Complexity

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Digitalization has reshaped architectural discourse, introducing a range of new terms and concepts that either lacked meaning or had different interpretations in architectural theory and design. These concepts and strategies are increasingly influenced by the intersection of scientific and cultural ideas stemming from modern information technology. The series Context Architecture aims to critically examine key concepts vital to contemporary discourse. Vitruvius's notion of the architect as a "uomo universale" fostered a self-image of architects as generalists navigating complex realities. However, the architectural understanding of complexity lagged behind industrial and social developments, becoming a superficial notion applicable to various contexts. In contrast, architectural modernism promoted simplification with the mantra "less is more." Robert Venturi reintroduced complexity into architectural discussions, aiming to not only restore the richness of architectural forms and their histories but also to engage with the concrete realities of the built environment. Today, complexity studies, rooted in physics, shape the contemporary understanding of complexity, forging new connections between natural sciences and information technology, and becoming a cornerstone of computer-based design approaches.