Redefining Space in the Age of Spatial Computing

ARCH 4001. Fall. 2024

Redefining Space in the Age of Spatial Computing

Ming Tang
Professor, Registered Architect, NCARB, LEED AP, Director of Extended Reality Lab. UC Digital Futures. Leadership committee, Institute for Research in Sensing (IRiS);
School of Architecture and Interior Design, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, University of Cincinnati

In the age of spatial computing, architecture transcends the physical boundaries of bricks and mortar, evolving into an expansive realm that merges computational technologies. This studio embraces the transformative potential of AI in the architectural design process, expanding physical spaces into the metaverse and positioning architecture at the forefront of our society’s digital revolution. By serving as a platform for spatial experience, architecture redefines our interaction with space and each other.

This studio invites students to collectively harness the power of AI to create virtual architectural spaces that inspire, connect, and elevate the human spatial experience. Students design a convention center to host various activities, from large conference events like SIGGRAPH and trade shows like CES to small lectures and social events. They research the spatial layout of a convention center and explore the possibilities of migrating these activities to a fully 3D virtual space in the metaverse. The studio also explores the intersections of AI, digital twin, and XR technologies with the metaverse, enabling students to push the boundaries of traditional architectural design. Through this exploration, students gain insights into how digital advancements can enhance and transform spatial experiences, fostering innovation and creativity in the architectural field.

Program

Design a large-scale virtual convention center that includes a large auditorium, exhibition space for trade shows, and various-sized meeting rooms for event/daily use and collaboration.

Manifesto: Embracing Generative AI in Architecture

In this unprecedented era of generative AI and spatial computing, architecture has transcended beyond its historical limitations of bricks, steel, and mortar. It has evolved into an expansive realm where computation, artificial intelligence, and human creativity converge to shape new dimensions of space, both physical and virtual. This manifesto serves as a call to arms for architects, designers, and creators to embrace this transformative potential, pushing the boundaries of what architecture can be in a world defined by digital revolution.

Architecture is no longer a static entity. It is dynamic, fluid, and capable of adapting to the complexities of the modern world. Generative AI empowers us to reimagine the design process, enabling the creation of spaces that respond, learn, and evolve with their users. AI is not merely a tool; it is a collaborator—infusing intelligence into the heart of design, guiding form, function, and experience in ways that were once unimaginable.

In this new era, physical spaces no longer exist in isolation. They extend into the virtual, into the metaverse, where architecture is redefined as an experience rather than a mere structure. The integration of AI-driven generative systems allows for the seamless blending of these realms, giving rise to environments that are immersive, interactive, and deeply connected to the human condition. Architecture becomes a platform for communication, collaboration, and creativity—transcending time, space, and materiality.

This manifesto invites students, designers, and visionaries to harness the power of AI in the design process. Together, we will forge virtual and hybrid spaces that inspire, connect, and elevate the human experience. We will create architecture that is inclusive, responsive, and capable of transforming the way we interact with space and with each other. In doing so, we position architecture at the forefront of society’s digital transformation, ensuring that it remains not only relevant but essential to our collective future.

Generative AI is not just the future of architecture—it is the present. It is a movement, a paradigm shift that empowers us to craft spaces that are as intelligent as they are beautiful. Let us embrace this moment and seize the opportunity to redefine the built environment, both real and virtual, for generations to come.

Student projects