A!
iIJLI-LILJ
by
4T
Jeffery Schantz
-F777!
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Massachusetts College of Art
Boston, Massachusetts
1982
Submitted to the Department of Architecture
in partial fullfillment of the requirements
of the degree Master of Architecture at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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June 1985
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Jeffery Schantz
1985
The Author hereby grants to M.I.T permission
to reproduce and distribute publicly copies
of this thesis document in whole or in part.
-
a
A
Signature of Author
Jeffery Schantz
Department of Arch i ecture (May k, 1985
Certified by
Profjsor
Te
s/ S
,f
Halasz
Archi tecture
ryjisor
Accepted by
Jul ie Me ervy
r-r
Cha i rma
"" ..
Depar tment C mmittee for Graduate tu nts MASSACHUSETTS INSTirE
.
.
..
.
OF TECHNOLOGY
Rotcn JUN 0 3 1985
LiBRPAB!E3
..i
TOWARDS A DESIGN PROCESS FOR MICRO-BASED
COMPUTER-AIDED DRAFTING SYSTEMS
by
Jeffery Schantz
of
Department
the
to
Submitted
partial
in
1985
8,
Architecture on May
fullfillment of the requirements of the
degree Master of Architecture.
ABSTRACT
the
change
will
things
Few
profession in the coming
architectural
wholesale
the
than
more
years
the
into
of computers
introduction
made
process that has, been
design
of
development
the
by
possible
affordable micro-based CAD.
This thesis is a case study into how
the current state of the art will affect
the process of design. Based on this
I hope to -find out if they will
study,
make us better informed as designers or
just more -productive. How will they help
us solve problems and create better
environments?
Thesis Supervisor: Imre Halasz
Title: Professor of Architecture
. ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to:
Amie for putting up with me
Imre for having faith in me
Steve for the means
Everyone in the computer lab
Rosie,Louie,Jennette,Norman, and Sondra
. iii
(Com)Momne
1
Part 1
2
4
-Introduction
-Assumptions
i
-Wh
-baed
rAAD
-A brief description of the software
Part 2
- Definitions
-Libraries
-Fragments
-Rules
-Consolidation
Part3
-architectual languages and building vocabulary
-assembly and composition
-ways of ordering
-making buildings
- Documentation
-A computer based design process
-Creating libraries
-Description of the building system
-Rules
-Assembling fragments
-Consolidation
-Program description
-Design documentation
-Conclusions
Part 4
-
- a changing environment
Role of the computer
Role of the designer
Appendix
-
Three proposals
Bibliography
Footnotes
6
8
10
12
16
18
19
20
21
23
25
30
33
37
39
40
45
48
50
53
56
57
67
68
iv
ID)Mf
]l
1
Introduction
it
is
computer
apparent
micro
refinement,
representation
I
the
has arrived as a tool for
conception,
general
that
of
design
and
ideas
in
and architecture in particular.
became curious as to how these
tools
would affect the way designers work
think
the
and
about the process of. design.1 was
also
curious
possibilities
about
the
formal
that might be revealed by
such a process.
My or-iginal
a
design
intention was to engage in
process
using
a
currently
available micro-based software, document
the
process,
experience.
this,
issues.
2
then
As
a
write
result of
about
the
pursueing
I've stumbled on a host of
other
began with a lot of assumptions on
I
The first
how the process would happen.
parts
documents those
seeks
to
the second part documents the
process.
The
working
many
essentailly
the
third part is
result
of
a
device
I
hours
did not
on
same.
The
proposals
in
presenting
designer 's
system.I 'm
them
perception
is
of
kind
that
by
This
not
should
is
the advances yet to
to
say
that
become programmers,
imperitive
that
we
become
be
come.
architects
but
it
is
informed
users.
and
My intention
offer
to
a
a
design
not a "computer person",
way,
affected
will
some
are
that I do not program or or write
In
inevitable that we
do
on the state of micro CAD
the direction it might go.
is
which
understand,
sympathetic to others who
me
thoughts
archaic
clarify my sometimes
language,
makes
and
assumptions
It
in
code.
I consider this to be
a
at
a
of "second generation" look
computer-aided process.
3
Assumptions
I
began
this
the
under
study
following assumptions:
Computer-aided
1)
differs
from
computer
drafting
(CAD)
aided
design
(CAAD) in that CAD is a production tool,
CAAD
a design tool
is
solve
problems.
hel ps
that
to
ava ilable
Currently
programs for micro-computers do nct
yet
qualify as design tools.
2)
Extending
computer
from
assistant
to
desirable.
software
extend
process.
role of
that
a
design
the
of
assistar t
is
working
for existing applic ations
is the most expedient
the
micro-
proc uction
Developing
methodologies
4
the
computer's
role
way
irn
to
the
Current Micro-Based CAD
Il--ll........
Desired Micro-Based CAAD *UuUssesu
3)
development of a
The
takes
advantage
of
process
that
software 's
the
abilities as a drawing editor holds
the
greatest promise.
process
Any
4)
say
to
currently
involving
assemble
that the
process
revolves
access
and
building elements from a
data
the
around
ability
to
key
to
in
designing
the
drawing
editor is the development of
"form
language"
or
a
a
"building
deployed in an additive fashion.
6)
The
requires
assembly of
that
this
vocabulary
the designer adopt
some
'rules" that will guide him.
7)
Futher exploration of these systems
by designers as well as programmers will
base.
5)
the
vocabulary" of elements that can then be
available systems is library based. That
is
based,
Because
the
process
is
library
help make a better tool.
5
NEW
Why Micro-based CAAD?
The
explosion
has
programs
conceivable
of
CAD
packages
to become ever more sophisticated.
that coming generations
of
in conjunction with an increased ability
drafting tables.
computers
This
has
,interactive
for PC'S.
graphics
Micro-based CAD
is
modular, and can be supplied by range of
hardware
computers
6
and
This
is
impressive.
been made possible by the development of
affordable
becoming super-micros, and will continue
It
been
architects will apprentice on
instead
of
use
the
in
software
themselves
integrate applications packages will
soon give the micro-based system much of
the
capability
Eventually
both
the
of
something
larger.
price and capabilty
the micro-based and
larger
of
stand
alone systems will meet.
