Sunday, October 29, 2006

Design research in information systems

"Welcome to the page on Design Research in Information Systems (IS).
The intent of the page is to provide design researchers in IS as well as
others interested in design research with useful information on
understanding, conducting, evaluating, and publishing design research."
to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://makethemwork.blogspot.com/

Planning digital home services through an analysis of customers’ acceptance

"Analysing customers’ likely acceptance of new technology before it is marketed is a common practice. Yet, in the case of digital home services, there is scant evidence of this being a routine practice. This paper reports on a study whose two-fold purpose is to analyse customers’ acceptance of digital home services and to establish the direction of services to meet the aims of construction companies’ strategic marketing planning. The research direction was based on the review of existing research materials and governmental policies on digital home services, and face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire to survey how people understand the concept of digital home services and the attraction of individual service packages. These materials and data were analysed to classify customers according to lifestyle and purchasing power. The results of the analysis were arranged in the form of a customer (or consumer) receptivity index and digital home business strategies. These results are expected to play an important part in planning digital home services and classifying service packages for the marketing of new housing."to find out more...
Passage from http://www.itcon.org/cgi-bin/works/Show?2006_49

From 3D modelling to nD modelling

"One of the principal challenges facing the construction industry today is how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the design and construction process. Moreover, what contribution can the effective use of information technology make to this? Recent years have witnessed a major change in the approach to construction innovation and research. There has been a huge concentration, from both the academic and industrial communities, on the development of a single building/ product model and/ or on the expansion of 3D CAD modelling with other design attributes (such as time and cost). nD modelling expounds by bringing together an nth number of design perspectives. Thus, an nD model is an extension of the building information model that incorporates multi-aspects of design information required at each stage of the lifecycle of a building facility; including scheduling, costing, accessibility, crime, sustainability, maintainability, acoustics and energy simulation. We believe that nD modelling is a realistic potential for an improved construction industry. It is an integrated tool that will enable construction stakeholders – across time zones – to cohesively and comprehensively work within their own specialised discipline on one model. Thus, they can negotiate and collaborate to bring about an improved design by enabling true what-if analysis of design decisions. The information in the model is linked, so that when design information is changed, for example, the cost of the project will also change to reflect the new design. " to find out more...
Passage from http://www.itcon.org/cgi-bin/works/Show?2005_2

Electronic Journal of Information Technology in Construction

"Founded in 1995, the Electronic Journal of Information Technology in construction is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal on the use of IT in construction. Articles are submitted and published electronically. The Journal is committed to minimizing publication delays, and to promoting maximum flexibility in the ways that readers use the journal for teaching, research, and scholarship while maintaining strict peer-review standards. Readers' license is limited only as required to insure fair attribution to authors and the journal, and to prohibit use in a competing commercial publication (adapted from the Charter). ITcon is published by the CIB and indexed in ICONDA and the ITC Digital Library."to find out more...
Passage from http://www.itcon.org/

nArchitects

"Our work focuses on responsive and flexible design concepts and innovative building techniques that redefine conventional notions of program, type and context. nARCHITECTS' goal is to achieve maximum effect with an economy of conceptual and material means, and a positive impact on the environment.
nARCHITECTS’ work has been recognized nationally and internationally in publications and exhibitions. Recent awards include The Architectural League of New York’s Emerging Voices (2006), an AIA Design Honor Award (2005), the Canadian Professional Rome Prize (2005), Architectural Record's Design Vanguard (2004), the MoMA/P.S.1 Young Architects Program (2004), and a New York Foundation for the Arts grant (2002).
" to find out more...
Passage from http://www.narchitects.com/index.html
Image from http://www.narchitects.com/frameset-ps1.htm

Saturday, October 28, 2006

LEXUS LAUNCHES A NEW YORK PUBLIC ART EXHIBIT

"New York, NY - To mark the launch of the Lexus LS 460 luxury sedan and its emphasis on design, Lexus will unveil an intriguing public art exhibit at the World Financial Center Plaza, adjacent to the Winter Garden, in New York.
The exhibit, which debuts Monday, October 16 as a multilayered plexiglass sculpture, will evolve each day as sections are removed and placed around the World Financial Center Plaza as stand-alone sculptures. The installation’s intricate pieces were manufactured by Pennsylvania-based Jetstream Manufacturing using a water jet cutting method. The final piece will be removed on Friday, October 20 to coincide with the national launch of the LS 460 and LS 460 L, the long wheel-base model of Lexus’ flagship sedan.
" to find out more...
Passage from http://www.lexuspressnewsletter.com/10_2006a/landing_installation.php
Image from Jay Cortez from Inform Ventures

