Featured Image Takeaway Design Strategy:

Use digital media as a tool to experiment with new forms, as well as their assembly. Then, see them from various perspectives as they morph through space. Be careful not to limit your design’s potential because of the digital tools you use. If there is a particular innovative design idea that you have — find a way to do it.

To Apply This Strategy, Ask Yourself:

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

3D Room Design Using Twinmotion2
Image: Creative Tools | Flickr

With this I ask, in what ways do digital media tools for architectural design bring value to the details within your projects — such as by making tangible that which is not yet realized? Also, what and why do you choose to model certain aspects of your design, and what do you do with that information to make your design even better?

As you begin to answer the above questions, I encourage you to read the following top seven ways in which 3D room design can help you make the details of your architectural design sing.

How 3D Room Design Can Help Your Design Intention Be Realized

1. Size, Placement and Proportion: Manipulate geometries to represent room elements and get a virtual feel for how they will work together as a design fabric and composition.
2. Materials, Textures and Reflections: By applying appropriate materials you quickly see the mood you are creating. These will help to refine your design decisions and help you best communicate your design intention to your team and client. Also, glaring errors in material or lighting selections may stand out.
3. Interior Lighting: Lighting is critical to make your 3D room design come alive. With lighting you will quickly see what is working and what is not. You may also further refine your design by choosing the appropriate type of lighting and its location within the space. Get lighting right. It will go a long way.
4. Exterior Lighting and Nature: Even though in this article we are specifically talking about an interior room design, you still need to consider the exterior. Exterior natural daylight, or artificial lighting on at night can impact your room’s interior design. Furthermore, you may want to model other exterior elements “visible” from your interior — like trees, plants, grass, water features and so on. In particular, you need to think beyond the visual as well. (Don’t be limited by the visualization tool you use.) Consider issues like exterior noise levels, the effects of the exterior at different seasons and times of day. Ask yourself how those issues will impact your interior design features. And if they do not, ask whether they should.
5. Experiment and Test with the Virtual Space: Use your virtual space like a sketch pad. It is your sandbox to “build” before you have to build. By isolating a particular architectural area, in this case a room, you will likely get many ideas on ways to make it more meaningful. Plus, if done correctly, your virtual environment will complement your other design process methods, ensuring that your design intention will be not only realized in the 3d room designvisualization, but all the way through to construction.
6. Assess Dynamic Elements: With certain, more advanced, digital media software, you can also experiment with how interactive design components will play out within your room design. To test these, you can create a virtual “walk-through” and experience virtually how your design responds to your motions and behaviors. Such elements in motion may be features like multi-media interfaces, mobile furniture, flexible walls or doorways, changeable materials and so on.
7. Select Key Vantage Points: With your 3d room design in place you can get occupant eye-level views of what it’s like to experience the room: You may choose to focus on key vantage points: perhaps the room entry, exit or primary seating areas, for example. Simply set up a camera at the appropriate height and in the appropriate location. Make sure all of your design elements articulate your vision appropriately at these key vantage points — without compromising your design’s composition from all other perspectives.

To give you an example of what digital media for architectural design can do, take a look at the following video which showcases Twinmotion2, a real-time rendering software made by architects for architects. The video below compares the same built environment (one shot with a video camera and the other rendered with Twinmotion2). My point in presenting this to you here, is to help you realize that the virtual drawing board can be quite powerful —the key is for you to be proactive in knowing and imagining what you want to build, testing and experimenting with it in different environments, and communicating your design and its pivotal design points with your clients.

In the end, such digital design tools, which can be used at a range of design scales, can become a very helpful virtual and architectural environment, whose language you can use to leverage your own design process for the better.

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© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Before we go on to talk further about the application technology, I think it best to show you a glimpse of what such multi-touch devices can do:

As you can see, 3-D visualizations are developing past solely working with still renderings or even scripted and locked in place animations — which today mostly run as “replays” of camera movements that serve to walk someone through a space along a predesignated path. But what makes these new multi touch virtual reality environments even more helpful is that they give architects the ability to interact with their construction documents in new ways, that are a bit more interactive and intuitive as they are tools that can be used to answer possible questions that may arise or to spot potential problems that may need to be solved in real time during meetings or client presentations.

By making construction documents link to more comprehensive building “models”, they become a bit more of an immersive experience that not only helps architects “see” their designs better, but also helps them to “explain” them better as other members of their design team, consulting team and client teams seek to more fully understand the implications of certain design decisions…thus, preventing future problems that may arise.

Image: campuspartycolombia | Flickr

When presenting, such an interactive table or screen application might help clients or other reviewers to feel more “in control” as they travel through a space — being able to question it in the places where they think it needs questioning. In turn, this helps by making them feel more confident if they like what they see and experience, all because this interface helps architects to better communicate their most complex of architectural visions.

