A recent computer survey sent by the NJIT School of Architecture to thirty-one, mostly American design schools, including twenty-nine architecture schools, indicated that all but one had networked design studios. This is clear evidence that digital methods are becoming routine in architecture schools and firms. In addition, the Internet and web have resulted in new methods of working.
Since the first virtual distance studios, where students collaborated over the internet with students in other physically remote studios, in 1994 by Wojtowicz and colleagues, such studios have to relied on web-based databases to store shared design information.
I remember in our studio in 1988 that we attempted to collaborate with an architect in Oregon for video conferencing and digital translation live between Oklahoma State and the Oregon based conceptual project. At the time, it all sounds very sci-fi and exciting. However once it actually occurred, there were technical difficulties and honestly....a huge let down.
Imagine playing Xbox now and then trying to be satisfied with the original TRON game....not! A great effort by our professors to try and push us into the next century but honestly the technology at that time wasn't ready for us.
It seems that universities are the first to try something "unique and experimental" in the engineering technology before architecture firms decide to take that leap. Primarily due to the need for firms to provide a financial profitability first rather than push the cutting edge. As it probably should be. universities have the ability to work with students (a larger number) and with many times grants to assist in the funding. Or even using the current technology in a completely different way.
Digital design requires digital presentations of which distributed design reviews are an extension. Here, a physically remote critic, connected to the same display over the Internet by some collaborative software (such as Microsoft Windows Messenger and NetMeeting) participates in the critique over the web. In architectural practice, the office of Norman Foster (Foster and Partners) has pioneered the use of “extranets” (a restricted portion of the internet) to enable collaboration with consultants and distant branch offices.
At Ionic DeZign Studios in Virginia Beach, we have utilized the technology to assit in collaboration between consultants whether they are located in the building next door, down the street or in Atlanta, Columbus Ohio and San Francisco like is currently being done on a new prototype for Wendy's. We utilized the messenging systems and document sharing in various methods to connect offices the branding company located in California with the client headquarters in Ohio and their construction division in Atlanta. With all the coordination at hand, our office facilitated the design and construction documents with our structural engineer a few miles away. Once we completed the design and was ready for permitting, the fast paced process allowed to expedite the permit process as well as execute contracts and processing for bids from our contractor and his subs. All this information, once completed was able to be shared on an extranet system with other architects around the country ready to produce and permit their locations for the new design prototype.
Clearly, a major issue that all architecture firms face now is implementing the change within a traditional process of "how we have always done things". It will happen....just give it some time and few firms willing to make the leap.
Adapted and edited from George Proctor's writing submitted the the white paper report by ACADIA 2003
The USGBC recently released a second draft of LEED 2012 and is now accepting public comments from August 1 to September 14. This is our chance to influence the rating system we use in our projects! USGBC members plan to approve the final version of LEED 2012 next year and release the document in November 2012, just in time for GreenBuild.
LEED 2012 includes changes to all major LEED rating systems: New Construction, Design & Construction systems, Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, Neighborhood Developments, and Homes. A summary of changes from LEED 2009 and from LEED 2012 1st Public Comment can be found on the USGBC website. The Materials & Resources section has undergone many changes with the intent of adding emphasis on transparency from manufacturers and life-cycle assessment. For example, a new credit called “Avoidance of Chemicals of Concern” requires reporting product ingredients and avoiding chemicals listed under California’s Proposition 65.
The five new LEED 2012 Rating System Drafts can be downloaded from USGBC, and everyone is encouraged to join the Public Comment discussion. You can also participate in many public forums or ask your sustainability leaders to organize an office discussion.
Digital Foundations in the New World of Architecture Production
Ped.a.go.gy ( /ˈpɛdəɡɒdʒi/ or /ˈpɛdəɡoʊdʒi/[1][2]) is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction.
Has “the digital” been absorbed by the discipline or has “the digital” absorbed the discipline?Depending on your perspective, Architecture either continues to disintegrate (or has reformed) around a new definition of “the master builder”. Digital technology has opened a variety of new career opportunities for the graduates of a digitally advanced architectural education. Some depictions of this trend have the discipline of architecture continuing to fragment into specialties. However, software has established platforms from which the activity surrounding a design project can be directed, managed, and built. But, does the capacity of software to re-center what is required to make a built environment mean that the design and making of such will fall to the historic notion of “master builder” or “the architect”?
I remember when I graduated college at Oklahoma State University in 1989 (yeah I know seems like a life time go and no....don't call me an old man....at least until you hear the rest of the story). Everything we did was on the boards. There was the beginning of a "computer studio" that maybe 6 or 8 computers squeezed in it. I remember the other students that took the class claimed that this was the way of the future and if you didn't prepare....you wouldn't be ready for the job market! Yeah, well I didn't see that staying up all night trying to figure out how to make the less-than-superior computer crank out.....A LINE! No thanks. Computers in the schools were up to snuff back then like they are now. The businesses were leading the technology. (I feel that roll has reversed in today's market.) Today, as well as yesterday, we have different avenues that we can become an "expert" within the architectural world. Vendors, signage, Specification writer, Inspectors, Hospital Designers, School Designers, Construction Managers and on and on. Those opportunities are still there today and more. The technology has opened more doors for more people to specialize in a field but also allows the everyday Architect to become a bit more versed in MORE of the architecture. Maybe not the "Master Builder" any more, but a "Master Builder Manager".
Much of what applies to the general education of an architect can also be said for the digital portion of architectural curricula. Some students come to the university with digital media skills, some are autodidactic, a large number are waiting to be taught and some either struggle to absorb digital skills or probably do not fit a life in architecture. In the midst of this new landscape, sketching and drawing freehand has become more important and necessary. Ironically, less time is provided to build these “old” skills because more time goes to learning a variety of digital skills.
Do you remember in "drafting class" they would make you handwriting in Drafting style lettering over and over and over. It was like you were in first grade again. Reading Writing and Arithmetic. Those skills I learned make my handwriting an art....still to this day. Some of those I have encountered even within our office has terrible handwriting skills. Just different era that was taught to them. They grew up on the computer. I can still (and do often) crank out a quick sketch that is presentable to the client for preliminary idea or even for detail needed in the field for a contractor. This skill has been one that the newer generation of architects have not acquired and has been lost by many.
Synthesizing digital media training and tool use into an already demanding professional curriculum along with the financial demands of upgrading and absorbing changes in this technology is, overwhelming for students, faculty, pedagogy, and the institution not to mention the real world office environment. Small businesses cannot afford the newest software (that used to produce a new version version other year, now produces one every 6 months or so.) School have the opportunity to obtain grants, scholarships etc. for these capabilities....the work force has only their client to BILL OVERHEAD to hopefully upgrade their systems. I will be the first to say that the newer technology is a blessing for production purposes....but Architecture still needs to be taught! We all just need to reorganize to accommodate this paradigm shift.
In regards to Pedagogy.....Ionic DeZign Studios does consider itself a "teaching work environment". You cannot learn all the things you need to about the world of architecture in school. It takes real life, real time experience to understand all the "practices" of architecture. Yes, practice until we get it right....and then practice some more...isn't that what your football coach used to tell you all the time? I can teach architecture to these new aspiring architects...but they certainly teach me about the new computer technology. Together we make a great team!
Adapted and edited from George Proctor's writing submitted the the white paper report by ACADIA 2003
