2008 Semester 1

DESN 5026

Digital Modelling (Space) – assignment 1

Lecturer: Ingrid Wang

Room: Orange Lab

Introduction:

ArchiCAD is a computer programme that provides designers the space and potential to be

creative in a virtual world. Plans, elevations, perspectives and renderings are narrative which not

only contain the basic information of dimensions or scales but also the designer’s feeling and

understanding of the space. This process is the only way for designers to communicate the

concepts in their minds with others. Assignment one requires you to use ArchiCAD in a creative

way in order to articulate your concept for the design studio project.

Architectural documentation is important for designers to communicate their ideas to clients,

builders, retailers and manufacturers. This assignment requires you to produce a drawing

package to support your design studio project. From assignment one you will not only learn the

basic use and applications of ArchiCAD, but also explore other visualization skills such as
freehand sketching and digital colouring/rendering which are suitable for your needs for the

design studio project.

During each class session, you will have the opportunity to consult with your lecturers and

exchange ideas with your classmates. You will need to bring your design studio project workbook

and concept sketches to each class in order to discuss your plan for the digital modelling and

visualization with your lecturer. The process drawings will be used as supporting material for your

pin-up presentation for the design studio project.

Schedule:

Friday 9:30am – 12:30am

Week 2 – 7th March

Introduce assignment one

Class tutorial - small space modelling exercise

Week 3 – 14th March

Set up files for design studio project

Class tutorial - Start modelling (the original plan)

Print out a basic plan for design studio concept development

You will need to finish the basic digital model by 28th March.

Week 4 – 21stMarch

Easter Break

Week 5 – 28th March

Model development – start to put your design concept into the model

Class tutorial – lighting and rendering with freehand sketching and Photoshop
You will need to print out your plans and sections and to do some freehand sketching onto them

with the lighting and finishes concepts.

Week 6 – 4th April

Model and drawing development – 3D views

Individual tutorial and questioning

Week 7 – 11th April

Final questioning

Print out and organize drawings

Week 8 –

Presentation with Design Studio Project

Hand-in:

Week 8 (18th April) Friday at 11:00am

Hand-in requirements:

• 1:100 FF-E (Furniture, Fixture and Equipment Plan) with dimensions and annotations

• Rendered Plan with lighting and finishes concepts

• 1:50 Elevations (at least two main interior elevations)

• 3D views (digital model and freehand rendered lighting and finishes impressions)

• A3 Folder binding (large scaled drawings need to be folded)

• The drawing package requires a cover with the project name, project information, general

notes, student name, student ID, date

• A CD/DVD with all digital files (including the PowerPoint presentation if you have one).
Learning Outcomes:

• To be able to use ArchiCAD to produce plans, interior elevations and sections related to

Design Studio

• To understand the basic principles of interior drafting within ArchiCAD

• To be able to use digital technologies creatively with other media

• To produce perspective drawings supporting a design studio project

• To be able to visualize design concepts through a range of digital technologies

Assessments:

You will be assessed on the following criteria.

Technical:

- The accuracy of the basic model: 15%

- The quality of the drawing package: 15%

- The creative method of using digital technology with other media: 15%

Working process:

- Includes class discussion and process printouts: 5%

Total Weight: 50%

Resources: 

Geoffrey, L.M. (2002). ArchiCAD for AutoCAD users. Budapest: Graphisoft R&D Rt.

Kalay, Y. (Ed.). (2004). Architecture's new media: principles, theories and methods of computer-
aided design. New York: MIT Press.
Martens, B., & Peter, H. (2004). ArchiCAD. London: Springer.
McGrath, B. (2007). Cinemetrics: architectural drawing today: Wiley-Academy.

Nicholson-Cole, D. (2000). Object making with ArchiCAD; GDL for beginners. Budapest:

Graphisoft R&D Rt.

http://www.cgarchitect.com/ Architectural visualization Blog

http://www.graphisoft.com/ Official ArchiCAD website

http://www.caddigest.com/subjects/archicad/tutorials.htm ArchiCAD tutorials

http://www.archicadtutorials.com.au/ Tutorials for sell

http://directory.designertoday.com/CAD/ArchiCad.aspx ArchiCAD tutorials

www.eduregistration.graphisoft.com Educational version free for students