Friday, October 27, 2006

ZMArchitecture

"Central to the philosophy of the Practice is the belief in the creation of architecture that does not reflect a house style but is influenced by a sensitive response to context. Our work is rooted in a thorough understanding of client requirements, content and programme. We pride ourselves on being responsive to client needs; we are enthusiastic about design, responsive to commercial pressure, and sensitive to environmental issues.
We believe that our awareness of the value of design results in architecture that is shaped by both economic forces and creative concerns. We have a reputation for producing elegant and practical design solutions and the Practice now enjoys public recognition of the environmental quality that it achieves through its work for clients.
ZM are flexible in their working arrangements and work equally well in the traditional role of the architect or when working as a team member in line with new forward thinking approaches to construction.
" to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://home.btconnect.com/ZMArchitecture/Profile/profile.htm

Thursday, October 26, 2006

context aware computing MIT media club

A very useful website for reseaches and topics in regard of computing and Design from MIT media club. to find out more...

CuminCAD

"CumInCAD is a cumulative index of publications about computer aided architectural design. It includes bibliographic information about over 7.400 records from journals and conferences such as ACADIA , CAADRIA , eCAADe , SiGraDi , CAAD futures and others. All papers include full abstracts. Full texts, in PDF, of some 4.800 papers are also available. A separate index of some 900 papers in Spanish language are maintained. " to find out more...
Passage from http://cumincad.scix.net/cgi-bin/works/Home
Logo from http://www.caadfutures.arch.tue.nl/images/button_cumincad_color.gif

eCAADe

"eCAADe (Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe) is a non-profit making association of institutions and individuals with a common interest in promoting good practice and sharing information in relation to the use of computers in research and education in architecture and related professions. eCAADe was founded in 1983." to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://www.ecaade.org/

CAADRIA

"An association to foster Computer Aided Architectural Design in Asia (CAADRIA) was founded in 1996 with a conference at The University of Hong Kong that was organized with significant support from Japan. The association took root and has flourished with annual conferences in nine different countries all around Asia. The conference in 2005 will be held at New Delhi and marks the tenth year of meetings.
The conference is held by and for people involved with computer aided design in architecture schools in the region. They are attended by over one hundred researchers, teachers, students and practitioners who are interested in advancing knowledge and understanding in tools and application of digital design methods in architecture. CAADRIA seeks to mentor interest and capacity to undertake research throughout Asia. In the past decade, such research has grown from only a few universities participating to now dozens of universities and schools of architecture demonstrating active commitment to teaching and research in the field. New degree programmes in digital design have been started at several universities in the region and graduates are contributing to design practice with advanced skills and the development of new tools and techniques.
" to find out more...
Passage from http://www.caadria.org/

Monday, October 23, 2006

Computer aided conceptual design: a review

"Although computer based tools have been available to designers for many years, these have largely been for analysis and drafting. For the past two decades, research has been undertaken into the identification and development of software technologies to support conceptual design. This paper reviews the main developments. The volume of the research work is such that it is necessary to limit the scope of the paper and so it focuses on the AEC industry and in particular the design of bridges and buildings. However where other techniques of generic interest have been developed outside this domain these are described. The paper looks at the lessons learned to date; reviews the successes and failures and then briefly looks forward to what current trends suggest will be potentially useful areas to investigate in the future. " to find out more...
Passage from http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=771952&dl=acm&coll=&CFID=15151515&CFTOKEN=6184618

Sunday, October 22, 2006

a course on CABD

"Computer-Aided Building Design is a final year undergraduate course that has been offered for more than 20 years at Concordia University. Naturally, over that period that course has evolved as fast as the technology. It started form a programming course with matrix representation of view transformations to lately, the use of off-the shelf commercial software packages and the Internet to support project collaboration and submission. This course introduces students to the process of integrated building deisgn. It emphasizes both computer assistance (CA) and building design(BD). Students experience the design process in teams in the context of a realistic building design project. The building is designed in a holistic manner integrating related fields such as spatial layout, structures, enclosure, energy consumption and construction cost estimation. Many computer tools are used and integrated throughout the design process. The paper provides a brief historical overview of the course and it describes the material covered, the team-design project, and the IT portion of the course." to find out more...

