Introduction

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The paper looks at the use of Artificial Intelligence, parametricism and semiology through the case of Patrik Schumacher, the director of the Architectural Association DRL co-founded the exploration of computer-generated designs. He believes that parametricism4 is the long-term successor of modern architecture. His interest in self-generating forms influenced that architecture is an independent functional system, and not a 1920s disengaged visual abstraction of art. His approach to architecture defines his perspective of beauty as a well-resolved form catering to function, material usage, social interaction, detailing and general essential factors for space building. Generally, architects look at the complexity and constraints that help architectural ideas emerge and not the self-generating tools, that assist them to interpret their thoughts in the digital and physical realm. He sees the modern age as an opportunity to integrate computers, for sociological space analysis. Not delving into the idea of sustainability which he sees as an ‘overarching discourse’.

Parametricism, a product of avant-grade6, sees modernity as an architectural isolated object7, which shapes around spaces, circulation, structure and enveloping skin ignoring human intervention, and behaviour intrusions. But people do not see these spaces as more than just forms, openings, partitions and columns - finding these spaces away from social encounters and outright spaces become alien. Parametricism can produce momentary exciting forms but does not address public encounters and sometimes does not differentiate elements to be identified in distinction.8 Further pinpointing that we prioritise functional aspects rather than psychological inhabitation of spaces. Schumacher sees the binary pair of avant-garde vs. mainstream, as primary for the evolution of architecture through formal research and theories. Avant-guard has active participation in the social change further implemented via testing into the mainstream.

Schumacher does not criticize parametricism, though he highlights that the concept can be used further in his practice for creating better utilization of the smallest spacial footprint and analysing a large number of iterations that were earlier not possible in real life due to time and legal constraints. At Design Research Laboratory (DRL), Schumachers studio attempts to look at human behavioural patterns (via semiological principles) and imitate them in crowd-modelling of AI agents, constrained to work environments, to enhance social functionality of spaces using architectural code and analyse utilization of space contrary to arrangement manipulation. (Fig.1) The focus of the paper is on understanding the methodological approach of the studio framed under Patrik Schumacher at DRL. Methods like AMeDA, Vortexture, and Cloud Agent Based Parametric Semiology (Angius P. 2019) explore an organizational change to behavioural influence, elaborating the idea of coexisting spaces, to development of iterative space utilized by organizations using AI agents is the core understanding that the paper carries. This in turn helps one to infuse parametricism, AI & semiology to relate designed spaces and human connections that become a data-driven element for a dynamic spacial workspace.

Building up to the dynamic spaces: Parametric-AI logic

The use of parametric tools in combination with algorithms is at the core of Schumachers’ studio. Using Agent-based modelling to simulate human behaviour in a specific context. Network analysis which involves mapping and analysing social networks to identify patterns of interaction, ultimately represented through Data visualization to imitate complex data sets is the process that it followed. All the below three methods are accomplished under Pierandrea Angius, tutor at Schumacher studio (DRL), using different briefs and critical areas to be considered while designing. First two methods put forward the logic and brief technical nodes from the method to manipulation spaces with constraints, i.e. AMeDA and Cloud-Agent Based Parameric Semiology. Further, the Vortexture method looks at spaces as changing elements throughout the day, week, and seasons, and intervene in the creativity & performance needed. Inferring upon the impermanence of spaces and the future of designated interventions.

AMEDA. (Advanced Meta Design Agency) sees activities that people engage in as the process of communication. Wherein each word plays an important role in the formation of a sentence. Similarly, this method looks at social interactions as a key adjective of architectural language. Process: Initiated by looking at the visual language of Chinese masks and each element in the mask is seen as an expressive visual interpretation. The style of the mask indicates social status, colour depicts personalities and details imply mood. Drawing parallels of the same for this architectural project includes spatial position, materiality, colour and others to understand visual depiction as a tool to influence or interpret behaviours. Systemic constraints of the floor, furniture, lighting and ceiling were considered, all of them relate to each other for spatial qualities for specified areas. The plan represents the function of the space, the colour its usage and its boundaries imply spatial properties. Viewing the same as words of a sentence, together it gives meaning to the spacial intervention. (Fig. 2) Changing elements are interlinked and overlapped with these four systemic constraints (floor, furniture, light and ceiling); With changes in a few floor spaces, certain parameters will meet the intended demand. Like furniture follows the change of flooring. AI- agents trained, also engage with spaces accordingly and the built environment responds to the demands of these semiological models ( core: the human body is the key signifier for the architectural intervention, indicating the importance of cultural and social context).

Cloud-Agent Based Parameric Semiology. Interventions are similar to the previous method- AMeDA. The operations of the spaces are fixed. With crowd manipulation (using neural language), the system efficiently manipulates arrangements and interactions of the space. In the Computer, a vector field9 was generated to assist them with the spatial organization. Everything in the system is interconnected, hence with change in one parameter, it can potentially affect the entirety of the system. It always caters to the logical requirements set by the designer earlier. (Fig.4) Here, Spacial manipulation caters to the behavioural change in agents. This system is tested in Game, semiologically governed AI agents. The behaviour of the system depends on the dynamic constraints and flow developed with the tasks instructed to the AI agents. (Fig.4) The logic used is of a cause and effect, which adds and deducts from the parts that are manipulated through interconnected parameters.

