Topology generated non-fungible tokens: blockchain as infrastructure for a circular economy in architectural design.

Dounas, Theodoros; Jabi, Wassim; Lombardi, Davide

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 design.

Citation

DOUNAS, T., JABI, W. and LOMBARDI, D. 2021. Topology generated non-fungible tokens: blockchain as infrastructure for a circular economy in architectural design. In Globa, A., van Ameijde, J., Fingrut, A., Kim, N. and Sky Lo, T.T. (eds.) Proceedings of the 26th Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia international conference 2021 (CAADRIA 2021): projections, 29 March - 1 April 2021, [virtual conference]. Hong Kong: CAADRIA [online], vol 2, pages 151-160. Available from: https://caadria2021.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/caadria2021_376.pdf

• Conference Name: 26th Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia international conference 2021 (CAADRIA 2021): projections
• Conference Location: [virtual conference]
• Start Date: Mar 29, 2021
• End Date: Apr 1, 2021
• Acceptance Date: Jan 20, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2021
• Deposit Date: May 11, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 11, 2021
• Publisher: Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia
• Volume: 2
• Pages: 151-160
• Series ISSN: 2710-4257
• ISBN: 9789887891765
• Keywords: Blockchain; Tokenisation; Topology; Circular economy; Decentralisation
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1335050
• Publisher URL: https://caadria2021.org/proceedings