Home Page Contents Objectives CAD Design Communication Sources Links The Site Feedback		Objectives 1-Introduction Architecture has sustained deep changes through history; some of them related to its practice and others related to its conception. This research will investigate the technological change brought by the Internet to the architectural profession. Within the set of changes within this discipline, the latest one related to communication and multimedia (i.e. Internet) influences both conceptual and practical sides; and is this relationship that this research tries to examine. Unlike the technological shift brought by CAD (a topic that has been thoroughly examined), the diffusion of the Internet as a communication tool in architecture is a subject that has not yet been fully covered, it is in a constant development, and that has deep effects on the way design is conceived, pursued and expressed. This new dimension enriches the already existing relationship between computing and architectural design. Objectives The main aim of the research project are: Examine the realtionship between,Architectural Design, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Communication (i.e. Internet) Assess the consequences of the application of CAD tools and the Internet-Communication in architecture, using a specific design problem in Glasgow as a testing vehicle. Problems to Tackle Understanding how the design process can be enhanced by the use of the Internet. Investigating and selecting various CAD and Internet software applications that can be used at the specific design stages. Learning and applying software applications regarding CAD and Internet Extracting a series of conclusions that can use the Internet as a media useful for architectural design. 2-Research Methodology To reach these aims an inductive methodology is selected. Starting from the exercise of a conventional architectural design process, both CAD and Internet programs are applied in parallel, and a set of conclusions and critical comment for each stage and category of tools is extracted. In order to identify these process-stages, it is first necessary to define the concepts according to the areas above mentioned, to propose a general research procedure. Concept Delimitation Communication (Internet) Communication in Architecture can cover issues ranging from project presentation to sketching. This research looks at the communication issues implicit in the use of the Internet within Architecture. This deals mainly with aspects that range from data exchange, project presentation and diffusion, and the use of networking as a new dimension of architectural design communication. CAD (Conventional) Computer Aided Architectural design is limited to the application of mainstream standalone CAD applications on an architectural design process. The selection of tools derives from tables of CAD applications used on schools and practices. The main interest in this area deals with CAD parametric programs. Their use follows the manufacturer’s intended use. Design (Architectural Project) An architectural project in Glasgow has been chosen, as a vehicle for the selection and testing of the Internet and CAD tools. The selection of a particular design issue in the city allows the formulation of a potential architectural solution constantly testing the communication capabilities of the Internet, as well as the flexibility of CAD tools. In addition, the pursue of a design task provides a basic structure for the classification of tools use. Structure Communication (Internet) The use of Internet as a communication tool in architecture is focused on aspects regarding interactivity and ease of use. Testing and exploration has been done through the following steps: Information Retrieval and Exchange through Electronic Mail and Mailing Lists. Downloading of Internet Tools through FTP (File transfer Protocol),World Wide Web and Gopher. Creation and Publishing of a Web page using HTML (Hypertext Tag Marking Language). The above mentioned points imply the learning of basic skills regarding HTML composition and publishing; graphics and text edition and web site management. These previous skills are essential in order to convey the expected information in a way that can be used over the Internet. CAD (Conventional) CAD tools selection is based on their diffusion (retail and educational market) as well as on their features, ranging from vectorial bidimensional drawing (Autocad) to form modelling (Bentley Triforma). Animation and Rendering programs are used in conjuction with the selected CAD applications, in their latest versions available. A intermediate level of learning is expected, in order to obtain basic skills that can be applied to express the design options considered. Design (Architectural Project) In order to apply the CAD tools selected, and the Internet communication potential, a housing project has being developed following the stages of the traditional design process. The amount and type of information required for each stage has been produced using the selected CAD and Internet tools. Organization Diagram The following diagrams shows how the different stages of the work have been pursued. Parallel to the developments of the design phases a set of graphics and CAD tools have been selected and applied, and its results ported to the Internet Web page as a data repository and communication tools. 3-Expected Results It is expected a series of conclusions that clarify the following aspects: What advantages can the Internet offer for an architectural design exercise. How can available CAD tools be used in the Internet as a communication tools. What limitations are intrinsic to the use of Internet and CAD as design tools. What sort of changes can be expected within architectural practice , by the effect of these technologies.

			Top Forward Back Contents

This page is maintained by WebMaster (Juan Pablo Ordonez)