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Detail of glazing by Falk Kagelmacher		 ARCH 410 (CRN 36687)/ ARCH 510 (CRN 36688)
4 or 2 credit options, Prereq: Arch 222 + two terms ARCH 484 or equivalent



Understanding CAD

Large group TUES 7:00-9:00 pm + Small group lab session:
Choose WED or THURS 7:00-9:00, B13 Klamath Hall (20 seats max)
Wednesday will have an Historic Preservation focus, others welcome .

Instructor

Nancy Cheng

nywc@darkwing.uoregon.edu

Course Description

 As new software tools emerge, choosing appropriate tools becomes more difficult. Finding programs for particular situations, introducing them and increasing productivity within organizations is a big challenge. This course will foster these skills through the comparative study of architectural CAD tools and their use in practice.

Through personal exploration, interviews/exchanges with professionals, developers and distributors, the class will examine current and future options for computer-aided architectural design. The class will document the process and rationale of how progressive firms have incorporated digital tools into their professional services with the goal of recommending a streamlined process.

To accommodate differing learning agendas, the class will begin with 5 weeks of lectures comparing CAD systems and lab sessions using AutoCad as a teaching tool. The class will continue for the remainder of the term with the research agenda and lab sessions using FormZ.

Course Objectives

€ To synthesize the best way to develop a digital toolkit.
€ To understand the potentials and constraints of available software tools.
€ To examine how organizations assimilate technology.

Course Requirements

 The class work will consist of media exercises, a research/fieldwork presentation & documentation, readings and discussion.

Part I : Media exercises must show competency in using CAD software. AutoCad lab sessions will concentrate on how design ideas are translated for construction drawings. FormZ sessions will concentrate on 3D modeling and rendering.

Part II: Research project topics will include

  • Case studies of a design firms' integration of computer technology
  • Comparison studies of software capabilities
  • Case studies of how design practice affects software development

Course Evaluation

 4 credit option: (Parts I & II, 10 wks)
  • 40% Media exercises
  • 30% Research project process
  • 15% Research presentation & documentation (HTML or hardcopy)
  • 15% Class participation/quizzes
2 credit option: (Part I only, 5 wks)
  • 70% Media exercises
  • 15% Media portfolio
  • 15% Class participation/quizzes

Required Texts

 Katz, Genevieve, AutoCad for the Mac Visual Guide. Readings will be on reserve at the AAA Library, manuals will be available at B26 Klamath Computer Lab.
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