The role of computers in
architectural practice involves the degree of application of computers by
architects in discharging their duties. It
ranges from the design stage to the execution of the project and maintenance of
the building.
CAD APPLICATIONS
CAD is the acronym for
Computer Aided Design. It refers to the application of computers in designs in
general (Architectural or Otherwise). The aspect of design that computer
applications are used to achieve better result in terms of quality and speed
include the following areas:
PRESANTATIONS
Production of
presentation drawings is one of the most common applications of computers by
Architects. It is usually a sketch proposal produced to communicate a design concept
to the client or users. There are various Software in the market for this
purpose. Many of these software have the capability of 3d-presantations,
walk-through and realistic rendering of materials and textures. Example of such
software includes Autocad, Catia, CAD-S5, Form Z, Microstation, Minicad
Vectorworks, 3d Studio Max, Rhinoceros, Chief Architect, 3d Home Architect,
Ravet etc.
Presentation
media is now taking different formats that are more effective in terms of cost
and quality. Drawings are now presented on vcd, dvd and with digital projector.
Corrections and cost of printing are made easier and cheaper.
MODELLING AND
ANALYSIS
This is the
realistic expression of the Architectural design concept developed to
communicate intended design idea. It provides an avenue to visualise, analyse,
comprehend and criticise design ideas such that modification of the idea can
take place in the path towards a satisfactory design solution. Some of the
areas for analysis through cad models include:
o
CAD and Structural analysis
o
CAD and Lighting analysis
o
CAD and Acoustic analysis
o
CAD and Thermal analysis
o
CAD and Bio-climatic analysis
o
CAD and Spatial analysis
o
CAD and Design Theory (
modulor, Golden section etc)
WORKING DRAWINGS
The
construction drawings produced by the Architect to communicate the technical
details necessary for the various craftsmen and allied professionals to enable
them interpret and erect a design is also produced with CAD software. Many of
the CAD software mentioned above can also be used to produce traditional blue
prints and details. Some have hundreds of ready made details with the
possibility of editing. CAD software made it easier to develop preliminary
sketches to working drawing more than ever before.
QUANTITIES AND
ESTIMATES
Generally,
one of the common features of CAD software is the possibility for creating
materials list and readings of quantities such as distances, area, volume, and
other mass property. This makes it easier to link objects with data base and
partial automation of the production of bill of materials including costs and
other relevant information.
ANIMATION
Another CAD application that is
becoming more popular and likely to be the dominant trend is animation. This is
the simulation of the design with live activities and sounds in a movie form. It
enables the designer to simulate a whole neighbourhood for instance, including
pedestrian and vehicular traffic, sources of pollution and recently odours etc.
COMMUNICATION
Architect in
discharging his duties, he often works in team with other allied professionals,
contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, sub-contractors, Government agencies
etc. To professionally perform this duty there is need for effective means of
communication. The traditional methods of communication like mails, meetings,
telephone calls etc have all been reformed by the computer “revolution”. A
brief of such new methods are as follows:
E-MAIL
This is instant
messaging through internet where text, pictures, sounds, video clips etc are
sent to another party irrespective of his location in the world. This is
threatening the traditional mails delivery through postal services for its
noticeable relative advantages.
WEBSITE
This
refers to the file of information located on a server connected to the World
Wide Web (WWW). The WWW is a set of protocols and software that allows the
global computer network called the Internet to display multimedia documents.
Web sites may include text, photographs, illustrations, video, music, or
computer programs. They often include links to other sites in the form of
hypertext, highlighted or coloured text that the user can click on with their
mouse, instructing their computer to jump to the new site.
This
affects the activities of architect by providing a bidirectional means of
information exchange and method of exhibition of the activities of an organization.
NET MEETING/VIDEO
CONFERENCING
This a meeting
held between two or more persons over the internet. It is very much like the
conventional meetings except that in net meetings there is no need for the
participants to be in the same place, township, or continent. This is faster,
safer and cheaper way of holding meetings.
The
traditional site and other meetings that use to occupy Architect in practice are
simplified. The cost of transport, accommodation etc may not be necessary.
HYPERLINKS AND I-DROPS,
EXTERNAL REFERENCES, ETC
These are
other aspects that computers significantly simplify the practice of
Architecture. They can be used for ordering materials, making references and
descriptions, provide linkage with manufacture/supplier and allow team work
with automatic updates.
Hyperlinks: provide a simple and powerful way to quickly associate a variety of
documents (such as other drawings, bills of materials, or project schedules)
with an AutoCAD drawing. You can add hyperlinks to your drawings
that provide jumps to specific files or websites.
i-drop: is a drag-and-drop
method of inserting content from the Web into your current drawing. Using
i-drop, you can easily insert content such as drawings and catalog items into a
drawing. Specific examples of i-drop content that you can insert may include an
AutoCAD block of a chair or window or a bitmap of a linoleum sample.
External References: an
entire drawing can be attached to the current drawing as an external reference
(xref). With xrefs, changes in the referenced drawing are reflected in the
current drawing. Attached xrefs are linked to, but not actually inserted in,
another drawing. Therefore, with xrefs you can build drawings without
significantly increasing the drawing file size.
By using xrefs, you can coordinate your
work with the work of others by referencing other drawings in your drawing to
keep up with the changes being made by other users. You can also assemble a
master drawing from component drawings that may undergo changes as a project
develops.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Another prime role of an Architect is project
management. It is also affected by the computer applications. Special software
for project management programming are available. Examples of such software are
Microsoft Project, Primavera Project
planner, etc. Other areas that computer application in project management
is commonly used are as follows:
E-COMMERCE
This refers to
the practice of buying and selling electronically. It enables the project
manager or more especially the contractor to source for building materials and
services over the internet. The possibility of observing samples and placing
orders electronically are available. Payments using credit cards are becoming more
popular everyday.
