- Dr Ning Gu is Professor of Architecture in the School of Art, Architecture and Design at the University of South Aust... moreDr Ning Gu is Professor of Architecture in the School of Art, Architecture and Design at the University of South Australia. He has researched in the broad areas of Architectural Computing and Design Cognition, including topics such as Computational Design Analysis, Virtual and Augmented Reality; Generative and Parametric Design Systems; Computer-supported Collaborative Design; Virtual Environments; Building Information Modelling; and Protocol Studies on designers' behaviour and cognition.edit
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SUMMARY: Nowadays the design sector takes account of collaboration among design team members as seriously as the geometric and spatial features of the design itself. Effective collaboration should appreciate the difference in perceptions... more
SUMMARY: Nowadays the design sector takes account of collaboration among design team members as seriously as the geometric and spatial features of the design itself. Effective collaboration should appreciate the difference in perceptions between design ...
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Urban green space (UGS) is one of the most important components of urban systems to create sustainable cities. This crucial urban element performs many social and ecological functions to facilitate a better quality of life for urban... more
Urban green space (UGS) is one of the most important components of urban systems to create sustainable cities. This crucial urban element performs many social and ecological functions to facilitate a better quality of life for urban residents. The main aim of this study is to identify the most critical factors contributing to cities’ social and ecological sustainability through UGS planning and development. To achieve this aim, an integrated socio-ecological approach was followed to collect and analyse the data, which comprised context analysis and an international experts survey. Therefore, firstly, the main influencing factors for urban social and ecological sustainability that can be achieved by UGS planning were extracted by reviewing the related literature. In the next step, to find the most critical factors, an online international survey of academicians and experts drawn from a number of countries was conducted. Based on the experts’ opinions, twenty-two factors out of sixty-...
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The escalating pace of construction activities has triggered a concerning surge in waste accumulation, underscoring the urgent need for the construction industry to prioritise environmental sustainability and resource conservation.... more
The escalating pace of construction activities has triggered a concerning surge in waste accumulation, underscoring the urgent need for the construction industry to prioritise environmental sustainability and resource conservation. Research indicates that construction waste (CW) from a typical building project can comprise a substantial 30% of the total weight of materials transported to the site. Significantly, one-third of this waste could be avoided through judicious decision-making in the design phase. While waste management during construction has gained substantial attention in the existing literature, the domain of decision-making in the design stage remains relatively unexplored. This study addresses this gap by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) of 59 articles from 2011 to 2022. The findings emphasise the crucial role of informed decision-making processes in minimising CW during building projects. A conceptual framework emerges from the analysis, highlighting t...
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The paper presents an analysis of collaborative processes in delivering mixed-use housing developments, with a focus on the adoption and roles of digital collaboration to address complex challenges. Extending the collaborative practice... more
The paper presents an analysis of collaborative processes in delivering mixed-use housing developments, with a focus on the adoption and roles of digital collaboration to address complex challenges. Extending the collaborative practice (CP) model, the research utilises a qualitative approach and an instrumental case study involving nine semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from an award-winning mixed-use housing development in Australia. The study identifies key collaboration elements, such as early project establishment, a well-defined brief, and an adaptive integrated digital plan relevant to the interdisciplinary team. The scarcity of successful “extreme” mixed-use cases globally highlights the need for a core conceptual model for collaboration in complex housing developments, focused on digital collaboration, to support future projects in the sector. The research emphasises social innovation in mixed-use housing developments and highlights the importance of effective...
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Description The higher education sectors of architecture, engineering and construction management are among the first to utilise IT to full advantage with a wide range of CAD and project management software, as well as e-learning... more
Description The higher education sectors of architecture, engineering and construction management are among the first to utilise IT to full advantage with a wide range of CAD and project management software, as well as e-learning technologies. What the future holds for design education is further changes as such technologies loom on the horizon. Within this context, the paper presents a case study in which 3D virtual worlds-a type of virtual reality (VR) and social network technologies-are adopted as a collaborative design and learning ...
