Cumincad : CUMINCAD Papers : Search Results

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

PDF papers
References

Hits 1 to 20 of 442

Reformat results as: short short into frame detailed detailed into frame

_id	d5ac
authors	Kalisperis, L.N., Otto, G., Muramoto, K., Gundrum, J.S., Masters, R. and Orland, B.
year	2002
title	Virtual Reality/Space Visualization in Design Education: The VR-Desktop Initiative
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2002.064
source	Connecting the Real and the Virtual - design e-ducation [20th eCAADe Conference Proceedings / ISBN 0-9541183-0-8] Warsaw (Poland) 18-20 September 2002, pp. 64-71
summary	Although virtual reality (VR) is a fast-growing field, utilization of its potential within an affordable environment in the early years of architectural education has been limited. Currently, we are in the process of exploring the educational potential of virtual reality in the creation and understanding of space as a set of dynamic volumes that can be experienced. The VR-Desktop initiative is an effort to bring the salient features of projection-based VR to second-year architecture students in a way that is more generally accessible than the many canonical, first-generation, projection-based VR systems. The VR-Desktop has been implemented in the teaching of the architectural design studio in the second year of a fiveyear curriculum, as part of the physical architectural studio. Through the VR-Desktop system in the studio, students immediately start working in an immersive environment. They create space by manipulating solids and voids while evaluating the anthropometric relations of the proposed solution. The students are able to study and test conceptual details in a virtual environment from the very beginning of their architectural design project. In order to assess student perception of the usefulness of various system attributes for diverse tasks, we have begun a usability study. Thirty-five surveys were collected from the students who had used the lab during the two semesters for which the two-screen system was available. Preliminary observations indicate that within the architectural context, virtual reality techniques involving depth perception can convey relevant information to students more efficiently and with less misrepresentation than traditional techniques. This paper suggests that full field of view, motion, stereoscopic vision, and interactivity are possible components of the 3D visualization techniques that are necessary to enhance architectural education
series	eCAADe
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:52

_id	ddssup0216
id	ddssup0216
authors	Saarloos, D.J.M., Arentze, T.A., Borgers, A.W.J. and Timmermans, H.J.P.
year	2002
title	Towards a Local Planning Support System,Introducing the MASQUE Framework
source	Timmermans, Harry (Ed.), Sixth Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning - Part two: Urban Planning Proceedings Avegoor, the Netherlands), 2002
summary	Urban planning is an important instrument for improving the quality of life, but it is hampered by the fact that the effects of many decisions, to be made by the planner, are practically unknown or at best unclear. The high level of complexity, uncertainty and subjectivity involved in urban plan development is seriously troubling the planner. One way of facilitating the plan development process, and potentially improving the decision-making, is developing a Planning Support System (PSS) that combines artificialintelligence with a gamut of computational tools that support the process. At the Eindhoven University of Technology a research program is conducted to develop such a system for local urban planning in the Netherlands. The system, named MASQUE (Multi-Agent System for supporting the Quest forUrban Excellence), applies Multi-Agent technology to incorporate multidisciplinary expertise on both tools and domains as well as to enable intelligent guidance and assistance towards the user. Strong emphasis is put on the scenario-based way of working that is common in urban planning. This paper puts forward the difficulties faced in local planning practice and discusses the possibilities for computer-assistance. This finally resolves into the introduction of the MASQUE framework, describing how the system is organized and how the agents will be involved.
series	DDSS
last changed	2003/08/07 16:36

