Digital Decay

We now live in a world where architecture is produced through arrays of pixels and this remains as the representation rather than the reality of buildings inevitably ageing their physical forms. So if architecture is kept in this digitally frozen state, then how does architectural form age over time? It glitches. A glitch is defined as a sudden malfunction or fault caused by the harsh reality of digital decay. Currently glitches as a result of digital decay are solely explored as forms of 2d art therefore this thesis looks to reconnect the underlying data to its digital architectural spatial form and interpret digital decay in 3d. Our methodology follows a systematic iterative process of transformational change to explore design emergence on the base of computational glitches. A numerical data driven process is explored using decayed files which are turned into 3d formal expressions. In this context, stereoscopic techniques are experimented, helping understand further how glitch can be performed within a 3d virtual environment. Ultimately we explore digital architectural form existing solely in the digital realm that confidently expresses glitch in both its design process and aesthetic outcome. This thesis does not aim to answer the research question through a resolved building, we instead define architecture as three dimensional digital form and space. This thesis uses glitch as a methodology to design three dimensional spaces within the digital realm. The architecture exists in the digital therefore the spatial perception of architecture created through this research is in the eye of the beholder and their previous spatial experiences. Employing a methodology of transformational change to explore design emergence on the base of glitches or decayed files, the aim is to generate a contemporary architectural interpretation of decayed data. (Haslop et al., 2016)

Protocols, Flows, and Glitches, 2017

This research informs of a series of experimental design practices for the understanding computational glitches in architecture which appears to be equivalently a 'given' as well as an 'informed'. 'Glitch-space' is introduced to navigate the discussion through a spatial interpretation of digital decay. Currently glitches are only explored as forms of 2D art. We however, look to reconnect the underlying data to its digital architectural spatial form. Our methodology a systematic iterative process of transformational change to explore design emergence on the base of computational glitches. A numerical data driven process is explored using decayed files which are turned into 3D formal expressions. In this context, stereoscopic techniques are experimented, helping understand further how glitch can be performed within a 3D virtual environment. Ultimately we explore digital architectural form existing solely in the digital realm that confidently expresses glitch in both its design process and aesthetic outcome. Thus, our research intends to bring a level of authenticity with the notion of 'glitch-space' by discussing 3D interpretations of glitch in an architectural form.

The paper describes the relationship between glitch aesthetics and the rise of algorithmic design in the 2000s; in particular its similarities and differences within the design process. The synthetic nature of architectural representation within the discrete nature of the digital questions the authenticity of drawing and instead makes a case for the pixel array as the new medium of the drawing. It therefore highlights the nature of ‘traditional’ architectural transformations and glitching within the pixel array of the digital. We develop a case for the problems with and advantages of ‘the glitch’ in architectural pro-duction and propose one such method of production to generate ‘glitch architecture’

International Journal of Architectural Computing (IJAC), 2018

Architectural designs are visualised on computer screens through arrays of pixels and vectors. These representations differ from the reality of buildings, which over time will unavoidably age and decay. How, then, do digital designs age over time? Do we interpret glitching as a sudden malfunction or fault in the computation of the design's underlying data, or as digital decay resulting not from the wear and tear of tangible materials but from the decomposition of the binary code, or from system changes that cannot appropriately interpret the data? By exploring a series of experimental design practices for deployments and understandings that are the consequence of malfunctions during computational processing, glitches are reinterpreted. Advancing from 2D glitch art techniques into 3D interpretations, the research employs a methodology of systematic iterative processes to explore design emergence based on glitches. The study presents digital architectural form existing solely in the digital realm, as an architectural interpretation of computational glitches through both its design process and aesthetic outcome. Thus, this research intends to bring a level of authenticity to the field through 3D interpretations of glitch in an architectural form.

Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2022

After the development of technology and the technological participation into the world of architectural design instead of the traditional methods that designers used to create shapes, the trend began to use the computers and architectural design software programs instead. This leads to a flaw in the architectural design rather than limiting it to the artistic side to generate architectural forms characterized by aesthetics and uniqueness. The glitch reveals a new opportunity and a spark of creative energy indicating that something new is about to be created. Therefore, the research problems are lack of knowledge in the informed glitch and the tools that are invested by architects to generate the architectural forms. The aim of the research is to find the tools that generate digital architectural forms through the informed glitch, as well as, study the two types of glitch (given and informed) and the glitch in architecture design. The practical application on some projects shows that one of the most important glitch tools designers relied on to reach architectural forms with unique aesthetic shapes that are characterized by dominance, transparency and balance. It expresses the aesthetic aspects in unexpected way that makes the recipient feel shocked when he sees the output for the first time, then multiple interpretations explaining the beauty in the eyes of the beholder depending on his cultural background.