Current World Environment

Introduction

In the course of history, architecture has always presented the manifestations of different social attitudes. There has always been a strong link between architecture and social evolutions. Many changes have also occurred to architecture as a result of social changes. Some of these changes can be observed in the present age which is the age of information. The current age, as the age of computers and the Internet, has made significant changes to the trend of evolution of architecture (Abasi, 2010). This digital revolution has been formed on the basis of concurrency, genesis, immediacy, and globalization and is focused on the information and communication technology. It has changed the trends of thought, product, consumption, commerce, management, communication, life and environment. It is also rapidly reshaping the material basis of the society. The information and communication technology has provided for the emergence of a network society. It has given a new identity to it and has presented new definitions of human as a creature (Castells, 2010). Transmission, examination, control and management practices conducted by digital systems are useful due to the richness and high capacity of information in digital systems and the synchronization between the environment and digital systems (Jamkhedkar et al., 2009) In the present research, it was tried to express the necessity of digital architecture and intelligent buildings in the third millennium. It was also tried to explain why the spread of this architecture style can considerably contribute to the actualization of the notion of sustainable development.

Digital Architecture

Digital architecture has to provide an environment suitable for the exchange of knowledge information by employing images, lightings, visualizations, etc. It shall help users benefit from mutual interactions (Hashem nejad et al., 2010). Accordingly, we need a fully new communication environment with some certain architecture to be able to organize this large volume of communications. According to Esterhoise, we need a new generation of architects to not only design buildings, but also to plan for them. We need architects that instead of collaborating with structural and mechanical engineers work with computer engineers and digital designers. They are the new generation of architects (Oosterhuis, 2003). According to the theories of digital architecture, computer systems give unbiased identity to user ideas (Kotnik, 2010) The increasing use of computer in the fields of design, architecture, and engineering is one of the most important recent achievements aimed to improve the design process and efficiency of different stages of design to implementation of projects (Glabchy et al., 2013). In spite of the short history of digital architecture, it has managed to grow significantly by relying on new technologies. It is similar to a small-scale revolution changing into a great revolution whose different aspects will be expressed in the close future.

Fig. 1: Some examples of digital architecture (Aiello, 2014). Click here to View figure

In fact, digitalization of the construction and design process by humans and software (numerical models) in the digital era leads to the actualization of the intrinsic properties of materials and adds to the conformity between materials and design context. The presence of numbers and complex structures in the whole and every piece of materials can address the limitations on the design of large-scale structures. It can also bring about proportion and conformity to the relationship between the architectural aesthetic form and structure of digital structures (Willmann et al., 2013). With digital architecture it is possible to actualize many dynamic and nonlinear ideas using light-weight recoverable materials as well as precise robots, software, and satellite controllers (e.g. GPS). These ideas can be planned and implemented by producing pieces in factories or on-site workshops (Bertol et al., 1997)

Fig. 2: Some architectural examples produced by digital systems (Cache, 2004) and Kolarevic, 2004). Click here to View figure

Fig. 3: Some of the boundaries omitted in the contemporary architecture. Click here to View figure

Intelligent Buildings

Intelligent buildings add to the enjoyment, accelerate activities, reduce environmental damages, and are very important and effective from the economic, social and ecological point of views (Snoonian, 2003) In the last two decades manufacturers and designers working in the construction and energy fields have examined the theoretical and practical significance of intelligent optimization and control of buildings using intelligent remote systems (Sinopoli, 2006). Intelligent buildings are a combination of the following two words: intelligent (i.e. something with intelligence and logic) and building (i.e. a structure built as a residence or refuge or as a workshop dividing the space into an interior and an exterior space). Therefore, “intelligent building” refers to a refuge with intelligent behavior housing internal and external events. Considering the climatic changes in the 21st century, intelligent buildings are designed for the third millennium (Ting-pat So et al., 1999).

Fig. 4: Parameters of an intelligent building (Vattano, 2014). Click here to View figure

The Existing Intelligent Buildings Are Divided Into Two Groups:

• Equipping the building in a specific period of time: Old buildings which are governed by the decisions of the residents demonstrate non-sustainable savings and organized planning practices.
• Concurrency of installation and design of intelligent systems in buildings: In this case, the building acts fully intelligent and faults are minimized. Savings happen in the energy, environment, convenience, economic and social sectors and benefit the residents and the society )Sinopoli, 2009).

Fig. 5: The most important indicators useful for intelligent buildings. Click here to View figure

Sustainable Development

Sustainability has its roots in valuing and keeping theoretical and practical ideals. This goes beyond the realm of material and physics and applies to the notions of society and future and present relations as well. It also includes mutual respect for natural and human properties as well as other elements necessary for living (Hasanpour Loumer et al., 2014). Concerns for the sustainable development approaches have increased recently. These approaches cover the environmental, economic, social and cultural dimensions (Hasanpour Loumer et al., 2014). Implementation of sustainable development plans is inevitable in the developed and developing countries because it is not possible to move toward development without long-term formulated plans (Bolcárová et al., 2015).

Table1: Analysis of the major and minor indicators of sustainable development components

Sustainable Development Components

Environmental Dimension

The reduction in environmental effects and losses, an increase in sustainability and sustainable development (A Rosen and Dincer, 2001). Use of renewable fuels (Gasparatos et al., 2009) omission of greenhouse gases, use of renewable systems and energies and moving toward increased productivity and omission of the future of energy are the factors influencing sustainable development (Markides, 2013). According to the studies by The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2009, the share of fossil fuels from greenhouse gases is 84%. Results suggest that the only cause of the reduction and omission of pollutions is the lack of implementation of sustainable development plans (Blohmke, 2014). Regarding environmental changes it is tried to maintain and reinforce physical, biological and ecological resources. The relationship between nature and human was also studied in these studies (Zahedi et al., 2006).

