Digital platforms and AI could be the future of customising prefabricated modular housing if we are less wary of technology, says Patrik Schumacher.
Using artificial intelligence (AI) to help customise mass-produced housing would eventually make it cheaper, argued Schumacher principal of Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).
Speaking at debate on factory-made housing at the New London Architecture's (NLA) Campari Talks, he said ZHA are already researching the potential of technology to create a new kind of prefabricated living space.
"I'm not that risk averse"
To take full-advantage of artificial intelligence people would have to accept that they could be handing over personalised data to architects and developers on a large scale, said Schumacher. "I'm not that risk averse," he said. "I think if you want to get a piece of that promise of new technology, with AI and algorithmic everything, we've got to overcome some of this paranoia and let this happen."
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ZHA are currently exploring the potential of "digital online community building" where residents could self-select into groups to co-habit within "cluster arrangements".
As well as customising their personal spaces, they could determine how to share communal areas with their neighbours.
"It's a missionary zeal for making a different world"
Experimenting with technology in this way could pr...