Decoding the 'Artificial' Epoch: “Embracing Speculative Architectural-Design Methodologies in the era of AI by addressing the Computational Continuum”

Abstract

In the contemporary epoch marked by paradigm shifts, as articulated by Saggio in "The IT Revolution in Architecture" (Saggio, 2013), our world is enmeshed in a tapestry of evolving architectural ideologies. The current correlative relationship between those, are blurred superimpositions of influential waves which define a multi-dimensional complexity which resembles a simplified fragrance of the quantum state. The integration of AI into architecture marks a seismic shift, challenging the very narrative that has historically defined architectural discourse. As AI methodologies continue to unfold, they introduce a paradoxical dynamic, redefining conventional perspectives and prompting a reexamination of architectural legacies. The roots of speculative design, deeply embedded in avant-garde movements of yore, now intersect intriguingly with the emergence of AI. Speculation, an inherent aspect of architectural exploration, discovers resonance in the iterative and generative capacities of AI methodologies. These technologies, acting as speculative agents themselves, transcend conventional design constraints, engendering a novel dialogue between human creativity and computational ingenuity. This unfolding narrative opens up new dimensions within the ever-evolving saga of architectural expression by reading and defining this dynamic tension, simultaneously challenging and aligning with tradition, propelling the discipline into unexplored territories that also embrace individualities. Within this metamorphic landscape, this research will try to articulate the correlation of generative design thinking in approaching AI generative methodologies in addressing new architectural design processes; precipitated as an emergence in the ever-evolving Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. This study lays a foundation for understanding AI's role in architecture but also points to significant areas for further inquiry.