Topology generated non-fungible tokens: blockchain as infrastructure for architectural design

Dounas, Theodoros, Jabi, Wassim ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2594-9568 and Lombardi, Davide 2021. Topology generated non-fungible tokens: blockchain as infrastructure for architectural design. Presented at: 26th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA 2021), Hong Kong, 29 March - 01 April 2021. 26th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia. Hong Kong: CAADRIA,

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Abstract

The paper presents a new digital infrastructure layer for buildings and architectural assets. The infrastructure layer consists of a combination of topology graphs secured on a decentralised ledger. The topology graphs organise non-fungible digital tokens which each represent and correspond to building components, and in the root of the graph to the building itself.The paper presents background research in the relationship of building representation in the form of graphs with topology, of both manifold and non manifold nature. In parallel we present and analyse the relationship between digital representation and physical manifestation of a building, and back again. Within the digital representations the paper analyses the securing and saving of information on decentralised ledger technologies (such as blockchain). We then present a simple sample of generating and registering a non-manifold topology graph on the Ethereum blockchain as an EC721 token, i.e. a digital object that is unique, all through the use of dynamo and python scripting connected with a smart contract on the Ethereum blockchain. Ownership of this token can then be transferred on the blockchain smart contracts. The paper concludes with a discussion of the possibilities that this integration brings in terms of material passports and a circular economy and smart contracts as an infrastructure for whole-lifecycle BIM and digitally encapsulates of value in architectural designPlease write your abstract here by clicking this paragraph.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Architecture
Subjects:	N Fine Arts > NA Architecture
Publisher:	CAADRIA
Related URLs:	Organisation
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 March 2021
Date of Acceptance:	20 January 2021
Last Modified:	09 Nov 2022 10:24
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/139348

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