cybernetics/architecture : the interplay of theories of systems

The intent of the dissertation was to provide a working comprehension of the underlying philosophical concepts of cybernetics, including the historical context, followed by analysis of these concepts with respect to architectural theory and practice and the development of associated ideologies. The goal was to contextualise Gordon Pask’s assertion in his 1969 essay “The Architectural Relevance of Cybernetics” that architects are fast becoming system(s) designers, in addition to, or in place of, their historical role of engineers with an aesthetic sensibility, and that cybernetics has a role to play in the evolution of architectural theory and practice. To this end, I delved into the origins of cybernetics and its framing theories, which led to a brief investigation of Project Cybersyn followed by a discussion of the USA Pavilion at the World’s Fair of 1967, culminating in a analysis of R. Buckminster Fuller, Stafford Beer and Gordon Pask with respect to one another.

bibliography

Arbib, M. A. (2004) 'McCulloch, Warren Sturgis' In: The Oxford Companion to the Mind. Oxford University Press. At: http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198662242.001.0001/acref-9780198662242-e-549 (Accessed  05/12/2020).

Bell Labs: Claude Shannon, Father of Information Theory, Dies at 84 (2020) At: https://s3.amazonaws.com/bell-labs-microsite-news/news/2001/february/26/1.html (Accessed  30/11/2020).

Buchanan, I. (2018a) 'Canguilhem, Georges' In: A Dictionary of Critical Theory. Oxford University Press. At: http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198794790.001.0001/acref-9780198794790-e-103 (Accessed  28/11/2020).

Buchanan, I. (2018b) 'dialectical materialism' In: A Dictionary of Critical Theory. Oxford University Press. At: http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198794790.001.0001/acref-9780198794790-e-185 (Accessed  14/02/2021).

Canguilhem, G. et al. (2008) Knowledge of Life. USA: Fordham University Press. At: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3239506 (Accessed  28/11/2020).

Dalvesco, R. (2017) 'R. Buckminster Fuller, the Expo ’67 Pavilion and the Atoms for Peace Program' In: Leonardo 50 (5) pp.486–492.

Dreyfus, H. L. et al. (2008) The Mechanical Mind in History. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. At: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3338771 (Accessed  06/12/2020).

Fernández, M. (2008) 'Gordon Pask: Cybernetic Polymath' In: Leonardo 41 (2) pp.162–168.

Finn, E. (2017) What algorithms want: imagination in the age of computing. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Foerster, H. von et al. (2013) The Beginning of Heaven and Earth Has No Name: Seven Days with Second-Order Cybernetics. New York, NY: Fordham University Press. At: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3239857&pq-origsite=summon (Accessed  06/12/2020).

Fuller, R. B. (1969) 'THE WORLD GAME' In: Ekistics 28 (167) pp.286–292.

Glanville, R. (2003) 'Heinz von Foerster. (Obituary)' In: Systems Research and Behavioral Science 20 (1) p.85+.

Gowers, T. et al. (2008) The Princeton Companion to Mathematics. Princeton, UNITED STATES: Princeton University Press. At: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=565413 (Accessed  30/11/2020).

Haque, U. (2007) 'The Architectural Relevance of Gordon Pask' In: Architectural Design 77 (4) pp.54–61.

Heims, S. J. (1991) The Cybernetics Group. MIT Press. At: https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/2260.001.0001 (Accessed  06/12/2020).

Holloway, D. (1974) 'Innovation in Science—the Case of Cybernetics in the Soviet Union' In: Science Studies 4 (4) pp.299–337.

Jansson, A. (2007) 'Encapsulations: The Production of a Future Gaze at Montreal’s Expo 67' In: Space and Culture 10 (4) pp.418–436.

Kline, R. R. (2015) The Cybernetics Moment: Or Why We Call Our Age the Information Age. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. At: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3433433 (Accessed  06/12/2020).

Margaret Mead (2004) In: Encyclopedia of World Biography. (2nd ed.) Detroit, MI: Gale. pp.438–440. At: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3404704360/GVRL?u=ucca&sid=GVRL&xid=f06336df (Accessed  24/01/2021).

Massey, J. (2016) 'Buckminster Fuller’s cybernetic pastoral: the United States Pavilion at Expo 67' In: The Journal of Architecture 21 (5) pp.795–815.

McKercher, A. (2016) 'The Art of Soft Power at Expo 67: Creative America and Cultural Diplomacy in the US Pavilion' In: Journal of Curatorial Studies 5 (3) pp.368–389.

Medina, E. (2011) Cybernetic Revolutionaries: Technology and Politics in Allende’s Chile. Cambridge, UNITED STATES: MIT Press. At: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3339354 (Accessed  15/12/2020).

