CumInCAD is a Cumulative Index about publications in Computer Aided Architectural Design supported by the sibling associations ACADIA, CAADRIA, eCAADe, SIGraDi, ASCAAD and CAAD futures
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This paper reports on a SHEFC funded project jointly carried out by the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Paisley, the Mackintosh School of Architecture, and Lamp Software. The project aims to build a computer-assisted learning package on the response of structures to load. The software will be used as an interactive teaching tool for both architectural and engineering students.
The package has three levels: Beginners (Level 1), Intermediate (Level 2) and Advanced (Level 3). The first two levels have been completed after continuous feedback from both institutions. Level 1 is geared towards architectural and engineering students to help them understand structural behaviour of building components, such as deflection. Level 2 is a graphical editor that enables students to draw precisely the structure of their designs, investigate the deflection of structural members and identify areas of tension and compression. Level 3 is a design tool aimed at architectural and civil engineering students where they can design and analyse realistic structures by choosing structural members from a library, and specify materials and multiple loads.
Prior to its final release, the software package was appraised by students from both institutions. Analysis of results from questionnaires revealed that students expressed a great deal of 'satisfaction' with many of its teaching and learning attributes. The outcome of this project will promote and enhance students’ understanding of the response of structures to load; it will also help students grasp the impact of varying building materials and cross sectional properties on the structural form.
To the student of architecture, skills in the use of commercial software may be advantageouus in the search for future employment and can prove for be a useful springboard for exploring the potential of CAAD in a broader sense. However, software (and hardware) is continually being upgraded and developed, and it is apparent that such software does not fully meet the need of the designer.
Exploring the possibilities of CAADesigning as an integral part of learning to design will equip the student with the CAAD literacy necessary for working in practice, but more importantly will provide the student with a rich and diverse understanding of design approaches.
Traditionally design tutors have taught (by example) how individual architects design. Providing a library of architects CAADesigning in different ways can be used to establish precedents and examples, demystify the activities to both students and tutors and provide a rich set of methodologies as a working context for students to draw inspiration from.
As part of an ongoing research study, a new direction has been taken gathering, comparing, contrasting and grouping live records of architects CAADesigning. This paper will outline the benefits of recording and creating such a library and will describe examples of recent findings.
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