided by artificial intelligence.”

This was exactly what I was trying to point out as I concluded in my first episode:

In the next episodes, we can expect AI to enter the arena. Oh well, let's just welcome it, but I believe we should not let it dominate the show. Instead, let us use our own creativity and use AI as a modern tool only that we have full control of. Use it to enhance our own ingenuity, nothing more, nothing less.”

Now, it seems like the majority of the comments I heard from other famous architects add up to my confidence that I am on the right track when I say I support the advocacy of retaining the manual sketching method in the design process. For me, this is some sort of sustainability that matters in the field of architecture.


FINAL THOUGHTS

In the first episode of this mini-series, I mentioned in my conclusion that "it is the cultural identity and the sense of originality of the architect or artist that I want to emphasize and preserve in this endeavor. The bottom line is that we should stop arguing about which one is best. Let's discuss this with a sense of balance." That was when I discussed the integration of computer technology in the manual sketching method used in the design process. Well, I would say it would be the same thing in the use of AI technology. Instead of being intimidated, let us be confident that AI is a helpful tool in our professional practice. If we could train it, then we could definitely control it. Let’s be friends with them, a new colleague whom we can trust and rely on based on accuracy and consistency. But what about loyalty? Oh well, don’t you dare compare them to a colleague next to your cubicle. Just kidding aside...

Thanks for joining me throughout this mini-series. Hoping we could have more of this...what do you think?


JOEY CASTANEDA, Architect

Link in account for architectural works.

Linktree account for artworks.



CITATIONS:

Thanks to Wikipedia for the initial definition of "Artificial Intelligence."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence


Some excerpts and a table derived from a research work submitted to Academia.edu are as follows:

The role of Artificial Intelligence in architectural design: conversation with designers and researchers
By Giuseppe Gallo and fulvio wirz

https://www.academia.edu/44902106/The_role_of_Artificial_Intelligence_in_architectural_design_conversation_with_designers_and_researchers?nav_from=f119e482-b1bb-4831-ad11-df870f718f49


Photos courtesy of Pixabay.


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