The
Another
quickly
micro-based
options.
are
to
focusing
on
systems is more people
can
reason
for
participate
in their development.
means that those who use these
This
machines
have
the oppourtunity to develope ideas
that
might otherwise not be
developed.
Micro computers are affordable, you need
not
be
a large office to own
they become more widely used,
one.
As
designers
and architects will have to start coming
to terms with computers. Until then,
we
really haven't got a tool.
7
A Brief Description of the Software
The software used for this exploration
was
version
2.0
of
AutoCad
published by Autodesk,
California.
It
dimensional,
aided
is
drafting
essentailly
a
Inc., Sunnyvale,
a
vector
(tm)
menu-driven
based,
2-
computer-
package.
It
drawing editor that
is
has
the
ability to edit drawing
way
a word processor would handle text,
The
editor
drawing
stores
and
files
accesses
the
the
files from a data base that can
be thought of as a library. One can then
edit,
assemble,
manipulate any of
and
the graphic information in your library.
allows
AutoCad
freedom
to "customize" its
structure
user,
8
a certain
to
by
the
amount
proceedural
preference
grouping
of
commands
of
the
into
the
has
also
It
programs,
by
attribute
files
and
assigning
or
other
to
information
alphanumeric
send
to
ability
it
is
that
this
just
at
a
sophisticated
cutting
and pasting
way
of
graphic
do
information. It does not offer a new way
a
to perceive space ,it offers a different
Graphic
organized onto
layers,
environment in which design takes place.
Layers
paper.
colors,
of
for
the
assignment
linetypes,
and
other graphic qualities
allow
is important to remember
really
more.
similar to using tracing
circles, etc.
a
you to
allows
drafting table and a bit
information
It
arcs,
modes
and
in its' current configuration is
the things you would do
of
that create lines,
creating,
Conceptually,
drawing commands
of
a
system
graphic file.
many
series
with
are created
creating
converting
by
files
Drawing
the
structure.
of its menu
'customization"
by
or
routines,
or
"scripts"
that help to visualize.
Editing
ability
to
given
part
erasing,
include
functions
transform
arrays
by
or
distort
moving,
(repetitive
the
any
copying,
copying),
and so on.
9
ITOre
10
Definitions
en: to consolidate gains. -.
i. 3. to unite or combine. 4. to
become firm. [< L consoliddt(us) (ptp. of consoliddre).
See CON-, SOLID, -ATE] -Con-sol-i-da/tor, n.
con-sol-i-da-tion (kan sol/i da/gan), n.
stance of consolidating.
1. an act or in-
2. the state of being consolidated.
3. something consolidated. 4. Law. a. a statutory combination of two or more corporations. b. the union of two or more
claims or actions at law for trial or appeal. [< LL consoliddti3n- (s. of consoliddtiD)] -con-sol/i-da/tive,
adj.
1. a part broken off or defrag-Iment (frag/mont), n.
tached: scattered fragments of rock. 2. a portion that is unfinished or Incomplete: fragments of a poem. 3. an odd piece,
i. 4. to disintegrate; collapse or break into
bit, or scrap. -.
fragments. -v.t. 5. to divide or break (something) into
pieces or fragments. [ME < L fragment(um) a broken piece,
remnant = frag- (s. of frangere to break) + -mentum -MENT]
li-brar-y (ll/brer/E, -bra rE, -brE), n., pl. -brar-ies. 1. a
place, as a room or building, containing books and other
material for reading, study, or reference. 2. a public body
organizing and maintaining such an establishment. 3. a
commercial establishment lending books for a fixed charge;
a rental library. 4. a collection of manuscripts, publications,
and other materials for reading, study, enjoyment, or reference. 5. a series of books of similar character or alike
in size, binding,. etc., issued by a single publishing house.
6. Computer Technol. a collection of standard programs,
routines, and subroutines available for solving a variety of
computer problems. (ME libraire < MF librairie < ML
libraria,
n. use of fem. of L librdrius (adj.) of books. See
2
LIBER , -ARY)
rule (ro~d), n., v.. ruled, rul-ing. -n. 1. a principle or regulation governing conduct, procedure, etc. 2. the code of
regulations observed by a religious order or congregation.
3. the customary or normal condition, occurrence, practice,
etc.
The
definitions
attempt
to
critical
basis
for
therefore
stated here
are
an
language
and
became
the
design in this study.
It is
the
clarify
position
that
nessecary
to
present
them
before discussing the actual process.
4. control, government, or dominion.
5. tenure or
conduct of reign or office. 6. a prescribed mathematical
method for performing a calculation or solving a problem.
7. ruler (def. 2). 8. Print. a thin, type-high strip of metal.
for printing a solid or decorative line or lines. 9. Law. a
formal order or direction made by a court, as for governing
the procedure of the court. . 10. Obs. behavior. 11. as a
rule, generally; usually. --. t. 12. to control or direct; exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern.
13. to decide or declare judicially or authoritatively; decree.
14. to mark with lines, esp. parallel straight lines, with the
aid of a ruler or the like: to rule paper. 15. to mark out or
form (a line) by this method. 16. to be superior or preeminent In (a specific field or group); dominate by superiority. -. i. 17. to exercise dominating power or influence;
predominate. 18. to exercise authority, dominion, or sovereignty. 19. to make a formal decision or ruling, as on a
point at law. 20. to be prevalent or current. 21. rule out,
to refuse to acknowledge or admit; eliminate; exclude. (ME
riule, reule < OF riule < L regul(a) straight stick, pattern)
-Syn. 1. standard, law, ruling, guide, precept, order. 4.
command, domination, sway, authority, direction.. 12.
RULE, ADMINISTER, COMMAND, GOvERN, MANAGE mean to
exercise authoritative guidance or direction. RULE implies
the exercise of authority as by a sovereign: to rule a kingdom.
ADMINISTER places emphasis on the planned and orderly
procedures used: to administer the finances of an institution.
11
Libraries -architectural language and
building vocabulary
\
ht
bne
Q
r
Conceptually ,a library is more than a
data
library
base.The
representation
formal
of
"vocabulary".
symbols,
a
graphic
or
an architectural
kind of "language",
have
is
Because it
is
a
it could be said to
syntax and grammar
that
tic.,',
form the "rules of composition".
