d e p a r t m e n t   o f   a r c h i t e c t u r e ,   u n i v e r s i t y   o f   o r e g o n

Examining Technology's Impact on Practice

May 6, 1997

Primary objectives:: * To understand how design professionals have incorporated technology into their practice.; * To develop guidelines on how to refine an appropriate digital toolkit (personal, dept, professional)
Secondary objective:: * To gain insight into how different practices; * To make alliances with professionals

Examples of focus:

Van Norman: emphasis on usability for design

Kalisperis: Nature of firms and correlation of firms' orientation to software

Transformation of traditional hierarchy reinforced by drawings to a quicker, more interactive process. Potential for participatory process.

Architects' relationship to	Before computers	After computers
- own Staff	Office hierarchy enforced by the chain of development from napkin sketch to construction documents	Technical sophistication of younger staff exceeds managers, shake-up of hierarchy. Paper chain less visible
- Clients	Client review limited to phased submittal sets	Extranet (Controlled Web) access to project data
- the Public	Presentation boards show limited views of project	Computer renderings & animations make projects more accessible. Marketing databases facilitate custom proposals.
- Consultants	Separate disciplines independently build on architect's set. Architects find discrepencies.	Coordination of disciplines partially automated. Info from different specialties may be mutually accessible.
- Cost Estimators	Laborious take-offs from submittal sets	Many CAD packages facilitate database links so architects can do preliminary numbers in-house
- Contractors	Marked up blueprints, addendum sketches transferred by courier	Requests for Information can be accessed through the web.
- Fabricators	Manufacturers create shop drawings	Manufacturers use architects' computer data to generate geometrically accurate pieces.
- Lawyers & Insurers	Paper records require laborious handling, Garbling possible	Digital record allows tracking and accessing of history
- All		Faster response assumed due to availability of fax and modem. More comprehensive, more sophisticated material expected due to automation.