Voice Activated Architecture

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Recently I had drinks with a friend working in the tech industry and she commented on the number of data centers being built around the country. “All those selfies and pictures of one’s dinner need to be stored somewhere!” I commented. No, she replied, voice files are now driving the need. Apparently, new voice activation technology has created a huge demand for file storage – all those professionals talking into handheld devices recording their voices rather than typing – not to mention security recordings. I guess voice recording has a bigger demand than storing all those tweets?

So, the future of data storage is in voice files. “Not for me!” you say. I recently saw an article about the potential demise of the keyboard due to voice recognition technology. That implies someday soon we will all be talking to our laptops, or, should I say of data input devices. No more hunt and peck for us old timers, just grumble and complain. But the future is already here, some of us are already talking to our TVs, cars, Siri and Alexa. So, if this is indeed the path we are heading down, what does that mean for us architects? If we can design a building by just talking, how will that change what we say? Archispeak could take on a whole new meaning. We have some folks in our office that can talk a blue streak about design. Maybe they are ahead of their time, just waiting for technology to catch up. Having the leg up, they may become the Pied Pipers of this new way of creating buildings. So, can you imagine architecture schools requiring drama classes as part of the base curriculum? Architectural vocabulary, enunciation and clarity of thought will be very important in a voice activated documentation world. Will we see quiet retiring types producing minimalist designs and the more verbose creating complex designs dripping with details? Perhaps you’ll be able to shout at your computer if you want something a little more deconstructivist? BIG SHARDS OF GLASS!

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

How about different languages producing slightly different results. French cars have always looked very French, maybe their buildings will too. Regional differences in accent could produce differences in design. Southern California buildings would all be laid back, while buildings in New England a little more chilly. Can you say ‘wicked modern’? All a bit too farfetched? Probably so for the foreseeable future, but one does wonder when voice assisted design will be possible, what will it look like? Will that change the accessibility of the design profession?

Maybe a future client will request that you ‘describe a cottage on a lake’ for them. Coupled with 3-D printing, and VR, one could potentially talk a building into existence!