Digital Tools and Architectural Visualization - Term Paper Example

? Digital tools and architectural visualization Sur Lecturer Architects are experts in the world of building and formulatingdesigns of the same. They have been known as artists because of their use of the pen to draw. In recent times, computer technologies have been democratized and as a result, a significant change has been felt in the architectural visualization. This is attributed to the availability of digital media which predominantly promotes computer visualization, and the use of architectural design in information systems. In this report the researcher took a study on how technology has affected the world of architecture. The report has found out that technology has changed the way designing used to be done. There is a whole lot of digital tools and computer software’s in use currently that have eased the work of an architect. Architects are using animation technologies and software’s that are projecting building in an almost real manner. The report analyses in detail the use of technology in the profession and its significance in future world of architecture. Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 4 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 5 3.0 ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN ARCHITECTURE 10 4.0 Digital Visualization Technical Overview 13 Benefits of the transition to digital Architectural Visualization 15 5.0 CONCLUSION 16 Revit 16 ArchiCAD 16 SketchUp 17 Rhinoceros 3D 17 AutoCAD 17 Works cited 19 1.0 INTRODUCTION Architecture is probably ranked among the world’s oldest professions of all time, it is an art in itself and only people with unrivalled creative genius were associated with the profession. Many buildings and monuments have been built through this science right from the medieval times. Architectural design is among the professions in the world that have direct effect on us, we probably would not be seeing the kind of buildings that pride our skylines today were not for this profession. A while back architects performed their trade through sheer creativity and drawing. It called for individuals who are highly creative, good in drawing and men who were good in mathematics. We can say, it called for artists who are above the basic level, to come up with sketches and designs, it required for calculation and good drawing capability since architects did not have the advantage of technology assisted designs during their time. This is a profession that requires at most care in order not to make mistakes that will be threatening to the whole process of construction. Technology has come up with tools to help in the development of architectural designs which are more accurate and deliberate on quality to cut down on costly mistakes. All said and talked about, architecture has not gained the necessary audience and not many people care to understand the ropes. Therefore despite the improvement in technology some segments of architects have refused to move with technological tide deciding instead to maintain the traditional way of doing things. The researcher hence found it necessary to bring to light all the gains made in the architectural world primarily focusing on technology and tools available to architects to make their work stand out while improving on quality. It should be understood that the current complex designs seen in the first world countries would not have happened without complex digital technology to birth a design. Currently it is possible to build structures that seem to defy gravity and structures which respond positively to environment thanks to improved technology on architecture. Without architects great structures cannot be created, hence the researcher found motivation with the kind of progress that has taken place and needs to be known. In this report the researcher meant for it to address the following points while making them the main objectives points-: Types Digital tools used in architecture focusing also on available software’s What is visualization and how it has helped in designing The impact of technology on architecture The relevance of technology in the present and future of architecture. 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW The origin of architecture is dated back in earliest drawings that were done in caves. Today, the art of graphically representing designs of buildings is being continued as an integral part of the original design process. Despite this, there has been tremendous changes since the 1990’s when this activity was changed into a digital platform. In recent times, there exists many perspectives of buildings that have been majorly developed using the digital visualization. Since the introduction of digital systems, architects illustrations have been taken over by the architectural visualization which is powered by Computer Aided Designs (CAD) software. The transition has resulted to the artistic practice of illustration to be taken over by photomontages and technical CAD models. The CAD models has resulted in artistry losing its initial complexity. The transition to the digital process in recent times is significant since it facilitates the integration of project deliveries with iterative design process and as a result, the audience of the architectural process not only expect drawings but also animations of the same. This is made possible by the use of the available architectural visualization techniques. In the past coming up with