ADS8: Data Matter – The Gaming Edition

Since the mid 20th century, the digital revolution has depended on the mutual and simultaneous development of electronic hardware and software; The need for efficiency, speed, low latency and productivity in the execution of software has driven the push in hardware development that is utilised within data infrastructure.

In previous years, as a studio, we have explored the spatial, environmental, social and political implications of data infrastructure across the globe. The 2020/21 edition of Data Matter has continued its investigation into the material impact of our digital world, constantly negotiating the physical / virtual exchange while focusing on digital environments that these infrastructures form and maintain.

We have looked into the potential architectural agency of digital environments and game engines along two avenues: the way in which the material infrastructure of gaming can be developed, explored and manipulated and/or the use of game engines and video games as testing grounds for the design of other worlds, institutions, forms of restitution and representation.

With an expansive understanding of design, ADS8 aims to challenge conventional architectural representation in exploring and developing the practice led by each and every student over the course of the academic year.

With special thanks to:

Marina Otero Verzier, Davide Rapp, Giorgio de Marco, Andrea Del Martello, Alice Bucknell, James Westcott, Erica Petrillo, Teresa Ribeiro Boulting, Ibiye Camp, Ivan L. Munuera, Legacy Russell, Christina Varvia, Armin Linke, Nelly Ben Hayoun, Eva + Franco Mattes, Nicolas Jaar, Vladimir Nadein, Jade Blanchard-Mckinley, Federico Campagna, Matthew Shaw (Scanlab) and Halim Lais.