Description Nowadays, online learning is becoming more and more popular, and is often combined with part-time work. Therefore, there is a growing need in Construction Higher Education to offer a degree by distance. Computer-aided Design... more
Description Nowadays, online learning is becoming more and more popular, and is often combined with part-time work. Therefore, there is a growing need in Construction Higher Education to offer a degree by distance. Computer-aided Design (CAD) is an essential tool for digital design, communication and documentation. For many years, CAD has been taught in undergraduate programs such as Architecture, Construction Management and Engineering to prepare students for industry. Since 2007, The University of Newcastle has ...
The construction industry is widely acknowledged as unique and conservative. Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems have the potential to revolutionize current practices and to automate the measurement of quantities from construction... more
The construction industry is widely acknowledged as unique and conservative. Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems have the potential to revolutionize current practices and to automate the measurement of quantities from construction drawings. However, there are fears that such developments could threaten the viability of the quantity surveying profession. This study explores the relationship between BIM systems and the roles of quantity surveyors in the construction industry. We argue that BIM challenges traditional ...
... Investigating designers‟ perceptions on using AR in design collaboration, the pilot study also aimed to ... the presence of another person that is acting on the remote site; avatars are often ... Theirperceptions on how Augmented... more
... Investigating designers‟ perceptions on using AR in design collaboration, the pilot study also aimed to ... the presence of another person that is acting on the remote site; avatars are often ... Theirperceptions on how Augmented Reality can be integrated into the design sector from ...
Chapter 9 Second Lifea Context for Design Learning Ning Gu, Leman Figen Gul, Anthony Williams and Walaiporn Nakapan 9.1. Introduction Integration of communication and information technologies into design curricula offers significant... more
Chapter 9 Second Lifea Context for Design Learning Ning Gu, Leman Figen Gul, Anthony Williams and Walaiporn Nakapan 9.1. Introduction Integration of communication and information technologies into design curricula offers significant potentials for design schools. This potential is ...
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... on what generic skills are required and should be gained from engineering industry placements ... Project Developments: Mapping competenciesskill lists To work towards the development of the ... the initial phase of the project... more
... on what generic skills are required and should be gained from engineering industry placements ... Project Developments: Mapping competenciesskill lists To work towards the development of the ... the initial phase of the project included an analysis of the competency statements of ...
Page 1. Designing & Learning in 3D Virtual Worlds Ning Gu School of Architecture & Built Environment University of Newcastle, Australia ning.gu@newcastle.edu.au Bangkok, Thailand January 2009 VIRTUAL ARCHITECTURE . DESIGN... more
Page 1. Designing & Learning in 3D Virtual Worlds Ning Gu School of Architecture & Built Environment University of Newcastle, Australia ning.gu@newcastle.edu.au Bangkok, Thailand January 2009 VIRTUAL ARCHITECTURE . DESIGN EDUCATION DESIGN EDUCATION . ...
This paper discusses the preliminary findings of an ongoing research project aimed at developing a technological, operational and strategic analysis of adopting BIM in AEC/FM (Architecture-Engineering-Construction/Facility Management)... more
This paper discusses the preliminary findings of an ongoing research project aimed at developing a technological, operational and strategic analysis of adopting BIM in AEC/FM (Architecture-Engineering-Construction/Facility Management) industry as a collaboration ...
Our society has evolved through the product economy and the service economy to the experience economy. Due to this fact the value of a travel product, nowadays, is far beyond the goods and services. Experiences are driving the travel... more
Our society has evolved through the product economy and the service economy to the experience economy. Due to this fact the value of a travel product, nowadays, is far beyond the goods and services. Experiences are driving the travel industry and make the travel product more ...
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Description We present an agent-based model of virtual worlds in which the objects in the world have agency, that is, the objects can sense their environment, reason about their goals, and make changes to the environment. The agent-based... more
Description We present an agent-based model of virtual worlds in which the objects in the world have agency, that is, the objects can sense their environment, reason about their goals, and make changes to the environment. The agent-based model has the following reasoning processes: interpretation, hypothesizing, and action activation. This agent model is described and illustrated using a wall agent in a multi-user virtual world. We extend the illustration through a demonstration of a multi-agent world in which many of the objects in ...
