Content uploaded by Anoop Kumar Sharma
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Anoop Kumar Sharma on May 04, 2016
Content may be subject to copyright.
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 74
Architecture Design in the Digital Locale
Ar. Anoop Kumar Sharma1, Ar. Vinod Kumar2
1, 2-Astt. Professor, School of Architecture & Landscape Design, Shri Mata Vaishno DeviUniversity, Katra
–Jammu & Kashmir, India -182320
1anoop.sharma@smvdu.ac.in, 2 vinodkumar@smvdu.ac.in
Abstract: Architecture is defined as “the making of a place by the ordering and definition of
meaningful space, as developed in response to a need or program”. Physical Architecture is the
embodiment and expression of societal values in physical form (like bricks and mortar).
However, virtual Architecture is that which embodies and expresses values of society in digital
form virtually. A conventional design studio is a place in which designers work on drawings
boards/or CAD. The virtual design studio takes this notion and distributes it across space and
time. In the Architecture world, there are a handful of persistent debates that arise time and
time again: the challenges of being a woman in the field of Architecture is one of them, for
example; the problems of a culture of long hours and hard work is another. But one of the most
enduring arguments in Architecture - especially in the academic sphere - is the battle between
hand drawing and computer aided design. Both schools have their famous proponents.
Pertinently, in 21st century, when world has embraced the technology, it is obviously foolishness
not to adopt the same in Architecture design as well for clear benefits of time, technology &
economy.
The paper highlights the attributes of Architectural design & its management particularly in the
digital world. Pertinently, the highlights with Pros/Cons of adopting Digital world for
Architectural design management & Architectural education are also touched upon in the
course of this paper with proper examples, sketches and illustrations.
Keywords: Architecture, CAD, Design, Digital, Drawing, Management, Studio, Virtual.
I. INTRODUCTION
Design management is getting lot of attention in the Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC)
sector due to its strong implications for the entire project. Successful management of Design is critical
to cost-effectiveness, timeliness and quality of the entire project. Modern design management is
incomplete without the narration of digital world aid. Design management refers to an approach where
Organizations make design relevant decisions, in a market and optimizing design relevant processes. It
is a long continuous comprehensive activity that includes interface of management, design
management, marketing & design thinking.
As for as the AEC sector is concerned, according to one study around 20-25% of the total
construction period is wasted due to design deficiencies. Another study suggests that around 78% of
the quality problems in AEC are design related. From Cost point of view, as well, design caused
defects form the largest category. Hence, design management has assumed significance over the years.
In the beginning, Design management was seen by many only as short lived fashion, but over time it
has proved its worth supported by the increasing role of design within the development and design
grew in importance “Through the change from a strategy of cost leadership over the quality
leadership to the strategy of performance leadership”. Today, one has to understand design in its
entire, contemporary spectrum & thereby not be reduced on linear areas.
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 75
II. D FOR DESIGN
Design is the core of our studies and later, our bread and butter. We make designs that are
dynamic/daring/divine/dynastic/dramatic/doubtful/dogmatic/domiminating/descending/dignified/
dexterous / democratic and whatever else we have in the dictionary. Most Psychologists like to think
that the Architect’s chief role is one of ‘creativity’. Original, a new theory or a postulate or a new
hypothesis, possible permutation and combination or it is all together. It seems then, it is the creative
ability of Architects ‘to combine, reconcile and exercise the diverse skills of businessman,
journalist, psychiatrist, educator and psychologist’.A complete Design Process starts with a
Plan which in some ways a ‘concentrated essence’. The plan form is so concentrated that it seems
crystal clear, like a figure in geometry.
Architectural Design is a process by which we trainourselves to bring out vague mental pictures onto
drawing sheets so that others can read and react. To this extent it is not very much different from
mechanical design, structural design and so forth. All these deal with an effort to bring out an idea, a
concept, a hypothesis or a premise in such a manner that its usefulness, necessity or practicability can
be discussed with others. The Assessors, the jury and everyone around have created an aura of
mystique around good design, without much explaining what the good design is?