Social Dimension

Development has to make people capable of unlocking their potential abilities and move toward perfection and a dignified life. A long healthy life calls for education, access to the required resources, adequate income, political freedom, respect for human rights, immunity to humiliation, and some other norms. Social sustainable development is achieved with an improvement in these fields. The social aspect deals with the mutual relationships between humans, increased welfare, health and education services, development of different cultures, equality and elimination of poverty (Zahedi et al., 2006).

Economic Dimension

The economic dimension deals with economic growth and other economic parameters. It is concerned with maximizing the welfare of individuals and societies through optimal and efficient use of natural resources and fair distribution of interests. In this dimension, the objective is to enhance structures and help people achieve full growth of financial power (Bartle et al., 2007).

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Following the earth summit and announcement of the world development agenda, in September 2000 the United Nations General Assembly issued a statement and passed the United Nations’ statement on the third millennium. By setting eight goals the Millennium Statement shows the path to sustainable economic, social and environmental development.

Table2: Analysis of the millennium development goals (Atuah, 2014).

Sustainable Development and Architecture

From the philosophical point of view, sustainable development is based on the notion of intergenerational justice in the use of the environment (Farahani fard, 2010). Sustainable development calls for changes in the use of resources, giving directions to investments, orientation of technological development, and institutional changes in relation to present and future needs. It is the practice of saving rare resources and taking careful measures to use renewable abundant resources (Nohi, 1995). Architecture is the creative demonstration of the environment using identity, cultural and environmental components of the society. This demonstration leads to mental and physical convenience of users. Architecture is the response to different needs forming its different aspects (Mahvash, 2007). Sustainable development has had a comprehensive approach toward current trends and damages caused in the past decades especially through the channel sustainable development. One of the ways of accessing sustainable development is providing for the cooperation of experts. This way it not only is possible to address the problems of previous decades, but also is possible to protect the existing resources and pass a clean Earth to future generations (Khatami et al., 2010). Architecture shall focus on reducing climatic environmental effects as well as physiological convenience and proper use of natural resources, energy and spaces (Cettina Gallo, 2000).

Fig. 6: The conceptual schematic of sustainable development and the effect of sustainable development on damaged societies (Zahediet al., 2006). Click here to View figure

Sustainable Development Principles

In order for a building to be considered a sustainable building the following standards shall be applied:

• Use of new technologies and intelligent buildings.
• Providing conceptual and physical consistency between the building and social.
• culture and identity
• Futurism and holism
• Meeting residents’ needs
• Conformity with climate
• Saving energy (Zandiyeh et al., 2010).

Analysis of the Consistency of Architecture (Digital Architecture and Intelligent Buildings) to Attain Sustainable Development Goals:

Fig. 7: Analysis of the significant interaction between sustainable development and architecture Click here to View figure

Conclusion

Digital architecture has brought designers, architects and digital intellectuals together. The practice of application of digital technologies is aimed at linking design and construction in architectural projects. Use of digital tools to increase the intelligence of designing and its approach to architecture as a science that has to be actualized both objectively and subjectively. The ultimate goal of digital architecture is to build a four-dimensional model including all of the information required for design and digital production along with schedule information required for the assembly of the project. This information source enables architects to acts as the coordinator of information between all professions and industries involved in construction of buildings. Intelligent designs and buildings planned and constructed through precise systems can considerably help save energy, convenience and health of the soul and body of house residents as well as cities (at a larger scale). Dynamic programmable buildings provide for proper interaction with natural environments. They, in fact, establish a proper significant connection with their environments and take advantage of natural disasters to attain the objectives of energy acquisition, wealth creation and protection of the environment. Based on the results of examinations of digital architecture and intelligent buildings, which are necessary for the third millennium, the saving of economic, social, environmental, and cultural capitals is necessary for sustainable development. In fact, understanding and commonalities of groups help achieve long- and short-term goals more quickly and prevent future challenges and losses of material and spiritual costs. In addition, the main objective of sustainable development is formulated and permanent progress accompanied by planning for welfare and protection of the material and spiritual ideals of societies.

Suggestions

Integration of Public and Private Sector Plans for the Qualitative and quantitative Growth of the Society

Proper planning by the government and private sector can provide the economic foundations and improve the financial power of all social classes. In this case, members of the society can build intelligent buildings with higher efficiency, longer lifetime, and more suitability for the life of humans and the environment.

Improving the Quality of Buildings

“Building shall act as chameleons” (Kerr and Gibson, 2003) and shall adapt to changes in the theoretical and applied sciences (e.g. through use of new sciences, computer analyses, and use of recoverable materials flexible to natural and non-natural disasters and conditions).

Saving Cultural Identities in Architecture

Updating the conceptual, physical and cultural elements of societies in relation to the needs of future and present generations.

Support for the Environment

Use of design in accordance with sciences, computers, and digital architecture along with the use of intelligent buildings and green buildings can considerably contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gases and environmental damages.

Improving Health Conditions

In advanced buildings, different control systems can be used to prevent problems associated with ventilation, cooling, heating, waste dumping, and nesting/intrusion of insects. In fact, internal and external walls are protected by digital and intelligent systems. All of the features available in the advanced intelligent buildings lead to the qualitative and quantitative improvement of the lives of their users.

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