Slide 1:Information Technology in Architecture Sabu Francis, B.Arch (Hons) Jan 7, 2006 Architectural practice in the information age


Slide 2:Parts of this lecture How? How were they implemented? (Costs and other resources) Why? Why do we need all this? What next? What do we expect to see in the future both in our offices as well in our works? What? What has happened in architectural offices these days?


Slide 3:A brief history of SFA (Sabu Francis & Associates) Founded on March 1, 1987 at Navi Mumbai Konkan Railway Corporation headquarters Konkan Railway Corporation Staff Colony Konkan Railway Corporation Control office, Ratnagiri (Unbuilt) Konkan Railway Corporation Hospital, Ratnagiri (Unbuilt) Churchgate Railway Station Extension (Unbuilt) Did fair amount of architectural works in Navi Mumbai Great Eastern Galleria Builders projects in most nodes of Navi Mumbai Rowhouses, one church, one orphanage, one school etc.


Slide 4:Jekyl and Hyde existence: Architect by day, programmer by night Helped a software company in Copenhagen with the development of a new computer language called Visual Prolog. Developed tutorials for them. Now mastered over 10 computer languages 1990: Discovered some mathematical principles in architecture that allows efficient representation of architecture using computers. Developed a design software (TAD) for architecture Helped a Boston based company involved in conversion of medical knowledge into a form that is usable on hand held computers Started an IT company and learnt the inner workings of a corporate office. Especially what should not be done. Learnt something about economics


Slide 5:Developed architectural standards for upgradation of rural hospitals in Uttar Pradesh, finished a village school in Taloja Currently doing a hospice for Missionaries of Charity, creating some specialized websites, developing a new kind of speaker system, a new type of bass guitar, helping an inventor of a gizmo for Televisions Helped IIT Bombay with two books on climatic design. Did two research projects with IIT Bombay sponsored by Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources. Third one may get sanctioned shortly Helping a documentary film-maker, reviewing a book on climatic design, now writing a book on architecture and ... TAD (The Architects Desktop, a software for architects) ... www.teamtad.com


Slide 6:What changes have happened at SFA? I use a concept called “just-in-time” employment for roping in people from all over India. Hopefully, from all over the world too Work mostly via the Internet. Very little dependence on a physical office. Extensively uses emails, discussion boards, wikis to interact with people all over the world SFA has its own server on the Internet which not only hosts the SFA website, but also most of the internal office management is done there Hardware changes: LAN with wireless capability, broadband Software changes: Agnostic use of operating system and software applications. All legal. All free


Slide 7:Internal Office Management http://wiki.sabufrancis.com


Slide 8:Internal Office Management http://wiki.sabufrancis.com


Slide 9:Internal Office Management http://wiki.sabufrancis.com


Slide 10:Revision control at SFA using Subversion http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org/


Slide 11:Designing at SFA directly using TAD Designer


Slide 12:Final rendered image of Hospice at Kharghar


Slide 13:What changes have happened at Sir Ove Arup Consultants? http://www.arup.com Publicizes their work to attract even more work A website to connect all offices all around the world Publishes career opportunities Sells their software and the systems they use to other architects and consultants via the Internet


Slide 14:Software Division of structural consultant, Sir Ove Arup' office http://www.oasys-software.com/


Slide 15:An excellent document management system from Sir Ove Arup's office: http://www.oasys-software.com/products/dm/columbus/downloads.shtml


Slide 16:What changes have happened at Frank O Gehry's office? Sells software and other technical services that other architects may be interested in Uses the Internet for publishing career opportunities in his office Not using the Internet for publicity as such, as this does not seem to be required Hardware changes: Specialized equipment for transferring physical model information directly into computers without using a paper Software changes: CATIA – a software that was initially used for designing aeroplanes


Slide 17:Software Division of Architect Frank O Gehry's office http://www.gehrytechnologies.com/


Slide 18:Frank Gehry uses the Internet for publishing career opportunities in his firm