_id	8461
authors	Saunders, Rob
year	2002
title	Curious Design Agents and Artificial Creativity - A Synthetic Approach to the Study of Creative Behaviour
source	The University of Sydney, Faculty of Architecture
summary	Creative products are generally recognised as satisfying two requirements: firstly they are useful, and secondly they are novel. Much effort in AI and design computing has been put into developing systems that can recognise the usefulness of the products that they generate. In contrast, the work presented in this thesis has concentrated on developing computational systems that are able to recognise the novelty of their work. The research has shown that when computational systems are given the ability to recognise both the novelty and the usefulness of their products they gain a level of autonomy that opens up new possibilities for the study of creative behaviour in single agents and the emergence of social creativity in multi-agent systems. The work presented in this thesis has developed a model of curiosity in design as the selection of design actions with the goal of generating novel artefacts. Agents that embody this model of curiosity are called “curious design agents”. The behaviour of curious design agents is demonstrated with a range of applications to visual and nonvisual design domains. Visual domains include rectilinear drawings, Spirograph patterns, and “genetic artworks” similar to the work of Karl Sims. Non-visual domains include an illustrative abstract design space useful for visualising the behaviour of curious agents and the design of doorways to accommodate the passage of large crowds. The design methods used in the different domains show that the model of curiosity is applicable to models of designing by direct manipulation, parametric configuration or by using a separate design tool that embodies the generative aspects of the design process. In addition, an approach to developing multi-agent systems with autonomous notions of creativity called artificial creativity is presented. The opportunities for studying social creativity in design are illustrated with an artificial creativity system used to study the emergence of social notions of whom and what are creative in a society of curious design agents. Developing similar artificial creativity systems promises to be a useful synthetic approach to the study of socially situated, creative design.
series	thesis:PhD
email
last changed	2003/05/06 11:33

_id	ddssar0227
id	ddssar0227
authors	Tomlinson, James D. and Holmes, Michael V.
year	2002
title	Digital Representational Tools Impact on the Design Decision Process
source	Timmermans, Harry (Ed.), Sixth Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning - Part one: Architecture Proceedings Avegoor, the Netherlands), 2002
summary	This paper presents two pilot studies that explore the impact of virtual reality representations on the evaluative judgements of trained designers and design students. These projects are intended to explore several aspects of spatial perception as impacted by the representational media in an attempt to identify the potential impact of this media on the development of design solutions. The participants were exposed todifferent representational media and modes of representation or simulation: traditional “physical media” (plan, elevations, and model), physical place and projected computer generated media including flat screen animation and hemispherical corrected animation for display on the VisionDome. The 4-meter VisionDome is an immersive, multi-user, single projection virtual reality environment. The results of theseefforts potentially indicate that when trained designers view a simulation of a space their perception of the space is, to some degree, affected by the representational media. The walk-through mode emphasized theperceptual differences between traditional and computer generated representations. A low level of detail in a computer-generated “walk-through” simulation provides perceptual elements, which allow the viewer todevelop an understanding of the spatial relationships of the design.
series	DDSS
last changed	2003/08/07 16:36

_id	a35a
authors	Arponen, Matti
year	2002
title	From 2D Base Map To 3D City Model
source	UMDS '02 Proceedings, Prague (Czech Republic) 2-4 October 2002, I.17-I.28
summary	Since 1997 Helsinki City Survey Division has proceeded in experimenting and in developing the methods for converting and supplementing current digital 2D base maps in the scale 1:500 to a 3D city model. Actually since 1986 project areas have been produced in 3D for city planning and construction projects, but working with the whole map database started in 1997 because of customer demands and competitive 3D projects. 3D map database needs new data modelling and structures, map update processes need new working orders and the draftsmen need to learn a new profession; the 3D modeller. Laser-scanning and digital photogrammetry have been used in collecting 3D information on the map objects. During the years 1999-2000 laser-scanning experiments covering 45 km2 have been carried out utilizing the Swedish TopEye system. Simultaneous digital photography produces material for orto photo mosaics. These have been applied in mapping out dated map features and in vectorizing 3D buildings manually, semi automatically and automatically. In modelling we use TerraScan, TerraPhoto and TerraModeler sw, which are developed in Finland. The 3D city model project is at the same time partially a software development project. An accuracy and feasibility study was also completed and will be shortly presented. The three scales of 3D models are also presented in this paper. Some new 3D products and some usage of 3D city models in practice will be demonstrated in the actual presentation.
keywords	3D City modeling
series	other
email
more	www.udms.net
last changed	2003/11/21 15:16

