Author(s): Andrew Bako
The interplay between physical and digital realities has become a defining characteristic of contemporary architectural practice, a shift significantly accelerated by advancements in generative AI. Traditional disciplinary boundaries—between digital image and physical form—are increasingly blurred as these technologies facilitate new forms of creative expression. Architecture now operates within a fluid framework where physicality and virtuality are continuously intertwined, challenging conventional notions of space, form, and materiality. The integration of AI in design processes enables the rapid transformation between form and image, or between reality and its representation.To underscore the entanglement of physical and virtual realms in the age of artificial intelligence, this paper provides a theoretical framework that highlights the crucial role of time in this blurred definition. Drawing parallels between recursive narrative techniques in cinema and design iteration in contemporary architectural practice, these themes are explored through our recent exhibition, TRAIN YOURSELF, displayed at the Armstrong Gallery in the College of Architecture and Design at Kent State University. The exhibited objects, conceptualized as ‘Self-Referential Assemblies,’ investigate the intricate relationship between digital and physical realities, using AI to create a recursive feedback loop between object and image. Additionally, the exhibition aims to produce an immersive spatial atmosphere that blurs our perception of reality, shaped by our relationship with new technologies.This exploration is enriched by the philosophical insights of Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Paul Virilio, offering a conceptual framework for understanding how architectural and multimedia spaces evoke emotional and sensory responses based on our evolving understanding of the world. The design of TRAIN YOURSELF exemplifies how AI-driven, self-referential processes can bridge the digital and physical realms, reflecting the evolving nature of architectural practice in thepost digital era.
Volume Editors
ISBN
978-1-944214-49-4