Creative computer aided architectural design. An internal approach to the design process

189 Pages·2000·4 MB·English

by  Haapasalo, Harri

CREATIVE COMPUTER AIDED HARRI
HAAPASALO
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
An internal approach to the design process Department of Industrial Engineering
OULU 2000
HARRI HAAPASALO
CREATIVE COMPUTER AIDED
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
An internal approach to the design process
Academic Dissertation to be presented with the assent
of the Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, for
public discussion in Raahensali (Auditorium L 10),
Linnanmaa, on September 15th, 2000, at 12 noon.
OULUN YLIOPISTO, OULU 2000
Copyright © 2000
Oulu University Library, 2000
Manuscript received 22 August 2000
Accepted 23 August 2000
Communicated by
Docent Tapani Savolainen
Professor Örjan Wikforss
ISBN 951-42-5754-5
ALSO AVAILABLE IN PRINTED FORMAT
ISBN 951-42-5753-7
ISSN 0355-3213 (URL: http://herkules.oulu.fi/issn03553213/)
OULU UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
OULU 2000
To the memory of my father

Haapasalo, Harri, Creative computer aided architectural design (cid:150) an internal
approach to the design process
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O.Box 4610, FIN-90014 University of
Oulu, Finland.
2000
Oulu, Finland
(Manuscript received 22 August 2000)

Abstract

This survey can be seen as quite multidisciplinary research. The basis for this study has been
inapplicability of different CAD user interfaces in architectural design. The objective of this
research is to improve architectural design from the creative problem-solving viewpoint, where the
main goal is to intensify architectural design by using information technology. The research is
linked to theory of methods, where an internal approach to design process means studying the
actions and thinking of architects in the design process. The research approach has been inspired by
hermeneutics.
The human thinking process is divided into subconscious and conscious thinking. The
subconscious plays a crucial role in creative work. The opposite of creative work is systematic
work, which attempts to find solutions by means of logical inference. Both creative and systematic
problem solving have had periods of predominance in the history of Finnish architecture. The
perceptions in the present study indicate that neither method alone can produce optimal results.
Logic is one of the tools of creativity, since the analysis and implementation of creative solutions
require logical thinking. The creative process cannot be controlled directly, but by creating
favourable work conditions for creativity, it can be enhanced.
Present user interfaces can make draughting and the creation of alternatives quicker and more
effective in the final stages of designing. Only two thirds of the architects use computers in working
design, even the CAD system is being acquired in greater number of offices. User interfaces are at
present inflexible in sketching. Draughting and sketching are the basic methods of creative work
for architects. When working with the mouse, keyboard and screen the natural communication
channel is impaired, since there is only a weak connection between the hand and the line being
drawn on the screen. There is no direct correspondence between hand movements and the lines that
appear on the screen, and the important items cannot be emphasized by, for example, pressing the
pencil more heavily than normally. In traditional sketching the pen is a natural extension of the
hand, as sketching can sometimes be controlled entirely by the unconscious. Conscious efforts in
using the computer shift the attention away from the actual design process. However, some
architects have reached a sufficiently high level of skill in the use of computer applications in order
to be able to use them effectively in designing without any harmful effect on the creative process.
There are several possibilities in developing CAD systems aimed at architectural design, but the
practical creative design process has developed during a long period of time, in which case
changing it in a short period of time would be very difficult. Although CAD has had, and will have,
some evolutionary influences on the design process of architects as an entity, the future CAD user
interface should adopt its features from the architect(cid:146)s practical and creative design process, and
not vice versa.

