Term Paper Major
-
Upload
ifeoma-nwafor -
Category
Documents
-
view
219 -
download
0
Transcript of Term Paper Major
-
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
1/25
THE USE OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS
A term paper written and compiled by
Nwafor Ifeoma .C
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE,
NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA.
COURSE TITLE:Computer Application In Architectural
Design Process.
COURSE CODE:Arc. 771
LECTURER: Arc. I.O Okereke
LEVEL: MSc.1
DATE:July 2011
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
2/25
-
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
3/25
COMPUTER APPLICATION IN ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN PROCESS.
Before we go into the application of computer in architectural design process,
it is necessary to first of all understand what architecture is and also have an
idea of what an architectural design process is all about.
What is architecture? Architecture is the art and science of building design.
From this definition, one can still ask what a building design is? To
understand the meaning of a building design, let us look at the individual
meaning of the two words: - building and design.
A building is an assemblage that is firmly attached to the ground and that
provides total or nearly total shelter for machines, processing equipment,
performance of human activities, storage of human possessions, or any
combination of these.
N/B- an assemblage is the fixing or putting together of two
or more components of an object.
Design is the process of formulating, creating and planning a functional
assemblage(e.g., a building) in order to satisfy specific objectives(e.g.,
shelter) and subject to constraints and restrictions(eg, the owners preferences)
and consisting of two or more components that are interrelated and
compatible, each component being essential to the required performance of
the assemblage/structure (building).
N/B- from the definition above, design is a process.
therefore, Building design is the process of providing all information
necessary for construction of a building that will meet its owners
requirements and also satisfy public health, welfare, and safety requirements.
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
4/25
1.0 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS: - MEANING AND
INFERENCE
In the previous page, weve looked at the definition of architecture anddesign. So let us look at meaning ofa process in order for us to get the
full picture of what architectural design process is all about.
A process is a rational, orderly series of steps that leads to the best
decision for a given set of conditions.
Therefore, architectural design process is the art and science of
providing all necessary information in a rational orderly series of stepsfor the construction of a building that will meet its owners requirements
and also satisfy public health, welfare, and safety requirements.
Concisely, architectural design process is a way of structuring the order
in which a vast number of architectural decision are made.
1.1 COMPUTER APPLICATION IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNPROCESS.
INTRODUCTION
A computer is an electronic and versatile machine that has the ability to
accept data (input), stores these data in memory, process these data
according to well defined set of finite sequence of logically related
instruction, and produce without human intervention, an intelligible
result (output) otherwise known as information.
Characteristics of computer Versatility:-the computer has proved to be versatile since it can be
programmed at different times to perform different functions. This
made possible by the use of programmed software.
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
5/25
Speed:- computers are extremely fast. In amateur of minutes, thecomputer can carry out many tasks that can take human being a
lifetime to complete. It only requires to be given the right set of
instruction or procedure. Reliability and accuracy: - computer has advantage over humans
in terms of reliability and accuracy. If programmed or instructed
correctly, computers are extremely accurate and reliable devices
because they can be trusted to provide accurate results where
precision are required. They are not liable to fatigue like human
beings.
Computer application in architectural design process deals withways in which computers can be used to aid the design process
especially in terms of speed, accuracy, precision, e.t.c
So, one can ask:
How can computers help in architectural design process?
To understand how computers can help in the architectural design
process, we need to know the various phases/stages of Architecturaldesign process and simultaneously analyze how computers can help the
architect in each of these processes in terms of speed, accuracy,
reliability, cost, replication/repetition, communication, optimization,
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
6/25
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS
As stated earlier, architectural design process is a way of structuring the
order in which a vast number of architectural decision are made.
Architectural design processes can be grouped into six stages, these
includes
a. Conceptual stageb. Schematic synthesisc. Planning/ design developmentd. Presentation/communicatione. collaborationf. Working Drawingg. archiving
2.1 CONCEPTUAL STAGE:
The conceptual stage is the first stage of the design process. Here the
architect/designer is concerned with getting a clear picture or perception
of what he intends to design and also equips himself with soundknowledge of what it will take to achieve the best possible design for his
client. This stage can be further categorized into the following phases
Brief:the architect takes a list of the clients requirements, the cost
range for the project, the maximum duration for the design process, the
number of spaces that he wants e.t.c
Programming: after the collection of the brief, the architect goes
on to develop a detailed time budget and schedule for the project. The
schedule of program should be concise and straight to the point andshould be easily comprehended at quick glance.
