Data management, computational thinking, and algorithmic design are some of the knowledge and skills currently shaping the profession.
Architecture is a discipline that has always been in constant evolution, adapting to social, cultural, technological, and environmental changes. Just as CAD programs began to replace drafting boards in architects' and engineers' offices in the mid-1980s, today, almost forty years later, we find ourselves in the midst of a new paradigm characterized by the integration of digital technology in all phases of the design, construction, and building management processes: Architecture 4.0.
This means that we no longer work from a 2D design and planning process with digital support but rather utilize a fully digital and 3D process flow, capitalizing on a set of technologies that make construction projects more profitable, safer, and more efficient.
It also implies that the Architect 4.0 must be in continuous training and develop a set of essential skills to fully harness the possibilities offered by digital technology.
Beyond software tools, which are of course very important for efficient work, it’s crucial for the Architect 4.0 to develop a set of basic skills and knowledge related to data management, computational thinking, and algorithmic design. They should be an inter-operator, with the ability to navigate both digital and data environments in a hybrid way, combining creative capabilities in aesthetic, geometric, and numerical fields.
Here, we delve into some of these points.
The Architect 4.0 must be able to conceive and develop architectural projects that meet users' needs and expectations, as well as respond to the challenges and opportunities of the context. To do so, they must have a holistic and systemic design vision that integrates functional, aesthetic, structural, energy, environmental, and social aspects.
The Architect 4.0 must know how to use programming and data analysis to generate, process, visualize, and communicate relevant information for architectural design. This way, they can leverage the potential of artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and augmented reality to create customized, efficient, and adaptive solutions.
The Architect 4.0 must master the use of various digital tools that allow them to model, simulate, evaluate, and document their architectural projects. Additionally, they must be able to integrate and coordinate these tools with each other and with other parties involved in the design, construction, and building management processes by using open standards and collaborative platforms.
The Architect 4.0 must have competitive knowledge of computational geometry, a discipline that studies the properties and operations of geometric shapes through computer algorithms. This way, they can generate complex and organic forms that adapt to environmental conditions and user preferences.
The Architect 4.0 must develop algorithmic thinking, which is the ability to solve problems through a series of logical and ordered steps that can be expressed using a computer language. This allows them to automate and optimize design, construction, and building management processes.
The Architect 4.0 must know how to create algorithms that generate architectural solutions based on predefined criteria or random variables. This way, they can explore multiple possibilities and choose the most suitable one based on the project’s objectives and constraints.
The Architect 4.0 must be able to model architecture in different dimensions that reflect its functional, volumetric, temporal, and digital characteristics. This allows them to represent and analyze the behavior and performance of buildings in various scenarios and conditions.
The Architect 4.0 must be able to produce architectures through algorithms that run in real-time or delayed, adapting to changes in the environment and users. This way, they can create intelligent, interactive, and dynamic buildings that enhance people's experiences and well-being.
The Architect 4.0 must have advanced knowledge of computational interaction, which is the discipline that studies communication between people and computer systems. This allows them to design interfaces and devices that facilitate the use and control of digital buildings, as well as user participation and collaboration.
These are some of the most important skills that an Architect 4.0 must possess, though not the only ones. It is crucial to cultivate a versatile, creative, and critical professional profile that is in constant learning and updating, with a proactive and responsible attitude towards the challenges and opportunities presented by Architecture 4.0 (which are not few).
At Echeverrimontes, we work daily to stay at the forefront of these challenges because, as we always say, innovation happens when new ideas are generated and implemented at the intersection of new business opportunities.