AI for Conceptual Architecture::Reflections on designing with text-to-text, text-to-image and image-to-image generators

In this paper we present a research-through-design study where we employed text-to-text, text-to-image, and image-to-image generative tools for a conceptual architecture project for the eVolo skyscraper competition. We trained these algorithms on a dataset that we collected and curated, consisting of texts about and images of architecture. We describe our design process, present the final proposal, reflect on the usefulness of such tools for early-stage design, and discuss implications for future research and practice. By analysing the results from training the text-to-text generators we could establish a specific design brief that informed the final concept. The results from the image-to-image generator gave an overview of the shape grammars of previous submissions. All results were intriguing and can assist creativity and in this way, the tools were useful for gaining insight into historical architectural data, helped shape a specific design brief, and provoked new ideas. By reflecting on our design process, we argue that the use of language when employing such tools takes a new role and that three layers of language intertwined in our work: architectural discourse, programming languages, and annotations. We present a map that unfolds how these layers came together as a contribution to making machine learning more explainable for creatives.</p

Recreating the Amoeba Violin Using Physical Modeling and Augmented Reality

The Amoeba violin is a bowed string instrument present at the Danish Music Museum in Copenhagen. The instrument is not played anymore due to its unpleasant sonorities and uncomfortable shape. In this paper we recreate the Amoeba violin using extended reality technologies and sound synthesis by physical models. We design and evaluate two applications that can be used either at the museum (augmented reality version) or at home (desktop version) to learn about the history of the instrument and its sonorities. The app was created for the Danish Music Museum, Musikmuseet, located in Copenhagen, in response to the demand for reduced contact of shared surfaces and official calls to stay indoors that followed the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. User testing on both versions shows that they both are considered easy-to-access and educative, however the AR version was more favoured overall

Decisions We Should Put in the Algorithm:Mapping architects’ attitudes towards computational and AI-powered tools for practice

Artificial intelligence has gained widespread popularity both inside the profession and outside of it. Much work has gone into creating new tools for AI-powered workflows that can go into architectural design, yet the field of architectural computing has focused less on attitudes that practicing architects have towards these tools. In this article, we present a qualitative analysis of interviews with eight practicing architects on their understanding, use of, and attitudes towards AI for architectural practice. We structure our findings in three categories: matters of fact (how architects use technology now, and their use and understanding of AI tools), matters of concern (what participants view as problematic in terms of AI-powered tools for design), and matters of time (how the future of the profession is seen and imagined). Participants believe their work has gained vastly from digitalization in terms of speed, precision, communication across disciplines and with clients, and simply designing things that were impossible before. There are however also perceived limitations on creative expression imposed by technological tools, a sense of anxiety about keeping up to date in a constantly shifting technological landscape, and a serious lack of trust, expressed by all participants, in AI-powered systems

Digital Twins in Architecture:An ecology of practices and understandings

The concept of the digital twin is a tenet of digitalization across fields and has been gaining popularity in digital construction and architecture as well. Yet, as with any new terminology, there is still ambiguity when it comes to defining what a digital twin is, how one should be constructed, and most importantly, where it can be useful. In this chapter, through a systematic review of the literature of 113 research papers, we map and summarize the state of the art of digital twins in architecture. Our findings show that digital twins are an ecology of practices and understandings and the notion means different things for the different fields that make up architecture. We contribute with a map of this ecology that shows the studies on two axes: space (the scale of the twin - ranging from building element to city scale) and time (moment in a building’s life). We then discuss how no matter how accurate, digital twins will never be twins, how twins need to engage critically with data and conceptually consider the infrastructures of data storage and processing they make use of as well as the life-span of a twin and how it correlates to that of its physical counterpart

Prevalence and Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance among Greek Health Care Workers and Administrative Officers of Primary Health Care Centers: A Nationwide Study Indicating Aspects for a Role Model

Background: &Tau;he study aims to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and to investigate knowledge and perceptions of Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) personnel, who acted as pioneers in the national COVID-19 vaccination strategy. Methods and Materials: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted by distributing an online anonymous questionnaire comprising 25 questions during the first semester of 2021. Results: Approximately 85.3% of the 1136 respondents (response rate 28.4%) were vaccinated or intended to be. The acceptance of seasonal flu vaccine (aOR: 3.29, 95%CI: 2.08&ndash;5.20), correct COVID-19 vaccine knowledge (aOR: 8.37, 95%CI: 4.81&ndash;14.59) and lack of concern regarding vaccine novelty (aOR: 6.18, 95%CI: 3.91&ndash;9.77) were positively correlated with vaccine acceptance. Vaccinated respondents were more likely to be physicians (aOR: 2.29, 95%CI: 1.03&ndash;5.09) or administrative staff (aOR: 2.65, 95%CI: 1.18&ndash;5.97) compared to nursing stuff. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy included inadequate information (37.8%) and vaccine safety (31.9%). Vaccine acceptance was strongly correlated (Spearman&rsquo;s correlation coefficient r = 0.991, p &lt; 0.001) between PHCC personnel and the general population of each health district. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among PHCC personnel in Greece was comparably high, but specific groups (nurses) were hesitant. As the survey&rsquo;s target population could serve as a role model for the community, efforts should be made to improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance