Content area
Abstract
This research examines how design information from architectural drawings is communicated and translated into built objects. Previous studies have identified problems in this process and potential sources of difficulty. They also concentrated on improvements in the presentation of the information as a potential solution.
However, the construction industry has been reluctant to change its practices and an alternative viewpoint to drawing presentation that explores how individuals use the information is an under researched area.
The PhD looks at areas of difficulty in moving from a two-dimensional drawing to the construction of a three-dimensional object. The experimental work involves experienced and inexperienced subjects carrying out a domain free block building task based on architectural style information. Subjects describe their task activity and the verbal protocols are recorded together with a number of task related measures such as success or failure and backtracking. The research concentrates on the problem solving activities of individuals and in particular the differences between the experienced and inexperienced constructors.
Key findings are that the experienced subjects used a very structured problem solving technique based on the more effective heuristic methods to overcome the complexity of the information and the nature of the problem. The inexperienced, on the other hand, displayed a wider variety of approaches based on weaker heuristics with varying levels of success. A crucial aspect of the expert analysis is that cognitive factors dominated over the task elements whereas for inexperienced subjects both task and cognitive variables were of relatively equal significance.
These findings provide a basis for understanding expertise in the context of using information in architectural drawings and the gap between it and the inexperienced approach. This last element will facilitate further research into the acquisition of the necessary skills to successfully use design information.