Investigating Autonomy and Limitations of the Digital Design Process in an Architectural Studio
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14801187Abstract
Purpose: This study explores the potential and limitations of incorporating digital tools within the studio pedagogy of architectural design. The research implements an empirical approach to examine the capabilities of digital design tools to enhance the architectural design processes, methods, and design outcomes.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The studio was conducted at the Department of Architecture, U.E.T., Lahore, Pakistan, during the Fall semester of 2022. In one phase, the paper examines the process of implementing digital architectural tools like Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, and Para Cloud Gem in design projects and their implications and outcomes. In the next phase, it explores integrating the digital design concept into the project. It explores how digital tools assist in developing the master plan, detailed design, and design anatomy. This studio process follows a framework for digital design studios proposed in the literature. The studio aims to validate, to an extent, the studio design methodology recommended in the literature. Concurrently, the fourth-year architecture students were asked to work in groups to develop design concepts related to digital design, build their module from the concept, and incorporate the idea throughout the overall design process, including the detailed design and master plan.
Findings: The research requires defining strategies to address architecture-level issues and implementing those strategies in their projects. These concepts must satisfy the digital design concept and draw inspiration from sub-branches like biomimicry and computational design.
Implications: This research describes the educational approaches to digital architectural design in Pakistan, discusses their implications and limitations at the student and design implementation levels, helps to provide direction for curriculum development specifically for digital design, and explores issues related to parametric and generative design software development.
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