_id	1ac6
authors	Cheng, Min-Yuan and Chen, Jiann-Chyun
year	2001
title	Integrating barcode and GIS for monitoring construction progress
source	Automation in Construction 11 (1) (2002) pp. 23-33
summary	This study focuses on developing an automated schedule monitoring system for precast building construction. Erection of prefabricated structural components is the major critical activity for precast building construction. An efficient lifting schedule and control plan can significantly reduce construction conflicts and project delay. In this research, the system ArcSched was developed to assist engineers in controlling and monitoring the erection process in a real time basis. ArcSched is composed of a Geographic Information System (GIS) integrated with a database management system. Through systematic monitoring of the construction process and representation of the erection progress in graphics and colors, the scheduled components for erection are repetitively tracked and well controlled to implement the lifting schedule as planned.
series	journal paper
more	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon
last changed	2003/05/15 21:22

_id	1804
authors	Chitchian, D. and Bekkering, H.
year	2002
title	An Urbanistic Design Tool
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.acadia.2002.339
source	Thresholds - Design, Research, Education and Practice, in the Space Between the Physical and the Virtual [Proceedings of the 2002 Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design In Architecture / ISBN 1-880250-11-X] Pomona (California) 24-27 October 2002, pp. 339-344
summary	The existing CAD and CAAD programs and design applications hardly support the urbanistic designactivities. Although those applications are useful means to be utilized generally in design tasks, they arenot suitable tools as urbanism community needs. Most existing CAD programs are based on thearchitectural design process and therefore not suitable for urbanistic design. The conceptual differencebetween architecture and urbanism necessitates developing new CAD software based on the urbanisticdesign process. We believe that our developed Urban-CAD system assists designers with urbanisticdesign activities and overcomes the limitations of the already existing CAD applications.
series	ACADIA
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:55

_id	f89e
authors	Hermanson, Robert D.
year	2002
title	Re- Presentations: Media Inquiries Regarding Architecture
source	SIGraDi 2002 - [Proceedings of the 6th Iberoamerican Congress of Digital Graphics] Caracas (Venezuela) 27-29 november 2002, pp. 14-18
summary	Within the framework of architectural practice as well as the academy, media supported worldwide interdependence and transient cultural waves are essential forces activating the current globalization phenomenon. Schools that have always engaged themselves in international dialogue, are now increasingly immersed in the rapidly developing media arena andglobal information networks. In this paper I propose a theoretical and pedagogical framework in which the concept of migration provides a useful model with which to investigate the transitory natures permeating cultures. These involve not only the literal moving from one physical world into another, but also the more abstract - from that of the so called “real” world into that of the “virtual.” Through what I call re-presentations an experimental studio was conducted at the Universidad Nacional del Litoral in Santa Fe, Argentina involving multi-cultures ( the USA and Argentina) and multi-disciplines ( film/video and architecture). The conclusion suggests however, that such re-presentations posit paradoxical questions.
series	SIGRADI
email
last changed	2016/03/10 09:53

_id	c839
authors	Hwang, Jie-Eun
year	2002
title	SpaceScope: Developing a Spatial Information Retrieval System - Focused on Apartment Unit Floor Plans -
source	Yonsei University, Dept. of Housing & Interior Design
summary	This research investigates the spatial information retrieval (IR) in architecture focused on constructing efficient metadata that is crucial for data retrieval. Generally speaking, metadata is ‘structured data about data’ to describe resources especially in a digital format. In this research, metadata is a sort of data object to be useful in searching spatial information. Metadata is also used to describe raw spatial data object as not only attribute data but also content structurally and semantic ally. There are two issues that motivate this research; 1) what is the spatial information – that materializes the intangible space as a data object, and 2) how we can search the information efficiently – the content-based information retrieval. Although knowledge of a building’s spatial content is most important in architecture, there has been no logical method to manage it. From the viewpoint of content-based retrieval, the researcher analyzes spatial information of a floor plan, with a focus on the apartment unit floor plan common in Korea. Then the metadata items are extracted in a structured manner. To manage the items efficiently, the researcher develops a data model for spatial information according to the concept of the “Structured Floor Plan”. The main object of content to retrieve is a spatial network that consists of nodes of spaces and their linkages. There are two ways to organize the metadata: the traditional index files and the RDF (Resource Description Framework). While the index files are still efficient with computability, the RDF applies greater options to retrieve, such as fuzzy predicates, semantic predicates, and so on. To exploit the metadata, this research shows several possibilities of query operations that present a set of sample queries about L-DK(Living room – Dining room – Kitchen). Implementation of the prototype system is divided into three parts: 1) a modeling module using Vitruvius; 2) an indexing module using MS SQL Server? 2000 in conjunction XML; and 3) a browsing module using the SpaceScope browser. The future works may consider XML-based databases and a knowledge based query language, such as RQL/XQL, working on such databases. The more specific domain knowledge is involved, the more practical systems would be. Even in architecture, there may be a diverse range of domain knowledge, such as design, building performance, facility management, energy management, post occupied evaluation, historical research, and so on. Also the issue of interface should be investigated in depth, so that it will be adequate to the needs of the architectural field.
keywords	Content-based Information Retrieval; Metadata; RDF; XML; Spatial Information; Apartment Floor Plan; Semantics
series	thesis:MSc
email
last changed	2003/04/25 07:27

_id	ddssup0210
id	ddssup0210
authors	Krempi, A.P., Brondino, N.C.M. and Silva, A.N.R.
year	2002
title	Evaluating Transportation Accessibility with Spatial Statistics Toolsin a GIS Environment
source	Timmermans, Harry (Ed.), Sixth Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning - Part two: Urban Planning Proceedings Avegoor, the Netherlands), 2002
summary	In several developing countries it is often assumed that low-income segments of the population living at the periphery of the cities are those affected the most by poor conditions of transportation accessibility. Inorder to gain a better understanding of the way transportation accessibility is distributed across different regions of an urban area, the main aim of this work is to analyze, making use of Spatial Statistics tools ina GIS (Geographical Information System) environment, the relationship between accessibility and geographical locations in a medium-sized Brazilian city. Data of an origin-destination (O-D) survey carried out in the city of Bauru, which brings information about four different transportation modes, were used in this study. Such data, grouped following the census tracts, were carefully examined in a Geographic Information System in order to look for spatial patterns of accessibility that are not visible inthe traditional approaches. One of the interesting outcomes of the application was the identification of regions with particular dynamics, which go against the pattern found in the overall urban area. This andother results of the case study clearly indicate that Spatial Statistics analyses in a GIS environment create a powerful tool to extend conventional transportation accessibility analysis.
series	DDSS
last changed	2003/08/07 16:36

_id	1edc
authors	Mourshed, M.M., Matipa, W.M., Kelliher, D. and Keane, M.
year	2002
title	Towards Interoperability: ICT in Academic Curricula for Sustainable Construction
source	Proceedings CIB W107 Conference: Creating a sustainable construction industry in developing countries, South Africa
summary	Sustainability has been regarded as a key issue in both process and product development in industries, e.g., manufacturing, production. The construction industry has recently recognized the importance of sustainable processes in achieving overall sustainability. Demands for cheaper, faster and better products coupled with the globalisation of the economic markets are forcing the construction industry to move towards an integrated business process. In order to achieve this integration, information and knowledge sharing are considered vital to reduce waste of resources hence fostering sustainability. Integration of process and information in a diversified, multi-disciplinary workforce like construction depends mostly on the individual’s level of expertise. Efforts at producing interoperable information standards by a growing number of alliances changing the information flow from horizontal to vertical and from sequential to cyclic. This implies that the actors in the industry must be proficient with the current and emerging Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Recent surveys show that, there is a widening gap between required ICT skill in the workplace and those taught in academic institutions. This paper establishes the need for ICT in construction education emphasizing interoperability as a concept among processes to achieve sustainability.
keywords	Sustainable Construction; Interoperability; ICT; Academic Curriculum
series	other
email
last changed	2003/03/31 21:13

