From Pen 2 Bit: Computers in Architectural Design

Vassilis BourdakisDept. of Planning and

Regional Development University of Thessaly

Greecevas@prd.uth.gr

Overviewistory

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igital Processes [Basic principles]

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mplementation

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History Spatial Representation Techniques [1]

• Plans in black ink on papyrus sheets: 2000BC Near and Far East, Mesopotamia and Egypt

• Greek temples were built on sets of proven portable rules. Avoided drawings but only 1/1 scale models of particular details

• Scenography introduced in Hellenistic periods (creating illusions of depth for the 4cen. BC Greek theatre stages

• Romans did use drawings and elevations• Proper plans, sections and elevations were used in

Western Europe after the rediscovery of Euclidean geometry in 1100AD

Spatial Representation Techniques [2]

• Medieval period architects would examine suitable buildings, trace them and modify them to produce their designs in card sheets later on destroyed or recycled

• Perspective drawing developed in Renaissance• Orthographic (first angle projection) drawings an

essential element in the creation of Industrial Revolution (by French physicist and military engineer Gaspard Monge)

• Formalisation of architectural education and profession (fine-line drafting skills, technical drawing)

• Twentieth century art movements fully abandoned linear perspective and representational techniques in favour of abstraction, experimentation, etc.

Analogue to Digital Processes [Basic Principles]

• Permanency of analogue vs. volatility of digital media

• The architectural concept of line (physical, representational, digital)

• Moving from the line as an element to a database representational object

• Information Communication

Volatility of Digital Media

• Materiality of a line paper drawing– It is physically there– Accessible– Foldable– Transportable– Editable

• Non-physical existence of a digital drawing, unless printed and distributed– Triviality– Dependency on electricity and – Necessitates a computer, monitor, projector system

to materialise and be communicable

The architectural concept of line• Architectural design as a series of uncertainty reduction

iterations where a line can be a tool to:– Conceptualise a plan– Organise Space – Functional structuring of elements/spaces– Compare alternatives

• A line is:– Re-definable according to needs, conditions, even mood

and time of day…– Flexible in its meaning and qualities (start, end, thickness,

elevation, etc)• A line is not:

– A strict mathematical equation– Clinical, finite– Structured– Absolute

Line: database representational object

• Line-Element of a drawing, painting, generic graphical representation is uni-dimensional and can only conceptually include additional meanings

• Digital objects rarely have a uni-dimensional representation in a drawing—the underlying data structure may incorporate a series of other datasets making for an interlinked multidimensional setup: the missing link between design and production/construction (bill of quantities in construction phases, cost calculations, project management, etc)

Analogies of A 2 D

• One discreet entity / element may imply, infer differently according to context and may also be analysed accordingly– Conceptual meaning

• A sketched line may imply a wall, a separation, a visual occlusion, etc

• A CAD line drawn may incorporate information relating it to other subassemblies, entities, conditions

– Utilisation

Criticism on digital design tools

“From the graphic opportunity afforded by the CAD system and exploited by Deconstructionist designers who simply punch ROTATE and STRETCH on their computers to project forced-decorative geometric expressions of complexity and contradiction that weirdly exploit a deference toward the forms of classic Modern architecture while really profaning its principles”[R. Venturi, p.7]

Analysis[Designing in Architecture]

• Architects and Computers• Use of Computers• Digital Design Tools• 2D vs. 3D modelling• Modelling Time (4D)

Architects and computers

• Education (where, when, acceptable technologies, preconceptions of teaching staff, etc)

• Age group (directly linked to education, small variations based on the speed of adoption of new technologies in various institutions)

• Gender (less of an issue in younger ages)

Architects’ use of computers

Classification based on adeptness:1. General Knowledge2. Minor editing, printing, etc3. 2D drawing capabilities4. 3D/4D modelling knowledge5. Design Tool

Digital Design Tools

• What can the computer do for an architect• Simulation of the typical design process?• Compared to the computer games industry,

architectural design tools are where Space Invaders was in the 1970. No comparison to current day gaming industry.

• Among the reasons are – Small market share – Users unaware of the potential – Architectural design process difficult to:

• Comprehend• Simulate • Prototype and • Re-enact

2D vs. 3D computer modelling

• Certain structural subassemblies can be best analysed and designed in 3D:– Lighting, shading– Heating and Ventilation– Volumetric occlusions– Staircases, roofs, etc

• However the 2D design conventions are much easier and more elaborate to work with

• Designers often work in 3D just because it is possible and not because it is advantageous

• Due to the immaturity and inabilities of the 3D modelling tools, creativity is crippled leading to:– Exhausted, annoyed architects, failing to materialise their

ideas– Poor designs but within the capabilities of the software…

4D modelling: The variable of Time

• Digital design tools facilitate the integration of time in the design process

• A powerful concept not fully exploited by architects

• Time as a variable in relation to a representation of an assembly, process, or function

Analysis [Implementation Codes]

• Capabilities of Digital Design Tools• Communicating Construction

Drawings• Construction Codes Adherence• Paper replacements

Capabilities of Digital Design Tools

• Abundance of CAD design tools organised in two main groups– Structured/holistic dealing with:

• Spatial Design• Creation of production drawings (for planning

offices, subcontractors, other team engineers, etc)

– Flexible/partial capable of:• Elaborating form production in 3D• Morphing, editing, etc• Limited regarding the production of 2D

constructional drawings

Communicating Construction Drawings

• The dominance of computers in design and construction is still matched with low-tech means of communicating the work on site via paper

• Augmented Reality methods are discussed for over a decade with no concrete viable solutions in the market

• GPS (Global Positioning Systems) have also been considered, but again cost, accuracy and physical constraints prevail

Construction Code Adherence

• Taking the step to digital design for construction, there is a need to re-think the codes, re-evaluate them and update them to a digital-friendly format

• Issues that need to be tackled are:– New codes’ “compatibility” with the existing codes– Education of the relevant trades– Accessibility to contractors and labour

• Abstract representations of the constructional elements relevant to each trade

• Use of colour• 3D sketching, wire-frame views• Time variable to map the sequence of works

Paper replacements

• The paper replacement in the forms of e-paper as researched by Xerox, IBM and others, needs more time to mature and satisfy the following needs:– Cheap to produce in reasonably large sizes (A2-A3)– Foldable– Waterproof– Support colour– High resolution– Markable– Interactive– Online with supervisor and designer for feedback and

reports• Hence, paper seems to be the medium that will be

building the world for the next decade

Conclusions

• Digital Media:– New directions opening up into

• Researching Space• Designing Space• Implementing Space

– Work in both Real and Virtual Environments• Widening the market share for architects• Alternative research and application directions

Conclusions [2]

• Digital Era in Architectural Design is– Advantageous in:

• Processes• Clarity• Flexibility

– Still Problematic in:• Implementation/construction• Communication

Conclusions [3]

• Fighting Misconceptions• Get the approval of the status quo• Accepted as a tool and not a

hindrance to architectural design and production of space

• Architectural-minded software tools are in urgent need (generic tools are not satisfactory)