Home » architecture, architecture island, jon brouchoud, keystone bouchard, reflexive architecture, virtual architecture

Gallery of Reflexive Architecture

15 August 2007 13 Comments

To expand on the idea of ‘Reflexive Architecture‘ in virtual environments, I’ve been experimenting with several installations that explore it’s potential. This video is a composite of several machinima pieces each describing a different installation in the gallery, such as Rippling Prims, Prim Decay, Sudden Space, Restless Spheres, Carvable Prims, Visible Traces, Moving Tiles, Interactive Glass, and The Cacoon. Some include sound as an integral part of the experience, which is best experienced first-hand (SLurl … subject to change).

In physical reality, architecture is a static and relatively motionless artifact. The occupant plays a passive role, observing but rarely impacting its composition. Winston Churchill’s statement, ‘We shape our buildings and afterwards, our buildings shape us,’ illustrates this point well.

In a virtual environment, the architecture is capable of transcending the limitations of static buildings, and become as fluid and dynamic as the communities of people they hope to serve.

The concept of Reflexive Architecture is only one of many branches of opportunity for a new language of virtual architecture to emerge, free from the habit of pure physical replication.

Many of these installations are the result of conversations, brainstorming sessions with Theory Shaw, Far Link’s post on ‘Swarm Architecture,’ Dancoyote Antonelli’s work, posts by Kliger on Metaverse Territories, and intense scripting collaboration with Fumon Kubo. Thanks!!!

These installations will be on display in the new Gallery of Reflexive Architecture on the new Architecture sim (SLurl …subject to change), and will be exhibited on Info Island by the artslib group in the Library Gallery, opening later this month (more details on this will be posted soon).

13 Comments »

  • myster Welles said:

    Very interesting and beautiful . I’ll try to go there one day.
    Myster Welles

    http://www.maviedavatar.com

  • gurdonark said:

    I am fascinated. An interesting project.

  • Linty said:

    very moving…very cool!

  • Open Source Scripts: Reflexive Virtual Architecture « The ARCH said:

    [...] here, in order to inspire others to continue developing this.   More about reflexive architecture HERE and HERE, machinima here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, [...]

  • Open Source Scripts: Reflexive Virtual Architecture « The ARCH said:

    [...] here, in order to inspire others to continue developing this. More about reflexive architecture HERE and HERE, machinima here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, [...]

  • Relee Baysklef said:

    That’s really nice, but do you have any problems with system overload? I mean, sensor functions and detect/chat prims can be pretty intensive on the large scale you’re using there.

  • keystonesl said:

    @ Relee: You never know where the boundary is until you cross it. ;-)

    Nevertheless, system overload hasn’t been a problem. Even under very high occupancy, visitors are able to have a good experience. The rippling prims installation slows down a bit when 15+ avatars are near it, but it still works.

    Predictably, the particle trail system does get a little ridiculous when dozens of people have been in the gallery within a few hours of each other. I’ve had to disable it under one rare circumstance – not because of lag, but because of the number of prims required to make the system work well.

    Besides, practical installations for the rest of the scripts probably wouldn’t need to be this comprehensive. They’re all together in one place for demonstration purposes in this gallery, but running just a few for a specific purpose will probably be more common, and definitely won’t be prohibitively lag-inducing under normal circumstances

  • Networked_Performance — Reflexive Architecture, Second Life Machinima said:

    [...] can read more on the SL architecture blog here, here, and here. A direct SLURL teleport to the installation is at this link. (While we’re at it, [...]

  • Emma said:

    DITULIO!! I’m at work- looking up information on scripting and architecture. Finally trying to get back into my thesis- but alas work is overwhelming. foudn this site! i didn’t know you did this! awesomeness. How you been?

  • CalArch said:

    Love the blog, if i may ask, what software are you using? how much does it cost? where do you get it? If it’s not a secret email me some details wouldya?

    thanks in advance!

  • keystonesl said:

    @CalArch – It’s an online virtual reality platform called ‘Second Life’ which is free to download, free to use. You can find it at http://www.secondlife.com Once you’re in, be sure to look up Architecture Islands, and send me an IM (Keystone Bouchard) – I’d be happy to show you around!

  • Virtual Architecture « ubiwar . conflict in n dimensions said:

    [...] Bouchard, Reflexive Architecture « [...]

  • Toward the Sentient City, Situated Technologies, Conflux Festival and more | The ARCH Network said:

    [...] Sentient City” pamphlet, published by Situated Technologies.   Drawing a parallel to “Reflexive Architecture,” Bettina says “So it IS possible in real life!”  This brings the concept full [...]

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