Virtual Modeling as an Effective Method of Teaching
Professional Architectural Perception
Elena
Barchugova,
Moscow
Architectural Institute (State Academy), Moscow, Russia
Natalja
Rochegova,
Moscow
Architectural Institute (State Academy), Moscow, Russia
Contents
·
Abstract
·
Body
·
Conclusion
·
References
Abstract
Professional perception of the architectural space characterizes the top level of mastership of an architect. The intuition of an experienced designer allows him to create in his imagination quite bright and accurate images, but one needs years to gain this kind of priceless ability. Using methods of virtual modeling significantly intensifies the process of training.
Modeling of architectural space assumes firstly purposeful, selective perception of a reality at the level of mental images, and secondly, realization of these images into physical and virtual models. Adequacy of perception of architectural space bases on the advanced spatial imagination of a specialist.
Means
of forming spatial imagination traditionally are all kinds of reflection of a
reality: from bi-dimensional images (an illustration, a diagram, a drawing, a
photo, etc.) up to three-dimensional physical models. With the computer
technologies we have received one more version of reality modeling - virtual
modeling.
The
word collocation “virtual modeling” has become today a synonym of computer
modeling. Digital models are the least material among all possible physical
ones, but nevertheless they are visual and convincing. Dialogue between
consciousness and computer model is dynamical. The model is easily changed and
allows making thousand manipulations with itself, at times not predicted from
the point of view of traditional modeling. Probably that is the reason why
computer modeling has deserved the term "virtual", i.e., "real".
On
the one hand, computer technologies erase borders between bi-dimensional and
three-dimensional modeling, on the other hand, they (technologies) allow to
subject the process of transformation of one kind of modeling into another kind
to steadfast studying. Mechanisms of interrelation of bi-dimensional and
three-dimensional modeling are of indisputable interest as means of active
influence on the professional
perception.
The
geometrical aspect is obvious: the two-dimensional image is a projection of
three-dimensional object to a plane. But this projection can contain not only
the information on the geometry, but also on the function, on the image, on the
volume and spatial plan. Depending on the given task it can inform on any of
the aspects of architectural integrity reflecting planning, functional,
constructive and other properties of the environment and the object in the
forms of projections, schemes, symbols.
Methods
of parallel work with two- and three-dimensional models have been known for a
long time and are widely used both in the educational process, and in the real
practice, as a layout and graphic method. Today this method is used together
with the virtual method. Besides, virtual modeling makes the process of
interaction of consciousness with model visual and consequently accessible to
studying. It also represents it in the most detailed form. In result there
appears an opportunity to manage this process, to actively influence the
formation of professional perception.
Body
The
complete image of architectural space consists of many parameters. Its volume
and spatial analysis is carried out at the levels which can be united in three
basic groups:
-
Conceptual - substantial;
-
Functional - technological;
-
Structural - tectonic.
Free
movement of consciousness within this or that level can be represented as the
combinatory development of fields of possible decisions. We have addressed the
architectural combinatorics (combination theory) as the tool that structure out
the process of perception and modeling.
The
usage of combinatory methods gives the idea of the multi-variety of answers to
a task in view, it arms with methods of active work with the architectural form
and acquaints with multilevel structure of the architectural space. Before the
computer technologies have come to assist, it was problematic enough to trace
processes of modeling made at separate levels. Virtual modeling allows
presenting them as a consequence of visual procedures.
Each
procedure is the cycle consisting of two operations: generation of the set of
variants and choice of the one from them. We fill a combinatory field with the
first operation, varying one of the parameters of the task. By the second
operation we choose the best of the received results, basing on the general
statement of the problem. It is possible to return to the change of initial
ideas on the following step of the cycle.
For
example, while interpreting the plane image into a volumetric one, we can
receive uncountable set of answers. The consciousness is working at the
morphological level. Only ideas of the harmonious structure of the new-created
abstract volumetric compositions serve as restriction of a combinatory field.