_id	caadria2019_307
id	caadria2019_307
authors	Nguyen, Binh Vinh Duc, Peng, Chengzhi and Wang, Tsung-Hsien
year	2019
title	KOALA - Developing a generative house design system with agent-based modelling of social spatial processes
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.caadria.2019.1.235
source	M. Haeusler, M. A. Schnabel, T. Fukuda (eds.), Intelligent & Informed - Proceedings of the 24th CAADRIA Conference - Volume 1, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand, 15-18 April 2019, pp. 235-244
summary	The paper presents the development of an agent-based approach to modelling the interaction of human emotion and behaviour with built spaces. The study addresses how human behaviour and social relation can be represented and modelled to interact with a virtual built environment composed in parametric architectural geometry. KOALA, a prototype of agent-based modelling of social spatial dynamics at the core of a parametric architectural design environment is proposed. In building KOALA's system architecture, we adapted the PECS (Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, Social) reference model of human behaviour (Schmidt 2002) and introduced the concept of Social Spatial Comfort as a measurement of three key factors influencing human spatial experiences. KOALA was evaluated by a comparative modelling of two contrasting Vietnamese dwellings known to us. As expected, KOALA returns very different temporal characteristics of spatial modifications of the two dwellings over a simulated timeframe of one year. We discuss the lessons learned and further research required.
keywords	Parametricism; generative house design system; architectural parametric geometry; human behaviour; social-spatial dynamics
series	CAADRIA
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:58

_id	2d44
authors	Tsou, Jin-Yeu and Chow, Benny
year	2002
title	Integrating Scientific Simulation with Rapid-Prototyping Modeling for Design Curriculum Development
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2002.548
source	Connecting the Real and the Virtual - design e-ducation [20th eCAADe Conference Proceedings / ISBN 0-9541183-0-8] Warsaw (Poland) 18-20 September 2002, pp. 548-551
summary	Although Computer-Aided Architectural Design tools have been introduced to studios for design visualization and communication, tangible models constructed by cardboard or other modeling materials still play an important role in assisting students on developing their conceptual framework related to spatial organization. A Rapid Prototyping (RP) system could provide a paradigm shift from the existing workflow of hand-made architectural model into an automated computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) environment. The introduction of computer controlled manufacturing technology will not limit the use of current conventional model making, and it will provide new capabilities for precise scaled model making and the possibility to generate free-form surface models for design representation. Because the technical capabilities of RP system could dramatically change the design workflow, the computer-aided manufacturing approach for architectural design has been adopted by overseas and local academic institutions. In this paper, we report the findings of a pilot study that applied rapid prototyping technology in architectural design education for helping students exploring an automated computer-aided manufacturing environment during early stage of design development.
series	eCAADe
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:57

_id	12e3
authors	Ahmad Rafi, M.E., Che Zulkhairi, A. and Karboulonis, P.
year	2002
title	Interactive Storytelling and Its Role in the Design Process
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.caadria.2002.151
source	CAADRIA 2002 [Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia / ISBN 983-2473-42-X] Cyberjaya (Malaysia) 18–20 April 2002, pp. 151-158
summary	Projects of ever increasing complexity and size have incited the need for new and robust design methodologies and tools in an effort to manage complexity, lower costs, ascertain quality and reduce risk. Technology convergence through the growing availability of networked computers, rapid progress in Computer Aided Design (CAD) and information management have encouraged the undertaking of even more complex designs that demand high degrees of interaction, collaboration and the efficient sharing and dissemination of information. It is suggested that interactive storytelling and interactive design (Rafi and Karboulonis, 2001) techniques that use non-linear information mapping systems can be deployed to assist users as they navigate information that is structured to address localized needs as they arise. The design process is a collaborative effort that encompasses diverse knowledge disciplines and demands the management and utilization of available resources to satisfy the needs of a single or set of goals. It is thought that building industry specialists should work close together in an organised manner to solve design problems as they emerge and find alternatives when designs fall short. The design process involves the processing of dynamic and complex information, that can be anything from the amount of soil required to level lands - to the needs of specific lightings systems in operation theatres. Other important factors that affect the design process are related to costs and deadlines. This paper will demonstrate some of our early findings in several experiments to establish nonlinear storytelling. It will conclude with a recommendation for a plausible design of such a system based on experimental work that is currently being conducted and is reaching its final stages. The paper will lay the foundations of a possible path to implementation based on the concept of multi-path animation that is appropriate for structuring the design process as used in the building industry.
series	CAADRIA
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:54

