Week 13: The Lure of Continuous Skin (final)

In what sense are architects still considered designers as their traditional level of control in the designing process appears to be usurped by software in parametric architecture?Introduction

Designers and architects have gradually corresponded to the conditions of the new computer design tools. These conditions are about reshaping traditional design approach from digital technology. The aim of this paper is to study the rationale for the development of traditional design approach from the new computer design tools.

Current State of Practice

Creative Design in Computing Technology

The unique feature of creative design in computing technology is in its capability of using the computer software to produce complex models from simple inputs. The speed and accuracy of the design process has transformed current drawing and model making structures. Based on the design condition mentioned above, this requires significant knowledge and planning via computer-aided design programmes. According to Birger Sevaldson (2001), control and non-control is a predominant argument regarding the current state of creative design in computing technology. The issue is not restricted to the number of controls in the process but involves giving up certain control to gain advantage from another tool. An additional feature of the use of computing technology is its ability to handle complex data. Birger Sevaldson has identified the design data can be connected into complex systems that act reciprocally when a single element in the system is changed. Therefore, the reformation of the output is automated.

Creative Traditional Design

The growth of the digital creative design has led to a decline on the importance of traditional design skill. Designers with no traditional education base their work using a conscious reasoning of trial-and-error approach. Furthermore, the use of ‘Man-made Knowledge’ (computer design methods) to replace human’s creativeness; has led to parametric attempts. As a consequence, it is derived from the computing input of algorithms. From a traditional viewpoint, human designers have to adapt to computer production human designer. Therefore, computing technology has not entirely replaced contemporary computing technology.

New Design Techniques

Machineries and computer software used during the design process; has not completely eliminated the traditional ways of designing. The only change within the traditional ways of designing is the technical drafting. The current computer technology use computer-aided software such as Rhinocerous, Sketchup and Autodesk Maya. But the use of marker pen sketches, cardboard and form board or clay models are still in use. Meanwhile, the usage of computer has the productivity of the design process. It improves the traditional design process through a richer and greater layered process called, the hybrid process.

The Hybrid Process and its Elements

A good example is the M-velope project by the OCEAN team. Jeffrey Turko; the project coordination of the M-velope, stated the physical space of the project indicates several digital techniques amalgamating them with direct hands-on modelling methods expressing designers’ imagination. The two dimensional building façade is challenged to developed a diverse enveloping shape with appearance, quality and functionality. Building façade is always a skin of a building that only serves aesthetic purposes only. As a result, the designer then generates a thickened entrance accommodating mixed spatial amenities. The designer also wanted to transform the identical experience of interior and exterior into an overlapping of multiple mixed spatial settings. Therefore, the approach came into a process of reconceive of building structures, visibility and functionality in plans. Furthermore, a differentiated visual and acoustic from the streetscape is being expressed. As a result, the concept above suggests a redefinition of the outcome of a building envelope. The envelope structure forms a building façade that express the visual framing connecting the interior and exterior settings; meanwhile the spaces within the structure invites visitors and passer-by to stop and take in the experience at the seating area.

Throughout the duration of the illustrative idea became reality, Jeffrey Turko identified the pre and post rationalisation operations are formed and portrayed through traditional design process. Certain supervision is taken into consideration for generating spatial ideas on the development of the dynamic structures. The hands-on operation and computer modelling then took place in the following process to design and show the concepts of the project. Finally, the computerized model of the installation was then overset into spatialisation data to be computerized into the software.

Mixed techniques were used in the design process together with traditional drawing, CAD and building physical model. Therefore, the hybrid processes involves the switching between media and methods. The information generated is interlinked among the techniques, designers and computer technology.

Figure 1: Creative Design Process from 2D to 3D
http://www.ocean-designresearch.net/index.php/design-mainmenu-39/architecture-mainmenu-40/m-velope

Conclusion

In conclusion, imaginative methods infused by computer technology have created a composite, including all the extremes area and diversity in the design processes. Computer technology has not replaced all existing design techniques; but has expanded various ways of working with designs. In addition, it inspires designers to develop on traditional design techniques that can still be used in certain stages. This in return shows to a more complex and diverse creative processes. As a result, a new approach of creativity is now happening in the digital design era.