Kas Oosterhuis Delft University of Technology School of Architecture, Delft, The Netherlands 25
we have seen architecture as sculpting data. Now ornament is a natural ingredient of
the fusion of design and structure. Ornament is no longer an addition to the structure,
but forms integral part of it. Complex surfaces, kinetic styling and the cost-effective
f ile to factory production processes are scale-free. Parametric design principles and
mass customization work on the level of urban design, the size of the whole building
body and at the level of the finest detail. Ornamentation is inclusive in the design of
structural surfaces.
Sustainable Abundance
Modern society at large is no longer an economy of scarceness, that is not for Europe,
China, the Middle East and the Americas. Now architecture is positioned in the Long
Tail of the global economy. Modern architecture is no longer based on the principles of
mass production and the economy of scarceness. Now it f inds its roots in customiza-
tion and abundance. Customization means producing just in time and right in place,
avoiding unneccesary waste and pollution. Customization leads towards a wild diversity,
acknowledging the fact that each individual component has an unique shape, dimension
and identity. Customization is a conditio sine qua non for local and global sustainability.
The logic of customization shapes the genome for a visual language of richness, wealth
and abundance.
More can also be found on our website http://www.oosterhuis.nl