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Disclaimer The Client makes use of this Report or any information provided by CRC CI in relation to the Consultancy Services at its own risk. CRC CI will not be responsible for the results of any actions taken by the Client or third... more
Disclaimer The Client makes use of this Report or any information provided by CRC CI in relation to the Consultancy Services at its own risk. CRC CI will not be responsible for the results of any actions taken by the Client or third parties on the basis of the information in ...
Page 45. QualIT2006 40 Software Support for Collaborative Data Analysis in Collaborative Design Studies Zafer Bilda Figen L. Gul Ning Gu Mary Lou Maher Key Centre of Design Computing and Cognition University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW zafer@... more
Page 45. QualIT2006 40 Software Support for Collaborative Data Analysis in Collaborative Design Studies Zafer Bilda Figen L. Gul Ning Gu Mary Lou Maher Key Centre of Design Computing and Cognition University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW zafer@ arch. usyd. edu. ...
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Volumetric modular construction (VMC) has considerable benefits in providing better cost, time, quality, productivity, and sustainability performance. However, the adoption is low, owing to various associated risks. This study aims to... more
Volumetric modular construction (VMC) has considerable benefits in providing better cost, time, quality, productivity, and sustainability performance. However, the adoption is low, owing to various associated risks. This study aims to identify VMC critical risk factors (CRFs) in project stages and project attributes by conducting a systematic literature review of 91 articles. In the project stages, 31 CRFs were identified based on frequency analyses, and divided into four stages: design and planning, offsite manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and onsite assembly. The project attribute risks were divided into the following categories: implementation and schedule, supply chain and financial, safety and ergonomic, and civil and structural. Overall, design and planning risks were critical, as they are crucial in maintaining the project’s upstream and downstream flow. Finally, the study proposed a mitigation framework for using digital technology-based circular strategies to ov...
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This paper describes the results of a protocol study exploring problem–solution coevolution in a parametric design environment (PDE). The study involved eight participants who completed a defined architectural design task using Rhino and... more
This paper describes the results of a protocol study exploring problem–solution coevolution in a parametric design environment (PDE). The study involved eight participants who completed a defined architectural design task using Rhino and Grasshopper software: a typical PDE. The method of protocol analysis was employed to study the cognitive behaviors that occurred while these designers were working in the PDE. By analyzing the way in which the designers shifted between “problem” and “solution” spaces in the PDE, characteristics of the coevolutionary design process are identified and discussed. Results of this research include two potentially significant observations. First, the coevolution process occurs frequently within the design knowledge level (i.e., when using Rhino) and within the rule algorithm level (i.e., when using Grasshopper) of the parametric design process. Second, the designers’ coevolution process was focused on the design knowledge level at the beginning of the des...
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Two Architecture Schools that are geographically separated provided students with a learning experience in Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs). Reported in this paper is the experience of the students as well as a commentary on the... more
Two Architecture Schools that are geographically separated provided students with a learning experience in Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs). Reported in this paper is the experience of the students as well as a commentary on the quality of the outcomes they achieved whilst confronting this new learning experience. A comprehensive questionnaire was developed and used in the end of the collaboration for students to reflect and evaluate their design and collaborative experiences. Based on the questionnaire results, this paper documents the issues that the students experienced in CVEs from the communication aspect, the design support aspect, and the collaboration and teamwork aspect. The paper concludes with insights on how this initiative can inform the way that we can better support design education in CVEs.
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This article presents our findings from a three-stage research project, which consists of the identification, development, and evaluation of a defect management Augmented Reality (AR) prototype that incorporates Building Information... more
This article presents our findings from a three-stage research project, which consists of the identification, development, and evaluation of a defect management Augmented Reality (AR) prototype that incorporates Building Information Modelling (BIM) technologies. Within the first stage, we conducted a workshop with four construction-industry representatives to capture their opinions and perceptions of the potentials and barriers associated with the integration of BIM and AR in the construction industry. The workshop findings led us to the second stage, which consisted of the development of an on-site BIM-based AR defect management (BIM-ARDM) system for construction inspections. Finally, a study was conducted to evaluate BIM-ARDM in comparison to the current paper-based defect management inspection approach employed on construction sites. The findings from the study revealed BIM-ARDM significantly outperformed current approaches in terms of usability, workload, performance, completion...
