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A dichotomic typology of information forms in architecture

Info(esitus)vormide dihhotoomiline klassifikatsioon

In architectural practice – and it is justified to include the industry of construction here – a broad variety of information representation forms is used. These forms are very interesting...

Practical issues that arise:

- Can new forms be invented?

- How to build an inventory of information representation forms?

- How to use different forms effectively together?

The study of information forms   It is the goal of the science of informatics to study various information presentation forms, as these are used in general as well as in specific application areas. The other goal of informatics is to help find efficient methods for working with these information presentation forms.

Informaatika ülesandeks on uurida: 1) teabe esitamise mitmesuguseid vorme, nii üldiselt kui ka erinevatel rakendusaladel; 2) teabe töötlemise, eriti teisendamise efektiivseid meetodeid.

Changing forms   Forms of information presentation constitute a continuum that is shifting. Over time, new forms will be invented, or rise into popularity while some of the old forms will fall into disuse.

Introduction of computer technologies has been the major agent for changes in information representation forms. Completely new families of information forms have emerged, among these

- multi-layered CAD drawing

- 3D architectural simulation model

- web-based database applications to handle project data, including drawings, communication a o aspects of the construction process. 

The context and the nature will change over time as well. When considering the core nomenclature of knowledge forms, then the dynamic process of form change is relatively slow. Every application field has its less or more established nomenclature of information representation forms.

Human readable/Computer readable  Inimloetavad infovormid/arvutiga loetavad infovormid

Architectural information has been traditionally consumed by human users (client, construction specialists). Today, part of the use has moved to various computer systems. For example, a drawing may function as a source document for a computer system that helps to performs some useful work in the design or construction processes (planning,  design, purchasing, even construction tasks). Therefore, information representations have to become suitable for both human viewing and computer processing. This can be accomplished by using formalized languages like XML for "internal" storage, and visual editors for human-readable format of the same data.

Hand drawn/Computer drawn  Käsitsi valmistatud infovormid/arvutiga valmistatud infovormid.

Computer drawn product is "cleaner" and of overall higher quality. ... Important are interfaces of the two modes. Can a representation that has been produced by hand, be enhanced by computer manipulation, and how? Could representations that have been produced on computer enhanced by manipulation by hand?

Preliminary/Intermediate/Final forms  Vahevormid/lõpliku esituse vormid

The final product of architectural work appears refined, exact and clean. ... in course ... many ...  Sketches ... Watercolor studies and even abstract compositions are used by some architects. These representations may appear quite distant from the polished end product. These are important though. Their contribution to the end product is complex.

Static/manipulable  Staatilised vormid/manipuleeritavad vormid

One important goal of informatics is to find structural, functional and other similarities between information representation forms that are used in different fields. For example, concept of operation diagram .. in military ... complex system that is built from ... We have seen military perspective view.

Fixedness/fluidity of notation  Fikseeritud tähistustega vormid/vaba tähistusviisiga vormid

Uniformly understandable notations are important for reliable and efficient communication between the numerous participants of the architectural/construction work process.... But fixed notation often is not the the best way to quickly convey the essence of the problem, to give an overview, to teach the problem. Therefore, two conflictual trends can be noticed. On the other hand, formal notations are developed. On the other hand, free notations will remain important.

Conceptual/implementation  Kontseptsiooni esitamise vormid/Realisatsiooni spetsifitseerivad vormid

Phycial/non-physical  Füüsilised info(esitus)vormid/graafilised info(esitus)vormid

Photographic/diagrammatic  Diagrammaatilised/fotograafilised info(esitus)vormid

Photos have become standard tools in both ends of the architectural/construction process. Photos are used to capture information about the site. Later, photos are used to document the construction process. Photos can be viewed as "rich" media. The opposition between photographic and diagrammatic ...

Type of projection  Projektsiooni tüübi järgi

Overview/details  Ülevaatevormid/detailvormid

Complexity ... the constant need to ... New forms will be made available by computer technology. Revealed step-by-step ...

– Reference/Narrative  Teatmikulised vormid/narratiivsed vormid

Architectural and construction drawings are not "stories". There are many entry points to the drawing. But narration is need to explain the essence of the project and facilitate acquisition and learning the complex information.

Textual/graphic  Tekstilised vormid/graafilised vormid

Representational/Non-representational forms  Reaalsust kujutavad vormid/reaalsust loovad vormid

Paper architecture. 3D architectural models