Technology is transforming the world of design in many ways, and there is nowhere where this is truer than in the field of architecture. Technology and architecture are intertwined, and every new innovation sends ripples through the whole industry. Here are some of the ways technology is transforming architecture as we know it.
Architectural Visualization and 3D Rendering
Architectural rendering is one of the most groundbreaking technologies in the world of architecture and is set to completely transform the way architects work in the future. Architectural rendering is the act of creating digitized 2 or 3D models to demonstrate the attributes of a particular architectural design. In addition to calculating factors such as scales or proportions, rendering can be used to gauge things such as ventilation, lighting or even acoustics.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual reality is found almost everywhere these days, and its applications in the world of design, architecture and art are many. Now that virtual headsets are cheaper than ever (some even starting as low as $20), virtual reality has never been more democratized. Virtual reality headsets could be given out during a client presentation and clients can explore their would-be space before it is even constructed, making it a very powerful sales tool.
Big Data
With the recent advancements in monitoring technology and the fast growing Internet of Things, architecture in the future will be driven by data driven technology. Clients are much more concerned with data as well. BIM models are more data-rich than ever and are being used by clients to manage building assets to the smallest detail.
3D Printing and Robotics
3D printing and robotics are two technologies that are bound to completely transform the way we design spaces in the near future. It’s only a matter of time before we see robots playing an integral part in the building process. As a matter of fact, assisted robotics, where a human operator works in conjunction with a robot to perform field tasks, is already being rolled out.
While 3D printing has been confined to the world of manufacturing, it is now more and more being used by architects to measure things such as structure resilience or material use. Miniature models can be created quickly with the use of 3D printing and be subjected to a bevy of tests. Modifications can be made on the go and models can be churned out much faster than in the past.
Conclusion – Technology is set to completely transform the world of architecture as we know it. Architectural rendering will become more and more sophisticated and detailed. Each and every aspect of architecture will be intertwined with data collection in mind. We can expect virtual reality to be the norm shortly and 3D printers and robots are making their entry into the construction field. There is no telling where architectural technology will take us in the next few years, but one thing is for sure, the trend shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.