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SUMMARY: To some extent, design can be described as a process concerned with changing the state of an environment through purposeful and constrained decision making that requires exploration, creativity and learning. The broad discipline... more
SUMMARY: To some extent, design can be described as a process concerned with changing the state of an environment through purposeful and constrained decision making that requires exploration, creativity and learning. The broad discipline of design incorporates the study of design methodology, technologies for design and design thinking. Design projects in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) domains generally require efficient collaboration between designers from different specialties involved in the entire lifecycle of a project, and often based at different locations. In addition, there is emerging potential for human-computer co-creativity in the design process. This paper investigates the innovative use of emerging multiuser virtual world technologies for supporting human-human collaboration and human-computer co-creativity in design. The paper defines three conceptual technology spaces that describe the different aspects of virtual worlds that make them useful a...
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Abstract. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is expected to enable effi cient collaboration, improved data integrity, distributed and fl ex-ible data sharing, intelligent documentation, and high-quality outcome, through enhanced... more
Abstract. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is expected to enable effi cient collaboration, improved data integrity, distributed and fl ex-ible data sharing, intelligent documentation, and high-quality outcome, through enhanced performance analysis, and expedited multi-discipli-nary planning and coordination. Despite these apparent benefi ts, the collaboration across the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) disciplines is largely based on the exchange of 2D drawings. This paper reports the fi ndings from a research project that aims at developing measures to enhance BIM-based collaboration in the AEC industry. Based on focus group interviews with industry participants and case studies of BIM applications, visualisation was identifi ed as an interactive platform across the design and non-design disciplines. It is argued that visualisation can enhance the motivation for BIM-based collaboration through integration of advanced visualisation techniques such as virtual reality (...
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This paper presents and demonstrates a ``Computational Design Sustainability'' (CDS) framework, inspired by ``Computational Sustainability'' (CS), which is a new area in computational research (C. Gomes & Yang, 2011). CS... more
This paper presents and demonstrates a ``Computational Design Sustainability'' (CDS) framework, inspired by ``Computational Sustainability'' (CS), which is a new area in computational research (C. Gomes & Yang, 2011). CS aims to apply techniques from computer science to address sustainability problems affecting a wide range of fields from environmental sciences to social studies. While CS has been broadly embraced in environmental science, the great potential of this concept to address grand challenges and solve complex problems seems to have not been adequately explored in the built environment domain. Therefore, this paper attempts to formally investigate the application of CS in built environment research addressing different scales of design problems with computational design through proposing the new concept of CDS . These approaches are demonstrated and evaluated through a range of projects collectively conducted by the research team. CDS proposes to advance co...
Crowdsourcing is a new concept for breaking with the traditional hierarchical model of collaborative design. Crowdsourcing is based on web-based contributions of individuals in a decentralized digital environment that supports the sharing... more
Crowdsourcing is a new concept for breaking with the traditional hierarchical model of collaborative design. Crowdsourcing is based on web-based contributions of individuals in a decentralized digital environment that supports the sharing of opinions and creative ideas. This article develops the concepts and issues associated with the possibility of crowdsourcing design as well as discussing its relationship to prior developments of media environments for collaborative design. Three scenarios for crowdsourcing in architectural design are developed as a basis for considering the requirements for the design and function of crowdsourcing media environments in architectural design.
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This paper presents a formal framework for utilising different digital design and rapid prototyping technologies in design education. The framework has been applied in a studio created for a mixed cohort of tertiary students from... more
This paper presents a formal framework for utilising different digital design and rapid prototyping technologies in design education. The framework has been applied in a studio created for a mixed cohort of tertiary students from architecture and industrial design. A comprehensive survey was conducted at the end of the course as a means for evaluation, and for student self-reflection. This paper reports the experiences in conducting the studio and the student perceptions of their design processes and outcomes whilst confronting these tools. The paper provides insight into the application of digital design and rapid prototyping tools in design education, supported by a qualitative analysis of the survey result.