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
7/25
Data collection: after the development of schedule of program/ time
budget, the architect goes on to empower himself with knowledge as it
concerns the project at hand. The categories of information that the
architect needs to equip himself includes
Literature Review: the architect studies the variousliteratures that are available on the design at hand.
These literature can be in the form of textbooks,
magazines, and he expects to find information that can
lead him to achieving the ideal space size,
anthropometrics involved in the design, the central aim
of the design, design considerations for fire safety,
acoustics, lighting, ventilation, escape route e.t.c
Case study: here the architect goes on to research aboutexisting structures on the design project. He can ask theend users of the building about their perception of the
building, what they like most about the building and its
environs and what about the building they dislike most
or that makes them very uncomfortable.
Building code and covenant review: the architect at thispoint should enquire the from the local building
authority about the various codes governing the designand erection the particular building in question.
2.1.1 How Computers Aids Us In The Conceptual Stage
Of Design
Since the conceptual stage is the stage of data collection, data transfer,
and synthesis of the information gathered, the following computerized
tools can help the architect in this stage
[email protected], +234 8037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
8/25
Sending data and receiving data:
Email: the electronic mail is the most popular internet service. Thearchitect and his client can actually send messages with one
another using the email. This includes Yahoo mail, Googlemail,Msn mail, Windows live mail, e.t.c. and can allow you to
send or retrieve information of up to10MB
Appraisals
The email is far cheaper than telephone conversation especially ifit is a long distance call.
The email is very fast as file transfer takes place within seconds.This makes it faster than letter writing, way bill or booking an
appointment to meet physically. It allows the transfer of other data types such as image, sound and
video.
It is able to deliver mail to a large number of people with just aclick.
Internet search: the internet is a global network of computers that
provides a variety of resources and data to the people that uses it. The
internet can help the architect hunt and gather information by using
World Wide Web: this is a global system of linked web pages containing
links to information and content.
-Search engines: search engines helps you find and access information
-News and mailing list: allows user to access and share current and
historical news.
-Chat application: allows the user to exchange messages in real time
-Conferencing: combines several communication methods for online
meeting
-File transfer protocols: this a system that allows sending and retrieving
data files over a network of computers
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
9/25
-
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
10/25
2.2.1 How Computers Aids In The Schematic Synthesis
Of Design.
Since the schematic synthesis is the stage of translating requirements
into spaces, relating the spaces and making schematic sketches, the
following computer tools that can help him in this process include
Creating space requirement:
Microsoft office tools: a lot of Microsoft office tools can help thearchitect in developing his space requirement schedule and
accommodation schedule. Since this requires the use of graphic
tools like letters, tables, shapes, charts, pictures,e.t.c, Microsoft
tools like Microsoft power point, Microsoft words, Microsoftoffice publisher, e.t.c
Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft words, Microsoft office publisher are
very effective software that combines texts and statements with
interesting pictures, charts, tables, symbols and shapes which can help
the architect in creating his space analysis schedules.
Relating spaces:
The architect can use computer aided design software likeAutoCAD, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft words, and Microsoftoffice publisher to create his space zoning, bubble diagrams and
functional flow chart. This is because these programs can be
manipulated by an architect to give him the exact thing of what he
intends to design.
Making sketches
The architect make his sketch on paper and scan it into hiscomputer from which he can continue working on his design using
his [email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
11/25
Also, the use of stylus pen on digitizing tablets can enable the architect
in sketching his work. A Stylus pen is a pointing device used with a
graphics tablet To draw or point, the user touches the pen tip to the
surface of the tablet. Selections and commands can be controlledthrough pressing a button on the stylus or pressing the stylus against the
tablet's surface. The stylus is preferred by artists because its results most
closely resemble freehand illustration and because the stylus allows a
great deal of manual control. Graphics Tablet also called a digitizing
tablet is flat plastic rectangle with subsurface electronics, used in
conjunction with a pointing device in many engineering and design
applications as well as in illustration work. When the pointing device is
moved on the surface of the tablet, the location of the device istranslated to a specific on-screen cursor position. The pointing device
used with a graphics tablet is usually a pen (also called a stylus).
2.3 PLANNING/DESIGN DEVELOPMENT STAGE:
The planning stage is the same as the design development stage. Once
the concept of a design is finalized, the emerged design in its sketchy
form is developed to its standard form using a standard architectural
scale. The transferring of a sketchy plan into a standard drawing format
using a scale a known scale is called drafting.