Essentially, such new and interactive tools that can be used within both architectural working environments as well as architectural presentation environments are quite important to keep developing. For when designing a building, it helps when tools are optimized so that they help bridge the gap between architects, the unrealized building, and their clients — helping them to make smarter decisions more quickly, prevent future problems from arising during construction, and ensuring that the client sees and is confident that they are getting what they want and need. Needless to say, I do think that there will be a bright future for such multi touch architectural design and presentation interactive tools. So what you think? How could such an interactive tool help you with your architectural design process?

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter and Facebook followers by clicking on the “re-tweet” and “like” button at the beginning of this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: Tor Lindstrand | Flickr
The use of different game engines to explore interfaces between gaming and the production of space.
--- by Tor LIndstrand (Production of Architecture)

I think it is interesting for you as an architect to take a look at another dimension of something you use everyday — the computer. More specifically, think of how you typically work to design your own visualizations of a building design for the future.

Perhaps you start with real world challenges and work backwards from them to come up with your masterpiece. But what if, instead, you could just have a “design playground” of sorts, in which to hone your design skills and let your problem solving skills sharpen — without the constant constraints from your typical “real-world” way of working. What if you could engage in an “architectural gaming environment”?

In an interesting talk given by Jane McGonigal, entitled Gaming Can Make a Better World, she shares the idea that so many people are gaming today, and so many more will be gaming in the future, that it only stands to our benefit to capitalize upon this tremendous resource which is building exponentially right now. In the video below, you will hear how she describes the unique qualities that gamers have (like the ability to get up and try again when attempts don’t work, coupled with their “tight-knit social fabric” which can give them a collective edge).

In the video, McGonigal states that gamers actually are a resource with untapped potential to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. And since gamers have certain innate qualities that are developed and honed over so much time spent gaming, they develop certain characteristics or qualities that make them an invaluable resource to help with some of the world’s biggest problems like poverty, homelessness and even hunger.

I have to say that much of what she says does make some sense. And I cannot help but think about how this can be translated into our discipline where architecture plays a role that is inevitably tied in some of the “world’s biggest problems” as mentioned above. In some ways, I think architects are doing well and that we are using virtual reality to literally design a better world — with digital media software and hardware that we use to make our design solutions a reality.

However, I cannot help but think what might happen if we also engage in some type of virtual gaming situation where there is a certain freedom by which we can explore and test our design ideas — ideas which might not be possible to build today because of either inadequate technology, inadequate budget or inadequate time availability. Within an architectural gaming environment, perhaps rules can be set that challenge us to solve collective problems found in many buildings around the globe, and not just that one on our drawing board. Also, in a gaming environment, we have the ability to pool a larger massing of design professionals to both challenge our solutions as we come up with them, and to help us in a team-like manner.

So, would this all make us better designers? Would we all collectively strive to design even more amazing solutions than what we are seeing today? And might that help us to advance and speed up the architectural evolutionary process? Give some of these questions some thought as you watch the video below by Jane McGonigal:

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© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: lumaxart | Flickr

New technologies and tools are surfacing faster and faster these days, and one that has major impact and momentum is BIM, a digital media tool which allows architects to create a virtual building information model.

Such BIM design technologies are contributing to what some say will lead to major paradigm shifts for architecture firms — namely in the way architects engage in their own design process as well as the ability to foster greater collaboration between clients, contractors and consultants.

BIM design tools will allow for great detail in virtual building models, where an architectural design will will come together in more meaningful and cross-collaborative ways — beyond anything typical AutoCAD models have been able to do thus-far.

Such BIM visualization tools allow for much more, like the ability to model a building with everything from partitions, to plumbing and HVAC systems. Furthermore, BIM design will also allow architectural team members to study light and energy before the building is ever built. And yet, it does still more.

As the article entitled “BIM Me Up, Scotty” explains, this kind of Building Information Model can work with applications which allow you, as an architect, to run what is called “clash detection“. This can go a long way toward preventing design problems and conflicts, large and small, very early on in the design process. This works by allowing computer processes to check the model against certain rules like code regulations, accessibility requirements and even structural system issues. Wouldn’t you want to know about such problems early on in your design process, as opposed to finding out about them later on?…when they cost more money and are more difficult to fix.

What Does BIM Design Mean for Your Creative Process?

At present, many architects work with digital media tools like 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD, Revit and Rhino for computer visualizations and modeling. However, BIM has the potential and power to bring a new dimension to your world of architectural design, perhaps helping to further empower your firm.

