Semantic Tool Support for Conceptual Design

Abstract

When designing a building, an experienced architect implicitly applies his aggregated knowledge to the new sketch. In this early design phase, called conceptual design, most architects do not elaborate their sketches using a CAD system. They rather work with pencil and paper. Without being directly aware of, the architect considers design rules, functional requirements, economic and legal restrictions. Constructive elements, like walls, windows or doors are used with their conceptual meaning, namely to form organizational areas or rooms, to guarantee e.g. light and ventilation, or to ensure accessibility. These conceptual elements, therefore, form a functional view of the design structure which, however, is not explicitly defined. Existing CAD systems give no support for this creative conceptual design. There is no smooth transition to constructive design. The architect manually elaborates the constructive design, now using a CAD system. He replaces the functional elements of the sketch by constructive ones, e.g. ventilation by a window, the access by a door etc. The conceptual information he had in mind gets lost. Furthermore, there are many changes within the development process. E.g., if the client is not satisfied, the architect has to go back to the conceptual design. The modified conceptual data are lost again after the next transformation step. Such iterations are risky and expensive in terms of time and money.