Speakers of the "Architecture of the Future" conference are professionals actively working with innovative BIM, 3D technologies, developing parametric architecture and adhering to sustainable development technologies. And these are precisely the specialists for whom the future in architecture has already begun today.
Riad Zhuka, curator of Architecture of the Future
Riad Zhuka
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: As the curator of this event, what were the criteria for selecting speakers for such a large-scale event?
R. Zh.: We did it together with the organizers from the Ukrainian team. The main idea was to invite speakers-practitioners and researchers. I am grateful to the rest of the team - they did an excellent job, I chose real professionals representing Ukraine.
PM: And how did you choose the main topics for each of the panels?
R. Zh.: These are general topics, in the framework of which questions are most often raised, which are important for the design of modern buildings. No less important, for example, competition in design, robotics, 3D printing, virtual and existing reality, as well as modeling information about buildings. All this is necessary so that when creating a three-dimensional model of the structure, we saw that every parameter and indicator was taken into account. Also especially important is the panel dedicated to sustainable architecture. After all, today humanity is faced with many problems, including global warming and issues of rational consumption of resources. And the architect needs to understand how to respond to such challenges of time.
I do not think that artificial intelligence will replace a person in this creative profession. Because we have the ability to choose based on our taste
PM: How do you think these topics will develop in the future?
R. Zh.: I am sure that everything that the speakers talked about at the conference will become our reality. For example, BIM-modelling, when the process is completely under your control — from the idea to the complete construction, reproduced in digital form. And this is a kind of trend, exactly the same as the CAD trend used to be. My parents are architects, and I remember when in the early 90s, when I was still a child and visited their office, there were drawing boards everywhere (laughs). And now the same spaces are filled with computers, and such changes have occurred literally in 10 years! And who knows, perhaps in the next 10 years, construction built with the help of robots will also become the norm, or implemented BIM technologies will become something commonplace.
Riad Zhuka, the main host of the event, created a dialogue between the speakers and the audience
PM: Will progress leave people without jobs? Perhaps, over time, such a profession as an architect will cease to exist due to the fact that everything will be created by machines?
R. Zh.: I don't think so, at least not in the near future. I am sure that artificial intelligence will not replace a person in this creative profession. Because we, unlike artificial intelligence, have the ability to choose based on our taste, depending on the context and what is more appropriate in a particular case, as well as taking into account social and cultural aspects. And all this is very difficult to calculate. Therefore, the answer is obvious: we will remain in the profession.
Vitaliy Boyko, founder of Urban Experts architectural bureau
Vitaly Boyko
For Vitaly Boyko, the use of the latest technologies in design is mandatory, and these standards, used by architects around the world, must also be Ukrainian norms.
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: In your lecture, you talked about the future of Kyiv. Is this a personal question for you?
V. B.: I have lived in Kyiv for 20 years. I have three children, two of whom live in Kyiv, as do my wife and parents. I love this city very much and I am not going to leave. I want him to get better.
When I talk about the potential of Kyiv, my ambitions hinder me: for a long time I was a co-owner of a Ukrainian consulting company that worked in tough competition with many international organizations existing in the Ukrainian market. I had to fight all the time and prove that Ukrainians are not backward in their development and can provide professional and quality services at the international level. These ambitions have left their mark - I constantly want to prove that Kyiv can create something unique!
BIM technology, which works in 6D mode, is still the future for us. Today, we are at the level of mastering 3D technology
PM: Didn't it seem to you that the foreign speakers were surprised by the situation in our country - with a huge resource, the presence of talented people and the desire to live in the best conditions, we do not have so many interesting objects?
V. B.: I can't judge the opinion of the speakers, but we work with foreign partners and they speak very well about Kyiv. Moreover, I myself had a much worse opinion of our capital until I started working with partners from all over the world. We have something to look forward to, and a huge number of foreign tourists is proof of that. Kyiv has its own "highlight". Yes, a huge blow to the reputation of the city remains unimproved territories, which we call Soviet construction, as well as industrial zones. Kyiv has lost some years in development, but it still has a chance to become a very beautiful city.