III. THE PURPOSE OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN MANAGEMENT
In Architecture, the emergence of design management is encouraged by the increasing complexity of
building and processes in terms of functional and technical requirements, as well as organizational and
juridical settings while at the same time the design process is complex, creative one. One of the most
important reasons behind the complexity is the dramatic increase of specialist knowledge and number
of contributors to the design from a wide variety of organizations. For this reason, conventional project
management techniques are not automatically applicable. Appropriate managerial approaches and
sound practices for large and complex to small and simple projects are different, but it is a necessary
part of a flexible and responsive industry.
The general purpose of Architectural design management is to help designers and engineers to
manage their own design process as well as to help managers (if any), who have the task of managing a
design team e.g. meeting the specified cost and time, the best Architectural value, by utilizing the
means and resources effectively and efficiently. It set against the aim of achieving good design,
innovation and high quality, within the limitations of cost, time and other resources.
IV. FUNDAMENTALS OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN MANAGEMENT
The Architectural design Management is one of theyoungest branches. The increasing complexity of
the built environment in functional, technological, organizational and legal terms leads to an increasing
demand for effective control of the design phase of building processes. Architectural design
management is primarily concerned with the control of design processes with the objective of creating
Architectural value. The field has wide and increasing interest both in the world of academic research
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 76
Fig 1: Team Essentials
and also of professional practice. Research themeswithin the field of Architectural design management
include the theory and modelling of the measurement of design processes, the development and
validation of methods, techniques and instruments for the strategic design, operationalization and
control of Architectural design processes and the redesign of architectural practice.The key ingredients
of effective design management are as under:
Design Team: A Team is the unit that creates concepts, individuals, whether they are inventors,
designers, design engineers or visionaries with remarkable skills from a variety of professional
backgrounds form a team. An office as a whole, how creative it may be, does not create concepts, but
provides the environment for concept development and faculties for the process. However, the team
has even been called the backbone of innovation.Emphasis is must at the team as a concept-generating
unit by discussing the composition of a team, however, in the attempt to describe concurrent design
concept activities, the point of view of the main player-the Team-must not beforgotten and thereforeit
is important to look closely at the role of the team.
Team Members: When we speak about teams we are actually speaking about packages of
complementary skills. The individuals may be talented, but if the skills with in the team do not
complement oneanother & correspond to the challenge faced by the team, their talent will be of limited
effect. Even less important than individual excellence is the status or hierarchy with in the team.
Therefore, an efficient designteam should consist of individuals with varied and complementary skills,
who work together towards a shared goal without carrying too much extraneous baggage. For
identifying good design members, they must be categorized by the role they play in the project. A role
is something that an individual can adopt for a specific purpose or with in a specific context. The roles
should be like the user expert, the domain expert, design expert, communications expert, and feasibility
expert & team leader. Team leader, in particular must be the designers (e.g. Architect) for the
projects where user interaction is must. For visionary and risky projects the passion of the project
leader is essential resource, the person most likely to be passionate about the project is its originator.
Helping the team for working together ought to be the main thrust for the team leader.
Methods for working together: Several interactive methods for creative framework already exist,
and more being developed in design research institutes. For working together as a design team, it is
sufficient to mention that appropriate team based approaches are available for interpreting qualitative
data, building scenarios, ideation and evolution. A good team work approach enables the team
members to contribute their personal insights and expertise, no matter how quiet and reticent they are
or e.g. how unconfident they are in using the language (e.g. in case of multinational teams). The
methods must also enable the team to build on the individual’s contributions so that one idea or
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 77
Fig 2: Interrelations with in a Team with respect to the size of the team
interpretation can be used as stepping stone to another more advanced one. This is why team methods
are typically combinations of individual and shared phases. The team approaches should also allow the
team members to create a good balance between the joint sessions and individual work outside the
team meetings.
Building the Team size: An effective concept design team is not hierarchical. The members should
be regarded as an act as equals and communicate directly with one another. The topics of discussion
often include semi-formulated ideas and more effort is needed to understand them than is involved in
simply decoding the words. A mutual, shared basis for understanding has to be established and
developed throughout. The number of interpersonal relationships (N) in a team depends upon the
number of team embers (n) according to the formula N = n (n-1)/2. The likelihood of frictions
occurring during communication obviously grows with the increase in number of interpersonal
relationships. When this happens the team starts to lose its dynamics. So, a team can easily grow in size
and in large teams decision making process becomes less efficient and time consuming. For these
practical reasons, the responsibility within the team often lies with a core team consisting of only a few
people. This team is supplemented with necessary experts as the works progress.
