Implementation Strategy for an Architectural Design EnvironmentImplementation Strategy for an Architectural Design Environment

Stefan BoeykensDept. Architecture CAD-Lab

K.U.Leuven (Belgium)

Stefan BoeykensDept. Architecture CAD-Lab

K.U.Leuven (Belgium)

Issues in the development of IDEA+Issues in the development of IDEA+

Introduction

What is IDEA+

Data Structure

Prototype Application

Conclusions

1 – Introduction1 – Introduction

Ongoing transition from traditional to digital architectural practice

Most CAAD-tools focused on construction documentation

Lack of early-design phase evaluation tools

Introduction

What is IDEA+

Data Structure

Prototype Application

Conclusions

2 – What is IDEA+2 – What is IDEA+Conceptual Model (1992)

•Design Phases

•Scale Levels

•Transitions

•Evaluation tests

Core Object Model (2000)

•MERODE

•Entity Relationship Diagram

•Object-Event Table

Introduction

What is IDEA+

Data Structure

Prototype Application

Conclusions

3 – Data Structure3 – Data Structure

1. Abstraction, Interface & Independency

2. CAAD Entities3. Representations4. Commands & Events5. Transitions6. Tests/Evaluation

Introduction

What is IDEA+

Data Structure

Prototype Application

Conclusions

3 – Data Structure (part 2)3 – Data Structure (part 2)

1. Abstraction, Interface & Independency

2. The CAAD EntitiesPhysical Elements

walls, floors, roofs, beams,columns, openings, stairs, ...

SpacesMasterplan ElementsActivity

Introduction

What is IDEA+

Data Structure

Prototype Application

Conclusions

3 – Data Structure (part 3)3 – Data Structure (part 3)

3. Representations Connection between CAAD & Graphic Amount of representations Share graphical entities Interface to the data

4. Commands & Events Object Event Table

(from Core Object Model) Create, Remove, Modify, Select,

Import/Export

Introduction

What is IDEA+

Data Structure

Prototype Application

Conclusions

3 – Data Structure (part 4)3 – Data Structure (part 4)

5. Transitions Between design phases Between scale levels

6. Tests/Evaluations Daylighting (IDEA-l) Cost Estimation

Introduction

What is IDEA+

Data Structure

Prototype Application

Conclusions

4 – Prototype Application4 – Prototype Application

Platform-dependency IssuesData structure = C++ only

Portability & vendor-independencySome common program functionality

(administration, commands, evaluation tools) is kept part of the data-structure

Prototype = Win32/MFC/OpenGLEase of developing an interface (GUI)Diminish development time

Introduction

What is IDEA+

Data Structure

Prototype Application

Conclusions

5 – Conclusions5 – Conclusions

IDEA+ is a work-in-progressData structure is not finalised yetPrototype aims to be suitable for

further developmentNot the intention to make a

commercial-class application

END OF PRESENTATION