Experience and Theory in Architectural Design: Digital Chain Case

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to research the impact to emerging theory based on the relation between architect and his work in digital approach of the process of design and realization by the principle of Digital Chain. Digital Chain is an uninterruptible digital process consisting of design (idea, coding, geometry finding), through construction (structure, junction, prototyping) to production (fabrication) with every step as programmed entity connected by CAAD/CAM technology universal interfaces. The term Digital Chain is defined and researched (theoretically, experimentally and practically) by CAAD Chair at ETHZ within research projects of this institute. Digital Chain is not a continuous one without the role and position of architect as fluid energy and expert that investigates how digital technology is changing, i.e. entire process of chain, simultaneously adapting to it. In that sense architecture appears as an open work (Umberto Eco) without final definitions and in a constant process of information motion as the main components of the architectural product caused by the demands of context, function, form and the user input. Testing of design code through changes of parameters in iterations, as well as checks in prototype on the next level, makes the theoretical playground between experiment and experience, through education and expertise. It is an example that the interest for the process (performance) was larger than for the representation (appearance) what Deleuze and Guattari call supremacy of the "Gothic spirit" over the "spirit of Romanesque" or "classical spirit", where Gothic deals with the generation of the Gothic architecture by understanding the forces, trends and behavior of the material from the bottom to up, but, contrary to the classic generation that deals with imposing of visual aspects such as the proportion of top-down. This paper considers experience i.e. posteriori knowledge as the main driver of the emerging theory of the Digital Chain.