The complexity of the architectural multi actor design and building process combined with the integration of experience based knowledge in a highly conventionalized framework makes it a challenging environment to implement an effective communication of the design and design intent. Today this communication is still primarily taking place in the form of two dimensional shop drawings following strict conventions. These 2D drawings are not only used for describing the design but are also the standard legal documents defining the design and form thereby an integral part of today's architectural design and construction process. This makes the 2D representation of the design a well-established and de facto convention format for communication within an architectural design environment. However, there are drawbacks to this form of representation. The description of a three dimensional object by a composite of two dimensional representations makes it prone to misinterpretation, gaps in information and errors in the drawings themselves. An additional problem is the amount of drawings necessary to define the design. It can be enormous, which makes alterations of the drawings time consuming and necessitates a strict protocol for checking the drawings after implementing the alterations. The resulting mistakes caused by misinterpretation, inaccuracies and drawing errors are not uncommon with this method of fragmented description of the design.

This problem is recognized by the industry and we can see a development of digital design support tools towards a more three dimensional digital design environment. Supported by the continuous increase of computing and graphics power (Moore's Law, 1965) and the availability of affordable hard and software solutions the step towards a three-dimensional architectural digital design environment is taken by a growing group of designers and builders. This unambiguous representation contains more information than the 2D representation and can be used as an effective basis for communication and extracting data for analysis, simulation and digital manufacturing. The implementation of accurate 3D digital design representations as a source of digital manufacturing and in support of communication between the actors of the design and assembly process is not new. Already well established in the aerospace industry and the automotive industry and in various other industries the highly detailed and accurate 3D models were effectively used to enhance communication and form the basis for digital simulation and analysis. Although the complex highly detailed 3D digital master models, where all the formal design data is concentrated in a single environment, have enormous memory and computing requirements, the technique is starting to be implemented more and more. With the development of digital design support tools such as Revit (AutoDesk) and Digital Project (Gehry Technologies) the concept of 3D design and development is entering more and more the realm of architecture. However the structure, in which the data can be integrated, simulated and altered has to facilitate flexibility to support the design process without becoming too much of a steering influence on the design process itself. The digital design support tools which are available are numerous and diverse, however the properties of the tools will define their suitability for implementation in the design process.

In this course, we will use an approach of concentrating the formal design data in a single 3 dimensional digital description of the design, a master model. The workshops will contain mini lectures relevant to the content of that workshop.

Workshop 1

With an increased use of the computer in architectural design and engineering, the knowledge of how to apply the different techniques in the design process gains in importance. The right choice and use of digital design support can enhance the design process and create new possibilities in design and engineering to explore. This course consists of different design phases, which demand different functionality of the digital design support tools. In the concept design phase enhanced flexibility and speed in design are key criteria for an effective implementation of digital design support. By applying the curve based modelling technique in Maya, in combination with the parametric environment, a powerful design environment is created where rapid generation of 3 dimensional design variations can be supported. By modelling the geometry with NURBS the flexibility in design and communication of the design data is generated, making it possible to effectively use multiple digital design support tools during the design whole process.

Workshop 2

In the design development, phase the advanced modelling tools of Rhino are used to accurately define the 3D digital design model. The resulting 3D model will support enhanced insight into the design through its visual feedback and enables the designer to pre-empt potential assembly conflicts or investigate material and manufacturing solutions. This single 3D digital model is used as a basis for analysis and digital manufacturing.

Workshop 3

The final phase consists of the conversion of the digital data for analysis and manufacturing and the digital manufacturing and rapid prototyping itself. We will look at how the milling, laser cutting and 3D printing machines can be used and what kind of digital manufacturing techniques are available in the industry.

Instructors

Paul de Ruiter (responsible instructor)