So Fetch!

Martin Rodriguez and Johnathan Bam Davis, Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning

Faculty Advisor: Anya Sirota, Associate Professor of Architecture, Associate Dean of Academic Initiatives, Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning

Slang, a distinctive and evolving form of linguistic expression, often defies conventional language norms, introducing playful and rebellious modes of communication that reflect cultural identity and shared experiences. Frequently dismissed as unrefined, slang’s informality is intertwined with biases related to race, class, and cultural background. However, in academic and formal environments, this rejection limits the diversity of expression and sidelines the narratives of various communities. In contrast, slang holds the potential to democratize communication in art and architecture, engaging wider audiences and encouraging inclusive dialogue.

Much like the movements associated with verbal communication trends, architectural ornamentation refers to decorative elements added to buildings and structures to enhance their visual appeal, express cultural identity, or convey symbolic meaning. Ornamentation reflects art and architectural history by showcasing how societies appreciate and interact with space and time, embodying cultural values, aesthetics, and techniques. However, it is not static; it continuously evolves in response to cultural shifts, technological innovations, and artistic movements. As new materials and methods emerge, architects and designers reinterpret traditional forms and invent entirely new styles of ornamentation, allowing them to reflect contemporary values and identities.

‘So Fetch!’ A slang term that famously “never became a thing” is a research exploration aimed at broadening the boundaries of art and architecture through the lens of slang. This project draws on the unique capacity of slang to reimagine architectural ornamentation, framing it as an expression of cultural energy and a means of enlivening the public realm. Ornamentation in architecture, much like slang in language, captures the dynamic qualities of its era. It continuously adapts to cultural shifts, innovations, and societal needs, transforming traditional aesthetics and modes of self-expression. By exploring ornamentation through the lens of contemporary slang, we aim to develop new, culturally resonant forms that activate urban spaces and invite public participation.

This exploration leverages AI as an interpretive tool to translate slang into fresh architectural modes of ornamentation, creating vibrant scenographies that highlight linguistic and cultural exuberance. Using AI-driven language models and generative design software, our research analyzes slang’s structure, symbolism, and visual potential, converting it into surface design elements that can transform façades, interiors, and urban installations. This fusion of language and architecture evolves through projection mapping, digital fabrication, and mixed reality, crafting immersive, story-rich environments that connect people to place. Our goal is to make art and architecture not merely a backdrop but a participant in the lives of those it touches, sparking curiosity and fostering a shared sense of belonging. This is us making ‘So Fetch!’ a thing.

This research builds on our thesis work with Anya Sirota in ‘Constructed Actors’, a thesis studio that explores architecture, urban design, and development through storytelling traditions, with a focus on puppetry and its related disciplines of scenography and performance. As a deeply rooted cultural art form, puppetry endures for its ability to convey complex, often unspeakable ideas, making it a compelling analog for examining the forces that shape architectural production. By studying the control mechanisms, agency, and societal influences inherent in puppet theater, students will explore how architecture, like puppets, is animated by external forces to derive meaning, identity, and purpose. We are currently defining our thesis this semester with intent to produce thoughtful and meaningful academic inquiry.

So Fetch! reimagines architecture’s role in a world shaped by environmental challenges, globalization, and rapid technological change. By integrating storytelling techniques such as projection mapping, soundscapes, digital fabrication, and mixed reality — and incorporating elements of dance and theater — we aim to transform spaces into immersive, human-centered experiences, making design a dynamic participant in cultural expression.

Through performance and narration, we blend music, storytelling, and dance to explore the origins of slang, the shaping of identity, and the relationships between communities. The narrative also examines how digital connections — via devices and interactions — are transforming our relationships with each other and the physical world. In collaboration with dancers, musicians, and screenwriters, we are crafting a multi-dimensional performance that merges physical and digital elements. The architectural scenography incorporates augmented reality (AR) to create interactive digital layers, with digitally fabricated sets designed for dancers to engage with, and projection mapping to enhance the visual experience. This approach invites audiences to immerse themselves in the future of spatial connections while grounding the work in familiar practices of theater scenography and ornamentation. By symbolically linking physical models and digital projections, the performance invites audiences to envision themselves in a constructed reality that bridges the familiar and the speculative.

The project engages with histories of marginalization and digital interaction while researching methods of meaningful digital engagement to strengthen connections between people and place. The AR elements will be seamlessly integrated into the set design, enhancing the audience’s experience by allowing interaction with the environment. Music, composed using AI-generated chord progressions, will reflect the intersection of creativity and technology. The script will explore the relationships between people, place, and digital media, while dance movements, choreographed in collaboration with the School of Theater and Dance, will dynamically interact with objects on stage.

Our timeline is set for completion by the end of May, with ongoing performances scheduled on multiple dates through the summer. We hope that this grant will bring people together to celebrate what it means to gather as a collective to enjoy art and architecture that creates memories through digital and physical entanglements, a construct of performative language. A So Fetch experience!