The Power of Data: Exploring Architectural Language through the Use of Artificial Intelligence
The Power of Data is an exhibition created in a virtual building, conceived by three-dimensional geometries based on various artificial intelligence algorithms. The project was created by the OLA (Online Lab of Architecture) team of research architects formed by Jennifer Durand (Peru), Daniel Escobar (Colombia), Claudia Garcia (Spain), Giovanna Pillaca (Peru) and Jose Luis Vintimilla (Ecuador).
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The project is based on an analysis of the invisibility of data and social networks, which have increased their use in people’s daily lives. Who has the power of data? Where is the data stored? Am I in control of the information I share? These are some of the key questions from which the project is born. The potential power of social networks and their growth stems from two factors, taking advantage of the human need to communicate and socialize with others. For the concept is based on the assumption that people have a “physical self” and a “virtual self”.
Therefore, the methodology of the project consists of transforming the data by using machine learning technologies and software that enables the coding, processing and utilization of information from real social networks, with the aim of transforming the information from an intangible (data) state to a generated virtual architecture.
In general, The Power of Data is an immersive and interactive experience, as it allows the simultaneous connection of different users in the virtual space. Therefore, an in-depth study of the spaces, sounds, lighting, dynamic textures and types of routes that enhance the sensations and interactions between the user and the building was carried out.
Firstly, the project focuses on collecting data that will be used in the artificial intelligence algorithms. The data was collected from various social media profiles, from which four Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms were run: Cyclegan, Stylegan, Resnet and VQGAN + CLIP.
The final result is a building created by data and coding processes in different design and 3D modeling programs. The tower created has the following characteristics: a structural grid, data vectors that run completely through it, thermal insulation and a 3D printed graphene structure. In this same way, 5 interactive sculptures were created, which transform the information obtained from social networks into geometry, creating a visual way of identifying the data. In addition, lifts, teleporters and musical instruments were designed as interactive components.
The architecture is organized on the basis of 3 temporal phases, which arise from the analogy of storing, processing and predicting data over time. The first zone is the virtual zone of the past (laboratory), the second is the current virtual zone (data sculptures) and finally there is the virtual zone of the future, which is the final phase of the project.
When you enter the virtual building, the first space that welcomes you is the lobby, where you can find ramps, lifts and the model of the building as a guide. The tour begins with the bases containing the laboratories. It is in the first basement that the process of creation of the building is explained through an exhibition of images. On the second level of the project, the process of creating the sculptures and handling the data is explained and exhibited. Finally, on the third level you can visit a sample of the images resulting from the artificial intelligence processes applied.
The virtual reality (VR) project offers two means of experimentation. The first is through smartphones, laptops and PCs with a 360-degree walkthrough. As a second option, it can be accessed with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive virtual reality viewers to experience an experiential virtual environment of computer gaming.
It is through this project that the OLA team manages to understand and realize the visualization of data through various three-dimensional forms. It is for this reason that the architects hope that the development of The Power of Data will serve as an incentive to open up new possibilities for exploration in the field of current architectural language.
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