Teaching Cad Programming to Architecture Students

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to discuss the relevance of including the discipline of computer programming in the architectural curriculum. It starts by explaining how computer programming has been applied in other educational contexts with pedagogical success, describing Seymour Papert's principles. After that, the historical development of CAD is summarized and three historical examples of educational applications of computer programming in architecture are presented, followed by a contemporary case of particular relevance. Next, a methodology for teaching programming for architects that aims at improving the quality of designs by making their concepts more explicit is proposed. This methodology is based on the author´s experience teaching computer programming for architecture students at undergraduate and graduate levels at the State University of Campinas, Brazil. The paper ends with a discussion about the role of programming nowadays, when most CAD software are user-friendly. As a conclusion, it is suggested that the introduction of programming in the CAD curriculum within a proper conceptual framework may transform the concept of architectural education.

Algorithm-Aided Design with Python: Analysis of Technological Competence of Subjects

“…(p. 5). The author of [15] reinforces this idea when she says that "programming can improve logical reasoning and conceptual thinking in design. My conclusions are drawn on the historical development of CAD software, on pedagogical experiences with children and students of architecture and, finally, on some recent applications of programming in architectural projects" (Original quotation: A programação pode melhorar o raciocínio lógico e o pensamento conceitual no design.…”

Validação em Língua Portuguesa da Escala de Motivação de Realização

“…Argumento que a sua educação avançada em novas tecnologias, nas áreas de multimédia, computação e ferramentas digitais em geral, constituem uma mais-valia muito especial" (2017, Secção As valências da formação em arquietctura, par. 5) Celani (2008) reforça esta ideia quando diz que: "a programação pode melhorar o raciocínio lógico e o pensamento conceitual no design. Minhas conclusões são tiradas sobre o desenvolvimento histórico do software CAD, sobre experiências pedagógicas com crianças e estudantes de arquitetura e, finalmente, sobre algumas aplicações recentes de programação em projetos arquitetônicos".…”

The Art of Computer Graphics Programming: Translating Pioneer Programs

“…In the same line of thinking, architecture educators have also proposed the use of programming for teaching design, such as Schmitt (1988) and Coates (1995) (Celani, 2008).…”