Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Week 6 Task

Intent is “something that is intended; an aim or purpose.” [1] In an architectural context, intent can refer to a multitude of things. For example, the design intent of an architect is depicted in their drawings, ideas and writings. Drawings capture the intentions of an architect well because they become more than just “tools of instruction”. Architectural historian, Alberto Pérez-Gómez, writes, "In a manner of speaking... the drawing is the architecture, a priviledged [sic] vehicle for expressing architectural intentions: intentions that are poetic in a profound traditional sense, as poesis, as symbol making."[2] This is supported by german philosopher, Walter Benjamin who “sees the drawing as more than just tools of instruction, but as a space for imagined experience.”[3] These two aforementioned statements acknowledge that drawings not only intend to show the specifications and form of the building but also the reasoning and meaning behind their creation. It is through the drawing where one language can be translated to another; hence, ensuring the idea of the building is kept uniform through communication. The intent of the architect can be communicated effectively and clearly due to the universal language expressed in his/her drawings.

However, the intent behind drawings is better understood to those within the discipline of architecture because they have been taught the language. But what about those outside of architecture? With little or no knowledge of architectural drawings, the intent of the architect is difficult to discover for these people. Personal writings to explain the architects design in the drawings may be effective in helping to communicating the intent but the true intent may never be realised by these people because of their variant background of knowledge. Therefore, drawings, ideas and writings are definitely effective mediums for communicating the intent of the architect but it will always be interpreted differently by others.

To intend something in terms of communication is to persuade and induce a point. An individual has an idea and/or information which they aim to communicate to an audience. For example, as architecture students, we perform presentations for our design projects to other students and tutors; hence, we display intent to inform the audience with information about our projects. Presentation of intent runs parallel to its interpretation. It is presented differently as it is perceived. Ones perception on the intent of another is always going to be different and unique. The way in which intent is communicated affects how others interpret it. Body language plays a major role in the way intent is communicated. This non-verbal communication can be divided into three main categories. These include; haptic, kinesic and proxemic communication.

Haptic communication is communicating by touch.[4] It is often an intimate way of communicating domination or friendship and can be used in numerous contexts. Touch can be used to gain attention. A simple pat on the back of your friend will draw their attention to you to begin conversation. In a professional context, a handshake between architect and client signifies a greeting and intent for discussion. On the other hand, touch can also be used aggressively as a form of punishment. The way in which we communicate through touch is varies with purpose and setting.

Kinesic communication is communicating through body movement and is the most common form of non-verbal communication. It can be divided into three main elements. The first being body posture which refers to how one holds their body. If a person is performing a presentation to the class, there intent should be focus the attention of the audience onto them. Therefore, he/she should have a more open body posture to attract attention and induce domination over the audience as opposed to a closed body posture causing him/her to appear insignificant. Secondly, gestures are another form of kinesic communication which refers to the movement of the body and arms. A specific type of gesture called, “emblems” are actions that substitute for words. For example, using your middle and index finger to create a “V” shape indicates “peace”. Lastly, facial signals are another powerful form of kinesic communication. When communicating with others, the main focus is placed on the faces of those who speak and listen. Maintaining eye contact is a sign of reverence to the speaker and is important in focusing attention. Therefore, how we control and present our body communicates our intent and has an adverse affect on how it is interpreted by others.

Proxemic communication is communicating based on the positioning between bodies. Where we communicate with others ultimately affects how intent is understood. For example, a formal presentation of a design project to the class and lectures is more suited in a classroom or lecture room as opposed to a bar or restaurant. The subject and privacy of information being transmitted determines the appropriate setting for its communication. There are multitudes of ways in which body language can be expressed and interpreted. It is always important to understand the context behind the information being communicated to ensure the effectiveness of its delivery.


References
1. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/intent Accessed: April 28, 2008.
2. http://www.activesocialplastic.com/2007/08/architectural_drawing_as_steal.html Accessed: April 28, 2008.
3. http://www.activesocialplastic.com/2007/08/architectural_drawing_as_steal.html Accessed: April 28, 2008.
4. http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/body_language/haptic_touch.htm Accessed: April 29, 2008.
http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/body_language/proxemics.htm Accessed: April 29, 2008.
http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/body_language/kinesic.htm Accessed: April 29, 2008.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Week 5 Task

Knowledge is the acquisition of skill or expertise through education and/or experience. It is “part of the hierarchy made up of data, information and knowledge”[1]. Data can be defined as a fact without context. Once data is given a context and perspective it is classified as information. Adding context to data means creating relationships between data, thus, creating information. Knowledge gives understanding to this information. “To have "knowledge" requires information in conjunction with patterns between data, information, and other knowledge, couples it with understanding and cognition.”[2] Application of this knowledge is known as wisdom.