MONITORING
Monitoring
project progress on site may not necessarily involve physically visiting the
site. Arrangement for digital video coverage and instant messaging of the same
can be made. The Architect or project manager can now monitor activities on
site from his office.
PROGRAMMES
AND PLANNING
As
mentioned earlier, specific software on project management are already in the
market. Such software simplifies programming and scheduling of the construction
activities on site. Provisions for alerts, reminders, daily events, materials
delivery, manpower, critical paths etc are all made within the software. Progress
can be assessed and re-evaluated regularly and with ease.
OFFICE MANAGEMENT
The way and manner by which an Architect
operates his office is equally affected by the advent of computers. The
traditional office practice involving secretariat services, book keeping and
accounts, personnel management, Archives and record keeping etc are all
affected as discussed below:
SECRETARIAT SERVICES,
BOOKKEEPING AND ACCOUNTS
This is the
most common aspect of computing that is used commonly in the society. Word
processing software with templates for different formats of correspondences and
applications are available. Documents
are easily edited and reproduced. Functions of a typist and secretary are being
fused together. Many times an Architect may perform such tasks by himself
without much difficulty. Keeping books and accounts records are affected in the
same way.
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
Generally,
computers make Architectural practice office to shrink. The traditional offices
of several staff including Architects, Draughtsmen, and Secretaries/typists are
now smaller in size. Highly efficient and effective practices with only two
Architects and one or no supporting staff are possible.
Performances
of the workers can also be monitored with the use of log files and registers
that come with many of the CAD software. Clients can be billed based on hours
spent to produce drawings.
ARCHIVES AND RECORD KEEPING
The practice of keeping volumes of large
drawing sheets will not be necessary. Large amount of data worth thousands of
sheets can be saved in a very small compact disk and other storage media. Backup
copies can easily be made and stored with the best economy of space. Retrieving
information and browsing archives is simplified with an adoption of a precise
filing system. All records can be
centralised and accessed by permitted members of staff using server-client
networks. Security and access control are at the best with the use computers.
MARKETING
The traditional method of meeting clients through
personal contacts, and other accepted norms may not be as relevant. New ways of
advertising services through web sites are becoming popular. Architectural
firms are now maintaining web sites with samples of their works, contact
address, etc. Jobs are now obtained, executed, paid without physically meeting
the client.
COMPUTER APPLICATION BY
PRACTICING ARCHITECTS IN KANO
A survey of 27
organisations cutting across both public and private sector was carried out. 135
questionnaires were distributed out of which 110 (81%) were responded (see
table 1 and chart 1).
|
S/NO
|
COMPUTER
APPLICATION
|
RESPONDENTS
(USERS )
|
% PERCENTAGE
|
S/NO
|
COMPUTER
APPLICATION
|
RESPONDENTS
(USERS )
|
% PERCENTAGE
|
|
1.
|
Presentation
Drawing
|
25
|
23
|
12
|
External
Reference
|
4
|
4
|
|
2.
|
Working Drawing
|
24
|
22
|
13
|
E-Commerce
|
1
|
1
|
|
3.
|
Modelling
|
6
|
5
|
14
|
Monitoring
|
2
|
2
|
|
4.
|
Analysis
|
-
|
0
|
15
|
Programs and
Planning
|
6
|
5
|
|
5.
|
Quantities and
Estimates
|
4
|
4
|
16
|
Secretariat
Services
|
27
|
25
|
|
6.
|
Animation
|
3
|
3
|
17
|
Bookkeeping
|
-
|
0
|
|
7.
|
E-Mail
|
26
|
24
|
18
|
Personnel
Management
|
13
|
12
|
|
8.
|
Web-site
|
1
|
1
|
19
|
Archives and
records keeping
|
11
|
10
|
|
9.
|
Video
conferencing
|
-
|
0
|
20
|
Marketing
|
1
|
1
|
|
10
|
Hyperlinks
|
1
|
1
|
21
|
Completely illiterate
|
39
|
35
|
|
11
|
I-Drops
|
-
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE 1: COMPUTER APPLICATION BY PRACTICING ARCHITECTS
IN KANO
CONCLUSION-The
Challenge to Schools of Architecture.
It can be noted from
the table above that the trend of computer application by architects in Kano Kano
The challenge to schools of
architecture is beyond graduating computer literate students, but in addition
educating the students about other important applications that are less utilised
by architects in practice. This will involve evolving and constantly updating a
curriculum that covers all areas and trend in the industry. The schools’
proprietors should be made to understand the need for equipping the schools
with the necessary facilities such as computer hardware, software, power
supply, networking, staff training and retraining etc.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READINGS
1. Decree 10 of 1969: Architects [Registration etc] Decree 1969.
2. LONGMAN Longman English Dictionary (2000)
©
Pearson Education Limited 1999
3. Snyder, Timothy
Law, (2002) COMPUTER
Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2002. ©
1993-2001 Microsoft
Corporation.
4. Ogunsote, O. O.
and Prucnal-Ogunsote B. (2003) Sourcing Building
Materials On The World Wide Web: Nigerian
Perspective.
Seminar paper, Nigerian Institute of
Architects BGM 2003.
5. Peter Szalapaj
(2001) CAD Principles for
Architectural Design
Architectural Press- Butterworth-Heinemann Linacre
House, Jordan
hill, Oxford
6. Porter, Glenn,
B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (2002) INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTION
Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2002. ©
1993-2001 Microsoft
Corporation.
7. www.nigerianinstituteofarchitects.org
(2004) Nigerian Institute of
Architects Web Site.
8. www.nigeriapropertiesonline.com (2004) Nigeria
Web Site.
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