CAAD as a Thinking Medium: a Strategy for Computer Aided Architectural Design Education

This paper is organized into two parts. The first part is a commentary on the state of CAAD in response to the three very important pedagogical issues raised by Klerker in the conference theme narrative. The second part presents an introductory course developed and taught by the author that is based on a very simple premise, until intelligent CAAD (Computer Aided Architectural Design) programs become available, use what is available intelligently. The pedagogical model employed is explained. Some of the work done by the students of this course is included. The impact of this course on the curriculum in the school, the marketability of our students, and our future plans are summarized in the concluding remarks