Digital Techniques for Urban Designers 1

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours

Knowledge of Rhino and 3ds Max desirable

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject offers a conceptual overview and hands-on introduction to research and applications in digital technologies in spatial design. The course will involve modelling and interacting with complex urban sites focusing on modelling difficult terrains, both existing conditions and topographical manipulation. Students will investigate biomorphic/organic form-making and representation techniques utilising procedural modelling using 3ds Max as well as plug-in and script use. Through investigating rapidly emerging digital modelling technologies, students will learn time-saving modelling, how to manage complex files, and how to move information between ranges of software. The subject will be supported by a number of industry leaders specialising in contemporary professional applications of digital techniques, enabling the subject to approach design and analysis at the urban scale from differing perspectives. This can include: pedestrian planning; lighting, acoustics and fire engineering; design and analysis of low-energy buildings; 3D real-time representation of data; relation of commercial software and structural analysis; parametric design; and provision of flexible GIS-based solutions via interactive mobile applications.

On completion of the subject students should have developed:

• knowledge of the impact of digital technology on theoretical issues in spatial design;
• critical awareness of the relationship between representation and spatial design with an emphasis on digital design environments;
• skills in the use of computational design and digital technologies.

Workshop One (agent-based people simulation) - 20%
Workshop Two (urban wind and lighting) - 20%
Workshop Three (city modelling, 3D realtime) - 20%
Workshop Four (urban design and data represenation) - 20%
Workshop Five (parametric design) - 20%

Available on Digital Cities website

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Information gathering and critical synthesis
• Comprehension of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in design work
• Methods of documentation and presentation.