This process of developing a sketchy design (drafting) also is
simultaneous with the planning of the design. As scaled dimension is
being applied, the architect may notice one or more necessary
adjustment which may also alter part of the plan and a partial concurrent
planning may occur. In architectural design process, design developmentand planning encompasses the design of the floor plan, roof plan,
section, elevation, site plan, specifications, e.t.c
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
12/25
The floor plan is a result of the architects synthesis of what internal and
external spaces the client needs, the sizes of these spaces, their relative
locations, and their interconnections.
The elevation is the drawing of the exterior appearance of the building.
The site plan is a drawing that shows the location and orientation of the
building.
The architect also prepares the specifications for the building. These
describe in detail the materials and equipment to be installed in the
structure.
2.3.1 How Computers Aids In Planning/DesignDevelopment Stage:
The planning stage is the same as the design development stage. There
are lots of computer aided design/drafting software that can be used in
making automated architectural drafting. CAD is software for making
precise architectural and engineering drawing. CAD software includes
the following:AutoCad
ArchiCad
Autodesk architectural desktop
Autocad architecture
Sketchup
Revit, e.t.c
One thing that is most common with CAD software is that they provide
partial automation that facilitates repetitive design. The use of mirror,
move, copy, rotate, helps the designer to repeat his drawing without
necessarily having to draw it all over again.
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
13/25
The use of scale and stretch helps to scale down or scale up a drawing to
a given scale whereas in the manual drafting, the architect may have to
scale his drawings by measuring the dimension of point A to point B of
the existing plan,finding the dimension of point A to be point B on a scale rule, then,
drawing the line point A to point B with the new scale. By the time the
architect finish picking all this points one after the other, a great deal of
time would have passed him by but with CAD, he can simply scale the
whole drawing with just one click.
2.4 PRESENTATION/COMMUNICATION STAGE:
In this stage the architect is to represent the building with a model which
will enable him communicate to the client better on how the building
will look like. Also it enables him and other building professional to
analyze the design and evaluate its performance. The model should be
simple, consistent with the role for which it is selected, for practical
reasons.
The purpose of this presentation stage is to achieve optimization.
Optimization is known as the process of selecting a single best design
option for a given set of condition. The use of models enables us to
achieve this by reflecting a design decision in our models and see what it
looks like, we may continue with this until a best design solution is
achieved.
2.4.1 How Computers Aids In Presentation/CommunicationStage:
Simulation which can be defined as the reproduction of the essentialfeatures of something, e.g. as an aid to study or training, is another
method of achieving optimization in a design with large number of
variables which involves trial and error with a model that looks like the
actual building/design. In simulation, the properties of the system or
-
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
14/25
model are adjusted with a specific input or range of inputs to the system,
and outputs or performance is measured until an optimum result is
obtained.
Virtual reality (VR) is a system that enables one or more users to move
and react in a computer-simulated environment. Various types of
devices allow users to sense and manipulate virtual objects much as they
would real objects. This natural style of interaction gives participants the
feeling of being immersed in the simulated world. Virtual worlds are
created by mathematical models and computer programs.
Virtual reality simulations differ from other computer simulations in that
they require special interface devices that transmit the sights, sounds,
and sensations of the simulated world to the user. These devices also
record and send the speech and movements of the participants to the
simulation program.
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
15/25
To see in the virtual world, the user wears a head-mounted display
(HMD) with screens directed at each eye. The HMD also contains a
position tracker to monitor the location of the user's head and the
direction in which the user is looking.
Animation, is a series of motion pictures created by recording a series of
still imagesdrawings, objects, or people in various positions of
incremental movementthat when played back no longer appear
individually as static images but combine to produce the illusion of
unbroken motion. An architect can communicate to his design to his
client and other interested people with use of motion pictures called
animation. In most animated design, the basic communication that is
being relayed is the flow of movement. It informs the client on howmovement flows in his building without the architect having the
architect to do the explanation himself.
2d renderings, are two dimensional drawings which can also be used to
communicate information to the client.
Computer softwares that can aid us in developing these means of
communication includes but
Autocad ArchiCad Autodesk architectural desktop Autocad architecture Sketchup Revit,
Usually, after the modeling of the building, other real life elements are
added to the modeled building so as to create a real life effect. Trees,
skies, green grasses, vegetation e.t.c are incorporated into the model. A
times the software used in the modeling of the building can also be used
to introduce these real life elements and on the other hand basic
rendering software are used to the give the model a finishing touch.