V. DESIGN AND DIGITAL WORLD
Kolarevic was the first person to say that Architects shouldbecome, “information master builders” in
describing the Architect’s relationship to his tools. “Architects drew what they could build and
built what they could draw”. In critiquing Architecture’s past, Kolarevic suggests that there is a
direct relationship between the tools we used (T-Square, Compass and Pencil) and the rectilinear
buildings we built. Originally, sketches can be a useful starting point for idea however, many still
believe that Sketching allows you to take control of your design in a way that computer
programs don't.
Art in Design has always existed between reality and imagination, but the speed, the fluidity with
which one form is ideated and morphed into another and the saturation of digital effects delivers
another visual environment. It is our imagination that provides us this capability and required to
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 78
Fig 3: Hand Drawing Vs Digital Drawing –A Comparison
Fig 4: A Building of high complexity (Design based on digital
technology) –by Ar. Frank O Gehry
embrace the technology and its impact on the future of Design. The changes arise from peculiar nature
of digital representations and operations to manipulate those e.g. in ways of designing, that which is
designed, and ways designs are communicated. Specific changes do arise from the use of digital
technologies in design process. However, “The importance of drawing in education is different to
the importance of drawing in practice” holds good still as per many researchers.
VI. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN MANAGEMENT IN DIGITAL WORLD
In almost any project, the relationship between Architects, Contractors and clients is difficult, the
buildings usually take far longer to complete than expected and cost much more than calculated. Ar.
Frank O Gehry was the first person to introduce 3-D softwares. Gehry will always be known as the
Architect who found a way to spectacularly subvert the modernist box that is the foundation of most
buildings. He wants to market the 3-D software that turns his complex ideas into precise blue prints and
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 79
prevents costly surprises. He worked upon an aerospace engineer’s recommended software. Gehry’s
curvy roofs and walls to life in three-Dimensions. By linking dozens of such suppliers on a single
software platform, the construction of complex buildings becomes vastly more efficient. Now the
process of construction has been reconceived.
VII. DESIGN STUDIO AS A VIRTUAL OFFICE (MID 1990’S AND TODAY)
Online workflow is an essential business function in design firms with expanding corporate practices.
The practice and process is changing as designers carry laptops from location to location, from wireless
hub to airport to client wireless network. Processes have become circular not linear. Transparency and
integration between phases of design is critical to schedule process. With internet based research
enabling the rapid response times essential to maintain constant work flow. The virtual studios or the
internet studios explore the asynchronous and synchronous techniques in remote design collaboration.
By using technologies, such as video conferencing, internet publishing, e-mail, Web 3D, and
digital modelling, students gain an increasing understanding of the new models of collaboration
and media integration in design practices. The experience also enrichesthe Architectural experience
since it is able to open studios to different design cultures and to a larger context of design feedback.
VIII. IMPACT OF COMPUTERS ON ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION
In the process of capturing human intelligence, researchers ended up with a large number of models
and theories about the rationale of designers, of which they intended to, automate. As digitals have
become increasingly more robust, Architects have found a way to incorporate this increases
representational ability into the work. From 1975-1985, the computer field was dominated in academia
in Professors and researchers that were developing software for Architects as extensions of design
methods or models and/or were looking for pioneering in-house CAD software. The first open
computer Lab began to emerge in the mid-to-late-1980. Computer station per student ratios began to
drop between 1:20 from 1:50. It was not until the early 1990’s that CAD literacy courses became
widely recognized and were included in the core of Architectural education in most of the schools.
A. Paperless Studios
With the magic of Auto-Cad, Micro-station, and 3-D studio, a new set of preoccupations have
captured the imagination in a handful academic institution in the 1990’s. Design studios began to work
with high-end rendering software, used by the movie industry for imagination, such as the alias/wave
front, Softimage, 3-D Studio Max and Maya.
The paperless studios emerged initially in the early 1990’s. Software ability to create fluid diagrams,
character animations, and other special effects, first thought to be un-useful in Architectural design,
proved to be extraordinary tools to test unproved Architectural speculations.