Slide 19:"As soon as I understand the scale of the building and the relationship to the site and the relationship to the client, as it becomes more and more clear to me, I start doing sketches".Frank OGehry Frank Gehry's Design Process


Slide 20:STEP 1.DIGITIZING THE PHYSICAL MODELThis step produces a series of points on the computer screen, which together create a shape which roughly resembles the shape of the physical model. The points are then manipulated, cleaned up and smoothed out. Frank Gehry's Design Process


Slide 21:STEP 2.SURFACE MODELBasically the outline of the physical model. Frank Gehry's Design Process


Slide 22:STEP 3.SHADED SURFACE MODELBasically the outline of the physical model. The lines represent the cladding pattern of the titanium panels. Frank Gehry's Design Process


Slide 23:Step 4.PRIMARY STRUCTUREThis step involves creating the primary structure of the building. For Bilbao this step represents a sort of map of the steel skeleton of the building. Frank Gehry's Design Process


Slide 24:Step 5.SECONDARY STRUCTUREThe secondary structure will vary from project to project. In the case of Bilbao, it is part of the structure which supports the galvanized steel under-layer of the cladding system. Frank Gehry's Design Process


Slide 25:STEP 5.1.CURVATURE ANALYSISThe curvature analysis is about budget. It is done to determine whether or not the metal panels will naturally adhere to a certain curve, or whether they would need to be pressed to adhere to a certain curve. Pressed metal panels are more expensive. This analysis may be conducted at several stages, or may not be conducted at all. Frank Gehry's Design Process


Slide 26:STEP 6.SHOP DRAWINGThis is the stage at which the CATIA computer model is used to generate the steel shop drawings. Frank Gehry's Design Process


Slide 27:STEP 7.THE FINISHED BUILDING


Slide 28:What is happening at various architects' associations? Studies from RIBA, AIA, OAA, IIA


Slide 29:What to expect from an architect's association? http://www.riba.org Office bearers are understated No advertisements – only sponsorships Lots of help for laypeople Help in promoting all architects Has a commercial wing too


Slide 30:What to expect from an architect's association? http://www.architecture.com/go/Architecture/Using/Fees_304.html


Slide 31:What to expect from an architect's association? http://www.ribafind.org


Slide 32:What to expect from an architect's association? http://www.productselector.co.uk


Slide 33:What to expect from an architect's association? http://www.aia.org


Slide 34:What to expect from an architect's association? http://www.oaa.on.ca/client/oaa/OAAHome.nsf/web/Hiring+an+Architect+and+how+the+OAA+can+help!OpenDocument


Slide 35:What to expect from an architect's association? http://www.oaa.on.ca/client/oaa/OAAHome.nsf/web/Hiring+an+Architect+and+how+the+OAA+can+help!OpenDocument


Slide 36:What to expect from an architect's association? http://www.iia-india.org Too much emphasis on office bearers Takes in advertisements – no editorial independence No help for the common man No real help for the practising architect either


Slide 37:What has the government done about IT which affects us?


Slide 38:What has the government done about IT which affects us? http://mumbai.mtnl.net.in/triband/


Slide 39:What has the government done about IT which affects us? http://www.naavi.org/importantlaws/itbill2000/


Slide 40:What has the government done about IT which affects us? http://www.nmmconline.com/index.php


Slide 41:What has the government done about IT which affects us? http://www.cidcoindia.com/frm_navimum.htm


Slide 42:What is happening on the Internet that affects us?


Slide 43:What is happening on the Internet that affects us?Search Engines http://www.google.com


Slide 44:What is happening on the Internet that affects us?Wikis http://www.wikipedia.org


Slide 45:What is happening on the Internet that affects us?Blogs http://www.anyarchitect.org


Slide 46:What is happening on the Internet that affects us?Email discussion lists kgparch@yahoogroups.com


Slide 47:What is happening around the world that affects us?USENET


Slide 48:What is happening around the world that affects us?Discussion Boards http://www.skyscrapercity.info


Slide 49:What is happening around the world that affects us?Community portals http://www.praanam.org


Slide 50:Web applications: Project Management http://www.basecamphq.com


Slide 51:What is happening on the Internet that affects us? Web applications: Expense Tracking http://expensewatchessential.com


Slide 52:What is happening on the Internet that affects us? Keeping updated http://www.slashdot.org


Slide 53:Why?