These rendering softwares [email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
16/25
Vray 3d max Atlantis studio Adobe Photoshop
2.5 WORKING DRAWINGS
Once the architect has achieved an optimum design with the aid of
inputs and advice of the other consultants, and with the approval of the
client, he can now proceed with the working drawing.
The working drawings are contractual document and a given set of
instruction to the structural engineer, service engineers, the quantity andcost estimator and the builder, e.t.c
The working drawing annotates the dimension for the various
component of the design and also annotates the overall dimension of the
entire design. It includes details and sections of a particular area of the
building and shows the horizontal and vertical dimension of the
building, drawn according to a known scale.
Without it, it will be very difficult for other professionals in the buildingindustry to contribute their own professional input in the design process.
2.5.1 How Computers Aids In Working Drawing Stage:
The major use of cad is in the production of working drawings. Most cad
software contains command tools like dimension, dimension edit, AEC
dimension, dimension text, text, mirror text e.t.c
The use of Cad software has gone to an advanced stage in the production
of working drawings in the sense that at one click all the dimensions of a
side of the building will instantly be given and the architect can now edit
the unwanted [email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
17/25
One area that the use of computers in architecture excels exceedingly is
in the provision of building information models.
Building Information Models (BIM)
2.6 COLLABORATION:
At this stage, the architect gives out the drawing to the various
consultants involved in the project, liases with them in any case
conflicting issues and then collects and collates the entire drawings fromother professionals together with the architectural drawing which now
form a legal contract document, ready for bidding by building
contractors.
2.6.1 How Computers Aids In Collaboration Stage:
A lot of computers application that can help us in collaborating with
other building professions and consultants includesEmail: Email can be used to send messages across and also
drawing files can attached to these email messages. file attachment
allows people to share essentially any file in any format using an email.
Chat application: chat application like yahoo messenger, facebook
chat, 2go,Microsoft messenger, e.tc allows users to share messages in
real time.
Conferencing: conferencing combines several communication
methods (calls, messaging, chat, e.t.c) for online meeting. The meeting
can take place using varieties of tools like audio, video, chat, whiteboard
presentation, file sharing, desktop sharing, e.t.c
File transfer protocols: this a system for sending and retrieving
data files over a network of [email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
18/25
2.7 ARCHIVING/STORAGE:
Part of good office management is document control and record keeping.
Much information is received, disseminated, and collated in the courseof architectural design. The data should be maintained in an organized
manner for future reference and archival purposes. The architect should
establish an office procedure for document control, record keeping, and
document storage beyond the life of the project to ensure easy retrieval.
There are many computerized systems that can aid the architect in
catalog filing and information retrieval.
For project documentation, it can be further categorized into class ofbuilding, number of rooms, number of storey, number of ensuite room,
location, client name, date of design,
2.7.1 How to search for a drawing document with hidden
details
For the architect to search for a drawing which he has forgotten thedetails of the drawing, he needs to first solve this problem in the early
stage of the archiving process by first of all organizing the drawing in a
set of predefined, orderly and standard format. Storage without
organization is useless.
There are some application software with which he can take a cursory
look from and arrange his own storage format. This include
TEXPROS: (Text Processing System) is an automatic documentprocessing system which supports text-based information representation
and manipulation, conveying meanings from stored information within
office document texts. A dual modeling approach is employed to
describe office documents and support document search and [email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
19/25
The frame templates for representing document classes are organized to
form a document type hierarchy. Based on its document type, the
synopsis of a document is extracted to form its corresponding frame
instance. According to the user predefined criteria, these frame instancesare stored in different folders, which are organized as a folder
organization (i.e., repository of frame instances associated with their
documents). The concept of linking folders establishes filing paths for
automatically filing documents in the folder organization. By integrating
document type hierarchy and folder organization, the dual modeling
approach provides efficient frame instant access by limiting the searches
to those frame instances of a document type within those folders which
appear to be the most similar to the corresponding queries.This paper presents an agent-based document filing system using folder
organization. Storage architecture is presented to incorporate the
document type hierarchy, folder organization and original document
storage into a three-level storage system. This folder organization
supports effective filing strategy and allows rapid frame instance
searches by confining the search to the actual predicate-driven retrieval
method. A predicate specification is proposed for specifying criteria on
filing paths in terms of user predefined predicates for governing the
document filing.
From the above paragraph, the following deduction can be made and
applied to the process of archiving of architectural drawings:-
TextPros makes use of text to represent and convey meaning from stored
information within an office document.