B. Architecture of Digital Imagination
In the contemporary climate, design educators stand on shifting grounds. Design educators need to
devise pedagogical frameworks that incorporate digital media in design education while being
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 80
conscious of the fact that such framework do not rest upon the extended historical traditions. The focus
of design curricula supported by digital media is to balance the need for imparting digital skills with
sustaining an engagement with design issues. While adopting digital media over the years, substantive
changed have been noticed.
IX. TECHNOLOGY INSINUATIONS IN MANAGING DESIGN
A number of technologies can be used to test and represent design decisions, such as real time
animation describing the path of travel through a space to demonstrate existing code compliance to
clients, day lighting analysis to render and compare different curtain walls eyebrow design elements,
and a solar environmental modelling program to test alternative light fixtures. For instance, the world
famous architect, Antoni Gaudi’s work Sagrada Familia, is now modeling in digital ways for the
construction industry. (Maher 2011, p.12) Also takingDubai international airportas an example, the
3-D points for each teardrop window could be picked from the complete structural model. So does the
horizontal grid location and vertical grid location. (Figure.5).
X. DIGITAL MEDIA’S IMPACT ON THE DESIGN PROFESSIONS
A virtual Practice where employees have flexible hours can grow into a practice with virtual
employees. This approach is advantageous with the design talent today choosing location over jobs; it
emphasizes productivity, accommodated asynchronous work schedules, and allows designers to retain
multiple interests and complex time needs. Further, it responds to the work place needs, and project to
project nature of the design. The vision of the digital design practice is global, with people working
together in real time, keeping teams in sync, sharing information, and collaborating. It embraces cross
platform technology as leading edge software expands our design imagination and our ability to
communicate with one another and our clients. The electronic transfer of information moves quickly
Fig 5: Collaborative Design process (Shepherd et al. .2011.p.6)
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 81
from the client to the designer on a daily basis, from a simple email or message to internet links for
product consideration, scanned sketches, clarification of details or CAD renderings, depending on the
phase of the project, imaging and audio, armed with cell phone and Laptop.
XI. COLLABORATIONS AND CHALLENGES IN THE VIRTUAL OFFICE
Best practices include the unification of the design concept in the space. The current Plateau is the
seamless integration of the spatial form, where there is no delineation between surfaces, there is simply
3-D form. If the form is the essence of Design, then technologies that support form driven design must
be explored. They currently include technologies such as computer-aided drawing techniques, 3-D
animation of spaces, and model building that spans from digital translation to structural innovation.
Challenges in the design processes occur when the time constraints arise from non-technological, and
often non-human factors.
XII. CONCLUSION
Study recognizes that professional practice and Architectural education are developing different
discourses of computerization. Professional Architects are integrating information technology into
their practice in two different ways: first, computer is simply a better tool for doing existing manual
work, and second, the computer as a vehicle, for changing the relationships among partners in the
design process. We are blessed with softwares whose utilization has opened up wide range of
possibilities in terms of creativity and design procedures in the digital networking environment,
changes incorporated on one machine simultaneously does it on all. Any modifications even in the final
output doesn’t prove hectic as being done in few minutes unlike traditional methods.
Making one 2-D drawing simultaneously produces all the concerned drawings with just a single
click. Architect’s efficiency has increased many folds as such he/she is able to deliver the requisite
work always keeping in view the performance criterion factors. i.e. Time, Scope and Money. Post
designing procedures have become easy like never been before. Drawings are so conclusive that
Architects are not required on site mostly. Contractors and project managers find drawing to be
absolutely conclusive for carrying out their work in terms of time, material and cost schedules.
Availability of the Architect to the client face to face during designing and vice-versa can be achieved
even if both of them are in different parts of the world. So, it is hard to imagine any Architectural
design management without digital facilities present today as it is benefitting in all aspects to the client,
the contractor & the Architect with the result that most of the offices and design studios are becoming
paper-less because as required, this education have been implemented throughout in the Architectural
colleges world-wide. So, why to mess with old traditional methods in which Time, Scope and
finance hadn’t been met most of the times even if framework would have been of highest quality.