Formulating
a
vocabulary
requires
that a building be described in terms of
its'
elements.
and
delineation
It is the
of
articulation
building
elements
that sets the framework for the creation
of
a
vocabulary.
The
operative
definition of elements in this study can
12
Sentence diagram
Graphic diagram
Graphic sentence
cof" e
be stated as such - Buildings consist of
elements
or
parts.
The first type could be said
to
be
"types" of
two
basically
elements
those
architectural
designer's
a
organize
vocabulary that
They
buildings.
in
are
the
persistent
of primary elements that
patterns
tend
---
to reappear in succesive transformations
the
because
buildings
use
the
patterns of
has a subtle continuity
of
that
demands familiarity. These elements tend
to
be primary structural systems,
very long lives,
Sketches for a
building vocabulary
unique
to
particular
and can be said to
conditions relative
site,
or
to
to
have
be
the
particular
normative or stylistic notions.
13
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3. '
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Sketches of vocabulary
and components
14
140
LID
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-S
(..1
#
(,at.4e
j-I
"4='nP:P.
These
components.
catalogue
mass
enough
changeble
wear
the
technology
are off-the-shelf parts
They
from
available
are
part
ones that
or get replaced as
advances.
be
the
are
of buildings,
elements
out
of
"type"
second
The
manufacturer 's
a
or repetitive parts that
produced for
buildings
to acheive an economy of
They are secondary,
systems, such
as
U3
MLh-fl
MQDE]WW
I
MEDU
can
large
scale.
II1III~L
infill, and closure
stud
arrt
partitions,
Un
building skins, doors and windows.
a'
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~
£9
5 r'l- 3
15
Fragments - assembly and composition
They
that
are patterns
can
and
sub-patterns
be expressed by assembling
vocabulary into "sketches" that
larger
not.
a
suggest
buildings ,but by themselves are
The
concept
is
in
appropriate
metaphorical as well as practical terms.
Methaphorically,
fragments represent
chards of experience. They are pieces
in
our memory that are selectivly recalled,
Fragments
appearing architecturally as
are
Fragments
vocabulary
They
of
an extension
notion to the middle
become
the
vehicle
the
scale.
for
the
evaluation of design solutions, allowing
the
designer
to
generate,
test,
and
yet
places.
familiar
they
experience
act as a
and
bridge
machine
an
between
memory.
They
allow the "assembly of experience" in
manner
vocabulary.
elements in the editor.
similar
to
the
compare alternative possibilities of his
16
become
vehicle in this environment
appropriate
because
They
incomplete
assembly
a
of
Roy$
T
DJ!L
D
C
II
I
Fragment Sketches
17
Rules - ways of ordering
There
which
are many ways and sources from
to
generate
assembly. By
rules
the
rules
definition in this
study,
are the syntax and grammer of the
language.
Certain relationships amongst
elements are deemed "good" because
meet
certain
architectural
rules,
what
articulating
elements.
being
of
criteria.
is
the
They
both
visual,
added
spatail,or
By
is a
developing
means
relationship
are a means
criteria and
they
to
of
amongst
order,
method.
What
then becomes the issue is a) What is the
source of the criteria?
and b) What
is
the method by which they are satisfied?
18
b" -Fr
Consolidation - making buildings
The
try
purpose
and
of consolidation is
incorporate
(ie:appropriate)
as
many
to
good
-N
'N
/
(
ideas as possible into
a chosen scheme (1).
The
consolidation
of
design
ideas
into buildings involves the assembly and
'N
elaboration
appropriate
way,
it
notions
fragments
level
becomes
of
vocabulary,
enough
of
of detail.
an extension
fragments
happening
and
to
an
In
that
of
the
2
building
at a point
when
possibilities have been explored
to satisfy curiousity about the building
vocabulary.
Consolidation presents the oppourtunity
to
recycle
decisions.
a lot
The
of
assumptions
(
N
-1~~'
and
process of recycling is
one of incorporation and
transformation
in a progressive fashion.
19
Imanr 11
20
Documentation
A micro-based computer-aided design process
The
process I engaged in happened
in
definition
of
a
applies
that
process
familiarize
myself
drawing
editor.
design
conceptually
strategy
I
that
required
the
1)
of a micro-based
Development
five overlapping "phases" :
at
with the
all
Adopting this "protocol"
as a method and
levels ;
a
2)
a
articulating
vocabulary
and
resource
hinderance
thought
building a library ;
to
the
evaluating
a vocabulary
by
4)
becoming
a
natural
flow
of
,I
editor.
have found:
the
assembly of library parts into fragments,
consolidating the fragments
from
while designing in the
Towards that end
3)
it
kept
1)
To a large degree,
the
process
occured in an additive fashion.
Because
into
alot
of what o ccurs is the selection of
buildings, and;
parts
5)
recycling
decisions.
of
assumptions
about
from
a data base ,
it
is
very
natural to work in an additive way.
2)
Since
any
process
involving
21
currently
based,
available systems is
until
understood
a
library
is
library
produced,
,and made operational
the
,
machine offers little advantage ;
Although the graphics editors
3)
various CAD systems may differ in
capability
they
,and
speed,
size,
conceptually,
all tend to handle information
the
same
way.
layers, menus,
functions
The
universally.
system
libraries,
seems
to
of
and
have
appropriate
brought
on
by
an
editing
evolved
vocabulary
uniatural
interface and design following a natural
train of thought.
22
done on the machine and some
off.
Most
of the conceptual work took
off
the
computer,
while most
place
of
the
experimenting and testing occured on it.
This became a kind of dialogue that
what to use and how to use it.
and,b) how to overcome the uncomfortable
feeling
best
of
As such, many of the basic
is an
were
to
4) As a result, the issue then becomes
what
it became apparent that somethings
in
concepts should apply to other systems
a)
As I began to work with the computer,
many
of the decisions I made
led
about
Creating libraries
The shapes can be distorted,
elevation.
designers'
preference.
hand,
could have a highly
one
On
the
other
defined
that pre-determines a building
strategy
system,
the
deployed according to
or
rotated,
construction
type,
therefore a vocabulary.
style
and
It is therefore
possible to have libraries suitable
for
different senarios.
