The impact of computer aided architectural design programs on conceptual design in an educational context

Abstract

This is an author produced version of a paper published in Design Studies This version may not include final proof corrections and does not include published layout or pagination. Citation Details CopyrightItems in 'OpenAIR@RGU', Robert Gordon University Open Access Institutional Repository, are protected by copyright and intellectual property law. If you believe that any material held in 'OpenAIR@RGU' infringes copyright, please contact openair-help@rgu.ac.uk with details. The item will be removed from the repository while the claim is investigated. "NOTICE: this is the author's version of a work that was accepted for publication in Design Studies. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Design Studies, [VOL 35, ISSUE 4 THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER AIDED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROGRAMS ON CONCEPTUAL DESIGN IN AN EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT AbstractLittle research has been undertaken concerning the manner in which students use computer aided architectural design (CAAD) programs for conceptual design. The research aim was to explore the potential impact of CAAD programs as conceptual design tools within architectural design methodologies. Therefore, the study aimed to understand the effect of CAAD on self-reflection using a think-aloud method. The findings demonstrate that participants used CAAD representations for concept development, information visualisation and presentation of design strategies. Results from the detailed analysis of design process are enlightening, particularly in terms of the cyclical nature of conceptual design. Furthermore, the use of a micro-detail protocol study within this context suggests an appropriate methodology for application in further study of the architectural design process.

Processing Beyond Drawing

“…Oxman (2006), Bilda and Demirkan (2003), Dorta (2008), Madrazo (1999), and Salman et al (2014) presented differing conceptions of how designers receive and process information while manipulating digital drawings and models. The data for this project show two distinct approaches.…”

“…As a result, they concluded that hand-based drawing provides a superior method for thinking through a design problem. Salman et al (2014) agreed that the quick transitions between two-and three-dimensional views in digital representations alter a designer's perception. Conversely, Dorta (2008) described how the structure of software interfaces restricts the flow of a designer's ideas and narrows the available "perceptual interpretation space" (p. 124, see also Tan, Peek, & Chattaraman, 2015).…”

“…Design process work records lateral transformations from one idea to another and vertical transformations that add increasing detail to an existing idea (Purcell & Gero, 1998). Subsequent research on process work using digital media (e.g., computer-aided design [CAD]) has shown similar translations (Ibrahim & Rahimian, 2010;Salman, Laing, & Conniff, 2014;Sun, Xiang, Chai, Wang, et al, 2014). Beyond lateral and vertical transformations, students learn to use process work to help structure a problem.…”

“…In their data, paperbased sketching resulted in nearly twice as many proposed solutions-and significantly more unique solutions. Similarly, Salman et al (2014) showed connections between how a design idea advanced and the use of hand-and CADbased exploration. These connections seemed to vary by student and may have been linked to how and when the students learned to use CAD systems.…”

Understanding Creative Design Processes by Integrating Sketching and CAD Modelling Design Environments: A Preliminary Protocol Result from Architectural Designers

“…As such, the data gathered are very direct; there is no delay that can result in altered data. The advantages of concurrent verbailisation fit the aim of this research because this process focuses on analysing actual designers' cognitive actions rather than using subjective self-reports (Salman et al, 2014). Therefore, concurrent verbalisation was selected for this study.…”