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This paper presents the results of a protocol study which explores the cognitive behaviour of eight practicing architects while they used a geometric modeller (Rhino) with a parametric modeller (Grasshopper) as they designed. The protocol... more
This paper presents the results of a protocol study which explores the cognitive behaviour of eight practicing architects while they used a geometric modeller (Rhino) with a parametric modeller (Grasshopper) as they designed. The protocol videos collected were transcribed, segmented and coded using the FBS ontology as the coding scheme. This resulted in each protocol being transformed from a qualitative video into a sequence of symbols from the FBS ontology and further divided into design knowledge and rule algorithm classes. The sequence of symbols forms the foundation on which quantitative representations of cognitive behaviour can be constructed and compared. Results of the relative cognitive effort expended on design knowledge and rule algorithm classes, through an articulation of the cognitive design issues, have been compared and discussed. These results provide insight into the use of parametric modellers by architects.
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The higher education sectors of architecture, engineering and construction management are among the first to utilise IT to full advantage with a wide range of CAD and project management software, as well as e-learning technologies. What... more
The higher education sectors of architecture, engineering and construction management are among the first to utilise IT to full advantage with a wide range of CAD and project management software, as well as e-learning technologies. What the future holds for design education is further changes as such technologies loom on the horizon. Within this context, the paper presents a case study in which 3D virtual worlds a type of virtual reality (VR) and social network technologies are adopted as a collaborative design and learning environment for architectural education. Based on the outcomes of the course and the students’ collaborative learning experiences, the paper discusses the potential of adopting 3D virtual worlds in design education, in terms of distance learning, collaborative learning and problem-based learning.
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This paper deals with the generative and evolutionary aspects of parametric design. We aim to provide a better understanding of individual design strategies to support creativity in parametric design via protocol analysis. An in-depth... more
This paper deals with the generative and evolutionary aspects of parametric design. We aim to provide a better understanding of individual design strategies to support creativity in parametric design via protocol analysis. An in-depth analysis conceptualises subjects’ creative strategies into two models: problem-driven strategy and solution-driven strategy. The solution-driven strategy progress design in the solution space resulted in the highest value in the level of creativity. This is one of potential aspects of parametric design. Exploring design strategies in parametric design contributes to its effective use.
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This paper presents a journal of unique design ideas emerged from a virtual collaborative design studio between Rangsit University, Thailand and University of Newcastle, Australia. “NU Genesis”, a virtual island in “Second Life” is used... more
This paper presents a journal of unique design ideas emerged from a virtual collaborative design studio between Rangsit University, Thailand and University of Newcastle, Australia. “NU Genesis”, a virtual island in “Second Life” is used as an experimental platform, allowing the two universities to collaborate in design and learning across the continent. The presented designs are analyzed and evaluated to highlight the new design potentials in 3D virtual worlds, such as new design context and design support, and examples of the unique design usage of these potentials in future design practices. The design experiences and outcomes of the individual and collaborative projects are also discussed.
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Many industry reports have enunciated on the nature of complications in some forms of construction problems. These include design errors, deficiencies in estimates, conflicts in design and implementations, and fragmented platforms that... more
Many industry reports have enunciated on the nature of complications in some forms of construction problems. These include design errors, deficiencies in estimates, conflicts in design and implementations, and fragmented platforms that restrict information flow all through project life. The nucleuses of these phenomena have been expressed as major concerns on project performance and sustenance of innovation in the industry. A peculiar dimension to this challenge is the ability of conventional design, procurement and construction management protocols to generate, share and convey, without dissipation at any point, all necessary project data across all stages and discipline boundaries in construction development processes and project life. As some observations have been drawn in literatures on the implications of fragmented systems and spatio-temporal limitations of hand-drawn and entity-based 2D CAD design systems, there has been significant attention on the limitations of these conv...
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This study explores the spatial pattern of Historic Chinese Towns and Cities (HCTC) by using a syntactic approach. The HCTC is an important element of the built environment and exhibits a variety of unique spatial characteristics.... more
This study explores the spatial pattern of Historic Chinese Towns and Cities (HCTC) by using a syntactic approach. The HCTC is an important element of the built environment and exhibits a variety of unique spatial characteristics. Although previous research has been focused on qualitative analysis, a quantitative approach to exploring this issue is scarce, leading to insufficient understanding of the spatial characteristics of HCTC. This study presents a quantitative approach to analyzing the spatial pattern of HCTC by utilizing the space syntax method. Four well-preserved historic towns were selected as case studies, each representing a typical spatial type of historic town in China. A series of mathematical measures from space syntax were used to explore the spatial characteristics of HCTC, facilitating expanded interpretation of traditional Chinese ideologies. Results contribute to a more critical understanding of the spatial pattern of HCTC.
