Exploring the possibilities of virtual material in the modern architectural world

The Virtual Material conference by Rafael Vargas Correa puts our profession within the field of Architecture in perspective. The contrast between yesterday and today is evident since the means used are different to represent, evaluate and develop new concepts and projects. We have the advantage that technology has come into our hands to facilitate production and even challenge our creativity. We can change, iterate and repeat; a part of our daily life that just before did not exist the opportunity or the ease.

Jun Cen

"What do we make virtual?"

Perspective is an interpretation of our surroundings, whether existing or about to exist. As designers we work to understand the world and how it is interpreted in the media and in different ways, so perspective plays a fundamental role in our design process. Nowadays even machines are responsible for being able to create for us; Therefore, we can perceive how in countless projects, technology has provided different applications that have redefined the results.

"There has always been some type of technology assisting us."

Technology is useful in different contexts. We must look back over time to reflect on how we collaborate today and how there are different possibilities to interpret new realities. The connection between the virtual and the material is what is lost in the current notion. Usually you choose to work on one of the two but not both. So, we must evaluate how both converge again in practice and in the ways of visualizing our context. Architecture becomes experimental but does not lose its validity, it lasts over time.

Experiment within education

vs in the workplace is different but shares the essence that imagining is not a limit, on the contrary, it is a new possibility. Speculation in design, especially in the field of architecture and urban design, it is based on a constant exploration of creative ideas and visionary concepts that may not be intended for immediate implementation or realized in practice.

It is a way of thinking about design that goes beyond the immediate limitations of context, client requirements or budget constraints, allowing designers to imagine future possibilities and challenge established conventions. Rethinking involves exploring innovative, provocative, interesting or even utopian ideas. There is no expectation that limits but involves constant inspiration and critical reflection of our world and how we inhabit it. Design speculation may also involve experimentation with new technologies and materials that may not be fully developed or available at the time of design. It is important to note that design speculation is not necessarily aimed at creating practical and immediately achievable solutions.