designs was a complex affair that took time to master, but there has been discussions on why the modern architect should adopt technology. There is no single profession in the world which will stand the ground for the swiping technology wave. Architecture then cannot stand ground for the swiping technology wave that is happening currently. There are digital items which are being developed that will assist the architects to perform their work expeditiously and in a smart manner. The architectural world improved with the invention of computers and related software’s. Computers as we all know, are machines that has come to make a whole lot of things quiet easy to do, the machines have got capabilities to do almost everything that doesn’t involve strength. This has resulted to the rebirth of architecture from a pencil driven design and arithmetic work to digital architecture. The word digital architecture emerged from the aspects used to create architecture in terms of technology. The fact is there is no cement of bricks which are used in this kind of architecture, it is a form of coming up with designs through very complex extrapolations and analysis with the help of a computer. A computer in this case symbolizes technology. Digital architecture involves the use of a computer in architecture to design, model, do programming and creating images of structures. IT specialists and software developers have created computer software known as CAAD- computer aided architecture designs. This software is normally installed in the computer and has properties that assist to come up with these kinds of designs: Picture 2.3 birds view with CAAD The application was first developed and installed in the year 1960, it was meant to help architects save on time spent in sketching building designs. The application had the short fall of not being able to help an architect actualize a project fully. Back then it was known as CAD-computer aided design, named after the purpose it was meant to achieve, which was coming up with a sketch and blue prints quickly. Picture 2.5 CAD design But since CAD could not help an architect to completely finalize on a project, there was a need in the industry, to come up with something better in architecture. Therefore CAAD was developed, and it had superior qualities to CAD. The software was able to project a structure in practical imaging format (Emmitt, 38-40). It had a quality known as mapping, which helped outlay the design as closely as possible to the real thing, for instance it can do some distinct things such as designing of inside stairs. The software also projects structures in 3D, making some very clear and clean final drafts as seen in (picture 2.6) . The future of architecture holds better things and better applications, currently technology has evolved and BIM has been developed, BIM means building information modeling. This system has been billed as the present and the future of architecture, this system is a concept where the system not only helps to come up with designs but also keeps information on the lifespan of the structure, data, all the calculations involved and specifics. The system automatically generates a design when all this information is fed. Research shows that most architectural firms in the USA have taken up this model, and more than 70% of the firms are using it in designing work. (Agkathidis, 56-70) The model handles complex analysis and computation quite easily, plus it helps in projecting the building of complex structures, which require high level accuracy. BIM makes information to a certain structure accessible to all interested parties. Picture 2.8 BIM modeling Considering the emergent the previously connoted technologies in architecture, more efficiency is being searched for in the process of building design, extracting information regarding costs using the BIM and ultimately, providing high quality visuals for any given customer that are accompanied with interactive presentation. 3.0 ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN ARCHITECTURE Picture 3.1 3D design The above pictures picture 3.1 and picture 3.2, are the new generation imaging technique. Architecture has come a long way in presentation, from the days of sketchy designs to what is now known as architectural visualization. This is transforming designs to reality images which show every tiny detail including the landscaping. (Corser, 70-95) It can be equated to a real photograph were it not for lack of the life touch in the imaging, this is a technology which shows the real attributes of a design, through 2 or 3D format. This type of visualization makes altering an aspect quite easy compared to those designs made by bare hands (Obermeyer, 38-40). Second it eliminates the use of mock ups to illustrate the final product. Picture 3.4 mock up Mock ups help people to have a more real picture, but it is not a must that architects make them if architectural 3D designs are to be used. If constrained on time mock ups can be very time consuming and complex to make. The illustrations picture 3.3 and picture 3.4 show that mock ups are only capable of showing the external aspects of a structure. Mock ups are not capable of illustrating the designs of ceilings or stairs inside a house look like. Comparative with 3D visualization, the program is able to show off in terms of content to be viewed. Picture 3.5 and 3.6 below shows well the capability of three dimensional designing, it is able to illustrate how the final product will look like when the owner has furnished it.(blog) Picture 3.5 detailed 3D Picture 3.6 detailed 3D Architectural visualization uses software which is installed in a computer therefore it is mandatory for architects to be well exposed on how to work with this applications. Visualization software makes the work of an architect very easy to accomplish. Hence it is imperative for architects to have computer skills for easy navigation of the system. (Emmitt, 78-80) The creators of architectural software have developed a couple of applications including a home based package to complicated and detailed package to be used be used by architectural firms with big and complex projects to accomplish. Visualization software should be able to produce high quality videos and also produce high quality pictures which are not wobbly. (Leatherbarrow, 37-39). Some of the most popular architectural visualization software includes the following: 3DS MAX the software makes 3D models that depict the real thing, it makes models that boarder to a real photo. (smith, 67-69) ARCHICAD- this one prioritizes on the structure planning, it keeps information and assists in energy sufficiency planning. MAYA- it functions like DS MAX, but Maya has complex animation qualities not found within the other applications SKETCH UP- the software is versatile, it can be used by a normal person and a professional architect since it is made up of two types of versions. The normal one and the professional one for experts. Cover page is on illustration 3.8 REVIT it incorporates landscaping and some aspects of creating self-efficient buildings and also keeps information on the buildings. Digital architecture hence has brought about swiping changes in the architecture world. To be able to maintain relevance therefore, architects need to adopt the use of technology driven format of design making and sketching (Agkathidis, 42-44). Among other jobs of an architect, they may be called upon to do renovation of buildings and advice on the type of work to be done. Among the digital tools an architect may require at this stage includes a digital camera. Architects would normally require special cameras to be able to perform their work with ease. The cameras assist in taking pictures of the work in progress on all dimensions. They also assist in obtaining clear and clean pictures of an existing building in order to understand where to start the work. 4.0 Digital Visualization Technical Overview Modelling and Visualization The transition to digital technology in architecture is facilitated by visualization and modeling i.e. modeling and visualization are entities that make up architectural design (Ali & Brebbia, 2006). These entities entail representation, mechanisms of implementation, design modelling, abstraction and specificity. Below is a summary description the above stated entities (Ali & Brebbia, 2006). Representation involves the use of formal symbols explicit entities in transparent manner. During the use of representation entity, there is description of numbers basing on the rule system and finite set of symbols (Hight, 2007). Architectural representations is the same in the structure. Therefore the design process is made up of building elements that are accompanied by corresponding rules that are utilized in mapping relationships during the representation process. The development of The CAD system is based on the above stated theorem (Hight, 2007). The above stated symbol (spaces and building elements) are largely used in computation representation of architectural design. Below is a diagram representing the use of symbols in creating a floor plan. Fig; Plan created using Symbols The implementation of the representation technique involves the use of lower level geometric primitives which include simple surfaces, lines and points. These signifies the outline of any given building. Generally, the use of digital technology is greatly derived from practices used in the analogue drawing (Luo, 2011). Representation of architectural drawing is the root of digital architecture since its constant, only the implementation mechanisms change. Design modeling complements the representation and implementation mechanisms. In the analogue architectural design, visualization has been used to represent built form for the explicit function in registering the output and the input cognitive processes and passing on design ideas. The transition to digital media has resulted into addition of a 3rd dimension to the 2 – dimensions originally in the analogue architectural design and as a result, improved on the efficiency (Luo, 2011). Also, this has resulted in the production of photorealistic rendering on 3 – dimensional model basis that has catapulted architectural drawing into more efficiency and more productivity unlike in the traditional way which only focused on expression of ideas. The resultant modern visualization techniques are aimed developed with an aim of unifying all the architectural representations (Luo, 2011). Benefits of the transition to digital Architectural Visualization The transition from the traditional architectural visualization to the digital architectural visualization is accompanied by numerous advantages. Some of the benefits of the use of digital architectural visualization is as outlined below. The use of digital visualization in architecture easens team work and collaboration of workmates. As a result, workspaces are continuously saved and thus specific configuration on a given project can be easily adopted. Moreover, reduced work space is accompanied by the sharing of resources thus enabling users to work simultaneously on a given project without interruptions. Digital architecture has also resulted in communication and awareness among workmates. 