Mind Blowing Game Changer - The Canon Mixed Reality System

via Cannon.com

Virtual reality systems have been around for quite a few years, but Canon's Mixed Reality (MR) system takes it to a whole new level. Targeted at industrial design, the MR system allows users to view and interact with computer generated models in life scale 3D. While the demo (found here) only shows people awkwardly interacting with car parts using what looks like a plastic spider, the implications of what this tool means for architectural design is pretty incredible.

Architectural design has always been tied down to an imagined reality, where a constant awareness of scalar differences is key to interpreting what is drawn. Drawings, models, renderings all show a perceived reality that one can only grasp through imagination. The full scale implications of building can only be fully appreciated after completion. Representation is important because it assists in bridging that gap. 3D computer modeling has become integral not only as the nexus from which other representative forms are generated, but more importantly as a versatile tool to quickly preview our every design whim. With it, architecture has become quicker, bigger, and more complex.

MR technology is the first step in what I believe to be the next leap in architecture design. As processors continue to evolve in line with Moore's law, it won't be long until visualization becomes less an issue of computing power, but more about what operating framework from which design occurs. MR presents the opportunity to immerse ourselves in our visions, to look at designs through lenses previously unavailable. It allows for incredible scalar transitions. Imagine looking at an animated master plan hundreds of blocks in area on your meeting room table, playing around with buildings and roads like lego blocks. Then transitioning to standing in a room within that plan, looking out your window as CG cars stream by below, making sure your vision remains intact at all scales.

It can also be used to playout some Godzilla fantasies, if that's more up your alley.

Rawrchitecture, Rawrbooted

It has been close to a year since we've last posted anything. This is a notice that we are still alive, and perhaps more of a motivator for me to continue posting. As a class, we have completed the first leg of our architectural journey. Graduation was in May and we are now about to be spread all over America and spilling over a little to Europe. Alex will be in New York and I will be in London for this coming year. These are the two places worth mentioning since we are the only two write for this sparsely populated blog.

For me, the notion of a reboot applies to more than just this blog. It is starting new in a different country and an unfamiliar place, save only for a common language. I first experienced this last night, when lugging the bare requirements of my year around from Heathrow airport via tube to Kings Cross. Then finding the apartment I had found online and secured over Skype in the midst of London's drunkest young people with no way of contacting anyone.

I hope this experience will be mild compared to what this year will have in store for me. I want to realign the focus of this blog into something more personal, an authentic look through our eyes into the experiences brought on by our good fortune being students of architecture. Look forward to posts revisiting experiences in the past four years we've been too preoccupied to post, updates on what we are going through this year, and perhaps a few passionate ramblings brought about by a few too many beers.

Rawrchitecture is Melbourne bound!

We've been keeping quite busy since I've last updated. We applied and got accepted into another exciting 72hour competition. This time it's in Melbourne! Hosted by our friends at OUTR, the Urban Realities competition will follow a similar format to the one we competed in in Israel. In 72 hours, our team would have to design and build something that responds to the prompt and site that we are given. I'll update soon, but I can't promise anything.

Sleep[SHED] 2.0 (Call for Submissions)

Hey All,

I'm sure you all have seen the posters up, but I just wanted to urge you all to take advantage of the special Submission date for Sleep[SHED] 2.0. There will be time to get your submission together during charette and jury week, but it never hurts to start sleeping early. If you have questions regarding content always feel free to contact Drowsy or Sleepy at SleepShed@gmail.com.  

Sleep[SHED] 2.0 Submissions due May 2th.

Thanks,
Sleep[SHED] Editorial Board

Undercity: New York's Hidden Underground

UNDERCITY from Andrew Wonder on Vimeo.

Interactive Surface: Tron Premiere Halfpipe

Tron Legacy Premiere - A Light Session from ENESS on Vimeo.

Interactive surfaces are a new and exciting frontier for architecture. For the premiere of the new Tron movie, a half pipe was created with various lighting effects as a promotion. ENESS did quite a few amazing projects that almost completely transform the materiality and atmosphere of surfaces and objects.

 
ENESS 2010 Showreel from ENESS on Vimeo.

The interactivity of these projections adds a dimension to architecture that rarely existed before. The previous notion of an immobile surface is redefined as something provocative and curious. By interacting with these interactive surfaces, the audience also indirectly interact with each other, bringing a social element to the architecture. 

Super Specific: Shohei Shigamatsu

Shohei Shigematsu, partner at OMA and director of the firm's New York office, recently gave a lecture at the independently organised TEDxEast conference in New York. Entitled "Super Specific", the talk aims at stablising the practice of global architecture within the ever-fluctuating world economy.

I mainly found the talk worthwhile for two reasons. For one, it gives a little insight into how to function as an architect and designer when the economy falters and the going gets tough. In the case of Shigematsu, his designs begin to embrace the hyper-functionalism for which OMA has become well known for and maximise development potential (i.e. money making ability) without sacrificing formal and iconic expression.

Secondly, the short talk is aimed at non-architects. Recently, (probably in large part due to the faltering economy) architecture has come under criticism for being too insular. It's always interesting to see how high-profile architects attempt to engage people outside of the discipline, and it is evident that through his work and oratory, Shigematsu is able to do so rather convincingly.

Also, thumbs up for being the first architect I know to bash MUJI.