_id	ddssar0214
id	ddssar0214
authors	Al Hassan, F., Trum, H.M.G.J. and Rutten, P.G.S.
year	2002
title	Strategic Briefing A Conceptual Process Model for Building Design
source	Timmermans, Harry (Ed.), Sixth Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning - Part one: Architecture Proceedings Avegoor, the Netherlands), 2002
summary	Nowadays building design problems are divided in partial discipline related sub-problems. Through targeted and focused attention to sub problems however the awareness of the whole is lost. Each designparticipant gives his sub-problem first priority. In contrast in the past the master builder saw the whole problem as his problem first. Thus the process of seeing the design problem as a whole, as a result ofprioritizing, considering constraints, or strategizing, is lost in today’s practice, basically because this process is a mental and implicit process, that occurred in the brain of the multi-disciplinary master builder.In most cases it is the task of no one in a design team today. The aim of this paper is modeling this conceptual mental implicit process design using System Theory and Cognitive Psychology, trying to determine the structure of the design problem as it occurs intuitively in the brain. The result will provide us with a mechanism that enables us each time to refine a unique common design problem representation. This leads to more effective use of design team capabilities, and forms an essential basis for organizing efforts toward collaborative solutions. Also some kind of clarity is provided as to how proposed solutions are to be judged.
series	DDSS
last changed	2003/11/21 15:15

_id	6e0a
authors	Craig, David Latch and Zimring, Craig
year	2002
title	Support for collaborative design reasoning in shared virtual spaces
source	Automation in Construction 11 (2) (2002) pp. 249-259
summary	This paper discusses collaborative design, emphasizing the elaboration and transformations of a problem space, and the role that unstructured verbal communication and graphic communication can play in these processes. An asynchronous collaborative system, called the Immersive Discussion Tool (IDT), is introduced as a means for supporting productive design exchanges. IDT allows collaborators to reason about 3-D models over the Internet using view-dependent and view-independent diagrammatic marks, dynamic simulations, geometric design surrogates and text annotations. IDT relies on VRML to view the models, with an extensive Java-based interface driving the interactive behavior, including the construction and playback of graphical annotations, the management of threaded discussions, and the management of file input/output. The development and initial implementation of IDT has revealed the difficulty of constructing complex marks in a virtual 3-D space. Possible strategies for dealing with these problems are suggested.
series	journal paper
more	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon
last changed	2003/05/15 21:22

_id	ga0214
id	ga0214
authors	De Felice, F,Abbattista, F. and Scagliola, F.
year	2002
title	GenOrchestra: An Interactive Evolutionary Agent for Musical Composition
source	International Conference on Generative Art
summary	GenOrchestra is a project involving the Dipartimento d’Informatica and Conservatorio di Musica “N. Piccinni” in Bari. This project concern a Creative Evolutionary System, based on Evolutionary Computation (EC) techniques, applied to the field of western tonal music. With GenOrchestra a novel way to evaluate the produced tunes is presented: indeed we adopt a hybrid solution composed for two kinds of fitness functions. The first, called technique fitness, evaluates the consonance degree between melodic, harmonic and rhythmic sections, moreover, it defines how well the rhythmic paths is organized into a coherent musical event. The second fitness function called human fitness, determine how well the tunes are perceived from a human audience, like in a concert. This task is accomplished by presenting the tunes on the Internet and then gathering the surfers evaluations in a database from which the system take the final population scoring. This, coupled with a no limited musical primordial soup, makes GenOrchestra a promising eclectic artificial composer. The ultimate goal of this project, currently in progress, is the development of a very human-like composer, which can produce music in any musical genre, and which is able to show a “personal style”. Samples will be soon available at http://valis.di.uniba.it/GenOrchestra/samples.html
series	other
email
more	http://www.generativeart.com/
last changed	2003/08/07 17:25