Urban Experts & Leslie Jones Architecture office project for Wembley City recreation area, London
PM: What is your attitude to the use of innovative technologies that were presented at the conference?
V. B.: BIM technology, which works in 6D mode, is still the future for us. Today, we are only at the level of mastering 3D technology. Three-dimensional design is mandatory, for example, in Saudi Arabia and the European Union. BIM design works in Belarus, and, in principle, it is already a mass technology in the world, there is no alternative to it. This is how to switch from Kulmanov to AutoCAD. In Ukraine, many specialists are already working with these technologies. In our architectural bureau, all employees master innovations, but there are other difficulties that are not related to programs. The fact is that many different specialists work in this system and there are problems with designers. There are not so many of them. Engineers are already easier, but designers are a rare and difficult profession. It is difficult to assemble a team of high-level professionals, each of whom would have extensive experience working with 3D technologies.
Three-dimensional design is mandatory, for example, in Saudi Arabia and the European Union. BIM design works in Belarus and, in principle, it is already a very popular technology in the world, there is no alternative to it
I think that in a couple of years, when the use of these technologies will become standard, we will get more specialists and the problem will be solved. But I want to say that the quality of the work of our specialists is no worse than that of the British, for example. Of course, from the point of view of the conceptual part and creativity, there is still a lag, since our British colleagues have international experience. But in terms of details, the Ukrainian architect is no worse than the British one. The only issue is that we are cheaper. And our office has the opportunity to offer British quality at Ukrainian prices.
In the concept of a business-class residential complex, architects Urban Experts & Leslie Jones Architecture implemented the idea of "a city within a city". A project of a self-sufficient district with well-thought-out infrastructure and comfortable conditions for both car drivers and pedestrians has been developed
R.M.: We are talking about tomorrow's day of architecture, but tell me - how would you rate the level of training of students, future specialists, who came to listen to lectures at the conference?
V. B.: I didn't get a very good look at those present in the hall, but I am constantly invited to the Steel Freedom student architecture competition - I like these kids very much. I walk and "lick" myself, looking at their projects. Experienced architects, including my employees, who have the opportunity to communicate with international partners, cannot always create such bold projects, they do not have such a thirst for knowledge. These students are a completely new generation that will have no boundaries and "weights on their feet" in the form of the post-Soviet past. I always want to get them in my company. I can say for sure that they are the future of architecture.
Khalid Elashry, architectural bureau Foster + Partners, Great Britain
Khalid Elashry
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: You actively cooperate with the world scientific community. Does this practice bring results?
H. E.: We cooperate with many universities around the world - they are located both in Europe and the USA. Such collaborations give rise to new ideas in which we are initially interested. Scientists investigate some nuances for us, so we try to maintain ties with most of the world's research communities and bring innovations to our architecture. The fact is that architectural research can also concern robotics, artificial intelligence, and other similar topics.
An architect must constantly take into account the needs of people and evolve, because architecture is not a constant
PM: In your opinion, will the architecture of the future be easier for architects or for people?
H. E.: I think it will become more utilitarian, and it will be a kind of dialogue about human needs. Undoubtedly, the design and implementation of such an architecture is not an easy task, but the key will be the needs of its users, which will be significantly different from the current ones. An architect must constantly take into account the needs of people and evolve, because the embodiment of his work is not a constant that simply exists for hundreds of years with an unchanged function. It is constantly changing, and the task of specialists is to develop complex approaches that provide for all aspects for the long life cycle of the building. This is not technical work to create something that will be left to fate. And in this case, you will get an interesting, attractive building, the inhabitants of which will be happy.
Courtyard in a renovated Parisian building of the XNUMXth century. for Apple Champs-Elysees by Foster + Partners
Federico Rossi, Director of Digital Architecture Robotic Lab, UK
Federico Rossi
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: What is your presentation about?
F.R.: I talked about robotics and how to use machines to create a sufficiently flexible design in architectural visualizations. Naturally, not without human creativity! And he tried to emphasize that machines do not limit us, but on the contrary, they help.
PM: Do you think that in the future machines will be able to create architecture independently?
