Latent Topologies | Matthias Urschler + Rhina Portillo + James Park

The investigation into the future of architecture and urbanism has consequently led to research of new organizational methods. Parametricism has offered a new approach to architectural structures and form to create iconic, performative edifices.

Latent Topologies by Matthias Urschler, Rhina Portillo, and James Park takes this generative process and applies it to urban growth systems in order to derive data. Parameters for the script were determined thorough analysis of characteristics of existing landscapes: proximity to water sources, curvature or ‘hilliness’, and distance from existing inhabitations.

The data generated determined the livability of the analyzed topologies. If inhabitable, the surfaces were then assessed to create topological connections, allocations of program, and density distribution as well as growth strategies. Further investigation into this organizational method would include an analysis of soil conditions, existing vegetation, and orientation for future data mining.