Information visualisation for the architectural practice

Abstract

Information is a critical element for architects to accomplish their tasks. The overwhelming increase and complexiv of digital informaiion has revealed problems concerning information acquisition. New techniques of handling information are needed to improve the transformation of data into information, and then into knowledge. Applying inforwtation visualisation (Iv)techniques is seen as one of these techniques. This paper discusses the importance of irrformation in architectural practice and the potentials ojr utilizing IV techniques to improve the information acquisition process. The paper attempts to draw an application model for developing IV tools. It explores in detail four main factors that influence their successful application, which are: ( I ) underlying data structure, (2) information seeking strategies. (3) identification of IV techniques, and (4) analysing the user profile. Based on these factors, the paper critically examines different possible /.V development approaches f o r the architectural practice, these include: technology push, data structure based, and task driven approaches. 1: Introduction to the role of Information in the Architectural PracticeInformation processing is the most common theoretical perspective on the architectural processes found in the contemporary literature of design research, [1,2,3,4]. The ontology of the design process, as information processing, assunies that information has a neutral value and different interpretations are transferred according to its codification (designed) [4]. Information in the architectural practice falls into two categories: (a) project related information, and (b) general information [5,6]. The architects' role is to manipulate this information to reproduce it in a meaningful form, which are often described as designs.With the overwhelming increase and complexity of 'digital' information, problems, particularly regarding information acquisition and use, have clearly appeared. Whereas information use is a large area of study, this paper focuses on identifying the problems concerning information acquisition in terms of accessibility and assimilation.Recently researches emphasized the crucial role of information acquisition in the building industry, as well as the lack of interest among practitioners in using information resources. Several surveys on IT usage in the building industry [6,9] show the reluctance in adapting advanced IT systems for both information acquisition and management, while interest and investment is still directed towards CAD solutions. Vries [ l ] and Love [4] emphasized that both exploration and finding information are as important sub-processes as the architectural design process itself. On the other hand, Davidson [6] advocated that practitioners still do not see searching information as a productive activity. He identifies this phenomenon by the lack of the 'acquiring information skills' training in the current educational programs. The implications of lack of information accessibility were addressed by many other ...

Three-Dimensional Information Retrieval (3DIR)

“…They go on to propose the Project Information Integration Management Framework (PIIM Framework), operationalised in a software prototype in which data is presented in conjunction with the 3D model. Shaaban et al (2001) propose different approaches for the application of IV in architecture. They present the task-driven approach as the most effective, which places the user's task and information needs at the centre, and considers his/her visual and cognitive processing.…”

3DIR: three-dimensional information retrieval from 3D building information modelling environments

“…They go on to propose the Project Information Integration Management Framework (PIIM Framework), operationalised in a software prototype in which data is presented in conjunction with the 3D model. Shaaban et al [23] propose different approaches for the application of IV in architecture. They present the task-driven approach as the most effective, which places the user's task and information needs at the centre, and considers his/her visual and cognitive processing.…”

Information behaviour of architecture students in creative design projects

“…Alomar (2003, pp. 3-6) indicated the significance of adequate access, use and sharing of information in working spaces during idea generation in architectural projects, and according to Shaaban et al (2001, p. 43) “information is a critical element for architects to accomplish their tasks”. Even though the importance of information for architectural design has been noted by various authors (Campbell, 2017; Shaaban et al , 2001), there has been relatively little research on how architects search for, interpret and use information.…”