Virtual reality in the service of user participation in architecture

The issue of user participation in the processes of building and urban design is enjoying renewed attention following its relative neglect over the last 20 years due, in large measure, to significant advances in emerging information technologies, particularly multimedia, virtual reality and internet technologies. This paper re-established the theoretical framework for participatory design evolved in the late sixties and early seventies as part of the movement towards a more explicit design methodology and attempts an explanation of why the concept failed to gain commitment from the architectural and urban design professionals. The paper then gives an account of two significant developments in the evolution of the application of information technologies with which the authors have been engaged. These are: i. a responsive and interactive interface to wholly immersive and realistic virtual reality representations of proposed buildings and urban neighbourhoods. ii. an intuitive and platform-independent VR modelling environment allowing collaborative evolution of the scheme from within the virtual world. The impact of these IT developments is demonstrated in the context of the design of a leisure facility for a community of users with physical impairment

CAAD\u27s Seven Deadly Sins

This short paper takes a critical view of the direction of research and development in Computer Aided Architectural Design over the last five years of its twenty five year history. The criticisms are set out as seven deadly sins which, in summary, are: macro-myopic, devu, xenophilia, unsustainability, failure to validate, failure to evaluat

Benefits of Using Computer Aided Design

In response to recent criticism of computer aided design (RIBAJ 10/77), Professor Tom Maver has assembled evidence of the experience of six users to show that it can give significant benefits in design quality and efficiency and has enormous future potential

Computer Graphics in Architectural Education - the Strathclyde Experience

The following paper describes the teaching and research activities of the Department of Architecture and Building Science at the University of Strathclyde and highlights the role of CAAD and, more specifically, of Computer Graphics in the curriculum. The presentation during the Conference will deal in greater depth with how students use increasingly sophisticated hardware and software in their investigation of the formal qualities of buildings and of how best they can be visualised on site