Slide 55:Abstract thinking Mathematicians, musicians, artists ... Empirical thinking Craftsmen, tradesmen, doctors ...


Slide 56:Empirical way of looking at car design


Slide 57:Go beyond empiricism.... factory assembly line


Slide 58:And go even more beyond by explaining the real world using abstractions. E.g: Systems Thinking, etc.http://www.hitchins.net/SysThink.html Toyota Assembly Line explained as an abstraction ... in short we need abstractions to solve real problems effectively


Slide 59:Using abstractions is nothing new: Use of MATHEMATICS IN ART & ARCHITECTURE has a long history The golden number is (1 + sqrt5)/2 = 1.618033989 and an angle based on this will have size arcsec(1.618033989) = 51degrees 50'. Now the sides of the Great Pyramid rise at an angle of 51degrees 52' Artist are mostly known for their abstract thinking and creativity. Many artists who lived after Phidias have used this proportion. Leonardo Da Vinci called it the "divine proportion" and featured it in many of his paintings. To the left is the famous "Mona Lisa". Her face is accommodated in a rectangle of golden propotion rectangle You can further explore this by subdividing the rectangle formed by using her eyes as a horizontal divider. He did an entire exploration of the human body and the ratios of the lengths of various body parts The Parthenon was perhaps the best example of a mathematical approach to art Afrodita .Study of Human Proportions According to Vitruvious The Last Supper Le Modulor, Le Carbusier


Slide 60:Earlier people and ideas were existing in amorphous clumps... Today not only has everyone gathered into one homogeneous village; even different fields have started merging into each other!


Slide 61:Photo of the now unused hovercraft service at Navi Mumbai Incorrect abstractions and purely empirically oriented thinking may result in real economic problems


Slide 62:Why would an architects office be affected? Economics Pure sciences Technology Politics Ethics Culture Religion People Management Knowledge Management Ecology Climate Health Law Governance Because today, many different information control the final built environment holistically


Slide 63:That is why we say that we are now in the information age http://dannyman.toldme.com/category/world-tour/thailand/


Slide 64:Konkan Railway Control Office Konkan Railway Hospital The project turned half-way from an architectural project to a software project It made more economic sense to outsource health services. So project was dropped halfway Churchgate Railway Station Extension Internet reservation made reservation space obsolete. Also changes in the government affected the project Why were some projects of SFA unbuilt?


Slide 65:The old method of divide and rule is not apt anymore There is shift towards India in more ways than one Studies done in the field of complexity theory has proved that even small changes in seemingly unconnected areas can bring huge effects Today's world needs Indian philosophy. Indian thought is famous for its capability to solve problems in a holistic manner, rather than using analytical approaches Fortunately, there are now ways and means to do all this Information technology, if understood and used correctly can bring about a sea change in our approach to solving problems Moving from “analysis” to “synthesis”


Slide 66:How?


Slide 67:Learn to use the Internet effectively and setup a web server for yourself Understand how computerization need to be done and install some key pieces of essential hardware Understand how the software industry is shaping and get some key software installed Learn basic net-etiquette and interact with people all over the world Setup systems in your office based on what you learn. Hone them and revise the system continuously Magic mantra: More synthesis, more cooperation means more money A very simple set of steps ...


Slide 68:Understand how computerization need to be done non-computerized What is often attempted ... non-computerized What needs to be done The pyrimadical structure of an office should be computerized at all levels, but not ALL aspects at each level can be computerized!


