Crisis Modernity and Information Technology 

Introduction:

• This is the introductory session of a course exploring the paradigm shift brought by the IT revolution in architecture.

• The session is termed a "prolusion" as it outlines the philosophical and conceptual foundations of the course.

• The focus is on three interconnected themes: crisis, modernity, and information technology.

Understanding Modernity:

1. Three Interpretations of Modernity:

   • Chronological: Modernity as a historical period, beginning with events like Columbus’s discovery of America (1492) or the French Revolution (1789).

   • Positive Content: Modernity as synonymous with progress and innovation, often celebrated in modern architecture.

   • Crisis into Value: Modernity as a process that transforms crises into value, creating an "aesthetic of rupture and change." This definition, inspired by Bruno Zevi, underpins the course.

2. Modernity as Action:

   • Modernity requires actively confronting crises and generating new solutions, rather than retreating into past methods.

   • This transformative process often leads to significant changes in aesthetics, practices, and paradigms.

Examples of Crisis and Modernity:

1. Cinema:

   • The Leopard (Visconti): Contrasts an aristocratic family’s retreat into tradition with a young character’s embrace of revolutionary change, symbolized by his vibrant, dynamic behavior.

   • The Artist: Depicts an actor’s career collapse with the advent of sound in cinema. The crisis is resolved by inventing the musical genre, showcasing how adapting to change leads to innovation.

2. World War II and Computing:

   • The destruction of London during WWII led to the invention of the computer as a generic machine to decode German messages, demonstrating crisis-driven innovation.

Crisis and Architecture:

1. Historical Perspective:

   • Architectural crises arise from societal changes or new instruments of knowledge (e.g., theories or tools).

   • Example: The invention of perspective revolutionized architecture during the Renaissance. Gothic architecture became obsolete as perspective demanded a new system of rules, proportions, and aesthetics.

2. Information Technology as a Crisis:

   • IT represents a profound crisis for architecture, comparable to perspective or photography.

   • It is not merely a tool but an instrumentality that reshapes architectural theory, practice, and societal interactions.

Architectural Case Studies:

1. Bordeaux House (Rem Koolhaas):

   • Designed for a client with a disability, the house transforms the crisis of mobility into a design principle, featuring an elevator platform that integrates into the house’s structure.

2. Rural Studio (Samuel Mockbee):

   • In Alabama, this initiative addresses poverty through empathetic, community-based architectural projects.

   • Uses donated materials creatively, such as car windows for a chapel, blending innovation with social engagement.

Structure of the Course:

• Organized into eight cycles, each addressing a specific aspect of information technology and its impact on architecture:

  1. Raster and its influence on architectural thinking.

  2. Vector and 3D modeling.

  3. Workflows, databases, and open data.

  4. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and contemporary research.

• Each cycle combines theoretical knowledge with practical architectural examples.

Key Takeaways:

1. Crisis as Opportunity:

   • Crises serve as catalysts for innovation, driving the transformation of society, technology, and aesthetics.

   • Architects must engage with crises actively to generate meaningful change.

2. IT’s Role in Modernity:

   • Information technology is a transformative force, not just a tool, requiring architects to rethink design, construction, and societal impact.

3. Architectural Evolution:

   • From perspective to photography to IT, each technological shift has redefined architecture, demanding new paradigms and practices.

Conclusion:

• The prolusion establishes the framework for exploring how IT can address contemporary crises and reshape architectural practice.

• The next session will delve into the definition of information, laying the groundwork for understanding information technology’s role in modern architecture.