eral expensive and slow to achieve....As adittional inconvenients, it's worth mentioning the...

Computer models versus architectural scale

models

J.A. Vazquez, E. Martin

Department of Technology of Construction, E.T.S.

Arquitectura, Universidad de La Coruna, Spain

Abstract

Traditionally scale models have been the elements used by architects and engi-neers as a previous image to the project. This models could be made in wood,plastic, paper, metal or similar materials.

The introduction of the digital computer has allowed the realization ofvirtual models which reproduce with great precision the image of a physic modelwithout the disadvantages that this presents. In recent times, important and sig-nificant advances have taken place in the modelization of objects with texture,transparencies, reflexes, and so on.

In the case of a development of an architectural project, the simple geo-metrical modelization may not be sufficient. This, of course, allows the observa-tion of a very realistic image of the object at issue, but many times details as thelighting studies, the animated walkthrough, and the transition from the inner to theouter space may be of great interest as a previous phase to the design to confirmthe viability of our initial ideas.

In the present paper we shall show some of the experiences and resultsobtained in our department in the modelization of architectural and town planningprojects.

1 Computer Models

Scale models have been the elements used by architects and engineers as a previ-ous image to the project. This is a realistic and very attractive system but in gen-

Transactions on Information and Communications Technologies vol 12, © 1995 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3517

184 Visualization and Intelligent Design in Engineering

eral expensive and slow to achieve.

Traditionally scale models have been used by architects and engineers intwo different aspects. On one hand, as spatial control and working mechanismsduring the phases of the project, on the other hand, as presentation systems inorder to facilitate the understanding of the work by a third person.

Processes of construction of such scale models demanded a special skill indo-it-yourself techniques, which normally forced to turn to professionals beyondthe development of the idea.

As adittional inconvenients, it's worth mentioning the slowliness of execu-tion and the increase of cost. So as the difficulty of reproducing, with relativesimplicity, various alternatives towards its global evaluation.

With regard to the perception of the object, the three-dimensional natureof the scale model always offers irreal perspectives, because of the position of theobserver point of view and the special features derived from the scale difference aswell.

The popularization of the computer use and of the aided design applica-tions, so as the expansion in the investigation about hardware and software havebeen open new lines of work in the realization of virtual models, which reproducewith greater precision the image of the designed object.

First, these tasks are more related to the designer's habitual practise tak-ing account that computer science has become the essential tool of his work.Secondly, the possibilities of creation, manipulation and control of the projecthave been outstandingly increased, whiles temporal order resources, have beenspectacularity reduced, allowing the immediate contemplation of each new alter-native.

The perspective election can be adopted with all flexibility, opting for us-ers points of view and walkthroughs including questions related to lighting, tex-tures, trasparences and reflexes.

Other factor that increases the productivity of this system is the possibilityof sharing resources and elements among models belonging to projects totallyindependent. Every user can make then his own library of objects and his owncustomization tools, with which he can optimize the creative and representativeprocess. When using the scanner it turns out to be feasible to incorporate to themodel images taken from the real environment, either with the idea of creating arealistic backdrop, or with the aim of showing a reflex from the planned location.Just like that, the scanner allows to recuperate and record textures with which to


Visualization and Intelligent Design in Engineering 185

simulate the most different finishing under a hyperrealistic concept.

Computer aided design and modelization programs allow in most cases toshare information with other applications equally linked to the projectation area.In this sense the proper same task of the model execution, can be good as a basefor the development of the other stages included in the process, which obtainsglobalizing character. So, it turns out to be feasible to use the scale model descrip-tions so as to deal with the work measuring or to verify the structural behavior ofthe model

2 Architectonical Projects

We shall try to illustrate some of the experiences and results obtained at the De-partment of Technology of Construction. E.T.S. Architecture. University of LaCoruna, in respect either the design or control of new structural systems or themodelization of architecture and planning projects.

In a first stage of development the space comprehension is made by meansof a generation of wire models that, though confusive, they allow a previous studyto the reality of the project.

Figure 1: Vanna Venturi House. Robert Venturi.

The wire models let at the same time a detailed analyses of his geometricalan structural behavior being relatively easy his modification and adequation tonew design situations. These models facilitate the recreation of historical environ-ments, looking the time descriptions and at the hypothesis given by experts. As anexample, the historical reconstruction of the mobile covering for the Colosseum inRome, which has been studied by Emilio Martin, is shown.



Figure 2: Mobile covering, for the Colosseum. Rome.

In the field of the realization of architectural projects, it is shown as thefirst work the architectural graduation work, elaborated by one of the authors,under the direction of the architect Mr. Gallego Jorreto, about the design of aSocial and Sport Centre in Betanzos, a village located near La Coruna.

This project was developed from the beginning with the use of computers,starting with some previous basic volumes, which through the different phases ofthe project, took form, becoming adapted to the place, adjusted to the programnecessities.

Finally, a virtual scale model of the building was elaborated as with a com-plex and detailed definition of its different elements. So as to clarify the givenproposal.

One of the most important projects made by our team has been, perhapsthe realization of the three-dimensional model of the Riazor Stadium enlarge-ments initial project in the city of La Coruna In this case the technique ofmodelization was used to evaluate different alternatives related to the complexcovering structure design to reach the global solution.

This project made in June, 1993, was continued in March this year 1995,when an official competition of ideas was called for the enlargement an improve-ment of the Stadium by La Coruna council. As a part of the proposal of the firmDragados y Construcciones, a three dimensional scale model of the proposed so-lution besides several animates walkthroughs through the Stadium, including cam-eras movements, a light and shadow study, so that it will make easy the under-standing the final proposal to those responsible of valorating it.



Figure 3: Previous basics volumes of a Social and Sport Centre. Betanzos.

Figure 4: Project became took form, becoming adapted to the place.

Figure 5: Social and Sport Centre. The final project.



Figure 6,7,8: Riazor enlargement proposal.



Figure 9, 10, 11: Multiples points of view of the tridimensional scale model.



Figure 12, 13: Frames of animation walkthrough


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