Week 2 Readings

In this introduction Picon describes the history of the evolution of the digital age and how it has progressed since its beginning. He outlines that people believe that the digital era begun only a few decades ago, however it could be argued that possibly the Renaissance era was the starting point. This starting point he describes is the point where we began to think and develop our ideas and from that point on we further evolved and the digital era begun.

Picon explains that computers were a large contribution in the Cold War and were primarily designed to help protect and serve. From this point in time technology was enhanced and robotics were engineered to assist us and even take over for us in this time of need.

This exponential development in technology, enabled architects to immerse themselves into the digital world. Architects became fixated on digital software’s and Picon believed that it had become a part of the tectonic codes, and could possibly lead to a crack in the system.

Looking at society, we have now become absorbed into this artificial world. The evolution of the digital era has resulted in incredible technology that has mesmerised us. Picon worries that there is an issue between the physical world and the virtual world, and that this fascination will create a dissolution.

Readings:

Digital Culture in Architecture: an Introduction for the Design Profession (2010) “Introduction” by Picon, Antione