Narrowing the Gap Between CAAD and Computer Programming: a Re-Examination of the Relationship Between Architects as Computer-Based Designers and Software Engineers, Authors of the CAAD Environment

As the interfaces between computer users and computer programs become more friendly, the gap between the architect as designer and the software engineer as strategist increases: the designer is even less inclined to relate to the internal workings of the computer program. One intention of the friendly interface is to allow greater access to relatively sophisticated programs for people to whom the computer is not a natural ally. But with tailor-made software comes the paradox of unintended perspective use. This paper discusses the need for design architects to learn basic programming skills in a contemporary context in order to avoid being inadvertently restricted by a software apparent flexibility. An undergraduate course that sets out to familiarise students with the new possibilities is presented here in detail