The Electronic as Post Optimal object. – Anthony Dunne

This passage explains the conundrum of how to design electronic devices which have two distinct parts, the actual electronic device and the skin it has which makes it presentable/usable/safe for humanity. While the text explains a few different ways of developing this problem (Packages, Fusion, Dematerialization,or Juxtoposition) which do we as architects see as the most effective? As technology becomes more prevasive as elements of the built environment and not just as objects which are brought in after-the-fact (as furniture or handheld devices) how do we integrate those elements in?

The computer for the 21st century – Mark Weiser

This passage describes Weiser’s approach of dematerializing the technology to be so pervasive in a space that we stop noticing it. As he describes the levels of objects (tab, pad, and board) and how different technology would respond to our movements through our lives. One issue he glances over is privacy (pg 89), as these objects become more prevalant this is an important note. As our phones and other devices travel with us, how much privacy have we already given up? Marketing firms already track our online activity, and GPS tagging our locations is something we do ourselves quite frequently. (checking in, for example). As technology becomes more and more integrated into our daily lives, can it actually help with privacy by allowing for more “body tied” security checks (a personal RFID badge vs a password for security).

• As an example, a lot of more secure work spaces require RFID badges which allow access to buildings or areas which are secure.

Recombinant Architecture – William Mitchell

As architects, we have to adapt to changing technology and integrate new social functions into the existing discourse of architecture. As Mitchell describes how each typology of architecture is heavily affected by this new network of online databases and access points, how will the role of designing built spaces shift? Will there be less large scale builds? Or will the preoccupation be on integrating technology so that the focus is on spaces to congregate and less on storage, infrastructure, etc. How will the new hardware for this network merely shift our design of these auxilary spaces (an online library might mean a book isn’t taking up much space, but a server farm for an online library can be a massive spacial undertaking.)

Example for questions 2&3

Amazon grocery store