high tech in architecture

What do we call high-tech architecture

It is an architectural movement that was born in the 1970s, and which incorporates industrial and technological elements into the design of all kinds of buildings, housing, offices, museums, factories.

The high-tech style appears as an extension of the Modern Movement. The best-known figures of this architectural movement include Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, other English architects such as Norman Foster, Michael Hopkins and the engineer Peter Rice.

Discovering High-Tech architecture

High-tech architecture owes its name to the book written by design critics Joan Kron and Suzanne Slesin, High Tech: The Industrial Style and Source Book for The Home, published in November 1978 by Clarkson N. Potter in New York.

This book, illustrated with numerous photographs, showed how designers, architects and ordinary individuals had appropriated classic industrial objects – bookcases, beakers, metal Niffer trestles, industrial kitchen units, lighting devices for factory or airport, movers’ blankets, industrial carpets, etc. found in catalogs intended for industry and diverted for domestic use.

Characteristics of High-Tech architecture

All high-tech architectures had in common the glorification, the emphasis, of technical elements, with an ostentatious presentation of the technical and functional components of the buildings.

Glass walls and steel structures were also very popular among high-tech architects. To highlight them, the technical elements were most often placed outside, often going hand in hand with the clearly visible supporting structure. The high-tech facade is a wall animated by constructive elements.

High-tech architecture is in a way a response to the growing disillusionment with modern architecture, which Brutalism was already trying to respond to. One of the objectives of high-tech architecture is to achieve a novelty in the aesthetics of non-industrial buildings by borrowing from that naturally present in industry. The aim of high-tech architecture is to give any object or space an appearance that is consistent with the industrial era.

Discovering High-Tech architecture

One of the most typical examples is the Pompidou Center in Paris where the ventilation system is spectacularly shown on one of the facades. The access system to the floors is also placed outside, with large circulation pipes winding along the facade, also having the advantage of having more space for exhibitions inside the building itself.

This trend towards industrial aesthetics was encouraged by the transformation of industrial space into living space. This type of architecture is also used to redevelop ruined buildings in order to transform them into lofts, this is curative restoration. This is done with a specific aim of developing and improving the world with new technologies.

The modern technology of architecture

Modern technology has revolutionized the field of architecture, offering architects and designers an array of innovative tools and techniques to push the boundaries of creativity and functionality. Computer-aided design (CAD) software allows for precise drafting, visualization, and simulation of architectural concepts, streamlining the design process and enabling architects to explore complex geometries and structures with ease, while maintaining eco-friendliness.

Advancements in Building Information Modeling (BIM) have further enhanced collaboration and coordination among project stakeholders by creating comprehensive digital representations of building projects, facilitating better decision-making and efficiency throughout the construction process.

Cutting-edge materials and construction methods, such as 3D printing, prefabrication, and sustainable building technologies, are reshaping the way buildings are designed and constructed. These technologies not only offer greater flexibility and speed in construction but also promote sustainability and energy efficiency, aligning with the growing emphasis on environmentally responsible architecture.

In summary, the modern technology of architecture empowers architects to design innovative, sustainable, and aesthetically striking structures that meet the evolving needs of society.