Can IT bridge the Gulf between Science and Architecture?

Abstract

The integration of technology into design work has always been seen as one of the serious problems in design education. In architecture the weak integration between architectural science, a subject based on objective knowledge, and artistic design which is based on tacit knowledge and creativity is a problem that has been debated to great length, and an issue of great importance to both academics and professionals. This paper raises the question: can a proper use of IT, both as a design tool and/or as a performance analysis tool, foster better integration and strengthen design quality? This paper investigates the relationship between Science, Design and Computer Aided Design. It aims to both highlight the problems facing the integration between architectural science and design, and describe a framework within which they can be analysed. The paper critically examines the following: a) The perceived gulf between science and design b) The parallels between hypothesis in design and hypothesis in science c) The basis of architectural design: intuition or research? d) Architectural Science and Computer Aided Design (CAD) and the role they can play into bringing about a marriage between science and design.The paper concludes by developing a conceptual framework that can be used as a vehicle to build a CAD system for use during the design process.