The Third Digital Turn of Non-Standard Architecture

This thesis explores Non-Standard Architecture, a movement in Postmodern architecture on non-Euclidean parametric and algorithmic formalism, and suggests a series of inherent limits prevented its full realisation. The thesis answers how these limits might be overcome by formulating the Third Digital Turn of Non-Standard. The Third Digital Turn emerged from the Second Digital Turn, an architectural movement from 2012 that realised parametric architecture through novel methods of form finding and construction using parametric data models and robotics. Through the Third Digital Turn the thesis formulates the Statutes of Non-Standard Architecture that describe the process of legislation in terms of the invention of new practice for Non-Standard Architecture. The thesis traces the evolution of the Second Digital Turn through novel interpretations of geometric lineage across architectural epochs, and identifies parametrisation with the codified law of architecture beginning in the Renaissance. The thesis identifies a gap between the possibilities of digital technologies in architecture and the current capacities of the building industry to realise them. Persistent challenges to achieving these objectives of automation are the limits of the regulatory environment and conservative construction practices. The thesis argues that such inherent limits can be overcome by reconsidering the existing regulations that frame technology and by implementing a methodology for ecological governance in architecture. The thesis contributes to the field in two key areas. First, it evolves Non-Standard architectural codification and production processes to extend the capacity of existing skills and technologies. Second, it indicates opportunities for environmental sustainability with protocols for Non-Standard design and construction, functional grading of material and automation in architecture