Slide 69:Install some key pieces of essential hardware + Entire office must be on a LAN with wireless capability LAN should have a central data storage with no redundancy separate offline backup MUST be kept


Slide 70:Some people are VERY ANGRY with the software industry!


Slide 71:Get some key software installed (in the office) Internet Applications Operating System Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, Filezilla FTP Windows 2000 for regular use, Linux for data server in office, Linux for Internet server, NeoShell, Subversion and TortoisSVN version control, Anti-Virus, Firewall Architecture Applications TAD Designer, ProgeCAD, Blender, YAFRay, Aqsis, POVRay Office Applications Anti-Virus, Firewall Openoffice.org Powerpoint viewer, Flash viewer, SVG viewer


Slide 72:Get some key software installed (on the Internet) Internet Applications on the Internet Server Operating System You would need Apache, Perl and PHP at the bare minimum. These would be pre-installed and free There are tons of free applications that can be installed from the Internet. These are piggy-backed on Apache in order to make your website more effective, doing specialized things specifically for your office Nothing to be done. You would lease server space for around Rs 800/- upwards per month. The provider would give you the OS you want. Linux is preferred


Slide 73:Net-etiquette Emails Write short emails Give a clear warning in the beginning if email is large Do NOT send files as attachments to emails Never reply in a hurry if something offends you Discussion boards/Wikis Do not abuse others. You would be banned Do not make false claims. You would be detected Substantiate everything clearly Do not indulge in fallacious arguments Your own Site Do not make false claims Get all legal wordings right Keep updating your site Keep a blog Make your site interactive


Slide 74:Interact with the world! Ecommerce You can receive money via the Internet Give clear descriptions of services offered Understand logistic problems People are seeking maturity always PDF Software Software written in one day Sold over 300 copies Simply because it was simple, useful And polite to the end user Collaboration Huge opportunities for collaboration Understand your strengths Keep building up relationships Peer group is much wider than what was available before


Slide 75:Sabu Francis being discussed in German!


Slide 76:Magic mantra: More synthesis, more cooperation means more profits Scene from “A Beautiful Mind” http://www.haverford.edu/math/lbutler/maths-illustrated.html Dr. John Nash proved the above mathematically for which he got the Nobel Prize in economics If there are many trying to achieve profits when there is no clear definition of who will clearly win or clearly lose, then the best strategy is NOT for each person to think for himself/herself BUT it is best to discuss co-operatively and work out an acceptable strategy. Unilaterally changing strategy would never help any member of the team


Slide 77:What next?


Slide 78:The move from commercial “Cathedral” built software to the open-source software from the “Bazaar”


Slide 79:PIXAR


Slide 80:Maya


Slide 81:BLENDER www.blender.org


Slide 82:YAFRAY www.yafray.org


Slide 83:"Venice Morning" © Zsolt Stefan


Slide 87:© ZSolt


Slide 88:© Yaroslav Lebidko


Slide 89:"Sponza" © Grzegorz Rakoczy


Slide 90:POVRAY www.povray.org


Slide 91:"The Office" © Jaime Vives Piqueres


Slide 92:"The Kitchen" © Jaime Vives Piqueres


Slide 93:"Alchemists Laboratory" © Jaime Vives Piqueres (2001)


Slide 94:"Patio" © Jaime Vives Piqueres (2003)


Slide 95:"Urban Tree" © Jaime Vives Piqueres (1999)


Slide 96:"The Wet Bird" © Gilles Tran (2001)


Slide 97:"Forgotten Neighbourhood" © Hildur Kolbrun Andresdottir (2003)


Slide 98:Capriccio © Gena Obukhov, Ib Rasmussen, Jim Charter, Txemi Jendrix, Peter Hertel, Matti Karnaattu, Bob Hughes, Christoph Hormann (2003)


Slide 99:What to expect in our built environment? Information servers and receivers would be embedded everywhere Convergence would happen between the built form and information Architectural criticism would be much more accurate – and accessible even by laypeople There would be new ways of charging for architectural services


Slide 100:Thank you