But, still there are some questions like, does this technology oriented management and
procedures please everybody? Are they categorizing in long term beneficial tools? Does this
technology is making the Architect’s artistic hand handicapped? Does Computers open
opportunities for talented designers who are unfortunately not also talented artists? Is vision to
the whole project is more efficient when we see the magnified window on screen as compared to
the sheet in front of us especially during designing ? What does a common man, who knows the
architect word, associates Architect to-the-technology expertise or an artistic hand holder?
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 82
Fig 6: Digital Design Implications in Architectural Design –An Illustration
We are sure, answer will not bein favorof technology everywhere. Many believe that the way certain
software works can restrict the Architect's thinking and alter the resulting design. Sketching is often
seen as an antidote to this problem. So, still few axis need to me met before it gets implemented
everywhere such that it will not create a situation where we will have to revive the old methods again
but for the moment technology doesn’t seem to leave these virtual & the real office for few years at
least because it is giving so much benefits and above all the net income to the everyone involved which
is the main concern everywhere as ‘Money Spent on Design is the Largest Single Sum the Board
Knows the Least About’.
We would like to conclude on the note that “The debate of "hand drawing vs computers" is
misleading; in fact both computer software and hand drawing techniques should be considered as large
collections of distinct tools”
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We would like to acknowledge the Director and faculty colleagues of School of Architecture and
Landscape design, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra for their active and virtual support
throughout. Special Acknowledgements are due for all the referred persons (in references section
below), without whom this manuscript would have been of a lesser value. Thanks are also due for all
the faculty & staff colleagues of the University.
REFERENCES
[1] Neetu Kapoor, Anoop Sharma, Tushar Srivastava “Managing Design in digital Environment “
Builder’s friend (National Magazine-India), Aug-2008.
[2] “Ar. Athena Yang” The application of parametric design in contemporary architecture practice
from https://sheffield.academia.edu
[3] “Alejandro Veliz1 , Tuba Kocaturk , Benachir Medjdoub , Riccardo Balbo” - Dialogs between
physical and digital modelling methods on architectural design .
Author Name et. al. / International Journal of New Technologies in Science and Engineering
Vol. 2, Issue 4,Oct 2015, ISSN 2349-0780
Available online @ www.ijntse.com 83
[4] Mitchell, WJ 1975, ‘The theoretical foundation of computeraided architectural design’,
Environment and Planning B 2(2), pp. 127-150
[5] BIM, Big Data and Mashup in Architectural Computing –Experimenting with Digital
Technologies in Teaching by Dr. Boeykens, S., Wouters, N., & Prof. Vande Moere, A. (2013).
BIM, Big Data and Mashup in from http://www.slideshare.net.
[6] “The Computer vs The Hand In Architectural Drawing: ArchDaily Readers Respond from
http://www.archdaily.com/.
[7] “Jennifer CK Seely” Digital Fabrication in the Architectural Design Process- A masters
Dissertation, MIT-2004.
[8] Digital age shaping future of architectural illustration | Q&A -A Blog at http://bbjtoday.com. By
Evan Marczynski Jul, 2013.
[9] www.blogspot.in
[10] Architectural Design in Digital World Ada ProjecT from http://www.slideshare.net.
[11] www.google.com/images.
First Author Ar. AnoopKumar Sharma is serving as Assistant Prof. at School
of Architecture and Landscape Design, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University,
Katra-India. He did his graduation (B.Arch.) as Gold- Medalist from N.I.T.
Hamirpur (H.P.) in 2008 & donehis Post-graduation (M.Arch.)from YCMOU,
Nashik in 2012. Presently, he is actively engaged in research pertaining to
contemporary approaches in planning, Architecture style of 2nd tier Indian
cities. His interest further lies in uplifting the suburban areas of the country
particularly of J&K state through awareness among common masses,
administration by virtue of articles, research papers highlighting problems with
possible solutions.
Second Author Ar. Vinod Kumar is serving as Assistant Prof. at School of
Architecture and Landscape Design, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University,
Katra-India. He did his graduation (B.Arch.) from VNIT, Nagpur in 2010 &
done his Post-graduation (M.C.P.) from IIT, Kharagpur, 2012. His Areas of
interest lies in City Planning, Urban design, Sustainable Planning & Design,
Interior Design.