A
The
selection of a
vocabulary
giving
take
many
depending on
forms,
how
library
is made
by
operational
can
it a structure and putting in
a
a
menu
format.
There
are three
general
design strategy is defined. For example,
rules
if
one
is working at a high
level
of
way
of
I
have
found
helpful
when
creating libraries :
abstraction
and
preconceptions,
little in the
it
is possible to work
1)
keep
the
building
with a vocabulary of generic shapes that
graphically
allow
drawings from becoming memory intensive,
could
ultimate
be
footprints,
used
freedom.These
to
represent
section cuts,
shapes
building
or veiws
in
simple.
elements
This will keep the
and will allow for futher elaboration.
2)
create all
the elements in
plan,
23
listing
t
listing
plan
planer elements
-----
tables.
2chairs
r------------J
closure
infill
furniture
.............. typical
components
pan
skylights
plan
3
---------
listing
.
.
pl....
partition.
tension
columns
-
wndow
esn
plan
section
elevation
frame system
2
windows
doors
elevation
i
listing
se
section
construction lines
listing
rms
chir
:
desk
bed
cabinent-
:
cn..
elevation
p lean
elevation
plan
section
...
.
plan
.... section,
eleaton
in
elements
building
a
vocabulary
articulating
in
of
a
proved
useful
library,
most buildings are actually
a
One could treat
a
bit of both.
little
Library structure for
a building vocabulary
my assumptions about types
While
kitchen
baths
stairs
elevator*.....
-J
..
building as totally unique or as totally
off the shelf.
The catch being that the
former is usually too expensive to build
and
the
latter
is
to
boring
to
be
section and elevation. This will make it
considered interesting architecture. The
easy to jump from view to veiw.
library had to include both.
3)
try
structure
advance
to
of
loosely
the
define
libraries
of customizing menus.
It
simply make things easier to find.
24
the
in
will
of
vocabulary
the
designer,
formal
Some parts
are unique
to
the
represented in some normative
ideas and some parts are off-the-
shelf stuff of catalouges.
The building system
.. . . . . .
FFFFFr'....r ...
....
I..min
. . .
. . .
U
. .. ..
. ... ... . .... . .. .
'
The
exploration
masonry
skin.
system used
building
represented
steel
light
and
panel
The
a
is
parts
as
for
this
frame,
with
metal
panel
the
system
were
drawing
files
and
of
delineated into catagories of elements:
2)
Construction lines
(treated
of
a
as
and
materials
of
representative
A
...
I.
...
..
elemen ts
Planar
composites
vocabulary
of
elements of my own pref erence).
3)
A frame system
4)
Components
design,
1)
'I'..l.l
but
(also
find
their
of
my
own
reference
in available products).
25
additive
consistency of dimension in an
process,l adopted a proportional modular
appropriate
It
system.
ordering
an
as
reasons.
two
for
provided
second
by
the
acheive
and,
not
have "a" standard unit of measurement,it
It
four.
has
knows one unit
that
it
along
its X and Y
fragment
multiplying
factor.
series
of a given size
compatible
another
or
Since
I
,
could
by
size
a
known
the numbers in
the
size"
was
are known ,the "next
always available ;
2) use regulating lines as a means of
ordering. I then could then menu 3 basic
calls an inch or a millimeter.
distorting
configurations,
By
by
dividing
all
a
in
axis
If I had a part or
predictable fashion.
First,
does
because this software
library
a
software
my
distort any of the elements in
seemed
because it offered an alternative to the
grid
1)
for
need
the
to
due
Mostly
using a proportion as a rule
,it
easy to keep the dimensions of
the
them
as
needed , creating a range of sizes. This
was
provided
building
system
creation
to
consistant
from
means
a
dimensional
visual continuity.
proportions
and
the
used were the
square
root
approach allowed me to:
26
of
-acheiving
variety , while allowing
deployment.The
its'
of
its'
golden
mean
two.
This
a
1
.
...........................
Construction or
regulating lines
....................
................
2
3
I
I
I
12'
9'
8'
I
++CH
4'
li
drawn
112drawn
8'x 4'
8'x 12'
9'x 15'
Planar elements
12'x 36'
113 outine
27
Detail of tension system
I Il
24'
18'
15'
|l
12'
+
iI
II
.
1
il
Il
H I 1g
Asembled frame section
8'
12' 15'
/
18'
i
Frame and tension system
0
o0
colS coU12
28
4'
I3
/
N
60lI
f-me
bs5"leted
bm8 bm12 bmI18
24'
H
dr-1
w; n -
dr--2
wn -
win -4
win-3
dr-4
dr-3
Windows
win- 6
win-8
win-7
bw-1
dr-5
dr-6
dr-7
win-5
win-9
win-10
win-11
bOw-3
dr-8
.
Doors
Bay Windows
L
-
I
I
I
I ,"
1/
Closure elements
/
/
/
\
"'
'I
I
I
I
I
Skylights
sk-1
sk-2
sk-3
29
Rules
deals
mostly
territorial
issues.
and
use
criteria that is
3)
dependant,
and
spatial
with
criteria became the modifers of
These
a process based on three methodologies :
In terms of defining my own "rules" or
syntax ,three design methods and sources
have
criteria
of
in
helpful
been
formulating a process of working in
The sources of criteria
drawing editor.
which
on
I
the
the
based
of
assembly
elements were:
1)
or
criteria that is form
issues ;
criteria that is building
with
connections,
issues
and
library elements;
30
dependant,
construction method specific,
deals
by
design
of
are
- outright
selection
iteration or imitation ;
2)
- "selective"
design by borrowing
and
selection
iterative idea
3)
design
transformation
an
of
or "pattern matching"
by
invention
variations or "original"
which deals mostly with visual
2)
1)
- new
ideas.
The computer made it possible to
test
many variations and cominations of these
system
methods
and
which
clarify
in
criteria,
by
my own mind the
helping
me
degree
to
applied
to
structure
and
which
these
inherent in
the
design
decisions that were mostly of
"rules"
are
visual or architectural nature.
a
When
the
working in the
process
iterative
drawing
becomes
and in all
in
editor,
some
ways
-
1L
ways
4
44
cumulative.
