New Book Analyzes Algorithms in Architecture
A new academic volume, “The Hidden Lives of Algorithms,” dissects how algorithmic processes shape both the form and social meaning of the built environment. The book explores the intersection of computational geometry and human experience, offering a framework for critiquing the use of digital design tools in architecture and planning.
- The book's co-author, the late Silvio Carta, was a Professor of Architecture at the University of Greenwich, UK, whose research specifically bridged artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computational design to explore how digital methods reshape spatial and social systems. His co-author, Philip D. Plowright, is a Professor of Architecture at Lawrence Technological University, USA, focusing on how human cognition shapes and is shaped by the built environment. [- The Dutch government's](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHLtAee9pwPB9pS2wR1yeC9Y6hIeM4ezDllVk_0qNp5GwwTcQPOIPOukpoq4YomnY8ZUfwJSmeM-Zrk2l3RXnBu8KN0vx1mAA-kZcABfaUUH6OqtxMwgODdZT6nXMhvWm7egu1NRAdn9Sl6R-xHXT567JwY4tCnbx4px5AVlBFAgHHQigWG6QGq94aG) National AI Delta Plan, presented in late 2025, calls for urgent action to strengthen the Netherlands' technological foundations and accelerate AI adoption across government and industry, including the establishment of a National AI Strategy Agency. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations is specifically tasked with promoting the responsible use of AI within government, establishing standards, and exploring a government-wide AI competence center. - In the Netherlands, the application of algorithms is closely tied to the national goal of achieving a fully circular economy by 2050, with the construction sector being a priority. This is driven by digital tools like "material passports," which digitally document all the materials in a building to facilitate their reuse. - The Dutch government is actively encouraging the use of material passports through incentives like the Environmental Investment Rebate Scheme (MIA), which can offer commercial real estate owners a tax advantage of up to 45% for investing in circular construction. Platforms like Madaster, developed in the Netherlands, are creating a public online library of materials used in the built environment. - At the municipal level, the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) is advancing a collective approach to digitalization, with AI, cloud services, and digital security as key priorities agreed upon by all municipalities in late 2025. This aligns with the broader push to manage the energy transition, housing challenges, and climate adaptation through digital tools like "digital twins". - Researchers at AMS Institute are actively investigating the application of generative AI for urban planning in Amsterdam, exploring its potential to translate citizen needs into designs and enhance public participation, while also considering risks like data privacy and bias. - The European Green Deal provides a broader context, pushing for the digitalization of the construction sector to meet climate goals. Initiatives under the Green Deal include the revision of the Construction Products Regulation to include Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and the development of a framework for "digital building logbooks" to ensure data on buildings is available throughout their lifecycle. - Dutch startups are already developing AI-powered platforms to navigate the complexities of building regulations and zoning plans in the Netherlands. These tools aim to simplify compliance and connect architects, planners, and construction firms to streamline the building process.
