DP Architects designFUTURE Conference 2018

Designing in an age of uncertainty, the only constant for architecture is change.

Organised by DP Architects’, the designFUTURE Conference 2018 is in its second year running. This year, the conference featured four distinguished speakers from architecture and its related specialist fields, to share ideas about design and technology, and their relation to designing for the future.

Starting off the conference, Dr Hossein Rezai, Founder-Director of Web Structures, addressed the various issues that the world and our built environment face today. He emphasised the role that design can play and its responsibility in considering the world and its environment. In light of a climate-conscious and technological advanced future, Dr Rezai puts forth that architects, urban planners and engineers alike must harness the power of technology, and drive design processes from lateral to more dynamic platforms of collaboration.

Director of the multidisciplinary Centre for AI Research (CAiRE) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Prof Pascale Fung shared further insights on the advancements in science and technology within the field of Artificial Intelligence. As AI becomes increasingly intuitive, it has achieved milestones over the last few decades such that it has been applied in industries such as healthcare, security, education, governance and even creative arts. For AI to progress further, it’s scientific research must tap into alternative areas including social psychology, behavioural science and design. The working relationship should be mutually beneficial where AI will mimic human behaviour with greater accuracy, and man breaks away from conventional perspectives.

Prof Oscar Carracedo, Director at Designing Resilience in Asia International Research Programme, took to stage after; sharing insights on urbanisation and urban design in the face of climate change. Encouraging architects and planners to grow beyond their traditional roles, it is important to consider designs that address the needs of the continually increasing rate of urbanisation and climate change.

Rounding up the presentations, Ms Angelene Chan, DP Architects’ Chief Executive Officer shared about the necessary evolution of the craft of architecture amid the rise of various disruptors and new trends. Her presentation provided insights on DPA’s strategy to drive and adapt architecture, design processes and methodology so as to meet the needs of today. She also highlighted that for a professional craft such as architecture to remain relevant and to thrive, its evolution must be constant and progressive.

The conference ended with a lively panel discussion. Members of the audience raised questions related to AI and its practical application in future design, technology and how it can advance the design process in architecture and across related industries while the panel debated the paradox between a science-driven field such as AI and technology, and a human-centric craft such as architecture. Held at the NUS University Cultural Centre, the annual designFUTURE Conference was attended by staff, industry partners, students and media guests.