Decisions should be orchestrated because
the
software remembers the sequence
input
and
assignment to
is that
layers.
What
this
means
made
early on are sure to come back
undesirable
of
moves
to
haunt you.
As a result,
there are times when it
is more appropriate to select or borrow,
then it is to invent.
creation
differs
and
from
Hard copy pen plots of
early fragment "sketches"
For instance, the
assembly
of
a
the process of
library
selection
that occurs when "using" it. Composing a
component
process
into an elevation is
of
"borrowing"
or
more
a
"pattern
+++++
matching",that is then transformed.
Pattern
appropriate
matching
way
becomes
of designing
in
-T
TH
--
Hj
an
this
31
environment
because
"it
is
less
a
~I1g
U.
prescription for the perfectly
designed
*
environment as it is a convenient format
for
formulating
design
editor
way
of
dealing
elements
conceptual
in
with
the
fashion,
highly
library
a
in
some
defined
a
more
disparity
that
pattern matching tends to lessen.
0
a
S
U
U
I
into the developmental stages of
process requires that we have
32
-
drawing
the
~
*
*
concepts"(2).
Extending the capabilities of a
-
~
**
*
a
in.J
I
-
~71
.1~
;,~,,***
*
U
*
-
U!
U
-
I
Fragments
because
I
informed
about
felt
confident
the
and
vocabulary
well
I was
using.
Fragments
play a number of roles
this kind of process.
in
They are not only
The
speed
also
the
the
generator
of
the
complete design.
the
investigation
assembly"
took
fragments
was
this was where most of
of
the
place.
"rules
Since
were less than buildings
of
time.
It
was
also
the
point
memory
can create drawings that
intensive,
regenerate
making them slow
and precarious to
into
same
where
quickly
easily explored,it became efficient
larger
ideas
became
Consolidation
very
By
design
machine
library,
of
can
or
be
consolidated
thereby building a
"patterns",
easy
This
the
vocabulary
typical rooms (such
interplay
fragment,and
off
can then become part of the
of typical rooms.
to evaluate many of them.
to
,it
Because
and
save.
are
creating fragments, the buildings' final
bathrooms or kitchens),
could be
limited,
assembly of a vocabulary into large
computer proved to be the most valuable.
alternatives
are
the
possible to display a plan,section,
and elevation on the screen at the
a
As the memory and
of micro computers
buildings
Conceptually,
of fragments alsolhad
practical side to it.
a means of evaluating alternatives, they
become
notion
as
and arrangments
between
consolidation
element,
became
the
dialouge for design at all scales.
33
L.
Pen Plots of fragments
I
U
I
I
I
I
U
I
L~=J
I
34
I
L~J
F11-i
II'-Y
4
S
I-
-JL
JL
I
L
Ii
I
LL IL
-IL-
I. h
LLiIttIEEW
I'
F
if
-I f
11
IF
.1
1
T_
Fir
-_1 1_F1F. 1
1
!I i
i -I
_I A. 1---A-T 12 1 1 1 1 '
35
-
I-
f-7' rI-
~i
W )
[Q -JACIrI t
-
LLJ
36
-
-=.o
I
Consolidation
I
found it usefull to be free of the
point.
Since
intensive
to
this
library
at
highly
memory
textual
or
drawing
editor,
it
depict
in
material qualities
the
remain
fragments
the
is
graphically simple. For myself ,this was
a
more
a
than
benefit
hinderance.
Keeping the fragments graphically simple
reasons,
practical
aformentioned
the
For
consolidation
of
building
a
designed on a micro-based system is best
done
be
off the machine.
This problem can
addressed by the addition of
to the system,
an option.
practical
but in this case was not
There are also some
reasons
not-so-
for doing the
stages off the machine.
practi'cal
memory
The
softwares'
limitations are in many
its' artistic limitations.
final
ways
comfortable
point
allowing
to
me
studies
occur
to
elaboration
allowed
the
in
enhance
the
process,
building
drawing
traditional
by
at
techniques.
One of the most important aspects
this
was
phase
"connective
fragments.
that
tissue"
These
design
to
the
between
areas are the
conceive
the
of
a design together
holds
difficult
the
without
of
"g I ue"
and
are
having
37
As a result,
fragments in front of you.
the
tissue"
of this "connective
study
also took place off the computer.
also became the
Consolidation
decisions
reworking
of
notions.
fragmentary
from
Many
in
designed
were
fragments
made
each other,
means
in
the
of
the
isolation
so consolidating
was
a means of testing how or if the
really
*
*O-se
,e
e ee
fragments came together.
compelling
Another
bringing
the
for
argument
design together
machine
is sense of scale.
working
on
If
off
one
a large building or at
*
the
is
the
site size ,it is easy to lose a sense of
scale
because the image on the
is not displayed to scale.
fragments
at
consolidation
an
can
architectural
take
better sense of size.
38
By
place
monitor
plotting
scale,
with
a
Plan sketch that led to final design
Program description
Since the focus of this study is the
is
program
secondary.
The
synagouge
located
on a rural
It calls for a
Mass.
Dover,
somehow
is
program
process, the
for
a
site
in
sanctuary
for 350 people ,offices ,school rooms ,a
function room
and retreat residences.
,
The site is on a ridge approxamatly
380
feet in elevation with a commanding veiw
of Boston.
program was chosen for its' size
The
-and
complexity.
small
easily accomplished
quite
Larger,
not.
A
more
Part
involved
building
on
is
AutoCad.
structures 'are
of the intention here was to
deliberatly test the software's limits.
39
-~-L
r
---
rrA
t
~
uIIkr
I- I
f I
-j
__j
I
I
1 -1
1
1
-B
-...
Plan drawing made by consolidating fragments
40
IL
I
I
I
-t
11 s'
--
f1
xA
L
L.. L.
-
..
A.
I
PlnFraintatrhesgnof"cneciv
tsse
and elaboration
41
VL
Section at sanctuary as drawn
by plotter
42
I..
..
..............
..........
............
.........
.......
...........
.............
Same section rendered by hand
L- ---, .............................
.....
......
......
