Re-informative design media in design emergence

Abstract

Abstract Conversation among different types of design media is critical in providing haptic feedback within the architectural design loop. More attention needs to be given to creating a fully integrated design loop of digital architecture, where the gap between form in the virtual model and physical model is generally larger than it was in the pre-digital era due to the difficulty of the externalization of challenging forms via traditional methods. This study examines the significance of reciprocal relationships among different dimensions of design media including 2D drawings, digital models and physical models in design process. For a better understanding of the integrated design process, the characteristics and roles of these media are described particularly within the context of digital architecture. Three case studies of student work show a reconciled design conversation among three different types of media that contributed to the designer's haptic cognitive process offering not only visual serendipities but also suggestions on structure, material and assembly based on understanding the attributes of each medium.