An example of this hierarchy can be found in architectural collaboration. Autodesk offers a range of BIM and design programs. This can be classified as data or a raw fact. Without additional details, little can be concluded from just that piece of data because it lacks context and perspective. “Autodesk offers a range of BIM and design programs for use in Architecture, Engineering and Construction. The programs allow for the composition of detailed architectural drawings and models that can be communicated effectively between all respected disciplines.” This statement can be classified as information because the data has been given a context and perspective. It is apparent there is a relationship between the Autodesk programs but this information is meaningless without further practical understanding. Theoretically, by learning how to use these programs, knowledge is acquired through education and experience. Finally, applying knowledge and expertise in the use of these programs exemplifies wisdom. In this example, wisdom can be seen through the use of acquired knowledge in the use of these programs in conjunction with other disciplines to fabricate an array of architectural drawings and models for a project.

The transfer of knowledge can be divided into three fields. This is illustrated in the diagram below.

Through the acquisition of knowledge through education and experience can individuals progress to specialising in a certain discipline where collaboration between others can create new knowledge to be recycled from generation to generation.

References
1. http://www.infodiv.unimelb.edu.au/knowledgebase/itservices/a-z/k.html Accessed: April 20, 2008.
2. http://www.tdan.com/view-articles/5108/
Accessed: April 21, 2008.
Image: http://networkedlearning.ncsl.org.uk/knowledge-base/tools-and-resources/three-fields-of-knowledge-diagram.pdf Accessed: April 22, 2008.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Hierarchy Video

I've just completed the Hierarchy Video for our group presentation/wiki. Thank you to everyone for taking part in it hehe. The video is currently embedded on a page on http://arch1392groupb.wetpaint.com/ under the link called "Hierarchy Video". It goes for about 3 minutes and 57 seconds. If theres any problems with it please tell me as soon as possible so I can edit it before tomorrow. Thanks once again everyone. You're all awesome!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Week 4 Task

The term of hierarchy can be defined as an “ascending or descending series of elements ranked according to their importance or value”[1]. It is critical that hierarchy is implemented in collaboration. It provides structure and clarity to a group, ultimately, resulting in a more effective collaborative process. Each person understands their role and status within the group and the level of responsibility and expectation attached accordingly.

In the context of this subject, hierarchy can be applied to two main areas. Those two areas include the fabrication task and our group. By placing a hierarchal structure on the fabrication task, we as a group can better create our own hierarchy for ourselves. The process of structuring hierarchy can be divided into four simple steps; decomposition, weighing, evaluation and selection[2]. There is collaboration within and between groups because there is a common goal or objective which they are all working towards. As a group we are working together to fabricate an interactive 3D model of an unbuilt architecture project. That is our mission. It is the problem we are trying to solve.

The first step in developing hierarchy is decomposition which involves structuring the main task/brief/problem into realistically achievable sub-tasks. In the early stages of collaboration, the task has no structure. No plan has been composed to progress towards solving the problem or completing the task. The first step of decomposition splits the primary task into a sub-hierarchy of smaller manageable tasks from which goals can be set and criteria can be assigned. Some examples of sub-tasks that can be decomposed from the fabrication assignment in our group include learning how to use the UT3 software, discovering ways of implementing interactivity in our building as well as accurately modeling it. The importance of these sub-tasks is determined in the second step of structuring hierarchy which is weighing.

In this step, the smaller tasks that have been decomposed from the main task are each given a level of criteria or importance. The magnitude of criteria runs parallel to its importance, hence, each problem becomes prioritized and given a rank. In our group, the UT3 software is new to us all. It is a sub-task or sub-problem which we need to address. We need to be competent in using the program in order to produce a quality final UT3 model. Therefore, there is a high level of criteria and importance attached to this sub-task/sub-problem. There needs to be a greater amount of time and work invested in it by the group compared to other smaller sub-tasks. It is in the third step of evaluation that understanding where each part fits best in the hierarchy of the task.

Comparing all sub-tasks or problems and grouping common elements together helps to simplify the overall process and further clarify the main task/problem. The final step of selection involves using the information evaluated from the third step and producing the best possible hierarchal explanation of the tasks and sub-tasks fore coming for the group to understand in order to more efficiently complete the main task. Once all steps in structuring the hierarchy of the main task have been completed, groups in collaboration have a greater understanding of the problem and sub-problems that are entailed in their task. Having greater clarity of what is ahead allows for groups to collaborate and determine the best course of action to finishing the task. Hierarchy amongst the group can be composed more accurately because the main task has in itself been structured in a hierarchy. Therefore, from understanding the hierarchy of problems or tasks spawned from the main problem, a group can better organize the hierarchy amongst themselves and allocate tasks more critically to achieve the brief more efficiently.