_id	b74f
authors	Dijkstra, Jan and Timmermans, Harry
year	2002
title	Towards a multi-agent model for visualizing simulated user behavior to support the assessment of design performance
source	Automation in Construction 11 (2) (2002) pp. 135-145
summary	We introduce the outline of a multi-agent model that can be used for visualizing simulated user behavior to support the assessment of design performance. We will consider various performance indicators of building environments, which are related to user reaction to design decisions. This system may serve as a media tool in the design process for a better understanding of what the design will look like, especially for those cases where design or planning decisions will affect the behavior of individuals. The system is based on cellular automata and multi-agent simulation technology. The system simulates how agents move around in a particular 3D (or 2D) environment, in which space is represented as a lattice of cells. Agents represent objects or people with their own behavior, moving over the network. Each agent will be located in a simulated space, based on the cellular automata grid. Each iteration of the simulation is based on a parallel update of the agents conforming local rules. Agents positioned within an environment will need sensors to perceive their local neighborhood and some means with which to affect the environment. In this way, autonomous individuals and the interaction between them can be simulated by the system. As a result, designers can use the system to assess the likely consequences of their design decisions on user behavior. We think that the system provides a potentially valuable tool to support design and decision-making processes, related to user behavior in architecture and urban planning.
series	journal paper
more	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon
last changed	2003/05/15 21:22