F.R.: To be honest, I do not foresee such a scenario, because the machines that we use now, and what will appear in the next 5-10 years, will greatly depend on the person. If we imagine an ideal world where machines work autonomously, then, most likely, it will be the world of cinema.
The Digital Architectural Robotics Laboratory (DARLab) is a research platform that promotes experimental and interdisciplinary collaboration between students, industry partners and researchers
And in fact, the information model of BIM design can assume such a development scenario. Specialists want to anticipate every detail for any phase of construction, creating a unique time simulation. By the way, everything that exists now came to us from the 70s, and over these 40 years, the machines have proven their effectiveness. True, they still work according to the same logic as originally. Therefore, I think, soon there will be a significant breakthrough in digital technologies.
PM: So people will always exist in this profession?
F.R.: Yes, I am sure of it. It is incredibly difficult to predict any minor failure in the building construction process. There are many nuances and subtleties that only a human can handle.
If we imagine an ideal world where machines work autonomously, then, most likely, it will be the world of cinema
PM: In your opinion, how will all this affect architecture in the future?
F.R.: It will affect both the good and the bad side. If we consider the positive aspects of such processes, it is worth noting that all this should optimize our activity. We will immediately have basic parametric information about the construction site, location, weather, construction materials, cost of labor, delivery and many other aspects that form the price. But at the same time, all this will "press" on architecture and imply a limitation of the language of architectural expressiveness. Also, there is a risk that some practical tasks will be able to increase the need to follow only because the specialist is offered certain software.
Alexander Kucheryavy, architect, founder of Active House Academy
Alexander Kucheryavy
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: We are glad that you are with us at this conference. What is your lecture topic?
A.K.: "Sustainism. How to start right now?".
PM: And how?
A.K.: You just need to start. I'll tell you how it turned out for me: a Belarusian who came to Kyiv built a house in two years that was recognized by Europe. The project fully meets the requirements of sustainable development. If it worked for me, then, dear colleagues, what is stopping you? And I am ready to share this experience.
PM: Maybe you just got lucky?
A.K.: What happened once is not a fact that it will happen again. But if it happened twice, it is already a trend. I built the first such house in Belarus, it has already passed the 5th heating season, and all indicators of living comfort, energy saving and environmental friendliness coincide with my design calculations.
We, architects, must remember that we build for people — with the minimum expenditure of any resources and the maximum effect
PM: Why didn't you continue to build active homes in Belarus?
A.K.: The question is the cost of gas — it is five times cheaper there. I am engaged in energy-efficient architecture, and Rodine still does not need such projects. For now... In Ukraine, I don't need to explain to the client why he needs a heat pump, 30 cm insulation and ventilation with recuperation — this is the basic project package. But colleagues in Belarus are also making progress in this direction, however, in Ukrainian realities, I am more in demand.
PM: Your opinion: behind the future of architecture?
A.K.: For sustainable development. By preserving opportunities for future generations to satisfy their needs as we do today. The problem is that there may not be future generations. We, architects, must remember that we build for people — with the minimum expenditure of any resources and the maximum effect. Do more with less is the main slogan of the Sustainism era. Minimum costs — maximum efficiency. And this era has already come to an end. With their goals, values and problems that need to be solved.
The concept of sustainable development should be applied when planning various objects
PM: You presented the concept of an active home at the conference. Is this your vision of maximum economy and efficiency?
A.K.: Yes, when designing, I use an international rating system that takes into account 9 parameters in the field of living comfort, energy saving and impact on the environment. In half an hour of communication with a client or colleagues, it becomes clear where and even how we will move. The task of an active home is to provide a person with a long and happy life, to generate more energy than was spent on its creation and operation, thereby returning to nature the "credit" that we took at the very beginning.
Do more with less is the main slogan of the SUSTAINISM era
PM: Do you feel changes in the mentality of Ukrainians — are we already beginning to understand the advantages of active homes?
A.K.: Changes have occurred, but so far only in terms of using new energy-saving technologies. But we need to change more actively and right now. Otherwise what? Right. We will all die. Just kidding But surely someone will be left without a job. A comprehensive approach is needed, where goals and means of their achievement are clearly understood.
