Cellular Automata 02

About this Artwork

Image from my Degree Project; the second form in a generative design series based on the Game of Life. The following text is derived from excerpts from my final research documents. GAME OF LIFE: RULES > The universe of the Game of Life is an infinite two-dimensional orthogonal grid of square cells, each of which is in one of two possible states, alive or dead. Every cell interacts with its eight neighbors, which are the cells that are horizontally, vertically, or diagonally adjacent. At each step in time, the following transitions occur: • Any live cell with less than two live neighbors dies, as if caused by under-population. • Any live cell with two or three live neighbors lives on to the next generation. • Any live cell with more than three live neighbors dies, as if by overcrowding. • Any dead cell with exactly three live neighbors becomes a live cell, as if by reproduction. The initial pattern constitutes the seed of the system. The first generation is created by applying the above rules simultaneously to every cell in the seed—births and deaths occur simultaneously, and the discrete moment at which this happens is sometimes called a tick (in other words, each generation is a pure function of the preceding one). The rules continue to be applied repeatedly to create further generations. METHODS OF ASCENSION > As the aerial framework synonymous with the Seventh Facade evolves within the orthogonal city grid, connections to the ground plane will be limited. The parameters for these limitations will begin with the existing hierarchies of accessibility, then adapt as necessary as informed by circulation and program. These connections will take the form of a speculative vertical transportation system. The nature of these systems will stem from existing typologies of vertical transport, with the potential of acquiring new technologies and unique programmatic elements.