Fungible / Non-Fungible
(NFT Pavilion)

The proposal is a new decentralised and systematic approach towards architectural design, fabrication and funding in which the community are both the designers and investors leading towards an emergent structure that evolves and grows over time.

In this proposal we set forth a new role of the architect – no longer the ‘Master Builder’ of The Fountainhead – but rather one of a systems designer who weaves together innovative technologies to empower communities and enable local craftsmanship.

Rather than designing architecture elements ourselves we proposed to build an NFT generative tool in which individuals could design and “mint” (the process of creating and authenticating digital ownership) their own objects.

This project is the first step towards empowering citizens to become stakeholders of their own built environment.

designed by @iheartblob

Collaborators: Bollinger+Grohmann, thermory, TAB, objkt.com, archdaily, dezeen

Tallinn Architecture Biennale 2022

Rather than designing architecture elements ourselves we have built an NFT generative tool in which individuals can design and “mint” (the process of creating and authenticating digital ownership) their own objects. As part of our NFT generative tool, we provide a parametric setup for users to design within constraints (e.g. grid systems, predefined interlocking components, timber materiality, etc.) and the initial minting fee can therefore be calculated to cover the budgeted costs of material and overheads (labor, fabrication, etc) to manifest a physical object of this digital design. In essence, every NFT minted by our tool funds a physical twin that is used in the pavilion. The digital objects can then be sold, by the owners, on secondary marketplaces as a way for the community designers to generate returns on their design/investment.
 

Photography by Tonu Tunnel 2022

Towards A New Architecture

This proposal seeks not just to build a pavilion, but to provide an example for how we may change the way we fund architecture into something more sustainable (both environmentally and financially) and ultimately more responsive to community needs. It is the first step towards empowering citizens to become stakeholders of their own built environment.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

With a NFT you have verifiable ownership to a digital object, in our case each designer of the NFT block helps fund the fabrication of the pavilion and their designs enable new formal opportunity and community engagement. Our platform enables everyday designers and non-designers the ability to directly contribute to the final design of the Fungible Non-Fungible Pavilion.