By being able to model your building in such great detail early on in your design process, you will be able to reduce cost and time spent during later stages. After all, problem finding within something as complex as a building can help you out tremendously — not to mention that your BIM model can be shared with other team members like consultants and even clients.

So, design collaboration, problem solving and dynamic analysis are just a few of the major factors that make BIM a digital media tool for all architects to consider. Some say that the BIM wave is only just at its beginning, but that it will revolutionize not only the way we design and build buildings, but will fundamentally impact the nature of our role as “architect”. What do you think?

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© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: Ben Chau | Flickr

Throughout your architectural design process it is often the case that you need different tools at different points in time as you design. While some tools help you to visualize what goes on during your personalized architecture process, others help you to visualize what will go on within your final building design. So, what happens when these two worlds start to merge? Will your design visualizations be as immersive as the actual methods you use to communicate your designs to clients and other team members?

At different phases during your design process you explore different things. You engage in different levels of refinement and you solve an array of problems and questions that all have project-wide consequences and effects. You probably use a combination of both digital media information visualizations and 3D modeling methods. In fact, many architects today are delving into 4D information modeling techniques involving BIM leading-edge tools.

Whatever the case, it is paramount that your digital media design tools help to streamline your own architecture process. And a key to this is to make sure these tools are intuitive and promote creative thinking.

Digital Media Tools that Dig into the Minds of Your Occupants

Design project tools that reduce redundancy, error and cost during your architectural design process can go a long way toward increasing the quality and reducing the cost of your building — while also increasing the actual speed with which you can design. But there are a few things that come to mind when questioning how these tools can evolve, to get even better.

What if your architectural design tool could also help you extract information about occupant behaviors, perhaps algorithmically? Furthermore, what if you could inject this information into your building design visualization models? Hence, it would become a preview of not only what your design will look like, but also how it will function once built.

Would this pulling of occupant information allow you to spot new kinds of design errors? Would it further allow you to see aspects to your design that you otherwise did not think of, or simply missed? And in an ideal world, what other information do you wish you could pull into your architecture visualizations? What would their new capabilities allow you to “see” or “construct”?

In an age where we can easily pull data from repositories of information like the internet and other databases, new “models” can be built to help you and your firm with your architectural design processes. It is important for you to understand your current design flow, and then to be aware of what added dimensions would be most helpful to make it stronger.

The key is to “visualize” that which is almost intangible, pool from our era’s developing resources and then to implement tools that help us push architecture, as a discipline, that much further.

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I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: courtneyBolton | Flickr

When designing, do you begin with a preconceived idea of what your final design will look and feel like? Do you gain inspiration and insight from things that surround you, like nature or someone else’s design? Or do you start a design not knowing what your own creative process will give birth to? In other words ——

As you design do you work toward an “end vision” or do you take on a more “experimental” design approach where you test design outcomes? Do you predominantly do one of these, or both?

These are interesting and important questions to ask yourself, whether you are a seasoned architect or are just beginning your journey as an architectural designer — particularly because as new technologies and design paradigm shifts present themselves, you should want to be well equipped to engage in both at the right times and in the right ways during your design efforts.

New Design Technology Tools Can Enhance Your Design Process

Yes, you can crunch through various design schemes and options at speeds limited by the quickness of your design abilities and your computer technologies, but as an architect it is your responsibility to become the best critic of your own work, especially as new digital design tools emerge.

As computing technologies allow for faster design processes, you will be able to create 3D visualization and algorithmic outputs of your design based on variables which you input into your building design. And as more of these variables can be entered during the early stages of your design process, you will subsequently need to increase your ability to critique your work in a much more detailed manner. Hence, new computer technologies are giving you greater ability to design in greater detail earlier on.

New digital media tools will empower you to be your own best critique. Your design process can be refined using such tools, and your design iterations can accomplish more at each step — and if you capitalize upon this, your design process will be optimized to give you the most leverage.

With ability to be a more thorough and faster self-critic, you should be able to reach a greater level of refinement and sophistication with your design work — all while saving time, effort and money. What you put in, you will get out — you just need to know what questions and explorations to ask of your design so that you use new computer technologies to optimize your process (and not create unnecessary steps).

Correcting design errors should, in theory, be easier as future digital design tools emerge. One thing is for sure through, there will be a better chance for those errors to surface with greater visualization, algorithmic and BIM design techniques. The key will be for you to know where to look for them and to know how to solve them.

Hence, your design process revisits an already well-practiced design technique. Both an “end-vision” and “experimental” mindset will help you to integrate those powerful and new computer technologies to reap the greatest benefits.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

An amazing new prototype called Siftables, developed at the MIT media Lab, merges the worlds of digital media and physical interfaces. The main idea behind them is to get virtual information into your hands (literally) by using a “block-like” natural interface that transcends beyond our prototypical mouse and keyboards. Siftables are designed to be more in tune with the way we actually navigate through the world.

