The creation and comparison of three contrasting programs for computer aided architectural design.

McCann, John Robert Cruickshank

Abstract

This thesis is an account of research in Computer Aided Architectural Design carried out at Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Aberdeen, from October 1975 to September 1977. The work resulted in the creation of three main computer programs, of different contrasting type, and descriptions of each are given. Each of the programs is of use in different aspects of architectural design but an important part of the work is concerned with how these programs compare with one another. Particular attention is paid to the required role of the user which is seen to alter with the degree of definition of the particular technology to which the problem belongs, the types of mathematical model postulated, and the design objectives to be reached. The problems range from ill-defined (SPASM) to well-defined (triple) with ARTILL bridging the gap. TRIPLE is a computer program to assist in the analysis of the circulation pattern of proposed or existing building forms. The distance between any two architectural spaces may be calculated using three measures, the rectangular, straight-line and true measures. Using the program, the amount of detour which a particular circulation pattern involves may be assessed. ARTILL implements an integrated method of artificial lighting design, enabling a user to select suitable light fittings, lamps and appropriate spacing for a proposed installation. The important facility is provided to allow the user to interactively change the value of any parameter independently of all others, and to monitor effects of any alteration. SPASM, the most complex of the three programs, gives a user an opportunity to generate and alter schematic plan layouts of a proposed building form. Facilities are provided, through a command language, to define a spatial allocation problem using association matrices and other devices and to generate and probe the solution space of the problem. The program was conceived and developed as a design tool rejecting the previous algorithmic approach of other researchers, and adopting the view that for the solution of architectural spatial allocation problems, process may be more important than product. Proposals are made for the experimental evaluation of SPASM. All three programs are compared and contrasted with respect to psychological considerations. A call is made for more serious regard to be given, by software developers, to appropriate power relations established between user and program, and for further research into the topic.

Citation

MCCANN J.R.C. 1979. The creation and comparison of three contrasting programs for computer aided architectural design. Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology, MPhil thesis. Hosted on OpenAIR [online]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-1993294

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 11, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 14, 2024
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-1993294
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1993294
• Award Date: Sep 30, 1979