Free Cities Podcast

094 - Shajay Bhooshan: Parametric Design, Digital Cities & The Future of Architecture

Sep 6, 2024

Shajay Bhooshan, head of the computation and design group at Zaha Hadid Architects, discusses the exciting intersection of parametric design and urban planning. He shares insights on how digital fabrication and technology could revolutionize architecture and predicts that Zaha Hadid's future earnings may shift more to the digital realm than the physical. The conversation delves into urban density, innovative housing solutions, and the potential of the metaverse in shaping sustainable communities, revealing a visionary outlook on the future of living and design.

02:02:21

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Episode guests

Shajay Bhooshan

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Shajay Bhushan highlights the importance of parametric design as a transformative force in modern architectural practices and city planning.

The integration of computational tools enables architects to push design boundaries while addressing complexities in urban environments.

The metaverse offers a unique platform for architects to experiment with designs and simulate user experiences without physical constraints.

Prospera exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to urban development, focusing on customization, community engagement, and sustainability in city building.

Deep dives

Shajay Bhushan's Role and Expertise

Shajay Bhushan, who leads the Computation and Design Group at Zaha Hadid Architects, focuses on bridging design and construction technologies for future architectural innovations. His work involves anticipating advancements three to five years ahead and integrating these technologies into real projects. This includes significant involvement in notable Free Cities projects such as Prospera, Praxis, and the Liberland Metaverse initiative. Bhushan emphasizes the potential of computational design, particularly in collaborative environments where technology can address complexities beyond the capabilities of individual designers.

Intro

4min

The Digital Shift in Architecture

11min

Integrating Tradition with Technology in Architecture

22min

Evolving Architectural Practices: Sustainability and Innovation

15min

Revolutionizing Architectural Design with Configurators

6min

Exploring Fractional Real Estate Investment and Urban Development

2min

Navigating 3D Urban Rights: New York and London's Regulatory Landscape

2min

Streamlining Innovation in Urban Architecture

2min

Beauty in Architecture: Tradition vs. Modernism

8min

10.

Balancing Urban Density and Quaint Living

3min

11.

Innovative Urban Futures: Architecture and Community Dynamics

27min

12.

Navigating the Metaverse: Luxury, Real Estate, and Social Interactions

21min

Zaha Hadid, Architecture, Próspera, Liberland, Metaverse, Parametricism, Digital Cities, Free City Design, Modular Buildings, Free Market.

Timothy Allen talks with Shajay Bhooshan

Shajay runs the computation and design group at Zaha Hadid Architects and he worked on the designs for some well known Free City projects including Próspera, Praxis and Liberland's metaverse project.

Zaha Hadid definitely work at the sharp end of the wedge as far as using innovative technologies goes and speaking to Shajay gave me a peek into the future of architectural design and city planning along with digital fabrication of virtual places. Spoiler alert: Shajay predicts that one day Zaha Hadid will generate more revenue from the digital realm than from the physical.

I would never have predicted that.

Enjoy the conversation.

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TIMESTAMPS

(0:30) Introduction
(3:54) Career and connection to Free Cities
(10:18) Parametric design represents a new architectural period
(18:18) How do we know these buildings will be good to live in?
(22:05) Modern building techniques and self sovereign empowerment
(27:27) How were you involved with Próspera?
(37:31) Modernist buildings don't age very well
(42:28) Tokyo's 30 year cycle of timber buildings
(51:52) Building configurators & modular buildings
(56:06) Three dimensional air rights and the free market
(1:03:47) Rejection of beauty vs our innate senses
(1:12:23) Do the majority of people prefer the same kind of buildings visually?
(1:15:40) Liberland's metaverse project
(1:21:45) Starting a new city with residential is not common

(1:28:43) Remote work and modern cities

(1:32:05) Fractional ownership of property & city competitiveness

(1:36:12) In the future, how much time will we spend in the metaverse?

(1:42:59) Digital residential real estate

(1:46:50) Are real life interactions more important than virtual ones?

(1:51:13) The new customer base in the metaverse

(1:55:49) Zaha Hadid's business model in the metaverse

TWITTER:

Shajay Bhooshan: ⁠https://x.com/wework4her

Timothy Allen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