5.0 CONCLUSION We are in the modern world now, things have changed and the world has become a global village, all this is possible due to technology. Technology has penetrated the world of architecture and it has affected the way architects design, market and work on a project. Digital technology has allowed for complex calculations to be made easily and some of the most difficult designs to be formulated with a lot of ease (Corser, 41-44). For instance, the complex designs shown below. Picture 4.1 complex designs Below is a summary of the reviews of modeling programs Revit 1. Modeling is done in 3 – dimensions and enables one to change between 2 – dimension planes and 3 – Dimensions views. 2. The software is dimensionally driven enabling geometry modification by drawing a number. 3. Contains integrated building materials that enable real - world material detail plan and representing components of a building 4. The software enables drawing coordination ensuring all graphics and data are updated, coordinated and current. ArchiCAD 1. ArchiCAD has the functionality that enables the environment of working with parametric objects. 2. ArchiCAD has the functionality of enabling its users to collaborate effective and also to work remotely 3. ArchiCAD enables third party developers to enhance its facility by adding more components to enhance architectural functionalities 4. ArchiCAD has a functionality that allows data to be interchanged among other programs with similar functionality SketchUp 1. Light program, thus runs on almost all computers 2. Easy to learn 3. With SketchUp, it is easier to calculate volume and area 4. The functionality of SketchUp can be increased by third parties using the SketchUp ruby APIs 5. Enables one to choose among several rendering modes 6. The program is equipped with camera tools that allow interaction with the real world. Rhinoceros 3D 1. This software is compatible with design created by all other programs with the same functionality thus allowing portability 2. The software supports plug – ins, thus third party developers create powerful plugins to expand its functionality using he Rhino SDK 3. The Software supports scripting thus it allows functionality expansion using scripting language such as Visual Basic (VBA) AutoCAD 1. Support of Layering 2. Live Maps that enables one to connect the design to the real world 3. The software has capabilities of extracting surface curves to enable determination of contour lines of any shape 4. AutoCAD enables analysis of any given surface. 5. AutoCAD supports a large variety of file extensions, thus it can be considered as the most portable modeling software. Technology has made it possible for architects to do mega projects that have a fair level of complexity. For example frank an architect created a complex structure inform of a monument to be placed at Barcelona Olympics in 1989. He did this through CATIA-computer aided three dimensional interactive application which was invented in the year 1982. (Leatherbarrow, 23-24) He says that the introduction of this system enabled him to be more creative and smart in the creation of his designs. Technology has enabled him to explore the limits if his creative genius. He has created some of the most complex works of construction never thought possible by any builder. Picture 4.3 frank design From the study we can deduce that technology has brought positive influence in the architectural industry, created jobs and simplified designing work. Architects can therefore make and market their designs better than before. Clients can view the work in 3D hence faster decisions. The future of digital technology on architecture has been cast down in stone, stake holders must continue coming up with innovations and technology to improve the industry. The world needs energy efficient buildings and buildings that are eco - friendly, look at picture 4.4. Architect Neil Spiller says that the current order of construction is greatly damaging the environment, through materials used and we need to rethink this, for the sake of the future. (BBC) Picture 4.4 future architecture. Works cited Agkathidis, Asterios. Computational Architecture. Amsterdam: BIS Publishers, 2012. Print. Corser, Robert. Fabricating Architecture: Selected Readings in Digital Design, 2007. Print. Emmitt, S. Architectural technology research & practice. Fla: 3DATS, 2013. Print. Leatherbarrow, David. Uncommon Ground: Architecture, Technology, and Topography. Manufacturing. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2010. Print. Obermeyer, T. L. Architectural technology. New York, Gregg Division, McGraw-Hill, 1976. Print. Smith, Brian L. 3ds Max 2008 Architectural Visualization: Beginner to Intermediate. Sarasota, Sondermann, horst. Light Shadow Space. Gardners Books, 2010, Print. Ali, A., & Brebbia, C. A. (2006). Digital Architecture and Construction. Southampton: WIT Press. Hight, C. (2007). Architectural Principles in the Age of Cybernetics. New York: Routledge. Luo, Y. (2011). Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering: 8th International Conference, CDVE 2011, Hong Kong, China, September 11-14, 2011, Proceedings. Palma, Majorca: Springer. Read More