ForesightbyDesign

Last month we were asked to pull together a short thought piece for an internal Global Buildings event at Arup on the "Future of Design". The pre-recorded piece was being used alongside feedback from clients on their view of the value of design. Both pieces provided the introduction for break out groups to think about 4 plausible scenarios for Arup in the years ahead. The summary blurb is:

"The role of the designer in the business world is changing. With increased activity at a strategic level and the innate skills that support community and collaboration, the designer has the skill set to play a pivotal role in today’s business. In addition, they have the desire to work with new tools and are experienced in making the complex simple. In a world where technological innovation has increased the complexity of both the products and services we consume, achieving elegance has become the hallmark of good design."

During a talk by Aaron Koblin on Radiohead's House of Cards video (amongst other things) the Velodyne laser scanner was booted up and showed a live feed of all in the room...

A short film produced to set the mood for an intensive workshop on plausible futures. It examines the possible directions in which the world is currently heading. Touching on global challenges such as resource depletion, rapid urbanization and climate change the film uses rich visuals to engage audiences with big questions about our human future.

A short film looking at the challenges and opportunities facing cities. It looks at how information and communications technology can help reduce the carbon footprint of urban areas in an effort to tackle climate change. Other issues addressed include energy security, transportation, urban sprawl, consumption and waste.

Ultimately designers aim is to achieve an integrated environment where - during the design process, including the early stages – the designer can generate a three-dimensional geometrical design, set up inter-related analysis and optimisation routines and receive meaningful feedback in realtime. Towards this ultimate goal Arup made a first feasible step. “3D Urbanism” is a research project aiming at bringing discreet quantitative analytical solutions (urban design, moving vehicles, moving people, acoustics, lighting and climate) into a unified Realtime interactive environment to demonstrate performance based design to designer, client and city planner.