Architecture 4.0 - Influences of digital design in contemporary architecture: towards the definition of new languages and tectonic

SUMMARY. During the last two decades, the advancements in digital technologies strongly influenced our life and spread through various professional fields. The impact of this so-called “4th Industrial Revolution” is visible both in the efficiency of the workflow and, above all, in the introduction of approaches and methodologies that allows to achieve revolutionary results. In the field of architectural design this change is bringing to new languages and tectonic rules, based on innovative design approaches, through the exploitation of digital technologies and digital fabrication methods. A basic key point of the discourse on digital architecture is the development of research, both in academy and professional offices, which deeply explores technical and conceptual approaches, bringing innovation to the architectural practice. During the last ten years, theories and debates emerged around the definition of “parametric architecture”– which is an almost old fashioned way to generally identify weird-shaped architecture – but beyond the theoretical positions, it is clear that digital design is having a relevant influence on the development of innovative approaches, enabling new fabrication methods which open to unprecedent construction possibilities. Through the analysis of two contemporary international case-studies, the article aims to show this innovation in architectural field, in particular in timber construction, led by the new digital technologies and robotic fabrication methods.