Augmented Architecture: The Ultimate Expression of Function Over Form?

"The augmented reality that Google Glass promises may not seem architectural, but in truth the two couldn’t be more related," says Edelson. "Augmented reality is, after all, the layering of information over the built environment." But how will our interpretation of the physical world change when the virtual world becomes a visual part of it?  

"You won’t just see a building; you’ll also see any relevant data concerning what’s going on inside that building. We’ll be increasingly aware of the inner happenings of our surroundings in a myriad of ways." Google Glass will let us see beyond architecture, in other words, the ultimate expression of function over form.

"Beyond mere ads it’s difficult to speculate about the profound effects of augmented reality," continues Edelson. "The technology itself is still evolving, but there are hints of what’s to come. We already know how the smartphones Google Glass relies upon have affected us: They increasingly put us into our own world where news, social media, and work are condensed into a very personal device."

"We can assume that augmented reality will further cater to our individuality as it visually surrounds us with personalized attention," he adds. "However, even as we live in our own worlds the information being sent to us will reflect the incredible inter-connectivity of the digital 21st century."