Passage from http://www.itcon.org/data/works/att/2004_18.content.09200.pdf

Business Model Design Blog

"Creating the strategy and business model of your organization is nothing else than design. In this blog I link strategy with design thinking through examples and concepts of strategic design, business models, environmental scanning and business innovation. This way of thinking is a must in today's top performing organizations. Managers have to become masters in complex conceptual thinking, anthropologists of their business environments and architects of innovative business design." to find out more...
Passage from http://business-model-design.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Research in Design Thinking, 1992

"It has been almost a quarter of a century since the computer made its glamorous entrance into architecture with the publication of two seminal works, Serge Chermayeff's and Christopher Alexander's Community and Privacy (1963), followed a year later by Christopher Alexander's Notes on the Synthesis of Form (1964). In spite of this enthusiastic beginning, the relation between architecture and the computer has not been a steady one. There has been a period of excitement, intensive efforts and experimentation which took place mainly during the decade of the nineteen sixties, which was succeeded by a decade of neglect to be finally followed by the current era of renewed interest. Why have the relations between architecture and computer gone through this full cycle? Is the computer here to stay, and in what capacity? Can it help improve design? Should the failures of the past be left behind or are they something to examine seriously for the valuable information they can provide for the future of the computer in architecture? It seems to me that a brief retrospective look will be useful before responding to these questions." to find out more...
Passage from http://www.bk.tudelft.nl/dks/publications/online%20publications/1992-rdt-huts%20ships%20and%20bottleracks.htm

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Robert Gurney

Another interesting architectural firm for your browsing pleasure.to find out more...
Image from http://www.robertgurneyarchitect.com/

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Nicolas Rivera Flores

Some unbelievable renderings with artlantis. I am sure some photoshop touch up has been applied to the renderings to achieve this final photo realistic effect. to find out more...

Image from http://homepage.mac.com/nicolasrivera/My%20Website/files/page0-1015-full.html

Victorian architecture

"The term Victorian architecture can refer to one of a number of architectural styles predominantly in the Victorian era. As with the latter, the period of building that it covers may slightly overlap the actual reign of Queen Victoria after whom it is named.
The Victorian era lasted 64 years, from 1837 to 1901. Greek Revival architecture stretches from the later part of the Colonial era into the beginnings of the Victorian era. Similarly, the Arts and Crafts movement in The United States started a few years before the end of the Victorian era." to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_architecture

Friday, October 13, 2006

Webgraph

The beside image is architectureyp.blogspot.com shown as a webgraph generated from http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/. You can find out how your website looks like in a graphical format~! to find out more...

Brett Steele's resarch

"RESARCH.NET brings together Brett Steele’s writings, articles, interviews and online links related to design; as research into new kinds of architectural space, structure, programme and knowledge.
Brett directs the Architectural Association School of Architecture, in London. You can find the school here. He is a former student and teacher of the AA School, where he founded and for eight years directed the AADRL Design Research Lab, an innovative team-based, collaborative, M.Arch graduate design programme." to find out more...

Artlantis Test Rendering

This is one of my artlantis test rendering. Artlantis is a simpler rendering tool comparing with 3dmax, the advantages is the simplicity of light setting, material applications, background and cutouts montage. However, photoshop would always be the final touchup tool that anyone who do renderings must master.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Architectural Association School of Architecture

The AA is, in its most basic architectural description, a space – of an entirely unique and valuable kind. We are entirely independent and autonomous as an institution, and democratically governed according to principles that were established at the time of our founding in the mid-nineteenth century, when the profession of architecture – let alone the professional training and education of architects – had yet to appear in the forms we recognise today. The AA remains unlike any other architectural school, by virtue of its organisation, ambition and operation, its immense latitude and flexibility. As a venue for learning, it consistently sets, maintains and evolves standards that other schools worldwide seek to emulate.to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/introduction.shtm

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Hamiltons Architects

"Architecture is about problem solving. We work with our clients to understand their needs and aspirations, the constraints and opportunities offered by the site and surrounding context. We design places and spaces where people want to live and work, with buildings that make sound commercial sense." to find out more...



