Abstract:
“Architects must cease to think only in terms of buildings”
Hans Hollein.
“Mixed reality” is a medium that immersively introduces computer-generated effects
and environments into the physical confines of a space or landscape. Thus, the medium
of mixed reality is inherently inseparable from the spatial qualities of architecture and
urbanism. However, the current utilization of mixed reality is interpreted as a mere tool
to conveniently access information or as another presentation format in the
architectural industry. The architectural historian and critic, Hyungmin Pai, states that
“the traditional urban elements of buildings, streets, and neighbourhoods must be
reassessed within the emerging human and non-human urban constituencies2”. These
emerging constituencies include the rapidly developing technologies that are aimed to
shape our society. Mixed reality is one such technology that has far expanding
implications for architecture in terms of spatial functions and urbanism. Then it should
be asked, what impacts and repercussions will mixed reality technology have on the
design, function and materiality of an urban architectural space?
This collaborative thesis aims to develop a speculative scenario that addresses the
trajectory of mixed reality development and how its technology may be introduced into
mainstream society and architecture in the near future. I and my thesis partner, Leo
Nishimura, argued that this introduction will create new architectural and material
solutions that incorporate mixed reality technologies into its design. The utopian
effects and dystopian consequences of this integration are based on the philosophical
readings from postmodern thinkers and dystopian visionaries alike that address mixed
reality’s role in commercial urbanism. These readings and speculations culminate into
the final built proposal and scenario for this thesis, The MR Cloud™ in Station Square.
This proposal depicts the speculated possibilities of mixed reality-driven architectural
design and materials while exposing the dystopian concerns and utopian benefits of a
digital urban fabric introduced in Newmarket’s Station Square.