An investigation into the latent potentials of artificial intelligence led to a series of tests, case studies, and prototypes of AI tectonics. The current open platforms for AI image creation operates from word descriptions alone, as opposed to architectural 3D modeling, and or coding surface parameters.
This leaves the operator with flat images or AI impressions based on descriptions with extraordinary results of the unexpected. The unexpected results are the most intriguing aspect of this new paradigm. As designers test the limits of AI’s imagination and complex image compositions, new possibilities never seen before are emerging.
These images are from large data sets in which the AI is able to reference and stitch together, creating new and original images or impressions. However, the more complex, the more impressionistic. This leaves the designer with unresolved formal creations but with a pandoras box of unlimited associations for the AI to compose.
The current users have diverse backgrounds and references for the AI to compute, meaning some of the images are from the gaming community, film, and fashion. As architects and designers test the limits of AI complexity, MA2 is testing its ability for a consistency and controlled aesthetic.
The idea is to make AI bend to the user in order to generate an architecture or aesthetic consistent with an existing portfolio. The first study was exploring facades, entrances, openings, and envelopes as architectural continuous surfaces. The synthetic architecture is the fluidity in which the tectonic surface envelope takes form.
The articulations of surfaces are broken into segments or impressions of metallic panels and concrete volumes. The goal is to test the AI’s ability to create an architectural language and test its open possibilities of transformation.
The sample proposals are tectonics that manifest a shifting dynamic and contain layered surfaces. These are expressed in metal panels, concrete, and glass with curved but pleated properties. These are consistent with previous proposals, but the AI was able to contribute additional properties of exuberant layers, folding, and pleating.
As a result, the architectural set of proposals emerge as unique building components that function as façade and propagated building segments that morph as a continuous expression. Source and images Courtesy of MA2.