The project creates a state-of-the-art electronic architectural design studio that utilizes advanced microcomputer simulation and visualization technology as the primary medium of building design exploration. This is distinguished by its conceptual design emphasis from the more conventional electronic drafting traditionally associated with computer-aided drafting. The capability of such a design-station studio permits the construction of realistic (opaque. shaded. colored) three- dimensional model images of student building or urban designs superimposed over video-capture image sequences of the existing, real building site, permitting realistic animated simulations of the proposed design. In addition, the project modifies the department's Junior Scholars summer program for high school students. The equipment includes thirteen networked high-end Macintosh microcomputer design-stations with color graphic input and output peripheral devices and appropriate software to provide 3D visualization and video-capture simulation capability.