Nahin, P. J. (2012) The Logician and the Engineer: How George Boole and Claude Shannon Created the Information Age. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. At: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1011048 (Accessed  30/11/2020).

Pask, G. (1969) 'The architectural relevance of cybernetics' In: Architectural Design 39 (9) p.494.

Pastier, J. (1984) 'R. Buckminster Fuller. 1895-1983' In: Leonardo 17 (1) pp.3–3.

Petrick, E. R. (2020) 'Building the Black Box: Cyberneticians and Complex Systems' In: Science, Technology, & Human Values 45 (4) pp.575–595.

Pickering, A. (2009) 'Beyond design: cybernetics, biological computers and hylozoism' In: Synthese 168 (3) pp.469–491.

Pickering, A. (2010) The Cybernetic Brain: Sketches of Another Future. Chicago, UNITED STATES: University of Chicago Press. At: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=530446 (Accessed  15/12/2020).

Shannon, C. E. (1948) 'A Mathematical Theory of Communication' In: Bell System Technical Journal 27 (3) pp.379–423.

Veisdal, J. (2020) The Absent-Minded Father of Cybernetics, Norbert Wiener. At: https://medium.com/cantors-paradise/the-absent-minded-father-of-cybernetics-norbert-wiener-2a0b66aa6b4b (Accessed  24/01/2021).

Warren S. McCulloch – The Cybernetics Thought Collective: A History of Science and Technology Portal Project – U of I Library (s.d.) At: https://archives.library.illinois.edu/thought-collective/cyberneticians/warren-s-mcculloch/ (Accessed  24/01/2021).

Wiener, N. (1948) Cybernetics. Or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine. (Second) Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Yiannoudes, S. (2016) Architecture and adaptation: from cybernetics to tangible computing. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.


is ‘the commons’ computabile?
applying cybernetics to the ‘the commons’ & ‘commoning’.

For my undergraduate research thesis I analysed the theory & usage behind systems, algorithms, cybernetics & activity theory in order to form an understanding of the function and concept of commoning and how that may be represented through computed mapping & simulation, with augmentation through integration of computational and/or virtual elements.

bibliography

Arnellos, A. et al. (2018) 'Extending Artificial Agency to Incorporate Ethics-oriented Social Interaction' At: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250395907_Extending_Artificial_Agency_to_Incorporate_Ethics-oriented_Social_Interaction (Accessed on 22 June 2018)

Barnes, B. (2000) Understanding agency: social theory and responsible action. London ; Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage. At: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=483364

Carrera, J. et al. (ed.) (2010) In favour of public space: ten years of the European Prize for Urban Public Space. Barcelona: CCCB : ACTAR.

Dyer-Witheford, N. (2015) Cyber-proletariat: global labour in the digital vortex. Toronto, Ontario : London: Between the Lines ; Pluto Press.

Finn, E. (2017) What algorithms want: imagination in the age of computing. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Gadanho, P. (2014) Uneven growth: tactical urbanisms for expanding megacities. New York: The Museum of Modern Art.

Graham, S. and Marvin, S. (2001) Splintering urbanism: networked infrastructures, technological mobilities and the urban condition. London ; New York: Routledge.

Harvey, D. (2009) Social justice and the city. (Rev. ed) Athens: University of Georgia Press.

Petrescu, D. and Petcou, C. (2013) 'Tactics for a Transgressive Practice' In: Architectural Design 83 (6) pp.58–65.

Petrescu, D. and Trogal, K. (ed.) (2017) The social (re)production of architecture: politics, values and actions in contemporary practice. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Schalk, M. et al. (ed.) (2017) Feminist futures of spatial practice: materialisms, activisms, dialogues, pedagogies, projections. Baunach: AADR, Art Architecture Design Research : imprint of Spurbuchverlag.

Siskin, C. (2017) System: the shaping of modern knowledge. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Spiller, N. (ed.) (2002) Cyber reader: critical writings for the digital era. London: New York : Phaidon.

Yiannoudes, S. (2016) Architecture and adaptation: from cybernetics to tangible computing. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.


art | architecture | technology

For our 2nd year Cultural Context (aka History & Theory) module, we were tasked with analysing four items: an interview, lecture, exhibition & book, and finalising the task with a reflective conclusion. This allowed me to look into the works of Greg Lynn, Peter Eisenman, Bryan Cantley, Rachel Whiteread, Sanford Kwinter & Tony Fry.

bibliography

Lynn, G (2013) ‘If I can take a ride in a driverless car on a public street, then I see no reason why my buildings can’t wiggle a little’ In: Log 28 pp59-66

Spiller, N (2008) Digital Architecture Now: A Global Survey of Emerging Talent London: Thames & Hudson

