The Computability of Design

A number of architectural design studios (second, third and fifth year) at the School of Architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology have undertaken traditional design problems through the use of IBM-AT microcomputer based CAD/Graphics systems. Utilizing three-dimensional modelling software, color graphics “paint” software, and animation software, the studios integrated the use of computers into the very heart of the core program as the primary means of design, simulation, and evaluation. At the same time, other non-computer based studios engaged in similar (and often identical) design problems. Therefore, the opportunity became available to compare and evaluate both the impact the computer made to the traditional architectural studio and also to the building design itself