Passage from http://www.hamiltonsarchitects.com/html/why_html.php?menu_id=1
Image from http://www.hamiltonsarchitects.com/html/work_html.php?menu_id=3§ion_id=27&layout=projects

Schools of Architecture - UK and Ireland

"The RIBA currently recognises courses leading to qualification at 36 schools of architecture in the UK. A list of these schools and further information on their courses at Part 1 (first degree), Part 2 (second advance degree/diploma) and Part 3 (examination in professional practice) is available on the validated courses list.
Schools of Architecture with courses validated by the RIBA " to find out more...
Passage from http://www.architecture.com/go/Architecture/Reference/Links_1863.html

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Shelfspace for minipreneurs

"Last year(2005), we reported on Yokozuna in Hamburg, EMERGE*nyc in New York, and the Residents Apparel Gallery in San Francisco. All three companies focus on providing retail space to fledgling artists or minipreneurs. This week, we spotted a similar showcase boutique in Singapore.
inQbox, which stands for incubation in a box, is an uncluttered store in a Singapore mall that is stacked with well-lit, attractive shelving units. It rents out 'boxes' to small businesses and artists, providing them with retail and gallery space, and taking care of the daily hassle of retail. Prices for a box start at SGD 80 (EUR 40/USD 50) per month, depending on size and location within the store. Vendors are selected carefully, and the store is popular with shoppers for its unique array of wares. And lots of shoppers means valuable mini-real estate, so there's often a long waiting list for boxes. " to find out more...
Passage & Image from http://www.springwise.com/retail/shelfspace_for_minipreneurs_up_1/

make

"At make, the importance of a project within the studio is not determined by its cost; regardless of size or scope, we see each individual case as a unique design challenge to be realised on time and within budget. This process starts with listening - listening to our clients and understanding their needs and their aims for a particular project. Instead of imposing preconceived or self-indulgent design solutions, we see each project as an opportunity to meet the demands and realise the aspirations of the building's occupants; we achieve this by making our clients partners in the design process, establishing a creative dialogue and encouraging them to challenge us at every turn.
We use state-of-the-art digital tools to explore and refine our designs, but sketches and models play an equally important role, and we believe that a hands-on approach is the best way to explore massing, space and light. We are passionately committed to producing the most sustainable buildings possible, always striving to exceed current standards for energy efficiency and environmental performance. To achieve this, we draw on the widest knowledge base possible. We collaborate with other architectural practices and benefit from the expertise of the industry's foremost consultants and contractors, constantly looking to related disciplines and new technologies to develop our designs to the optimum standard. At the same time, we do not prioritise novelty over performance, and will use more traditional technologies or materials if they offer the most appropriate solution." to find out more...

Passage and Image from http://www.makearchitects.com/

Skills for architectural visualization?

Some interesting readings I would like to share.
"Any serious architecture and design firm is going to first expect that someone is going to deliver on time and get the designer's point across. Goes without saying, really. They pull together a stable of folks that they know can deliver. After that, it's absolutely positively 100% ALL about the style of the individuals involved, and what might be the best fit for that particular project.Having worked as a designer at 3 out of the 4 firms above, I can tell you that each one gets a ton of viz people that call them searching for work. Without question, they select and work with those individuals or firms who set themselves apart by their visual style. They don't look at the endless resumes, DVDs, and websites and first ask themselves 'Gee, I wonder if this firm is going to convey my intentions properly?' or 'Will they deliver on-time?' They select firms that blow them away. American. Chinese. Indian. British. Whomever and wherever doesn't matter." to find out more...
Passage from http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/16775-what-most-important-skill-architectural-visualization-2.html

Monday, October 09, 2006

Metamosaic

"In Metamosaic, our work focuses exclusively on Visual Branding & Spatial Choreography . We leverage technology that inspires design exploration, craft, communication and presentation. " to find out more...
Image from http://www.metamosaic.com/index.php?option=com_otf_gallery&myalbum=visual
Passage from http://www.metamosaic.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=40

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Aukett Fitzroy Robinson

This is a firm base in London. "A new 6000sqm headquarters building set in a landscaped business park. Its design develops the latest in sustainable design whilst remaining open and flexible, setting a high standard for occupiers and for future public buildings." to find out more...



Image and Passage from http://www.aukettfitzroyrobinson.com/02_sectors/2A_office/2A_01_tx.htm

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Elmslie Osler Architect

"Shall we be cultured aesthetes and dilly dally with our jobs or put on our dungarees and learn the significance of architecture by laying stone and brick for awhile, mixing mortar and sawing wood. Learn of the strength and durability of materials; know of society and its myriad needs and aspirations. Read fairy stories; read Keats, Shelley and Whitman. Absorb a sound and understanding knowledge of the incredible inventions of our day and go to it. There are no fixed formulas; no dry standards; no such thing as composition. There is only one thing to achieve and that is an architectural organism. Composition is dead; an organization is alive...vivid...responsive to conditions; and eloquent of the spiritual association of function and form. Travel the frank and courageous road whereon may be seen the real contributions to ages gleaming in the sunshine.- by George Grant Elmslie" to find out more...
Passage from http://www.eoarch.com/index.html
Image from http://www.eoarch.com/images/sch_08.jpg


