Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Response: Computing in Architectural Design

Architecture has been present for thousands of years; ever since man needed shelter, he thus needed architecture. Up until fairly recently, the built environment was done my hand: hand drafted, hand rendered, etc. Within the past 50 years, however, advancements in technology have turned design predominantly into a computer-based profession. As the computers evolved, so did the means for digital architecture.

Once the computers were equipped to run software such as CAD, the professional world slowly made the switch from hand to digital. Computers could do things man never could such find and fix errors. Via computer networking, people could also share their work with others, making the process a collaborative effort. This article also notes that the need for computers in professions such as the design world further added to the intelligence of civilization. It was the demand for accessible computers in the design world that brought them to the common man as well. From then on out, humanity would never be the same. The future relies on computers and the latest technology to provide new and innovative opportunities. Architecture is now defined by technology; it is design taken to a whole new level.