The Digital Design Process in Contemporary Architectural Practice

Abstract

There is an increasing trend in contemporary architectural projects towards dependence upon digital processes for their organisation and technical evaluation of a range of design criteria. Digital representations are central not only to form generation and structural analysis, but also to the integration of fabrication and construction directly with the earlier design stages. It is important to bear in mind, however, that digital technology is only a means to an end which is the design process itself. Each technique of digital representation and analysis brings advantages and disadvantages to this process, and should therefore be described in these terms. It is becoming increasingly feasible to develop a rapid succession of distinct digital models, both geometric and dynamic, in early design stages. These can be tested and evaluated with respect to a range of analytical criteria, and the results of these analyses can affect further model development thus forming a cyclical process of 3-D digital model generation.