References
1. http://1759.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca/documents/glossary_en.html Accessed: April 10, 2008
2. http://www.rfp-templates.com/Analytical-Hierarchy-Process-(AHP).html Accessed: April 10, 2008



Thursday, April 10, 2008

Progress on Hierarchy

I've spent my night tonight working on my Hierarchy 350 word blog entry. It's about 50% done but I am confident in what I am writing and I am not too stressed about it. I am starting to understand more about the word and where hierarchy is used so it's quite fun in a weird sorta way lol. I should have the complete blog entry posted on my blog by tomorrow night. I'll do my best. Additionally, I am going to start looking into software and ideas for the video presentation for our group. Hope everyones doing well. Take care. Blog ya later! =)

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Google document - Hierarchy

Had a bit of trouble getting access to the groups google document for our hierarchy information but all is well now ^^ Thanks Azize.

I posted about four sources of information on hierarchy in addition to some notes and comments about the topic that I hope is useful for everyone. Looking forward to todays presentation on discipline by groups A and 1. It would be really helpful as a guide to our own presentation on hierarchy due next week >< At the moment I am thinking we all just say speeches and have a video? I am fairly confident in video editing so if we do decide to make one I'll help out as much as I can. Haha but anyways I am not really sure how we'll present. After today it might be a lot clearer and we'll all discuss it and decide. Cya all later. Me sleepy sleepy.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Week 3 Task

*will add more information later.*

The idea of discipline in architectural collaboration is fundamental to the success of any project or task. It can be understood in a number of contexts. Discipline can be understood as “behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control” or “punishment inflicted by way of correction and training”. It is most definitely important to be disciplined as an individual or group but in terms of architectural collaboration, the term of discipline can best be understood as the allocation of tasks to different and specific groups that specialise in a particular profession, ultimately, contributing their expertise towards achieving a common objective. Discipline in architectural collaboration combines the skills and expertise from a variety of professions and industries to enrich the quality and efficiency of the processes involved in completing a building project. Each discipline has an interdependent relationship with one another. One cannot work without the other. All disciplines involved in a project must complement each other for collaboration to be efficient.

As an example of discipline in architectural collaboration, a brief is given to an architect from whom the design of a building design/project begins. The architects design intent is translated into their own conceptual and architectural drawings as well as physical or digital models. The creation of digital models, multimedia presentations and web pages to document the design project helps to enhance the level of information and detail about a project. They are valuable tools in the communication process and require a high-level of quality to be effective. In order to achieve this level of quality, the employment of individuals specializing in multimedia, web and graphic design, building information modelling and management as well as visualisation and animation ensures this and the information produced across a digital medium becomes richer and instrumental. Such professionals specialize in their area of expertise and contribute their part to the entire project. Additionally, individuals from other disciplines such as landscape architects, urban planners, interior architects or designers and engineers would have their own area of the project to work on. The employment of these disciplines improves the quality of work produced as well as elevating the overall productivity and efficiency level in collaboration. Therefore, the idea of discipline is a critical element of collaboration as the strengths of people from different professions and/or industries can be combined to benefit each other and ultimately produce a high-level quality of work.

References
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/discipline Accessed: April 6, 2008.
http://www.fbe.unsw.edu.au/futurestudents/undergrad/barchcomp/career/ Accessed:
April 6, 2008.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Week 2 Task

From the six topics for this week’s task, I chose to do “Shared Repositories”. There is a multitude of instruments that can be found on the internet that can be classified as a shared repository. A shared repository is archive for storing files that can be accessed by a public and private audience. They are powerful tools in terms of collaboration but having such power requires a high level of responsibility. Examples of shared repositories include video-file sharing websites, image hosting websites and file sharing websites.

A video-file sharing website allows users to upload video files to the website for others to view, download, rate and even comment on. Some of the most popular video-file sharing websites on the internet today include youtube, metacafe and Google video.

These websites have a mass target market as the public are able to upload a range of videos. This type of shared repository is advantageous for numerous commercial, marketing and social reasons. Companies can advertise their products online to a global market more effectively as such websites give very high exposure to the public. These shared repositories are open to the public giving equal opportunity for anyone to upload whatever video content they choose. However, there are definite limitations and ethics associated with uploading certain video content. By law, video content that is identified as inappropriate, offensive, in breach of copyright laws and patents cannot be uploaded. This is testimony to my aforementioned statement that having such power and flexibility requires great responsibility. In terms of collaboration, communication between people living in different countries who are working on a specific project is made so much easier. Video tutorials and lectures can be posted for another person or party to view, thus, the transfer of information becomes more efficient and clearer compared to a more text-based tutorial sent via an e-mail.

