SHoP Architects Reading

Notes while reading:
-"everything that's worth understanding about a complex system can be understood in terms of how it processes information"
-Versioning: Recent shift in way architects are using technology to expand the potential effects on design
-computer has enabled a rethinking of the design process in terms of procedure and outcome, in ways common practice cannot conceive of
-Vector>Pixel
-By not relying on a formal approach, the practice of versioning is capable of responding in a nonlinear manner to various influences
-Methods of disassembly and reuse can be built into the design process through versioning


General Thoughts:

I found this read a little repetitive to the reading last week but I certainly appreciate the overall theme in that technology is changing the process of design and creating new opportunities for designers to experiment with forms that we never may have been able to even think of before.  What I found particularly interesting was the discussion of highway design.  The different "pieces" to a highway reminded me in a sense of the ideal kit of parts that we think of in architectural design.  What amazed me was that highway designers take into account turn radiuses, etc to create an optimal flow of traffic.  I had never heard or thought of this before and is certainly interesting to parallel with the architectural design process.  We too can manipulate form and space to create optimal means of circulation, vistas, etc in design.  In relation to the new technologies, we can design new, nonlinear forms that may do a better job of this now than traditional forms have in the past.