Vortexture. Looks at the office as an integral system of our daily informal spaces, shared workspaces, chat at lounges, hotel lobbies, cafes etc. Inferring away from the traditional notion of fixed spaces for work, highlighting technology and contemporary culture as the forefront for change. It converges static typologies and organisations with the only constant, i.e. fluctuation. Architecture is a constant process of adaption and regeneration.

The main brief highlights a productivity-based system during weekdays for the office and on weekends, the floor plan readjusts itself highlighting a creativity-based layout increasing meeting zones and community hotspots. With changes in seasons, during summer, the merger of the terrace with the landscape becomes an open space for neighbours to allow outdoor activities. In winter, users prefer indoor environments, and the terrace converts into skylight elements. (Fig 5)

This architecture is capable of changing with each hour, day week and even season. Change in furniture, lighting, floor, ceiling, facade, terrace and the structural system becomes dynamic possibilities for users

Systemic understanding of these methods

DRL looks at approaches to spaces as a social dynamic interactive organization using four major elements of space (floor, ceiling, partitions, walls, opening and columns), which are governed by behavioural needs and day-to-day responses to environmental changes. These methods are upgraded approaches from assumption-based practices, designed to use algorithms, parameters, semiology and design tools combined together to design. In this paper, insights are into the parallels of these approaches. AMEDA and Cloud-Agent-based Parametric semiology (CABPS) both look at spaces with a parametric and algorithmic generation of complex architectural forms. CABPS combines parameters and insights into semiology. Both are used to explore the relationship between form and spacial connections to generate a range of alternative solutions as the crowd intervention or interconnected spaces criteria are manipulated. AMEDA looks at spaces with four different elements- floor, furniture, lighting and ceiling which are seen as circles joined as per the tasks that are closely related to each other in an office space (Fig 7). The plan formed with the interactions indicates usage models. This knowledge changes when rules or parameters of formal interactions, the number of people, space layout and other factors change for the computer to evaluate and provide logic-based outcomes.

Similarly, a step above - The CAPBS replicates human behavioural change when spacial interaction meaning changes. Behaviour and spacial formalisation infer creative thinking and mundane tasks automatically. Understanding AI models under the semiological principle applied is the core of this method. This again can be implemented in the real world.

Change in the importance of one of the parameters like an increase in crowd flow or an increase in formal interactive spaces, the spacial allocation automatically infers the system as a constraint to work around.

While Vortexture is the method that looks at design tools that support dynamic networks to create adaptive environmental spaces. It also uses algorithms that stimulate behavioural systems to create unpredictable patterns. Yet works on rules like the curvature of furniture increase for integration as the capacity of the population increases. It challenges the interpretation of space with time and environmental changes, with preferences for creative and productive spaces. Space dynamism as a concept reflects a new approach to office culture where spaces interact with human behaviour and outside-world interactions on a day to-day basis. Spaces that earlier followed traditionally designated layouts ask what happens when the office can be anywhere.

Conclusion

All three methods understood above, focus on three core elements that shape Shumachers’ interpretation of architectural tools- Computational design, Signification and Part to the whole connections. Computation design is nothing but creating spaces through advanced design techniques that can generate complex and dynamic forms. Using the logic of digital systems to create physical outputs. He prioritises precision and control in the design process and forms that cater to innovative and functional parameters of the built space. Signification uses signs and symbols to communicate meaning and make sense of things. The methods above use the semiological principle of AI agents and game interfaces to behave in the context designed. Creating shared language between building and user via stimulation. Part of the whole connection looks at the creation of form not only with the idea of aesthetics or structural construction but also considers social, cultural and environmental conditions that infer design. Here the use of AI, that is to carry out simulations and behavioural implications is not used as an isolative influence. It interacts with other factors that act as parameters and meaning interpretations of forms. Not only aesthetic or structural or material reduction development but also to replicate the knowledge into social, dynamic spaces that change throughout time. It carries the power to influence productivity or increase the creativity of humans. It also looks at the formal and informal spaces, rejecting the idea of ownership or designating activities to a location. Similar to the idea of decentralization mentioned by Mario Carpo in his book: The second industrial turn. (2017) Hence, the three methods discuss the architectural tool of parametricism, Artificial Intelligence and Semiology together with a lens that redefines the practice of architecture and the use of spaces. It does not eliminate the designer in any way but makes the designer more logic-based, data-rich and well-aware creative for space creation and curation. Furthermore, the concept where space acts as a dynamic element throughout the day connects to the Indian socialistic architecture where a veranda changes its function from being a religious space in the morning to a drying chilly space in the afternoon to a chit-chat area in the evening. Hence, spaces have a social and dynamic aspect to them. Schumacher tries to understand and integrate DRL and emerging technologies with a similar approach to spaces, redefining the purpose and method of architecture. Wayforward for the same is to get an in-depth functioning and technicalities that the studios implemented and reinterpret applied practice of architecture as a whole to connect the tools of the global north catering to the ideologies of the global south.