What is "4D" architecture?

Why a PHD? I mean I understand wanting to continually learn, I'd like to learn a ton more (especially things that are just "fun"), but who cares?


Just curious how you are going to translate your "knowledge" into something valuable for others? I assume you want to teach...

@ burningman: What i meant by 4D architecture is to create a similar environment like a 4D movie - Architecture with physical effects.

@trace: I wanna learn all these things because this new emerging side of architecture has not yet been seen in India, where i belong. The schools here have a very limited scope of teaching and i feel the strongest urge to learn and then share my knowledge here. And yes, you are right when you say that one can learn a lot more just like that, maybe through research. But i feel there are certain peculiar aspects to each field of study that one can easily miss out on.

I think by 4D you are referring to a digital environment with information/spatial effects mapped onto physical boundaries? If I'm not mistaken...
I would argue that such a concept runs counter to the phenomenological experience of Libeskind or Koolhaas where they are mapping out a personal experiential journey through their buildings. In these projects the experience is more tactile while in 4D (as you've described) the experience is more of a simulated reality (where the material or event is mapped onto the space... By projecting a program, you are actively infusing the artist's will onto the project in a way that covers up the actual physical space.

There is a program at Sci-arc called Mediascapes that might be of interest to you. I'm not really to familiar with the curriculum though. You might also be better going into a digital media market/school to learn their processes than an architectural one. Or pick up a library book on the subject and design your own 4D design style... I think people tend to have an overeliance on academic institutions for answers... but that's a topic for a different thread... Good luck

I understand 4D as something different from textures on animations, but don't mind making the change.
4D in construction is active simulation integrating just-in-time delivery and staging. That extra D would be time. Don't know - you can do math in your head, or you can use a software to do it for you. The value would be to have multiple parties involved.
4D is also a really nice music label.

correction:
4AD is a really nice music label
4D is a hick label

I agree with 'job job'.
The definition '4-D' usually designates the concept of simulated construction quality and budget control.
If you like to study '4-D' in buidling industry, you better major in CM.

But, I am sure that what you want to study is not '4-D' that I explained...

Atita,

I still don't fully understand what you mean by architecture with physical effects. Do you mean the architecture somehow changes or reacts to the inhabitants??? Neither the Koolhaas or Libeskind museum has physical effects. They feel like airports - mostly circulation spaces.

Another question: what do you do for a living? Just curious because it sounds very hard to apply this.