OptimaHouse is the first serial energy-efficient house for Ukraine, created on the basis of the European concepts "Multi-comfort house" and "Active house", specially adapted for the Ukrainian market
PM: Today, we observe how our urban canvas is formed - it is most often a chaotic and uncoordinated construction of green zones. Do you think this approach will change in the future?
A.K.: Globalization is inevitable, and sooner or later we will come to parametric analysis. That is, we will sit down and calculate that if a certain amount of greenery is not planted in Kyiv, then everyone will begin to suffer from certain diseases with a certain frequency. Such statistics are already appearing, and I share them with myself on Facebook. I constantly publish data on pollution in Europe. In fact, the situation is monstrous. We exhausted the resource of one and a half planets, took away the ego from future generations. It's time for us, architects, on whom the future depends, to stop thinking about our ego, about our "I see it this way" and narrow context - we must think about the person. About how today he can live in a building longer and be healthier, while spending minimal resources.
The architects of the future must take care of people and the environment first of all. Such architects are very much needed today. Otherwise? You know what will happen.
Jan Nikker, partner MVRDV, Holland
Jan Nicker
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: In your report, you talk about the concept of sustainable development. How does it affect the architecture of the future?
Y. N.: I think that nowadays the concept of sustainable development has turned into a separate category, because people are getting more and more warned about nature and the environment. There is a high probability that the climate will change dramatically, cities will become uninhabitable, and some, such as Miami, will cease to exist altogether. And the construction industry bears about 30% of the responsibility for the negative impact on the climate. Therefore, I think architects should understand this and be responsible for their decisions: we should create something better, be professionals who solve these problems, instead of thinking locally and creating buildings that will harm the planet. Why go far: the building in which we are now (Design Arena. — Editor's note) — yes, it is nice, but it absorbs colossal resources and emits a lot of heat. In the future, we must learn to solve such problems, using renewable energy and natural materials, creating cities that do not harm the environment.
Cities should be green, friendly to people and, most importantly, not polluted
PM: What is the MVRDV office doing to solve these problems today?
Y. N.: We just recently opened a department responsible for sustainability. So we will no longer engage in similar projects from case to case, and each of our objects will be developed taking into account sustainable aspects. In addition, most of our buildings are marked with energy efficiency certificates. But we don't stop there either - we take on large-scale urban projects in which we try to encourage people to use private cars less and use regular public transport more widely. Such an approach makes the city more comfortable for pedestrians, as well as more environmentally friendly.
PM: We have certain problems with this. Tell me how you in Holland encourage people to use less cars?
Y. N.: First of all, we have an excellent topography - Holland is absolutely flat, and therefore bicycles are popular here. About 30% of them are used as vehicles. But our authorities believe that this is not enough and are doing everything to make even more people switch to bicycles. In addition, 70-80% of cars travel absolutely insignificant distances - up to 5 km, which is quite possible to do on a bicycle. But, of course, the Dutch really love and value comfort, and the architect's task here is to make it difficult for drivers to follow the path they follow. We reduce the number of parking lots, make their way less convenient — for example, you will have to walk about 2 km from the house to the public parking lot along the pedestrian zone behind your car. And while you're doing it, you'll think: maybe it's worth removing cars from cities altogether?
Futuristic Binhai Library from the Dutch bureau MVRDV in the Chinese city of Tianjin
PM: This is a kind of Ecological Thinking. Do you have already implemented district projects, or perhaps you applied similar eco-principles to city master plans?
Y. N.: Yes of course. Some time ago, French President Nicolas Sarkozy invited our office to participate in a climate conference in Paris, the goal of which was to transform the French capital into a "post-Kyoto" type city - more socially comfortable and sustainable. Since then, we have been working with similar projects, including with the new Paris municipality, which is very committed to the idea of creating a sustainable and comfortable city. And our main advice for local authorities sounded like "try to keep the size of the city within reasonable limits." That is, use the maximum amount of space within the existing canvas, densify neighborhoods, build more social houses, on the roofs of which provide landscaping and small areas with plants. So you can reduce traffic congestion and return nature to the garden, as well as not use the land around the perimeter intended for agricultural work.
