At this present time, matter is still the best way to think of architecture, but I'm not so sure for very long. The computer is radicalizing the way we think about our world.

The quote "At this present time, matter is still the best way to think of architecture, but I'm not so sure for very long. The computer is radicalizing the way we think about our world." by Ben Nicholson, an architect and theorist, captures a pivotal moment in the evolution of architectural thought, as digital technology began to transform the discipline. Nicholson acknowledges that matter—the physical materials that compose buildings—has traditionally been the foundation of architecture, grounding it in tangible form, space, and structure. However, he suggests that this paradigm is shifting rapidly due to the influence of computers.

The key phrase “the computer is radicalizing” points to the profound ways in which digital tools and virtual modeling are reshaping how architects conceive, design, and represent buildings. Software enables unprecedented levels of precision, experimentation, and simulation, moving the profession beyond traditional material constraints. With technologies like parametric design, 3D printing, and generative algorithms, the idea of a building can now exist and evolve entirely in a virtual environment before taking physical form—if it even needs to.

Nicholson’s reflection is not just about technique, but about a philosophical shift. He questions whether materiality will continue to define architecture in a world where information, data, and immaterial systems are increasingly dominant. His words anticipate a future where architecture might be just as much about code and conceptual frameworks as about bricks and mortar—challenging the very definition of what architecture is.

In essence, this quote marks a moment of transition and uncertainty, recognizing both the legacy of material thinking and the emerging power of digital innovation. Nicholson invites us to consider architecture not just as a physical art, but as a dynamic process that evolves alongside technological change. It’s a forward-looking statement that captures the tension—and excitement—of a discipline on the brink of redefinition.