Plausibility of CAAD in Conceptual Design: Challenges in Architectural Engineering for Early-Stage Digital Design Tools

• Published in: Journal of architectural engineering Vol. 27; no. 2
• Main Authors: Abdalla, Salem Buhashima, Rashid, Mamun, Ara, Dilshad Rahat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York American Society of Civil Engineers 01-06-2021
• Subjects: Architectural engineering; Conceptual design; Digital mapping; Technical Papers
• ISSN: 1076-0431; 1943-5568
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.0000457

Abstract
Although the reasons for and against the early use of digital tools in design have been intensively researched and studied for years, there has been a scarcity of substantial analysis of the challenges posed by using computer-assisted architectural design (CAAD) tools in the early design phase. By drawing on reviewed materials and cross-mapping digital software and current commercially available programs, this paper elucidates and evaluated the impact of CAAD tools in the early design process. In this research, a two-way, systematic mapping of research-based tools that support the conceptual design process and commercial CAAD methods was implemented, utilizing five criteria as illustrated in a recent study. The paper concludes with three scenarios of CAAD’s future direction, which will have an impact on conventional architectural engineering, as well as architectural practice and education.