We undertake large-scale urban projects in which we try to encourage people to use private cars less
PM: Have you already seen Kyiv?
Y. N.: A little. It is worth noting: it is good that you are building many residential complexes that are high enough and provide a fairly dense development. I think your building density is only slightly different from high-quality and really good. I came across only a few towers in Kyiv that raise questions - buildings that resemble cages for rabbits. I am sure that such complexes must be surrounded by a high-quality and comfortable environment, attractive, human-friendly, green and friendly.
PM: Oh, great recommendations for our architects!
Y. N.: (Laughs) Rather, for the city as a whole, because a specific architect is unlikely to have any noticeable influence on such things. But the city authorities have this opportunity and are obliged to regulate similar aspects in the urban fabric. They should have a clear vector of policy development and a vision of how everything should be. Because cities must be green, friendly to people, and most importantly, not polluted. And if the government adopts such a position, people will support it and work in this direction.
PM: What will MVRDV build in 10 years? Let's fantasize.
Y. N.: I hope that we will begin to build real vertical cities, where in one building there will be a whole complex that includes the surroundings of the entire district - a park, a school, entertainment, offices, housing. There will be real parks where you can walk your dog, however, on the 20th floor. And maybe there will be "country houses" in these full-fledged parks. In a word, a full-fledged city. We are already working on such projects, which, perhaps, in 5-10 years will become absolutely real.
Harry Ibbs, Head of BIM, Zaha Hadid Architects office, UK
Harry Ibbs
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: How will BIM technologies develop in the future and how will this affect architecture?
G. I.: In my panel, I talked about BIM design and technologies that allow to reduce the cost and shorten the design time. I think it will become a full-fledged part of architecture. Today, we are at the beginning of the path, when something new is trying to displace the use of traditional technologies. And we see how digitalization is spreading in all spheres - legal, financial, medical and industrial. We see how it complements all previously existing processes.
Cars will give us the opportunity to free up more time and spend it wisely
PM: By the way, have you ever thought about the fact that the objects created by Zaha Hadid represent a completely new style? Like modernism in the XNUMXth century. Have you ever thought about such a definition as "zakhaism"?
G. I.: We have a unique project practice. Zaha Hadid's path is different from any other, and now we have her legacy, which was relevant before, is relevant now and will be the same tomorrow. As for the new definition, you'd better ask Patrick Schumacher about it (he smiles).
Zaha Hadid Architects has won a design competition for a bridge over the Danshui River in Taipei, Taiwan
PM: What do you think will happen in the field of architecture in the future?
G. I.: I do not think that architecture will solve any global problems in the future - there are other ways to do this, for example, negotiations between leaders. I rather lean towards Zaha's opinion. She watched what was happening in the aircraft industry, in the automotive industry, what the industry was doing - for the last 30 years, digital technologies have been used everywhere. Therefore, we have someone to learn from, track progress, evaluate mistakes and successes. And this is much better than sitting in isolation exclusively in your field and trying to reinvent the wheel. We must observe, learn from experience, analyze and be influenced.
I believe that BIM design will become a full-fledged part of architecture
PM: BIM specialists and designers — who learns from whom?
G. I.: I do not consider digitalism as design and leave this stage of design to designers. My job is to help architects transform our reality into a digital one. But in fact, it is very interesting to watch how exactly they do it, and translate their expressive techniques into the language of architecture and construction.
Zaha Hadid's architecture is a fine line between modernity and the future
PM: Do you think that eventually programs and machines will be able to displace humans from the profession?
G. I.: No. I think that such an assumption applies to human fears. We are just afraid of it. In fact, machines will give us the opportunity to free up more time and spend it wisely. And I am sure that a number of new industrial companies will be formed and we will start creating better projects and cities that will be many times better than the existing ones. And there is no way that pressing a button will displace a person from the profession, but rather on the contrary — it automates real and real tasks and iterations of certain actions. And this is not even the future - everything is already happening right now. We must learn to share our experience with the world, to communicate, to create collaborations. For some reason, they cause fear not only among architects, but also among ordinary people - it's a pity!
BIM design allows you to see not only the visualization of the future object, but also to assess possible problems
PM: Do you see the future in multi-collaboration?
G. I.: Yes. Look at the technologies - they are now super-developed in many ways thanks to the interaction of different specialists. Whole technological hubs exist — and this is precisely what we must come to.
Thanks to modern technologies, the architect has full control over all processes
Zbigniev Chaevsky, partner of BuroHappold Engineering, Germany
Zbygnev Chaevsky
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: What is the topic of your report?
Z. Ch.: At the conference, I spoke about the positive impact of cultural projects on the urban environment. And he touched on this topic in the block of presentations devoted to urban development, life, work, the balance between residential and commercial spaces — the cultural aspect is very important in all cases.
Due to the lack of strategic planning in Ukraine, you can lose the very opportunity to form a quality urban environment
PM: How will similar studies affect architecture in the future?
Z. Ch.: Cultural projects are fundamentally different from commercial ones. They do not directly bring money to the developer and are aimed at achieving a completely different result. Quite often they form a new base or platform, a new destination, and that is how they influence changes in urban planning. They also encourage society to be creative, developing it — and these are values that are difficult to achieve with the help of direct financial infusions. And in the long term, such things are very important for society. This should not be forgotten.
The new scientific and technical complex will be an important addition to Harvard, a project of BuroHappold Engineering.
Image source: Benhnish Architekten
PM: Do you think developers pursuing commercial goals will use cultural projects in their interests?
Z. Ch.: I just demonstrated several slides with pictures of territories that have completely changed thanks to such projects. Often, such an approach becomes a trigger for changes in the surrounding development, raising the value of the land price, improving the infrastructure, making the area more attractive. This is not a question of exclusively residential complexes or offices and the emergence of zones around them for pleasant pastime. Rather, it is about creating a "destination", a space where people will feel happy and that can inspire them.
People need much more global perspectives than planning for a couple of years ahead
Such an approach can be supported by the construction of a cultural institution, several point entertainment locations - this will turn the space into a kind of attraction zone for many people. If the developers considered the projects from this point of view, then together with the city authorities, they could create places where the majority of citizens would like to spend their free time. And after that, new opportunities for the implementation of commercial development will open up.
PM: Recently, a lecture by Daniel Campo was held in Kyiv, where he talked about similar cases, such as Detroit and other post-industrial American cities. How do the authorities in your country view such projects? In Ukraine, their grassroots revitalization is difficult, because all territories are recognized as someone's private property.
Z. Ch.: Excellent question. I remember when the active construction of Warsaw began. And there were several developers who built exclusively on their own plots of land. At the same time, an approved general plan was in effect in Warsaw, and the city authorities planned a course of sustainable development of the city — they understood that they might face an infrastructural problem when hundreds of residential buildings will be built in one place and there will not be, for example, a single school. Yes, the apartments can be comfortable, with impressive views from the windows, but how will the view from the window correct the problem of the lack of services necessary for a person to fully exist in the urban environment? And what's more, if there is a complete lack of strategic planning in Ukraine, you may lose the very opportunity to form a quality environment. I remember that in Warsaw there was an acute problem of ill-conceived construction, incorrect investment and illogical planning, but the authorities solved these problems in time. Today, cultural zones are recognized as very important and occupy their place in the urban landscape. I sincerely wish that Kyiv would follow the same path and adopt this experience. We realized our mistakes and would not like anyone to repeat them. I really liked Kyiv - you have an expressive topography, an incredibly picturesque river. Many more parallels can be drawn with Warsaw. You have a powerful potential and you must use it! It is only necessary to rethink the situation, despite the fact that from a political point of view, everything seems very complicated - I am sure, in time you will succeed! People need more global perspectives than planning for a couple of years ahead.
BuroHappold Engineering joined the ELEPHANT PARK design team in London to develop permanent and intermediate park areas. ELEPHANT PARK, London
Text: Yulia Shemyakova