43
Hand drawn axonometric
44
Conclusions
The experience of developing a design
process for a micro-based CAD system has
to led me to three conclusions about the
current state of these systems ,and
how
they affect the process.
to
needs
thinking
be stated is
that
change
the
occurs when using a
The
system.
observation
thinking about how to design a
highly
becomes
compartmentalized.
reinforced
the
that
conclusion
obvious
most
The
is
in
CAD
that
building
defined
and
is
futher
This
by the structured nature
interface between the designer
of
and
the computer.
45
On the design process
The
logical
correlation between
the
in general. As computer-aided techniques
conceptual structure of CAD and ideas of
become institutionalized, suppliers will
building
have
vocabulary and form
is striking.
the
actual
languages
Having not participated in
design of the
software
can't say if that was an intention.
it
The
certainly appears to be
format
graphic
for accessing
,I
symptom.
and
editing
information in this environment
To that
end, I think it is a good thing.
In
a lot of ways,
information
On micro-based systems
The kind of thinking that we
in
as
designers is not as
to
environment
delineation
of
buildings into elements. This fact holds
system
the
that
strongest
computer
46
indication
of
will shape the design
chaotic
how
the
process
as
As
a result ,a progressive approach towards
is
the
engage
we'd like to believe ,but it is also not
developing
on
about products in a similar
as rational as the computer demands.
one's ability
and
fashion.
take full advantage of this kind of tool
predicated
products
But
a
is largly responsible for this.
incentive to format
a
better
would
micro-based
look at
and it's interface.
a
strength
micro-based
the
entire
Which means
systems'
is potentailly
CAAD
its'
greatest
greatest
weakness. With all the various functions
being
performed
many
by programs from
sources, coordination into an integrated
many
of
requires the interface
system
packages ,with the discovery of routines
that will make the system user freindly.
will
computers
Micro
and
improve
continue
they
that
it is my guess
to
will become the tool of chioce for small
architectual offices.
or
this
In the six-months
write
so it took to investigate and
thesis
products
has
indicadating
interest
in
,
a
arrived
an
multitude
on
active
improving the
the
and
of
new
scene,
growing
micro-based
design environment.
47
ITO
48
r
Changing Roles
With the widespread use of
in
the design process ,the role of
professional will change.
a
computers
the
In many ways,
computer becomes like another partner
in the process. And like any member of a
design
team
,it will
do
some
things
better than others. What those roles are
and
will become is still evolving.
scope
of this study was to take
depth
look
computer
at
one of many
currently
an
roles
The
in
the
plays,production
assistant.
49
Role of the Computer
"-a
data
varibles
structure
describing
consisting
the
of
relevant
properties of potentail solutions,
- a
set
applied
of operators which
may
be
to varibles to change the state
of a data structure..,
-a
set
of
objectives
constraints
which
define...a
and
set
/or
of
acceptable solutions , and,
-a
In
order
to
fully
integrate
soluton
generation
proceedure
the
which
produces
a
set
of
potentail
computer into a process of design, it is
solutions for consideration."
helpful to look at the roles the machine
currently
plays ,how those roles affect
indicating
the allocation of resources , and how it
for
will redefine the role of the
purposes:
A
computer-aided design problem can
characterized
following(3):
50
designer.
as
consisting
of
any
be
"-To
the
computer
machine...
that a computer may be
combination of
the
used
following
store and retreive
data.. .the
is
processing
used as a data
-To
automatically
solutions
by
to
well
executing
defined
a program which
generate
for design.
problems
between
operates
effort was reportedly devoted to work by
upon a data structure...
-To
test
for.. .consideration... by
a
program
mathematical
that
operates
British
executing
Department
a
model of a proposed design
study
of
investigating
cost
and
consultants.
conducted
A
by
Environment
the
,
(1974)
the allocation of man-hrs
showed a similar pattern (4).
solution..."
Yet
the
acheive
An
total
engineering
solutions
on
- 40% of
20%
outside
potentail
The later survey also noted
ability
of
an
office
to
the economies made possible
by
ideal system would to some extent,
computers
is
not
as
simple
as
just
Until
the
play all three of these roles.
most
Currently,
software concentrates on the most
implementing
automation.
introduction
of
CAD
micro-based
very
sophisticated
labor
machines ,the process of design may have
intensive
parts of the
process.Surveys
conducted
by
(1950
to
the
AIA
,
1970)
the
total
be modified somewhat to realize
full potentail.
confirm
that
nearly 25% of
ask
time
expended
on
a given
project
at
the
Concurrently , one must
what price to
the
quality
of
is
design?
devoted
drawings
to
,
the production
of
working
as compared with about
15%
51
As such ,
stages.
presented
is
question
This
time gained from the
to
is
production of construction documents
this
of
focus
major
the
introduce
well spent on design.
study. If the use of the computer can be
design
the
into the range of
the quality of design should not
and development phases of
schematics
design
,it will enhance
the
coming of automation.
increase
process in two ways :
is
that
development
is
the
strongest
in productivity
to
incentive
from
will make the transition
develope
design
It
the
this potentail
1)it
suffer
a
with
buildings
this
an observation that will prevail and
is
extended
Hopefully ,
a
working
that
technique
construction
to
integrates des ign development as much as
redundancy,
documents easier ,eliminate
possible
with current
capabilities
of
and help to realize futher economy ; and
the machine.
not
can
time
be
spent
in
the
is
such that its str ongest role is that
design
of
a
Poor 1y considered decisions that are
in
the
earliest
stages
of
process
often end up becoming the
costly
miscalculations
52
data processor .
generator
development phases.
made
in
the
CAD
current state of micro-based
,more
qui te as labor intensive
be
The
will
phase
the production
2)since
the
most
later
Its
role
as
a
and tester of solutions could
quickly become a reality as we enter the
era of concurrent operating systems
"expert" software.
and
As such, micro-based
CAAD should be thought of in terms of an
integrated system.
limited
was
relates
to
to
What then becomes an issue is:How
This study , however
process
the
working
in
the
as
it
graphics
we
and
richness
place in a design environment that could
any
where
limited
couse
be
edi tor.
sense of
a
maintain
do
of this
ability
my
found
at any
,
to
time?
