Buildings as Experiences: Why Apple's Approach to Software Development Is Perceivably Indistinguishable from Hardware Experience
How Standards-Based Development and BIM Shape the Future of Application Experiences at Apple
“When you are overworked and exhausted, there is a sense of kind of delirium and that's why I think architects do all-nighters and they kind of do those deadlines. For four days I remember doing four nights in one row with no sleep. I mean nobody, unless you are crazy, would do that, but you are totally focused on the project.”
-Zaha Hadid
At the core of Apple's innovation lies a profound philosophy: that the creation of standards-based service architecture, much like the construction of physical spaces, should be immersive, familiar, and inherently sustainable. This philosophy underpins Apple's approach to application development, where the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) guarantees that everyone in the company is always operating and building based on real technical standards. This strategy ensures not just the seamless integration of applications into the hardware's service layer but also keeps the entire company aligned on a unified lightweight vision.
The Architectural Blueprint
The essence of BIM, traditionally associated with the architectural domain for holistically designing buildings, has been ingeniously adapted by Apple to serve as the foundational framework for its application development so that hardware releases can roll out with just as much magic as software releases. By treating applications as integral components of the hardware's service layer, Apple ensures that its digital creations are not mere add-ons but are as fundamental to the device's ecosystem as the physical components themselves.
The Seamless Integration
The adoption of BIM has facilitated a paradigm where applications are woven into the very fabric of the hardware, enabling a level of integration that is both deep and integrated. This blend is what keeps new Apple experiences feeling novel. Applications are designed to leverage the full potential of the hardware, ensuring that every swipe, tap, and gesture feels natural, responsive, and, above all, designed as an extension of the device itself.
Class Architecture: A Unified Language
One of the critical aspects of employing BIM in application development is the establishment of a robust class architecture. This architecture acts as a common language, ensuring that every team across Apple—from hardware engineers to UI designers—is aligned with the overarching vision of the product.
Keeping the Company on the Same Page
The BIM approach to developing class architecture and class based systems is more than a technical strategy; it's a philosophical one that ensures unity and coherence across all of the company’s endeavors. It allows for a level of collaboration and cross-disciplinary integration that is rare, ensuring that every component, be it hardware or software, is part of a larger, beautifully orchestrated symphony. This unity is what keeps the company on the same page, driving towards a shared vision of innovation and excellence.
The Perceivably Indistinguishable Experience
The culmination of these efforts is an experience where the distinctions between hardware and software, between the physical and the digital, become blurrier. Users do not perceive Apple devices and applications as separate entities but as cohesive experiences that are inherently linked. This indistinguishability is the recipe to producing exceptional software and hardware experiences, providing us with an ecosystem that is not only surprisingly familiar but also deeply integrated into our daily lives even at a spiritual and very emotional level.
Conclusion
Apple's architectural approach to application development, grounded in the principles of Building Information Modeling, has redefined what it means to create digital experiences. By developing applications directly into the hardware's service layer and maintaining a unified class architecture, Apple ensures that its products offer an experience that is cohesive, familiar, and unmistakably Apple. It's a testament to the company's commitment to developing new standards, where every detail is designed with people in mind, creating ecosystems where buildings are not just structures, but spiritually rich experiences—much like the applications that live within Apple's hardware.