Forming—Unforming is an annual publication showcasing works and research from the the SUTD School of Architecture and Sustainable Design.

With the growing presence of artificial intelligence and machine learning in both architectural discourse and SUTD ASD’s curriculum, this project presented an opportunity to utilise these rapidly developing tools and pioneering processes. Where we trained a machine-learning model with the contents of the publication. Acting as co-designer, the output of 700 unique cover designs was a result of the machine’s unique understanding of the book’s content.

This process further echoes the publication’s title of Forming—Unforming. The book is first ‘unformed’ by decontextualising content, before being reinterpreted by the machine and ‘formed’ into a set of new visual outcomes. With the machine as a designer, these generated covers function as an objective reflection of SUTD ASD’s ethos and challenge the role of the architect in the world today.

Designed whilst at Practice Theory.

Forming—Unforming

ASD, Singapore University of Technology and Design

2021

Editorial


Forming—Unforming

Architecture and Sustainable Design, SUTD

2021

Editorial

Forming—Unforming is an annual publication showcasing works and research from the the SUTD School of Architecture and Sustainable Design.

With the growing presence of artificial intelligence and machine learning in both architectural discourse and SUTD ASD’s curriculum, this project presented an opportunity to utilise these rapidly developing tools and pioneering processes. Where we trained a machine-learning model with the contents of the publication. Acting as co-designer, the output of 700 unique cover designs was a result of the machine’s unique understanding of the book’s content.

This process further echoes the publication’s title of Forming—Unforming. The book is first ‘unformed’ by decontextualising content, before being reinterpreted by the machine and ‘formed’ into a set of new visual outcomes. With the machine as a designer, these generated covers function as an objective reflection of SUTD ASD’s ethos and challenge the role of the architect in the world today.

Designed whilst at Practice Theory.