The conceptual design of architectural form : a performance spec for a computer system

Abstract

Design is not considered as a professional activity that entails preliminary design, schematic design, and design development, but rather as a creative and conceptual activity that involves the graphic expression of ideas. By using computer graphics, the computer as a protean machine provides the means to develop an instrument for design that is more expressive than the pencil. Computer graphics systems for architects are built almost exclusively for drafting and working drawing production. Most are based on systems designed for mechanical engineering of machine parts. The drafting paradigm of the CAD system implies that the drawings done on computer represent schemes in an already designed form. The antithetical device is called a creatrix. The creatrix is analogous to three instruments. It expresses the architect's ideas like a musical instrument. It manages and manipulates building complexity like mathematical instruments. It quantifies and qualifies for the architect's evaluation like scientific instruments. Its three-fold mandate is: to assist the architect's process of visualization through his expression of ideas; to manage building complexity in a way that allows the architect to think about architecture; to re-present the architect's ideas in a way that helps the architect to critically and objectively evaluate his concepts. This thesis will present a specification for a system that will satisfy the mandates. The creatrix will be specified in the context of what is feasible technologically now at a reasonable cost.