Application of Computers by Architectural Designers - Essay Example

Application of Computers by Architectural Designers Name & ID Course Name & Code Instructor’s Name 11 December 2009 People have different occupations, and their main goals are to sustain and improve their living standards. In the market, different occupations are available and most of them employ technologies to ensure that their accomplishments are effective and efficient. One such occupation is architectural design. The principle duty of an architectural designer is to design buildings or urban landscapes. This means that an architectural designer should possess good creative skills, artistic talent and imagination. Thus, this article presents an interview on the impact and role of computers to an architectural designer. Roles that computers play in the life of architectural designer include It provides convenient means of combining tools, knowledge and visualisation technologies in designing a building or landscape. Moreover, it is easily to balance the requirements of building design with the landscape. Different perspectives can be generated easily, and with the help of computers, it provides convenient means of drafting of stairs, and floor, to name some and checking spatial conflicts between the systems. Utilising computers ensures that appropriate means that cover the complete cycle of the building are maximised. It is easy to determine whether the washrooms should be located and appropriate escaper routes in case of emergency. It provides for design continuum in that it brings together digital design tools, means of sharing of the designs and knowledge between designers. Thus, the final product will have been improved by many designs resulting in a quality and aesthetically unique building or landscape Most of designers work is based on data, thus any problem that can occur is dealt with in a graphical manner. Technology influence design thinking and solutions in varied ways. It influence designs by The designs that will be developed could have gone through collaborative, inclusiveness, and development through bringing many designers with different views into conceptualising the project. It helps in contextualisation in that there is no independent solution or development that can occur in isolation. This means that technology provides an opportunity of recognising physical, social and information systems. Technology assists in sustainability. This means that technology assists in development of projects and provides numerous means of exposing the building to different hazards and providing opportunity to be corrected before it is physical developed. Technology helps in developing transformational and inspiring buildings. For example, designers may use technology to determine what satisfies their needs, raising hopes, and giving meanings to their lives. Moreover, exceptional problems or needs require exceptional solutions that can be achieved through maximisation of technology. How did architectural designers use computers for their tasks? Technological advancement in other fields brought into consideration its application in building industry. Computers can play numerous tasks at a single time, but it is important to have appropriate software that supports the requirements of the designer. Using computers in architectural design started with the use of simple word applications, this resulted in development of new software programs that support numerous architectural requirements. Different programs were developed for different tasks, but with time, all the programs were brought together and resulted in software that can accomplish most of architectural designs. Application of computers in generation of new tasks and creativity The use of computers and peripherals usually assists in the development of new designs. This is attributed to the precision and speed of computers in designing architectural. Moreover, use of computers provides means of easily editing and producing different copies of the same design. For example, a building may be designed and saved differently, and after these designed products are further improved introducing new features that will improve the final product. Accomplishment of tasks before introduction of computers Initially, architectural designers used papers and pencils in designing new buildings. Such designs were cumbersome and demanding because of complexities that are associated with the use of papers and pencils. Small changes in a single blue print will require adjustments of all other requirements but in the case of computers, changing one blue print will result in changing automatically all other blue prints. Impact of computers on current design practices Architectural designs have advanced with time and requirements of buildings and government policies require stringent measures to ensure that the buildings are safe for occupation. Computers have evolved and have become a major part of human life. Current design activities require extensive use of computers from processing of data up to analysing of these data. Generally, architectural designers can operate without computers, but the work that is produced is shrewdly or it makes take long periods before a blue print is developed. Current architectural design practices require frequent use of computer because of common applications such as blueprints, design, creating 3D models, creating computerised models, structural integrity testing, cost calculations, construction management and layout testing. This means that all these, blueprints, design and creating models will be benefited by the aid of computers because the tasks that are harder compared with how they could have been complete with the use of computers. Fundamental changes have occurred in architectural designs especially in advert of affordable technology tools An industry that maximises the benefits of information technology usually results in solutions that are cheaper, smarter and this information is produced faster, and this information can be shared easily. The use of computers in building industry and through just a click of a button, new intelligent virtual buildings, additionally, the use of technology in construction and design has unified the industry and thus making everyone more productive. Originally, software and tools that were used in architectural designs were expensive and out of reach of most institutions and organisations. Advert of affordable technology tools has resulted in the extensive use of computers in architectural designs. Many tools and solutions have been development that suites different types and level of industries. The use of computer aided architectural design solutions has been embraced and such programs are provided and educational facilities especially in institutions of higher education are using these solutions to ensure that graduates have better understanding of these programs. Thus, the use of computer solutions and tools has grown over the past decade because of cheap equipments and services. Moreover, teachings in educational institutions and workshops held by solution developers has resulted in understanding the benefits of these solutions and thus more people are employing these solutions in accomplishment of architectural designs. Changes that have occurred in building sector since the advert of computers Requirements of building industry are changing and thus the tools that are used should fulfil these conditions. Technological advancement in other sectors has resulted in embraced of computers into the architectural design/ building industry. Computers come with numerous advantages that include precision, speed, flexibility and production of numerous copies. Architectural designers have continuously used computers to accomplish their tasks. Increase in the number of designers has improved penetration of information technology shaping the future of designing in which most designers are embracing computer-aided designs that directly shapes the building industry. Thus, the sector has changed through embracing the new technology and encouraging stakeholders to employ the technology resulting in the improvement of productivity. Changes that have occurred regarding skills and training requirements for architectural designers Training and skills are some of the important features that help sustain industries. Organisations are supposed to evolve and this can be achieved through updating experiences and improving education standards. Introduction of computers into the architectural design sector has made many people to improve their skills and training requirements in ensuring that they are update on what is going on the in technological sectors. Many designers are going back to schools to improve their understanding and improve ways of utilising available solutions. Most of the reputable architecture designers finished their studies before usage of computers was common and thus this people combine their experiences with the knowledge of fresh graduates with knowledge of these solutions and thus the final product will be excellent. This means that organisations and institutions that employ architectural designers require those workers that can use numerous types of designing solutions and tools. Thus, computers have shaped the view of many industries and the way that people fulfil their obligations. Generally, computers have played a major role in architectural designs and succeeding in use of these devices and tools required skilled and experienced personnel. Impact of computers to product types and production process Computers have revolutionised architectural design industry and thus productivity has been improved. Using computers has ensured that the type of productions has been improved. The buildings that have been accomplished by the use of computers most of them are wonderful and aesthetically attractive. Designing of the buildings has become easier, takes shorter time, improvement on precision and quality designs are developed. Thus, computers have improved the buildings that have been built. Buildings are been designed to be taller and such buildings take long periods to be completed when manual means are used. Computers, because of its numerous benefits provide means of determining the type of buildings and landscapes that are appropriate. It is also possible to design buildings with unique features and may be beyond the reach of manual architectural designers. Some buildings are oval in nature, others are build in the middle of sea or under the sea. These buildings were designed with the help of computers, and then they are tested with the help of these computers to determine its safety and health standards. Production process is a major concern in the construction industry. Different approaches and strategies are employed to ensure appropriate building is designed based on the requirements of consumers and laws that govern the industry. The user of computers especially those that support 3D provisions provide means in which the consumers can see and analyse the product before they are actually constructed. This approach ensures that production process is championed and production will be faster. The aim of consumers is to see that their projects are conceptualised, and thus, using computers increases production speed and the final product is usually successful. Read More