(video 1)
Procedure
of choosing the individual answer out of the received variety has different
criteria lying in the level of associative sensations and images returning to
integrity of the estimation of the architectural form. (Fig. 1)
Fig. 1
As
soon as the statement of a task becomes complicated and there are many
combinatory cycles, there is a necessity to introduce the training procedure
where in a simplified way the essence of the combinatory actions leading to the
reception of set of answers to a task in view is explained. Thus in case of
absence of an initial plane image, work at the morphological level follows the
studying of combinatory opportunities of a flat figure and serves as warming
up. (video 2)
Work
with the received set passes to a morphological level by plastic interpretation
of heterogeneity of a flat figure. The borders of plastic search are contours
of the graphic scheme. The number of possible interpretations is limitless.
(Fig. 2)
At
transition from the plastic decision to the volumetric one the spatial
component is stressed.
(Fig.
3)
The
combinatory cycle of the decision of a problem is finished by interpretation of
the received volumetric and spatial decisions in an associative architectural
image. (Fig. 4)
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
The
procedure of warming up on the one hand helps to liberate the creative
potential inherent in each human consciousness, giving the experience of
productive activity. On the other hand, the warming up toughens criteria of
selection of the final decision. They become deeper, more serious, more
fundamental, i.e. more professional. The more complicated the problem is, the
more combinatory cycles connected with each other a trained person passes.
The
process of designing (modeling a new, not existing reality) assumes movement of
consciousness through all levels making integrity of the architectural form.
Virtual modeling allows at least partially fixing work results at separate
levels. For example, it is possible to imagine a model of functional zoning of
an architectural construction, conditional model of its volumetric solution,
model of spatial communications, up to the semantic models describing an object
at the conceptual level. (Fig. 5)
Fig. 5
Representation
of the mechanism of the communications uniting all levels can be submitted by
the procedure of displacement of accents between them. Experience of movement
through levels is characterized by the same cyclicity: creation of set of
decisions and a choice of the one, the most adequate to the chosen
architectural theme.
Moving
the chosen model to a context of another level allows creating another
combinatory set, having used other parameters of a problem. For example, one of
the set of the volumetric models received on a combinatory field of a
morphological level serves as a prototype of an
inhabited home. (Fig. 6)
Transferred
in a combinatory field of spatial communications the model derivates a new set.
(Fig. 7)
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
The
criteria lying in the following level, in this case, in a level of functional
filling, help to make a choice of the individual, final decision. (Fig. 8)
Fig. 8
Change
of combinatory fields can proceed indefinitely filling the digital model with
more and more new architectural parameters and qualities that approach it to a
required architectural image. The quantity of attempts is accounted for by a
task in view.
The
choice of levels being researched and a route of movement along them can also vary.
However it is obvious that the described chain of sliding through the
combinatory fields built in other sequence brings new results. Other sides of
the mechanism of interaction between separate levels are revealed.
We
can take as another prototype of an apartment house the scheme of functional
zoning. Incorporated with circuits of spatial communications and immersed in a
combinatory field of a morphological level, it derivates set of volumetric
decisions. (Fig. 9, Fig. 10)
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Conclusion
So we regard virtual modeling as an effective method of teaching professional architectural perception. Uniting two-dimensional and three-dimensional languages of modeling, computer technologies help to make procedure of movement of consciousness from the plane to volumetric image and back visual and mobile. They help to carry out the level-by-level analysis of multilevel structure of an architectural reality in the mode of active dialogue. Process of interaction of consciousness with model becomes accessible to studying. There appears an opportunity to manage this process with the aim of forming the perception.
References
1. E.S. Pronin “Basics of architectural
combinatorics”, Moscow, 1998
2. E.V. Barchugova, N.A. Rocheglova “Combinatorics techniques of including associative thinking into the process of studying the composition”, Works of Moscow Architectural Institute “Architectural Science and Education”, 2005.