The Future of Retail Will Be Self-Driving
What better way of celebrating the modern advancements in science and technology than through architecture? And what better companies to push forward futuristic architecture of the 21st century than Orproject and Architectural Technology Laboratorial Venture (ATLV).
Designed specifically for the offices of IT company Baishan in Beijing, Orproject and ATLV collaborated on a project called Naizoshoku and Gaizoshoku which are based on algorithmic simulations of cellular growth processes that are frequently found in nature.
“Similar to the growth of organisms which is based on cell division and cell differentiation, the installations have been computationally “grown” out of a small set of initial cells. Those initial cells start to divide and multiply. Larger cellular accumulations are formed according to intercellular behaviors and external forces which are acting on the system and which guide the geometry towards its final shape.”– Orproject
“We explored a range of geometric results and obtained the final ones which satisfy spatial, structural and cost constraints by controlling parameters of simulated cells and environmental conditions for the growth process.”– Satoru Sugihara
The Gaizoshoku installation is located in the lobby and was developed through marginal cell division along its edges, which then grows out of the reception desk, towards the ceiling, and then outwards into the lobby area. The Naizoshoku installation, however, is located in the café, which follows an internal proliferation of cells, causing the installation to bulge out and develop into a beautiful glowing ceiling structure.
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS
What makes architecture such as these so profound are in their intricate designs which are based on the scientific mechanisms of nature itself. Architecture of the past, while profound in their own merit, always failed to compliment nature. The two stood as opposing opposites, consistently clashing to win over the hearts and minds of the mass populace. As cities grew, nature seemed to shrink as a result. Not anymore. As companies like Orproject and ATLV continue to develop architecture that take direct inspiration from our natural surroundings, the closer we get to reestablishing a connection between the population and nature once more.
About the author
B.J. Murphy is the Editor and Social Media Manager of Serious Wonder. He is a futurist, philosopher, activist, author and poet. B.J. is an Affiliate Scholar for the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (IEET) and an Ambassador for the robotics company Humai.
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