Murray, P (2004) The Saga of the Sydney Opera House London: Spon Press

Sadler, S (2005) Archigram – Architecture without Architecture Cambridge: MIT Press

Price, C (2003) Re:CP Berlin: Birkhäuser

Hillier, B (1996) Space is the Machine Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

V&A (2016) Elytra Filament Pavilion London: Victoria & Albert Museum (https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/elytra-filament-pavilion) (Accessed on: 05.11.2017)

Cantley, Bryan (2017) MULTISTORY* Lecture Series Canterbury [Lecture at Canterbury School of Architecture, 26th October 2017]

Buck, David Nicholas (2017) A Musicology for Landscape New York: Routledge

de Bianchi, Massimiliano Sassoli (2013) ‘The observer effect’ In: Foundations of Science 18 (2) p213

Jodidio, Philip (2005) Architecture:Art Berlin: Prestel Verlag

Fontana-Giusti, G (2013) Foucault for Architects Abingdon: Routledge

Mitchell, W J (2003) Me++ The Cyborg Self and the Networked City MIT: MIT Press

Ascott, R (1995) ‘The Architecture of Cyberception’ In: Toy, M (ed.) Architectural Design: Architects in Cyberspace pp38-41 Cambridge: VCH

Townsend, C (2004) The Art of Rachel Whiteread London: Thames & Hudson

Harper, G & Moyer, T (2007) Conversations on Sculpture Seattle: isc Press

Pesenti, A (2010) Rachel Whiteread Drawings Los Angeles: DelMonico Books

Corrin, Elliot & Schlieker (2001) Rachel Whiteread Edinburgh: National Galleries of Scotland

Obrist, H U (2014) Ways of Curating London: Penguin Books

Young, L (2017) ‘The Power of Things’ In: Gallagher, A & Donovan, M (ed.) Rachel Whiteread London: Tate Publishing

Gallagher, A (2017) ‘Material Culture’ In: Gallagher, A & Donovan, M (ed.) Rachel Whiteread London: Tate Publishing

Kwinter, S (2008) Far from Equilibrium: Essays on Technology and Design Culture Barcelona: Actar

EGS (2017) Sanford Kwinter At: http://egs.edu/faculty/sanford-kwinter (Accessed on 26.12.2017)

Dictionary of Sociology (2015) ‘Total Institution’ definition [online] At: http://www.oxfordreference.com.ucreative.idm.oclc.org/view/10.1093/acref/9780199683581.001.0001/acref-9780199683581-e-2369?rskey=kyvVkJ&result=2 (Accessed on 30.12.17)

EVE University Wiki [UNIWIKI] (2017) PLEX At: https://wiki.eveuniversity.org/PLEX#PLEX (Accessed 30.12.17)

Pearce, M (1995) ‘From Urb to Bit’ In: Toy, M (ed.) Architectural Design: Architects in Cyberspace p7 Cambridge: VCH

Mitchell, W (1995) ‘Soft Cities’ In: Toy, M (ed.) Architectural Design: Architects in Cyberspace pp8-13 Cambridge: VCH

McGuirk, J (2014) Radical Cities London: Verso

Bernardo, L, Oliveira, L, Nepomuceno, M, Andrade, J (2013) ‘Use of refurbished shipping containers for the construction of housing buildings: details for the structural project’ In: Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 19 (5) pp628+ At: http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A351262608/AONE?u=ucca&sid=AONE&xid=95ea7ac5 (Accessed on 01.01.18)

Architecture Today (2016) ‘Boxing Clever’ In: Architecture Today 272 p16

BBC (2017) Lego-style flats built from shipping containers At: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39378609 (Accessed on 01.01.18)

Davies, G (2017) Decision made on shipping container student housing plan in Penryn At: http://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/student-container-housing-penryn-falmouth-701878 (Accessed on 01.01.18)

Arquitectura viva (2015) ‘Espacio experimental para artistas en Berlín: modular building with standard freight containers’ In: Arquitectura viva 178 pp84-85

Fry, T (2011) Design as Politics Oxford: Berg

Beck, J (2000) ‘Buckminster Fuller and the Politics of Shelter’ In: Hughes, J & Sadler, S (ed.) Non-Plan: Essays on Freedom, Participation, and Change in Modern Architecture and Urbanism pp116-125 Oxford: Architectural Press

Rendell, J (2010) Site-Writing - The Architecture of Art Criticism London: I.B.Tauris

Abel, C (2004) Architecture, Technology and Process Oxford: Architectural Press

Eisenman, P & Davidson, C (2003) ‘The End of Spectacle’ In: hunch 6/7 pp167-169

Kwinter (2003) ‘When Did You Stop Beating Your Wife?’ In: hunch 6/7 pp290-293

Aureli, P V (2003) ‘No Future’ In: hunch 6/7 pp72-73