In
the
study,
I
have
with
that
deal
question lies in three sources:
Role of the Designer
computer-aided
As the possible roles
of
systems play increases ,the role
the
computers
designer will
(of
him/herself
course) ;
change.For
work nicely for
now,
well-defined
problems, repetitive tasks ,and problems
library or
the
2)
design
designer
the
1)
"vocabulary"
of
elements
that
process
environments
can
from
achieve
a
design
a
and the development of
3)
interesting
small
reletively
vocabulary of elements.
to which typical patterns or patterns of
solutions
rubs
seen.
can found.
How much of
off on the designer remains to
this
be
Since the machine could not
have
human
the
range
of experience
possibly
as
counterparts ,we can't expect
its
to
53
its memory ir
utilize
ways a designer might.
aspect
overwhelming
associative
the
is
eye
this
of design on
is
current generation of micros
by selection.
an
As a result,
A sensitive and selective
this
is
Since the amount of memory
limited, one must be selective about the
vocabulary
be
must
that fills it,
discerning
when
just as
Ideally
sensitive operation would have a
"appropriate"
of
,
a
number
vocabularies on
that could be deployed as the
demanded.
an
choosing
from that source.
element
one
hand
situation
Variation in the relationship
the elements then becomes the key to
of
richness.
these
54
will
into
turn
Which starts to point to an
evolving role of the designer.
computers
As
,the
institutionalized
become
more
new roles
that
will emerge will be that of "designer of
systems"
design
and
"maintainer
of
design systems" (5). The first -role will
be
important
only
in that it
requires
a sound and general
architecture
,but
a
knowledge
competance
computer
sciences and/or
This
a good reason why
based
is
systems
offer
the
the
,accessible ,
in
in
applications.
oppourtunity to architects.
affordable
not
microgreatest
Micros
are
and relativly
easy to become fluent on. The ability to
Architecture
process.
limitations
advantages.
design
an asset at all levels of
process.
them,
is
defined
by
its
As the process of working with
machines
informs the
making
of
integrate
roles
technologically
revolutionary
professionally
will
effect
on the
have
and
a
practice,
proceedure ,
and quality of our working
environment.
55
Al]P[gmdln
56
Three Proposals
The
experience
machines
has
made
of working
me
of a well thought out
These
three proposals are
some
working
shortcomings
these
appreciate
value
on
on
of
the
interface.
observations
the
environment ,and some
current
thoughts
on future capabilities.
They
are proposals
concerning
aspects
of:
-integration of applications software,
-the man-machine interface
-design intelligence or knowledge.
57
Another draw back of this
Integration of application programs
the
is
As
the
CAAD system consist of more
seperation of fact from artifact ie:
in
It consists of a
order to "test" a solution generated
in
than a drawing editor.
number
applications
of
thought
the
by
integrated
an
earlier,
stated
micro-based
of
discontinuity
arrangement
that
packages
In order to build
share information.
a
that
process
a
drawing
is
brought
editor ,you must
and
completely
editor
on
leave
the
run
the
and
appropriate program in a serial fashion.
interpretes data ,you need at least four
While the coming of concurrent operating
programs - a drawing editor ,a data base
systems will help in this respect
that edits ,analyses ,tests
system
,a
computational
model
in the form
of
won't help sort things.
In
either an "expert" system or spreadsheet
,and
a text editor.
be
"linked"
sometimes
requires
must
or
routines
at
The programs
together,
writing
the
an
least
knowledge of an operating
means
aquire
that
and
themselves.
58
an architects
configure
then
keeping with the modular
the
of
have
a "tool
of
that
are
"smart"
routines
designed specifically to
CAAD environment.
This
a
office
must
dealing
systems
kit" of
to
aid
with the exchange of non-graphic data in
system.
these
approach
micros ,it would be usefull
which
intimate
,they
It would
help
in
with one of the paradoxes of an
automated design environment - too
much
information.Designers should concentrate
on
design ,not information
tool
kit would allow the
flow.
This
configuration
of "filters" that have the ability to :
believe
much
this
will make
easier
integrated
and
the
design
the
interface
concept
of
assistant
an
more
acceptable for micros for three reasons1)
Run
constantly
as
a
backround
operation ,updating descriptions,
2)
1)
Automatically "route" data to the
appropriate file or program
that
application ,
4)
Allow
data
be
an
backround
operation
enormous
would
improvement
on
a
conceptual level,
graphic information
to
be
from
changes made
in
a
not
are
architects
Most
2)
updated
base as a
that is constantly updated ,which
Automatically format it for
3)
a
It would make it possible to have
data
programmers and cannot afford to be one.
file.
This
5)
"tool
kit"
would
pre-package
Have the ability to determine the
routines
execution
sequence
of
,allowing users to simply
say
applications
what
,when
,where
and how
by
simply
It
would
programs.
installing
In other words,
provide
the "tool
routines that make
generated
"reciprocal"
in
the
with
kit" would
information
drawing
other
editor
programs.
I
the
module.
an operating system in
that
it would provide more sophisticated
and
complement
interactive
to
routines that are
support
specific
designed
program
59
configurations.
The
As stated earlier ,the coming
3)
almost requires the creation
automation
a new role for
of
for
the
system.
of
maintenace of an
Small
responsible
someone
offices
CAAD
office
usually
cannot
seperation
the
technique
sense
,making
this
tool
persons
the definition and
maintenance
Man-machine interface
drawing
is
kind
a
of
desirable
for life drawing ,it
second
is
not
problem is the lack of
of scale that is created
dimensionless
screens.
of a system much easier.
While that
from
for design drawing.
kit
be
the
of the drawing surface
responsive
The
would
problem is created by
veiwing area.
afford the manpower ,let alone the cash.
It
first
While
by
the
representation of monitor
the instaneous jump
in
scale
is one of the nicest features
of
these
systems ,present display
are simply not adequate.
options
Drawing with a
light pen on larger monitors is one
Beyond issues that are related to
the
software of this design environment, are
a
host
of
issues relating to
how
we
physically interact with the computer. I
have
two real problems
available hardware.
60
with
currently
a
of
long
addressing
way
natural
from
way
this ,but it is still
ideal.
A
interface could be
much
a
more
accomplished
by combining the veiwing screen with the
digitizing
surface
in
a
large
,flat
horizontal format that resembles a desk.
