ABOUT
Introductions.
Referring to Robin Evans in “Translation from Drawing to Building,” architecture has heavily relied on drawing for critical thinking, even when drawings have intrinsic limitations. Furthermore, not all things architecture can be arrived through drawing or should be limited towards one medium or another. With this in mind, architecture must create and critically think of its work through emerging visual technologies like simulations. Particularly with augmented reality, architecture can be presented beyond an orthographic surface and provide a alternative process of thought that drawings could not achieve. Architects can also, for instance, leverage software to create a more accessible and equitable exhibited space by hybridizing its presence. Additionally, we must not think of the architectural gallery as a singular museum either, but a place that temporarily places itself throughout the city. Likewise, enabling digital technologies will directly connect vast amount of users with no to little cost to attend conversations or exhibit material. By leveraging conversations about software as well, architects can better utilize and select their tools, enable themselves to continually contribute to software design, expand critical discourse on software, and decipher software that obfuscate their biases.
This thesis explores how new platforms for imaging redefines architecture’s role in achieving alternative modes of critical thinking, particularly within the avenue of creating software. This software then aims to be a decentralized and community funded platform that acts as a generative tool for users to create within Philadelphia’s Callowhill/Chinatown community all while using mixed reality and one’s phone.
How has imaging affected how we delineate alternative modes of critiquing architectural work? How do we decentralize the architectural gallery, particularly in ways that’s more accessible and equitable to audience? What is the architect’s agency and autonomy within imaging? In what ways can architects leverage software in order to create conversations and awareness towards the implications of our tools to design?
DECENTRALIZING THE ARCHITECTURE GALLERY
The app features the idea of geocaching: prompting users to locate and arrive at designated locations around Callowhill. Once users arrive, they can create their designs as desired. Once completed, users can visit and revisit these locations and exhibit their work or others who ventured out as well. Ultimately, the event creates an alternative to the architecture gallery: A decentralized exhibit that’s scattered throughout the city. The sites featured here are delegated for several reasons. They are practically unbuildable, causing speculation towards what they can be used for or how they can be altered. These sites are also of low value, therefore pondering the question of these locations inherent value as estate properties. This ideology takes precedent from Gordon Matta-Clark’s “Reality Properties: Fake Estates,” where inaccessible or residual parcels of land within a neighborhood are used for grounds for experimentation. Each one of the sites offer varying contextual conditions which allot opportunities for different outcomes for designs from the users.