Keywords: creativity, systematicism, CAD, sketching

Preface

This study was carried out at the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University
of Oulu. However, the design studios throughout the Finland are the places where this
research has had its most critical discussions.
I wish to express my greatest gratitude to the supervisor of my work: Professor Pekka
Kess. He has encouraged and guided this work with great expertise during its different
phases. Special thanks are further due to Professor Jorma Tuomaala and Professor Jouni
Koiso-Kanttila for their great assistance with specialist knowledge during the research
project. The manuscript was reviewed by Professor (cid:214)rjan Wikforss and Docent Tapani
Savolainen. Their valuable comments and critique are gratefully acknowledged.
I thank all the personnel at the Department of Industrial Engineering for creating a
favourable atmosphere for doing the research, especially mentioning Mr Marko Paananen
who helped with the technical issues. Thanks are due to Mr James Nimmo for revising the
language of this thesis.
Financial support from the Tauno T(cid:246)nning Foundation, the Emil Aaltonen
Foundation, the Centre of Small Enterprise Foundation, the SNIL Association, the
Construction Technology Foundation and the University of Oulu is gratefully
acknowledged.
One of the greatest thanks is due to the profession of designers. This preface is too
short in order to mention and thank all the architects separately who have introduced their
special knowledge, without those enthusiastic discussions this research could not have
been fulfilled. Also the resources provided by the mechanical engineering designers and
industrial designers interviewed are also gratefully acknowledged.
I want to express my gratitude to my family and friends for their support. Also the
ever-present Mr Murphy deserves acknowledgements. Finally, and most importantly, I
wish to thank my lovely wife, Minna, for her support and our daughter, Henriikka, for
giving me relieving moments from the work.

Oulu, August 2000 Harri Haapasalo
Abbreviations and description of key concepts

Abbreviations

2D Two-dimensional model/modeling
3D Three-dimensional model/modeling
6B Thick and soft pencil
6M Cause and effect diagram including six M(cid:146)s, which are Material, Milieu,
Machinery, Man, Method and Money
ANN Artificial Neural Networks
ARK95 The scope of work in architectural design instructions in Finland
BMP Building Product Model
BUI Body User Interface
CAAD Computer Aided Architectural Design
CIC Computer Integrated Construction
CAD Computer Aided Design
CAM Computer Aided Manufacturing
CIM Computer Integrated Manufacturing
CUI Character User Interface
DFA Design For Assembly
DXF Data Exchange File
EDP Electronic Data Processing
EXPRESS Information Modeling Language
GDL Geometric Definition Language
GUI Graphical User Interface
IDEGEN++ A software supporting creative thinking
IGES Initial Graphics Exchange Specification
IPS Information Processing System
KRISYS Knowledge base management system
L1 Phase of first sketches in the scope of work in architectural design
instructions in Finland
L2 Phase of second sketches in the scope of work in architectural design
instructions in Finland
QFD Quality Function Deployment
RYL90 General quality requirements in construction in Finland
STEP Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data
TOTE Test-Operate-Test-Exit operations in design process
TQM Total Quality Management
UI User Interface

Description of key concepts

Creativity It is the ability to produce new ideas and solutions, which are novel to the
author. It is a normal activity of the brain and the whole human body. It is
also a primary quality of every human being. Creativity presents itself on
many levels, it can be an over-all holistic idea or a sudden perception on
the detail level.

Systematicism It is based on logical reasoning. Systematic design pursues the
development of methods, procedures and means to design, select and
outline problems. The design process is changing the defined problem to
a description of a technical system. It concludes with a certain structure
and hierarchy where components and problems are solved.

Design Design is a wide concept and it can contain the appearance of the object,
but also the action of designing the object. Designing consists of existing
information, abilities, experiences and future actions of humans in. It is
integrating knowledge and action. Information and its processing is the
main problem in design. However it has been proposed that design, as a
complex entity, should not even be tried to be determined in detail,
because the search for a definition is much more important than finding it.

Architectural The purpose is to produce, from given objectives, an architectonic final
design solution, where functional, economic and artistic features are in balance.
The finished building has to play a harmonious and enriching role in the
infrastructure. From the construction process point of view the essential in
design is to produce documents in order to construct the building.

CAD The definition of CAD, computer aided design, means designing with the
aid of a computer. Therefore definition contains only the means to design
and process images, not all possible tools that information technology
allows. E.g. traditional CAD applications and 3D modelling are used for
varying purposes, not to mention other forms or possibilities of
information technology.