It involves a dual approach of
Describing office document using text
Supporting search and retrieval
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
20/25
Framed templates are used to represent document classes to form a
document type hierarchy. For example, document classes can be applied
to the storage of architectural drawing by grouping them into the various
building classes like residential building, commercial buildings,educational and research building, healthcare buildings, transport
facilities e.t.c
Document type hierarchy can be formed by further subdivision of each
document class. For example, residential building can further be
categorized according to the type of residential building which could be
duplex, bungalows, apartment buildings, hostels, housing estate.
The synopsis of a document type is extracted to form its corresponding
frame instances. For example, after classifying the building into duplex,
bungalows, apartment buildings, e.t.c, the synopsis of each project that
belongs to a particular type of building is adopted to form its frame
instances. E.g., under bungalows, we can have folders with frame
instances like: 3 bedrooms bungalows, 2 bedroom bungalows, one
roomapartment, e.t.c
According to the user predefined criteria, these frame instances are
stored in different folders, which are organized as a folder organization
(i.e., repository of frame instances associated with their documents
types). For example, the architect can have about ten drawings (original
document) with similar synoptic frame instances, what he has to do is to
store these individual drawing files with detailed heading like date, name
of client, location of the project, e.t.c. for example, under the frame
instance(folder) for the three bedroom bungalow, he can store eachclients drawings in this manner, 3 bedroom bungalow for mr Eze with
ensuite master bedroom at ufuma (RB3B001), ensuite 3bedroom
bungalow for Mr. Okafor at Ogbunike (RB3B002),e.t.c
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
21/25
To prevent a situation where the searcher has forgotten the details of the
drawing and cannot trace it, it will be wise that at the frame instance
stage to have a spread sheet in which details of every drawing done by
the architect is listed and given a code e.g RB3B001 .
R B 3B 001Residential. Bungalow. 3bedroom serial number
In this manner drawing with forgotten details can be looked up for at the
spread sheet and the details gotten at a glance.
In summary, when the principle of text pros is applied in the storing of
architectural drawing the concept of linking folders establishes filing
paths for automatically filing documents in the folder organization. By
integrating document type hierarchy and folder organization, the dualmodeling approach provides efficient frame instant access by limiting he
searches to those frame instances of a document type within those
folders which appear to be the most similar to the corresponding queries.
This strategy is represented as follows
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
22/25
A.DOCUMENT CLASS
B.DOCUMENT YYPE
C. FRAME INSTANCE/FOLDER ORGANIZATION
D.ORIGINAL DOCUMENT REPOSITORY
[email protected], +234 08037911856
RESIDENTIAL
DUPLEX/MANSIONETTE
BUNGALOWS APARTMENTS/FLAT
COMMERCIAL EDUCATIONAL
3BEDROOM TWO BEDROOM ONE ROOM APARTMENT
ENSUITE RMS FOR MR EZE AT UFUMA JAN 2011 FOR MR OKAFOR AT OGBUNIKE MAY 2011
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
23/25
3.
ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN OVER
MANUAL MEANS OF DESIGN PRODUCTION.
A.Lowers cost of production: the use of computers is cheaper in thesense that it reduces the number of labour to be employed in the
design of a project and also increases output.
B.provides a partial automation that facilitates repetitive design: thecan architect can use repetitive designs to make building
prototypes and can also use command like mirror, rotate, copy,
e.t.c to repeat design, edit design to make alternatives withoutnecessarily having to redraw the drawings.
C.3d has facilitated the communication between the client and thearchitect by providing vivid renderings and animations.
D.It is considered mainstream practice because cheap to acquire andis accepted by most design firms.
E.It communication among design participants for linking toprevious projects and for incorporating engineering and financial
analysis as early in the project as possible.
F.Improves quality by leading to a better design and by improvingrepresentation that results to better communication,
G.Computer based concurrent design has been identified as a way toincrease design interaction. Concurrent design suggests that several
designers from different discipline work simultaneously on the
same data base by processing data and adding information that is
constantly represented in a visual form.
-
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
24/25
References
a.Building design and construction handbook, sixth edition,frederick f meritandjonathan t ricketts
b.Computing in the building process database information.www. gsd.harvard.edu/people/faculty/pollalis/boss.pdf
c. Design in architecture bypeter drucker.d.Encarta Encyclopediae. Wikipedia Encyclopedia
[email protected], +234 08037911856
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Term Paper Major
25/25