SARC Architects Ltd

The image beside is SONERA OFFICES, at Helsinki, Finland in the year 2000 by SARC. to find out more...
Image from http://www.sarc.fi/sonera/images/img_350.jpg

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Architecture in Britain by Hugh Pearman

"London, because of the enormous gravitational pull of its economy and its level of continuous development, has always attracted the greatest concentration of architects, and their works, in the country. This picture is, however, changing as northern British cities successfully reinvent themselves, as Scotland and Wales enjoy greater political autonomy, and as Northern Ireland enjoys an economic boom. " to find out more...
Passage from http://www.britishcouncil.org/arts-add-design-architecture-introductiontext.htm

2006 American Architecture Awards

The project beside is Houses of 5 dreams by Jones Studio, Inc. founded in the year 1979. This project is located from the 2006 American Architecture Awards. to find out more...
Image from http://www.chi-athenaeum.org/archawards/2006/hs5dreams.html

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Llewelyn Davies Yeang

"Good design has a simplicity and clarity which often belies the intelligence of the solution. This same approach underpins our belief that good design creates value.
Fundamental to this is the belief that good design comes from the following:
Understanding our client's needs;
Involving our client in major decisions;
Responding appropriately to a project's tangible and intangible context;
Considering the project's long-term viability and contribution to society;
Respecting our limited natural resources.
Providing inspiring, innovative and sustainable solutions to complex challenges is what drives us each and every day."[1] to find out more...


"The concept of the design for The Residences focuses on the principles for the bioclimatic approach to the design of tall buildings developed over the previous decade by T.R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn.Bhd. The building serves as a landmark for the developers of Taman Tun Dr Ismail that reflects the contemporary progressive nature of the development company and at the same time, retain a regional character in the architecture. The building is a 21-storey tropical tower which consists of 3 levels of car parking, 1 level of common facilities and 17-storeys of apartments "[2] I can see this building twice a day going and returning from work . to find out more...

Passage[1] from http://www.ldavies.com/index.cfm?categoryname=profile&category2ID=1288&depth=2
Passage [2] & Images from http://www.ldavies.com/index.cfm?categoryname=Services&category2ID=248&
category3ID=&projectID=152549&depth=2&detail=1&imageID=51650

Monday, October 02, 2006

Edward Cullinan Architects

"A positive response to the historical and physical context.
An understanding of the importance of good public spaces.
A belief that consultation and participation by the users forms an essential part of an effective design process.
An appropriate degree of flexibility to allow for changing patterns of use and the continually developing needs of technology.
A continually developing focus on energy conservation and sustainability.
An enjoyment in the construction of the buildings as an integral part of their architecture.
A commitment to lean thinking and the Egan agenda in pursuit of better value for the client and the user.
" to find out more...
Passage from http://www.edwardcullinanarchitects.com/practice/overview.html
Image from http://www.edwardcullinanarchitects.com/projects/4g.html

ADF Architecture and Design

"ADF Architecture & Design has been established for over 24 years, during which time the practice has evolved to become a leader in the provision of high quality architectural services. As a multi disciplined practice ADF undertakes commissions for the provision of feasibility studies, master planning, landscape design, architectural design, town planning, construction and project management." to find out more...
Passage from http://www.adf.co.uk/practice.htm
Image from http://www.adf.co.uk/projects.htm

Sunday, October 01, 2006

BDP

"BDP is a multi-discipline practice of architects, designers and engineers, aiming to provide comprehensive, integrated design services for the built environment. We were founded in 1961 by the late Professor Sir George Grenfell Baines.
Our mission is to be collaborative, working in partnership with customers, colleagues in construction and the communities we impact. We aim to be ethical and responsible to all stakeholders. We believe that good design can create substantial economic and social value.
BDP designs about 2% of all the new, non residential building (and some of the housing) in the UK each year, around £450m in construction costs. We also have 10% of our work overseas. We are specialists in almost all building types.
There are over 800 staff in the UK in 10 locations with 140 more in Ireland and in France in BDP International.
Our annual fee income is over £60m. We are consistent major design award winners, with over 300 to date." to find out more...

Passage from http://www.bdp.co.uk/flash/index.asp#a_profile
Images from http://www.bdp.co.uk/