Experimental Approach in an Architectural Design Studio - How Digital Technologies Could Change a Design Process

Abstract

This article communicates results of an experimental pedagogical strategy aiming at both, introducing and taking advantage of new technologies in an architectural design studio. One of the reasons for the notorious unfriendliness of CAD software to the design process comes from the attempt to imitate traditional pen and paper design on the computer. While the whole process could be completely different when performed in a digital environment offering powerful form generation and knowledge modelling possibilities. the proposed teaching method is based on the following principles: (1) emphasis on new methods of designing made possible by the use of computer, (2) communicating the design process, and not only the final result, (3) exploring parametric design for generation of different formal expressions of a design concept, (4) using visual programming to create inter-object relations, etc. A comparison of this experimental approach to other approaches used in design studios (digital or traditional), proves that the architectural results obtained are largely related to the chosen medium and the tools of work. In our opinion, this teaching approach proves to be promising for introducing considerable qualitative changes in the architectural profession, and this way in our built environment as well