_id	349e
authors	Durmisevic, Sanja
year	2002
title	Perception Aspects in Underground Spaces using Intelligent Knowledge Modeling
source	Delft University of Technology
summary	The intensification, combination and transformation are main strategies for future spatial development of the Netherlands, which are stated in the Fifth Bill regarding Spatial Planning. These strategies indicate that in the future, space should be utilized in a more compact and more efficient way requiring, at the same time, re-evaluation of the existing built environment and finding ways to improve it. In this context, the concept of multiple space usage is accentuated, which would focus on intensive 4-dimensional spatial exploration. The underground space is acknowledged as an important part of multiple space usage. In the document 'Spatial Exploration 2000', the underground space is recognized by policy makers as an important new 'frontier' that could provide significant contribution to future spatial requirements.In a relatively short period, the underground space became an important research area. Although among specialists there is appreciation of what underground space could provide for densely populated urban areas, there are still reserved feelings by the public, which mostly relate to the poor quality of these spaces. Many realized underground projects, namely subways, resulted in poor user satisfaction. Today, there is still a significant knowledge gap related to perception of underground space. There is also a lack of detailed documentation on actual applications of the theories, followed by research results and applied techniques. This is the case in different areas of architectural design, but for underground spaces perhaps most evident due to their infancv role in general architectural practice. In order to create better designs, diverse aspects, which are very often of qualitative nature, should be considered in perspective with the final goal to improve quality and image of underground space. In the architectural design process, one has to establish certain relations among design information in advance, to make design backed by sound rationale. The main difficulty at this point is that such relationships may not be determined due to various reasons. One example may be the vagueness of the architectural design data due to linguistic qualities in them. Another, may be vaguely defined design qualities. In this work, the problem was not only the initial fuzziness of the information but also the desired relevancy determination among all pieces of information given. Presently, to determine the existence of such relevancy is more or less a matter of architectural subjective judgement rather than systematic, non-subjective decision-making based on an existing design. This implies that the invocation of certain tools dealing with fuzzy information is essential for enhanced design decisions. Efficient methods and tools to deal with qualitative, soft data are scarce, especially in the architectural domain. Traditionally well established methods, such as statistical analysis, have been used mainly for data analysis focused on similar types to the present research. These methods mainly fall into a category of pattern recognition. Statistical regression methods are the most common approaches towards this goal. One essential drawback of this method is the inability of dealing efficiently with non-linear data. With statistical analysis, the linear relationships are established by regression analysis where dealing with non-linearity is mostly evaded. Concerning the presence of multi-dimensional data sets, it is evident that the assumption of linear relationships among all pieces of information would be a gross approximation, which one has no basis to assume. A starting point in this research was that there maybe both linearity and non-linearity present in the data and therefore the appropriate methods should be used in order to deal with that non-linearity. Therefore, some other commensurate methods were adopted for knowledge modeling. In that respect, soft computing techniques proved to match the quality of the multi-dimensional data-set subject to analysis, which is deemed to be 'soft'. There is yet another reason why soft-computing techniques were applied, which is related to the automation of knowledge modeling. In this respect, traditional models such as Decision Support Systems and Expert Systems have drawbacks. One important drawback is that the development of these systems is a time-consuming process. The programming part, in which various deliberations are required to form a consistent if-then rule knowledge based system, is also a time-consuming activity. For these reasons, the methods and tools from other disciplines, which also deal with soft data, should be integrated into architectural design. With fuzzy logic, the imprecision of data can be dealt with in a similar way to how humans do it. Artificial neural networks are deemed to some extent to model the human brain, and simulate its functions in the form of parallel information processing. They are considered important components of Artificial Intelligence (Al). With neural networks, it is possible to learn from examples, or more precisely to learn from input-output data samples. The combination of the neural and fuzzy approach proved to be a powerful combination for dealing with qualitative data. The problem of automated knowledge modeling is efficiently solved by employment of machine learning techniques. Here, the expertise of prof. dr. Ozer Ciftcioglu in the field of soft computing was crucial for tool development. By combining knowledge from two different disciplines a unique tool could be developed that would enable intelligent modeling of soft data needed for support of the building design process. In this respect, this research is a starting point in that direction. It is multidisciplinary and on the cutting edge between the field of Architecture and the field of Artificial Intelligence. From the architectural viewpoint, the perception of space is considered through relationship between a human being and a built environment. Techniques from the field of Artificial Intelligence are employed to model that relationship. Such an efficient combination of two disciplines makes it possible to extend our knowledge boundaries in the field of architecture and improve design quality. With additional techniques, meta know/edge, or in other words "knowledge about knowledge", can be created. Such techniques involve sensitivity analysis, which determines the amount of dependency of the output of a model (comfort and public safety) on the information fed into the model (input). Another technique is functional relationship modeling between aspects, which is derivation of dependency of a design parameter as a function of user's perceptions. With this technique, it is possible to determine functional relationships between dependent and independent variables. This thesis is a contribution to better understanding of users' perception of underground space, through the prism of public safety and comfort, which was achieved by means of intelligent knowledge modeling. In this respect, this thesis demonstrated an application of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) as a partner in the building design process by employing advanced modeling techniques. The method explained throughout this work is very generic and is possible to apply to not only different areas of architectural design, but also to other domains that involve qualitative data.
keywords	Underground Space; Perception; Soft Computing
series	thesis:PhD
email
last changed	2003/02/12 22:37

_id	f231
authors	Hammond, T.,Gajos, K., Davis, R. and Shrobe, H.
year	2002
title	An Agent-Based System for Capturing and Indexing Software Design Meetings
source	Gero JS and Brazier FMT (eds) (2002) Agents in Design 2002. Key Centre of Design Computing and Cognition, University of Sydney, pp. 203-218
summary	We present an agent-based system for capturing and indexing software design meetings. During these meetings, designers design object-oriented software tools, including new agent-based technologies for the Intelligent Room, by sketching UML-type designs on a white-board. To capture the design meeting history, the Design Meeting Agent requests available audio, video, and screen capture services from the environment and uses them to capture the entire design meeting. However, finding a particular moment of the design history video and audio records can be cumbersome without a proper indexing scheme. To detect, index, and timestamp significant events in the design process, the Tahuti Agent, also started by the Design Meeting Agent, records, recognizes, and understands the UML-type sketches drawn during the meeting. These timestamps can be mapped to particular moments in the captured video and audio, aiding in the retrieval of the captured information. Metaglue, a multiagent system, provides the computational glue necessary to bind the distributed components of the system together. It also provides necessary tools for seamless multi-modal interaction between the varied agents and the users.
series	other
email
last changed	2003/05/10 10:16

For more results click below: