Digital decay

Abstract

We now live in a world where architecture is produced through arrays of pixels and this remains as the representation rather than the reality of buildings inevitably ageing their physical forms. So if architecture is kept in this digitally frozen state, then how does architectural form age over time? It glitches. A glitch is defined as a sudden malfunction or fault. Digital decay is not the wear of a tangible material but decomposition of this binary code. We are constantly updating our digital systems with little understanding of the effects on how the data can continue to be read. Files are not resilient to our constant digital updates. We can look to digital forensics and digital cultural preservation or we can embrace glitches as the opportunity for appreciating digital aesthetics. While we find beauty in age within the physical world where it is seen as poetic and nostalgic, our reactions to digital decay are that of anxiety. This paper presents a methodology that interprets the inevitable decay of digital processes involved in architectural design. Employing a data driven process of experimental computational design, we are advancing a type of digital decay, i.e. glitch, from its non-graphical and 2D image representations into meaningful 3D architectural interpretation. We are particularly interested in how the effects of glitch can be instrumental to generating 3D spaces that rectify digital authenticity responsive to adaptation to digital workflows.