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This paper presents the development of an interactive graphical system applicable to collaborative architectural design in 3D virtual environments and its preliminary application for a building design project. This interactive graphical... more
This paper presents the development of an interactive graphical system applicable to collaborative architectural design in 3D virtual environments and its preliminary application for a building design project. This interactive graphical system integrates the spatial system and the stylistic system and specialises in styles representation and exploration in architectural design.
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A leading factor in reshaping boundaries between participatory design and co-creation is the power of crowd-sourcing; however crowdsourced design often produces less innovative results than smaller expert design teams. In design,... more
A leading factor in reshaping boundaries between participatory design and co-creation is the power of crowd-sourcing; however crowdsourced design often produces less innovative results than smaller expert design teams. In design, representation plays a fundamental role whilst in crowdsourced design the collective interaction with representations is restricted. We propose more effective design in collective intelligence lies in the crowd’s ability to generate meaningful contributions via the content of shared representations. In order to investigate this, the current paper examines how meanings are generated through the use of visual representations. We introduce a semiotic framework to understand the mechanisms of how signs convey contextual information in a collective design task, and illustrate the framework by applying it in an analysis of the signs used by the crowd engaging in an openly shared design task.
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This paper presents a mathematical approach to analysing and generating design instances within a specific language of architectural design. The research develops a Shape Grammar allowing for the analysis of ten domestic designs by Glenn... more
This paper presents a mathematical approach to analysing and generating design instances within a specific language of architectural design. The research develops a Shape Grammar allowing for the analysis of ten domestic designs by Glenn Murcutt and their generation. The Shape Grammar, which consists of eleven rule sets, starts by generating pavilions and ends with a termination rule. After describing the Shape Grammar the paper uses mathematics to directly measure and compare the rules, introducing the use of a Normalised Distance Graph (NDS), to capture the transition sequences of their application through rule transition paths. The results of this paper suggest that this approach can be used to clearly characterise design instances as well as to effectively create new designs in an architectural style. The mathematical approach is widely applicable to other grammatical studies in the architectural and design domains.
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48 Nowadays, online learning is becoming more and more popular, and is often combined with part-time work. Therefore, there is a growing need in Construction Higher Education to offer a degree by distance. Computer-aided Design (CAD) is... more
48 Nowadays, online learning is becoming more and more popular, and is often combined with part-time work. Therefore, there is a growing need in Construction Higher Education to offer a degree by distance. Computer-aided Design (CAD) is an essential tool for digital design, communication and documentation. For many years, CAD has been taught in undergraduate programs such as Architecture, Construction Management and Engineering to prepare students for industry. Since 2007, The University of Newcastle has offered a Bachelor of Construction Management in a problem based mixed mode (face-to-face and online). Distance learning requires students to be motivated, selfdisciplined and to manage their time. Generally, online students require additional support as they need to adjust their approaches to learning. However, teaching CAD online is more challenging than teaching other subjects. On-campus students attend face-to-face tutorials and interact with their tutor who is able to interacti...
With the recent developments in information and communication technologies, 3D virtual worlds have the potential to make a major contribution to design education as a constructivist learning environment. Considering the changing trend in... more
With the recent developments in information and communication technologies, 3D virtual worlds have the potential to make a major contribution to design education as a constructivist learning environment. Considering the changing trend in design education, we have been employing virtual world technologies in our design teaching, allowing students to collaborate within the 3D virtual environments such as Second Life (www.secondlife.com) and Active Worlds (www.activeworlds.com), which support synchronized design communication and real-time 3D modeling. This paper reports our teaching experience and the students’ learning experience, based on team-based design and communication skills-building in 3D virtual worlds and presents the challenges faced by design education when utilizing such environments. In this paper, we firstly provide a critical analysis of various design learning and teaching features in 3D virtual environments as constructivist learning environments, and secondly consi...