An image-file sharing website allows users to upload and save image files to a secured album or folder. Examples of this type of shared repository include, imageshack and photobucket and flickr.

These types of sites are definitely beneficial for collaborative reasons because they allow the public to store and save images to an archive for a public and/or private audience to view. Users can create albums and slideshows of images as well as create groups with other users and share photos pertaining to a particular subject. The sites can also be used as a host for displaying images. For example, in this blog, when you want to display an image in your post, it asks you to either upload a picture from your hard drive to display an image or enter a website URL hosting the image, hence, the image is sourced from the shared repository. Additionally, photographs of a site, scanned information from books/journals and conceptual drawings can be uploaded to such websites for others to access with ease. Similarly to video-sharing websites, there are terms and conditions users must abide by in terms of the content users upload. Users have a more interactive experience with video-file sharing websites compared to image-file sharing because users can comment on, rate and control the play of the video as compared to a still image.

File sharing websites allow users to upload any type of file to an archive for others to download. Such popular websites include rapidshare and megaupload.

According to your subscription, the size of the file you upload becomes limited as well as the amount of download you are allowed from that particular site in one day or session. Identifying and regulating the content being uploaded and downloaded is considerably harder compared to a video and image file sharing website where the content is easily visible. Files uploaded to these sites are simply given a filename. If users wish to download an uploaded file on the archive, the user requires a unique URL address which allows the user to directly download that file to their hard drive. Storage of files on the archive can only be identified by their filename making it difficult to identify the true content of the file whether it be legal, illegal or contain viruses or spyware. For example, a user could upload a file named “Sydney Opera House Video Tour” when in fact it is really a video file of an unreleased American hip hop dancing movie. The user has obviously downloaded the wrong content and such sites allow users to report inappropriate and illegal content resulting in the file being removed from the archive. These sites may be beneficial to the collaborative process because they allow the upload and download of very large files. For example, the UT3 video tutorials would be too large and time consuming to individually upload to a video-file sharing website for others to view compared to simply saving all video tutorials to one zip file and uploading it to a file-sharing website where it can be easily downloaded.

Additionally, sites like filefront and fileplanet are more specified in the type of files they archive.

These sites are targeted at an online gaming audience who require certain files to enhance or update their games. Gamers have already installed a game on their computer but having access to these file sharing sites will help to prolong, enhance and update the experience of gaming.

Google 3D Warehouse and Turbosquid store files specifically for use in 3D models which help users to create and support their own 3d models. Similarly, architects, game designers and students have access to various 3d modeling programs such as 3ds Max and Maya but having online file-sharing websites to complement and augment these programs amplifies the quality of the programs and the 3D model/project produced.

Each type of shared repository has its advantages and disadvantages. Video-file sharing websites are the most effective when a user wishes to instill a stronger visual impact and communicate greater detail and information through a more interactive medium. Rather than reading a story book or information about a building project, watching the video delivers a stronger sense of the idea and atmosphere and ultimately, enhances the level of information being transferred or collaborated. Image-file sharing websites also have the same impact but with less interactivity. A large number of images can complement each other and provide clarity to a project but watching a 3D model walkthrough takes it to the next level. Additionally, if a group has a multitude of file types such as video/audio/image/text/3D models/CAD drawings that they wish to safely store or send all at once, using a file sharing website like megaupload or rapidshare would be most efficient. This is because storing all these files on separate file sharing websites makes the retrieval of information more time consuming. As aforementioned, there are terms and conditions and/or limitations to what can be uploaded or shared. Those who abuse these rules and regulations expose the disadvantages of having such websites. Therefore, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to having shared repositories. In terms of collaboration, they are vital instruments in the transmission of information efficiently and effectively.

Quotes:

"Remember, with great power. comes great responsibility."
Said by Uncle Ben in Spiderman the movie.

"A longstanding economic question is the appropriate level of protection for intellectual property. The Internet has drastically lowered the cost of copying information goods and provides a natural crucible to assess the implications of reduced protection."

By Felix Oberholzer and/or Koleman Strumpf. The Effect of File Sharing on Record Sales An Empirical Analysis*. March 2004 URL: "http://www.unc.edu/~cigar/papers/FileSharing_March2004.pdf"

References:

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=100934&page_number=1&table_number=1 Accessed: March 30, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_hosting_service Accessed: March 30, 2008
http://rapidshare.com/faq.html Accessed: March 30, 2008
http://www.flickr.com/tour/share/ Accessed: March 30, 2008

Images taken from youtube, flickr, rapidshare and fileplanet.