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The purpose of this paper is to explore through a project the feasibility of testing Carpo’s preposition of the second digital turn. It further argues that if media architecture could progress into a new digital design that makes use of large amount of data, the ability of computers to filter through these data and the computers capacity to generate a physical output based on data enabled through a “digital trial and error” process and “age-old problem” in media architecture design could be addressed—in the following called Master/Slave relationship. Its breakdown is then consequently a result of applying second digital turn thinking to media architecture.

The paper outlines two aspects to discuss the design of a media architecture installation: first, a qualitative method using the e-mail trails between the research team developing the installation to uncover trends in thought and opinion to identify if a Master/Slave outcome could have been avoided, thus it has the second digital turn thinking provided a “neutral judge”. Second, a design research approach where the designed outcome of the installation is discussed and evaluated. The scope of the chapter only allows for a short overview of the design process as such.

The authors could demonstrate that the design approach using second digital turn principles had overcoming the problem of a Master/Slave relationship in media architecture. Further, media architecture provides to the second digital turn, the advantage of providing input variables is of a technical nature and a clear set of objective relationships between the technical variables and constraints. Hence, it is easier to design x-number of design options. Media architecture also has advantage that the aesthetic judgement is potentially easier (which option to choose), as the primary function of most media façades lies in communicating dynamic text, graphic or images.

The paper understands its value in opening up and contributing to the question on how to judge objectiles. When designers are now in a position to develop computer programs that can design objects how does one judge which is the best object out of all the potential options? The paper argues that if the aesthetic quality of the outcome is understood a later judgement might be easier.

The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has been transformed by the increasing adoption of existing and emerging technologies of Industry 4.0, leading to the concept of Construction 4.0. However, the AEC industry is falling behind in comparison to other industries. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview of digital transformation within the Construction 4.0 framework and explore the uses and challenges associated with adopting the most prominent digital technologies. This study is a literature-based exploration of published works to evaluate knowledge gaps and comprehend the Construction 4.0 concept in the context of the AEC industry. The results present a set of possible uses of 10 promising technologies in Construction 4.0 along with challenges that hinder its adoption. These are categorised as technical, legal, financial, organisational, industry and data security barriers. This research is limited to several promising technologies. Future studies should focus on rapidly developing technologies and finding better solutions for implementation. Besides increasing the awareness of practitioners, policymakers and clients towards Construction 4.0 technologies, it might assist them in making decisions on selecting and implementing key technologies. This chapter contributes to the literature by providing an updated and inclusive review that focuses on the uses and challenges of 10 trending technologies in the specific context of Construction 4.0. Therefore, the findings of this study provide a basis for different actors in the AEC industry to accelerate digital transformation and pave the way for future research.

With the development of a new generation of digital technologies, digital transformation (DT) has become an inevitable trend for enterprises to achieve development in various industries. Nevertheless, the contradiction between the “fragmented” use of digital technologies and the “systematic” transformation of the industry leads to the underperformance of DT in the construction industry. Whilst previous studies have examined why DT is needed and how separate digital technologies can be used in construction projects, they failed to specify effective tools that can help enterprises identify key resources that facilitate DT from the organisational perspective.

This study established an objective assessment framework for evaluating the digital transformation capability (DTC) of construction enterprises in identifying limitations in their transformation efforts. This study also established a management entropy quantitative model and a comprehensive capability evaluation model of DT to analyse the DT performance of construction enterprises from the internal and external perspectives. Data were collected from 95 listed enterprises in China’s construction industry in 2020 as a case study.

This study concluded that enterprise profitability provides a strong endogenous driving force for DT. Research and development capabilities and DT proficiency of enterprises are the most critical factors in facilitating DT. In addition, China’s construction enterprises' DT was characterised by uneven development and low orderliness. The lack of a unified digital integration platform is key to cracking the dilemma.

This paper systematically identified key DTC in construction enterprises and proposed an objective framework for measuring DTC to enhance the DT performance of these enterprises.

The evolution of digital construction within Industrial Revolution 5.0 emphasises the harmonious integration of humans and technology, value-driven technology implementation, adaptive leadership and user-centric design solutions. This shift necessitates architects to enhance their soft skills to navigate the transition effectively. Failure to demonstrate these skills may confine architects to passive roles as technology consumers rather than innovative leaders. While existing research predominantly focuses on the technical aspects of digital construction, this study investigates how architects effectively manifest their soft skills within such dynamic contexts, addressing a critical gap in the current literature.

Employing an interpretive phenomenological approach, the research engaged 14 individual architects practicing in architectural consultancy practices (ACPs) in Malaysia through semi-structured interviews and written exercises to unveil their experiences.

Thematic analysis revealed six primary themes: “analytical and critical thinking,” “digital communication,” “diversity in leadership styles,” “emotional intelligence,” “ethics and professionalism,” and “curiosity and agility.”

Furthermore, the developed thematic map serves as a foundational resource for human resource practices aiming to design upskilling and reskilling programs that focus on nurturing soft skills. Emphasising soft skills, these programs are designed to thrive in the digital construction era and beyond.

These shared experiences significantly contribute to the theoretical understanding of soft skills within the digital construction context, providing novel insights into their practical application when addressing real-world implications.