The pointing surface would be large ,say
72"x 56".
Design Intelligence
The video image would be rear
projected on to a touch sensitive device
The coming generation of CAAD research
that is activated with cordless pen that
can accommodate a variety of media.
The
tablet
software would be calibrated
actual
architectural
scales
to
,allowing
will
be
method,
in areas of design
knowledge,
areas of expertise. In terms of
micro-based systems ,this indicates that
zooming ,drawing ,and veiwing that gives
areas
a
'component" programs that can be
sense of size.
include
The tablet would also
limited sketch recognition
things
such as plumbing and
for
electrical
symbols.
on
paper on his desk at the
time he is encoding a drawing
would
could
file.
make it easier to integrate
same
It
CAAD
workstations into the office environment
expertise be
distilled
into
easily
plugged in to a given system. An. "expert
system"
synthesis
In this environment ,a designer
draw
of
the
that
is
meant to aid
of design ideas will
identification
and
in
require
encoding
of
"design primitives" that become part
a
the
of
body of design knowledge used in test
and generate procedures.
What it means to have design knowledge
by making them physically easier to deal
is
with.
issues
not
designers
easy to pin down
become
mind.
because
inter-related
What
this
in
many
the
short
61
of
1)
a basic knowledge about how to
spatial
proposes
description
encoding
is
way
a
It is
understand spatail relationships.
based on using notions of territory as a
spatial
synthesizing
of
means
Hall
"Hidden
the
relates
formal
people
the same way as
In
our
affects
needs and how that
territorial
society.
Dimension",Edward
our spatail sense to
elements
aspects of architecture at
the
'most basic
same kind of public/private "zones " .It
level
objects
the
himself
and other
it is applicable at all
Zoned Objects
all the formal objects in
relationship
our
vocabulary
of
understanding
62
Objects
would
be
the
a
series
of
concentric
the
zones.The zones could then be assigned a
between
space,the
built
and
each
a
and
series
of
concentric
other.The
boundaries
.assumptions
these
had
people.
value
environment
a
relationship
"territoriality" also forms
for
scales
of design.
assigned
basis
of
range
a
form, mak'ing the two integral, and,
characteristics.
This
as
3) it describes space as created by
design
between
interaction
dimensions, not absolute dimensions;
Suppose
to understand
the
2) it is a way of describing spaces
is this sense of territory that allows a
person~
of
between people and their environments.
4)
the
of buildings have
the
between
configurations of graphic "objects".
In
describing
it is a way of
in presenting this are:
,
making
it
possible
to
recognize
of
when they overlap.The
overlap
with
of
"associated"
a verbal or numerical
the
description
space created between
objects.
on
would then be
to
degree
the
two
A message would then be passed
either
designed
the user
or
to act on that
a
Zoned object
routine
statement.This
would allow the computer to "understand"
space
in
a way similar to
the
way
a
person does - as a series of overlapping
relationships
range
of
that are determined by
dimensions and
not
a
absolute
Two objects showing
,
overlapping territories
r
vgIuv
0
values.
A
senario of how such an idea
work might read like this:
would
be
innermost
attributted
would
three
zones.The
zone being assigned the value
"public".For
dimensions
now,
shall remain
Iytc
Each object
"intimate",the second "private",and
third
A secfes of OWtAtIVS
the
-'
n recogerl
a
the
actual
arbitrary.When
Pattern of territories
created by objects
63
the
two innermost zones of two
described
as
could
objects
between
space
overlap,the
intimate
,
could
be
the
two
or
"understood"
be
connected.The machine could then
message or simply
a
pass
objects
to
be
either
connect
the
two.If zone 1 and 2 overlapped,the space
be described as private,
could
and
so
on.
By "reading" a pattern of overlaps,
the
machine now has a framework for the
understanding
of
the
spatial
relationships implied or created by
formal
elements
of
the
the
building.The
encoding of the relationships might read
something like this:
64
If zonel=zonel,then connect;
If zonel=zone2,but not I or 3,space
intimate;
If zone1=zone3,but not 2 or 1,space
private;
if zone2=zone2,but not 1 or 3,space
semi-private;
If zone2=zone3,but not 1 or 3,space
semi-public;
If zone3=zone3,but not 1 or 2,space
public.
is
is
is
is
is
As the spaces are generated by
overlap
territories,a type
of
are
assigned,
The application of this method would
As the
be a useful "design primitive" computer-
be
the design can
displayed as a pattern of uses. The uses
could
"proper"
adjacency.
acheive
This
understand their work.The machine
to
"taught"
be
zoned objects
types)
dimensions
of
built world.
the
to
these
"patterns"
(formal elements) , spaces
,
values
and
between zoned
deliniated
into
types,
understood
as
(actual
objects).Each
these classes of entities
could
intelligence about how we understand the
by three classes of entities-
generated
(use
some
could
understand
relationships by reading the
design system that posesses
more
tend
designers
talented
aided
way,the
level at a time,which is
one
way
to
could be "understood" at
building
than
be manipulated
then
manipulated as groups or individuals.
use
of
could be assigned to the spaces.
uses
the
so
could
that
patterns
be
they
or
65
66
Bibliography
Alexander, Christopher
- "The Timeless Way of Building"
1979 , Oxford University Press
New York
Alexander, Christopher
-
C.M.,
et al.
Handel,
Steven
-
Lasea.u,
Paul
Eastman,
Mitchell, William C.
Various
Authors
"A Pattern Language"
1977 , Oxford University Press
New York
- "Spatial Synthesis in Computer
Building Design" , 1975
John Wiley & Son , New York
- Aided
-"A computer-aided participatory design
M.Arch thesis M.I.T.
system" , 1975
-
"Graphic Thinking for Architects and
Designers" , 1980
Van Nostrand Reinhold , New York
-
"Computer - Aided Architectural Design"
1977 , Van Nostrand Reinhold , New York
-
Daidalos 5 (Berlin Architectural
Journal) , "The First Sketch"
Sept. 15, 1982
Bertelsman Facchzeitschriften
Gmbh,Berlin
67
Footnotes
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
68
- "Graphic Thinking for Architects and Designers"
Laseau
Ibid.
Mitchell - "Computer Aided Architectural Design"
Ibid.
Ibid.