Each Siftable is about the size of a “cookie” that works and feels like you are, in fact, playing with toy blocks. Each block can sense the others as they are moved around and tilted by their user. Essentially, this allows for a type of collaboration between the Siftables so they can work individually and together within their group’s system.

To see Siftables for yourself, simply watch the following video and imagine how, if developed further, such sensing physical objects will change the way we interact with digital media today. For instance, might such technologies help architects to “build” architectural models differently? Or might they allow for a new kind of architectural presentation that you might give to your clients?

Here’s Another Thought on How Siftables Could Impact Your Designs

In the future, architecture could expand upon its interactivity (and adaptability) with such sensing physical interfaces. Just imagine if occupants began to communicate with their environmental surroundings in completely new ways. For example, what if a grouping of Siftables could be shared by occupants, or they allowed for a new type of personalized customization?

So, what future possibilities and current uses would you like to use the Siftables for?

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: Norebbo | Dreamstime

We all know that computer technology has done a lot to advance not only the way the design process can work, but also to improve the constructed outcome of that design process.

That’s why I think it’s important to shed some light on what “aural renderings” can do. (1) You, as an architect, can actually listen to a designed space as built to the parameters of your three dimensional CAD model. Here is a detailed description of the process that goes into creating such an aural rendering:

A 3-D model of the space is built using CAD software, and this model is transferred to an acoustical modeling software package. The acoustical consultant assigns acoustical properties to the modeled room’s surfaces (or potential construction materials) and places sound sources and listener locations. The software then calculates the propagation of sound from the source to the listener using algorithms based on ray-tracing combined with statistical reverberation calculation and other techniques to account for sound scattering and diffraction. The calculated room impulse responses are then convolved with audio material that has been recorded anechoically – in a space free from echoes or reflections – to generate a realistic and listenable result (a piano recital, a busy wedding banquet, or a ceremonial speech as it will sound in the yet-to-be-built space). (1)

EXPERIENCING YOUR BUILDING BEFORE YOUR OCCUPANTS DO

Yes, you can visualize your building’s design and perhaps its final outcome, but so many variables are at play once the building is constructed. Can you be certain that your designed spaces will not only function, but also feel the way you intend?

Simulation technologies can be an extremely helpful tool to you during your design phases. And they can be quite valuable as you must make many decisions during those phases to produce a quality architectural design that realizes your vision.

For instance, the aural qualities to a space may not be so evident in a fly-thru animation; however, an aural rendering may make that space come alive in a way the fly-thru does not. As you know, different modeling techniques can inform you of different things.

As technology develops with new ways to “visualize” your complex architectural designs, wouldn’t it be nice to have a way to fuse them together? Why not visually render a space capturing its light levels at a specific time of day while also aurally rendering how it will sound during a specific function?

Really, the possibilities (and opportunities) become endless. The key is to pull the best of what technology has to offer so you are informed with vital information that helps you make great design decisions.

Don’t use computer technology as a crutch, but strive to push the boundary with them.

(1) Sacks, Jonah & Pieleanu, Ioana. Technology Transforms Architectural Drawings into Aural Renderings. Architechweb.com. September 2009.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

“HOW WILL THAT SOUND?”

Architectural acoustics are an important part of architectural design. Architects should be asking themselves “how will that sound?” throughout the design process. That is why the tool “LISTEN” has potential to positively impact the architectural design process. By allowing architects to analyze and trial listen to environments, built works can be aurally simulated to hear how they would sound in reality.

BUILDING AN AURAL 3D MODEL

The aural simulation project called “LISTEN” is a simulation for the design of aural environments. By using this tool, architects would be able to make 3D models (with selected building materials) to help them listen to their design’s architectural acoustics.

“LISTEN” can simulate multiple aural points from within a 3D aural model. The actual simulation itself is a “mathematical construction of how the given sound picture will look”. As the “LISTEN” project continues to develop, psychoacoustic experts will verify the authenticity of such aural architectural constructs.

DON’T JUST SUBTRACT SOUND, ADD IT

Exterior aural environments often make use of positive sounds – like fountains. The “LISTEN” project team has a theory that designers will be able to create more daring and new architectural designs by not just subtracting and dampening sounds, but by also adding positive sounds to an environment.

Architects need to go beyond the visual approach to architectural design by more fully integrating the audio dimension of architecture. A tool such as the “LISTEN” simulation software is certainly a step in the right direction – making the world of sound a more tangible part of the design process.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman