Commentary

• Comments on Storing quantum information permanently

  Storing quantum information permanently – While rocking my son to sleep, I have been catching up on some reading and finely read this interesting article on quantum memory. The basic premise is that scientists have come up with a way to store information geometrically, in this case using a torus. Sound familiar to anyone… sounds like Architecture to me.

  Case in point, my finally grad studio was on formalizing knowledge geometrically to

  11.05.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster

• Comments on Parallax is a dizzying monochrome nightmare created by two people

  Parallax is a dizzying monochrome nightmare created by two people – Parallax is a new maze game where one travels through two overlapping dimensions with different geometry to find the exit to the maze. It is difficult to explain without watching the video, but the general concept is that one can see and travel through portals between the two dimensions on your way to finding the exit.

  To conceptualize multiple dimensions is a difficult task

  11.05.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster

• Comments on Lytro’s new light field camera lets you focus after you take a picture

  Lytro’s new light field camera lets you focus after you take a picture – An amazing new camera that captures “light fields” instead of 2D pictures. A light field includes depth of field and exposure information so it can be dynamically altered. In theory, one should be able to recreate the 3D objects projected through the field from the photo.

  The implications for Architectural Visualization are immense.  In its basic form, it would allow one

  10.22.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster

• Comments on Spec Writers Are Always in the Basement; A Case for Changing Specifications.

  Build Blog » Spec Writers Are Always in the Basement; A Case for Changing Specifications. – Build Blog’s perspective on specifications is definitely colored by the types of buildings they design and the process of engaging contractor’s that they choose as a design/build firm. There are definitely benefits to their approach and one that I find familiar in my recent experience in high end residential design.

  However as several of the comments bring up,

  07.04.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster

• Comments on Engineering atomic interfaces for new electronics

  Engineering atomic interfaces for new electronics – Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have been exploring the special behavior of electrons at the interface between two different materials. The oxide interfaces that they have been studying have electrons gases that behave more like liquids of vary viscosity depending on the materials used.

  It seems to me, that this is fertile ground for an architectural concept. The very idea of treating architectural space as

  02.20.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster

• Comments on The physics of coffee rings

  The physics of coffee rings – The physics behind coffee ring formation shows an interesting balance between ordered layers and amorphous diffusion. It seems like a promising concept to explore in Architecture where one needs to balance the much more ordered construction with the uncertainty and fluidity brought by the occupants.

  02.20.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster

• Comments on Scott Draves – Software Artist

  Scott Draves – Software Artist – Scott Draves is a digital artist who created fractal frames and electric sheep. His amazing work has been on the frontier of computational art for the last twenty years.

  01.09.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster

• Comments on Theoretical physics breakthrough: Generating matter and antimatter from the vacuum

  Theoretical physics breakthrough: Generating matter and antimatter from the vacuum – Space is never truly empty. Even a vacuum isn't pure absence. Scientists at the University of Michigan have proposed a theory where using a strong laster, once can generate additional particles from a vacuum. They are now working on ways to prove it experimentally, but the basic concept is mind incredible. A true void doesn't exist, all space is

  01.09.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster

• Comments on CHEAP — THE BI BLOG

  CHEAP — THE BI BLOG – As always, Bi Blog provides two different takes on their current post concerning the concept of CHEAP. While Jacob's half is poignant in how it describes the consequences of building cheaply even when it was with good intentions. Thom's thoughts on CHEAP, however, are more aspirational and thought provoking. Thom questions why contemporary Architecture seems fraught with expensive formal devices over the careful balancing material

  01.09.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster

• Comments on AD Classics: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library / Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill | ArchDaily

  AD Classics: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library / Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill | ArchDaily – The rare book library at Yale is an excellent example of modernism done right. While the building is largely self contained and self referential like most classic modernism, the library's carefully crafted spaces and exquisite materiality of the translucent marble facade, give it a sense of progression and reverence for the functionality of the library.

  While

  01.09.11 | no comments | Filed Under: Commentary | Webmaster