scenario architecture
to operate architecturally in a realm much deeper than forms, styles and trends. The core of our inspiration is a pure fascination with the archetypes of dwelling; elusive, organic, beautiful and intangible.
How do you see the architec- ture industry changing over the next 10 years? What is in store in Scenario’s future?
We believe that future architectural design processes will incorporate ¬analytic user simulations, that is to say, ‘habitation scenarios’. These are the missing link in the virtual environment we currently operate in. Architects today increasingly accept both environmental and structural considerations as genera- tive and form-defining forces; the same will be true for simulated habitation scenarios, which will take architecture to a whole new level. However, the necessary digi- tal tools are not yet available; Scenario would like to see itself at the forefront of this change. Our in-house research developed whilst we were working on resi- dential projects, and as a result created a method that we are now eager to test on larger scale proj- ects. We believe this method has a specific potential for the hotel / re-
sort industry as this sector incorporates dwelling aspects in a particular way.
As an architect, how do you manipulate light and space successfully, considering space restrictions?
Light and space as ‘stand alone’ concepts are meaningless for us. We never ask questions about light and space separately from the users and their habitation patterns. For Scenario, light and space manipulations are always a result of specific habitational needs. If one likes to have his coffee in the morning while enjoying sunlight we will create an opening to allow that. Spatial gestures like the Focal Shift fireplace (http://scenarioarchi-
tecture.com/project/focal-shift) are a manipulation of space designed to achieve distinction between kitchen and sitting areas in an open plan Victorian terrace. Again the habitational need preceded the spatial manipulation.
How have clients responded to your 3D consultation service? Is it a benefit to both client and architect?
Our design process is user orient- ed; this means that our clients have greater and unique involve-
ment throughout the process. Our clients see 3D virtual versions of themselves performing their daily activities, and depicting the way they would like to see them- selves using the proposed design. This process inevitably brings about basic questions of lifestyle, and sometimes deeper questions and expectations clients have from architecture and the changes it may bring about. From the architect’s point of view this process is also unusual and extremely challenging; the traditional role as an independent creator shifts towards a closer and more interactive relationship with clients. Working within this process we sometimes feel closer in approach to psychologists, sociologists and engineers.
Tell us about your new software development technology. What are the main advantages of this new 3D experience? Background
Scenario’s unique design process, combined with the absence of suitable software called for devel- opment of new digital tools. Seeing this opportunity, the studio embarked on a three year research project (2006-2009), developing
an analytic digital design platform where designers can create, visual- ize and evaluate environmental and living scenarios.
Main Advantages
- Ability to experience and evaluate space virtually alongside clients by simulating everyday use of proposed schemes. - Ability to incorporate human and environmental aspects early in the design process. - Facilitation for rapid design-analysis feedback loops, by integrating seamlessly flexible design and analysis within a wide platform.
Status
Keeping to our natural role as end users for architectural soft- ware, we have developed detailed requirements and a full system analysis for the project. We are currently in the process of identifying suitable software development companies to take on the actual programming and marketing of the application. Scenario’s method for
architectural user simulation and user-oriented environmental analy- sis is currently US patent pending.
www.scenarioarchitecture.com
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