Scale Modellingin Architectural Design

B. de Vries

Architectural Design

• Traditional Design Process

• Representation

• Media

Traditional Design Process

• Client Brief: stated list of requirements of the design in terms of spaces, costs, time, parties, mandates, etc.

• Schematic Design: sketch design showing principal solution of the design

• Preliminary Design: worked-out drawings that show most design decisions

• Engineering Design: calculations on materials and installations regarding safety, well being, etc.

• Contract Documents: Drawings and text for putting out to tender

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Consultants

• Structural eng.• Construction eng.• Electrical eng.• Installations eng.• Etc.

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Representation

• 2D: plan, section, façade

• 3D: perspective, isometric, scale model

• Static: desired state

• Dynamic: time, behavior, interrelationship

Media

• Paper and Pencil• Artists’ paintings• Clay, Card Board, Foam, Plastics,

Wood• Computer drawings and renderings• Collage editing; photos, drawings,

renderings

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Scale Modeling

• Emphasis on sketch phase: mass studies

• Hand crafted, artistic-like sculpturing

• Abstraction of architectural form

Scale Model Evaluation

• Relative dimensions• Lighting, Shading• Form esthetics: (a)symmetry,

repetition, intrusion• View impression• Form fits Function• Color, Material impression

Interface Technology Aspects

• Interaction: interactive manipulation of the deign in ways that are natural for the architect and which do not draw attention to the handling of the interface

• Immersion: three-dimensional real-time experience of the design

• Simulation: visual, acoustic, and haptic simulation of the design for relevant feedback of design decisions

• Visualization: visualizing information that is non-visual by nature (e.g. heat transfer, cost, etc.)