From: rwzobel@eos.ncsu.edu (RICHARD W ZOBEL)
Subject: Re: Telecommuting Doomed?
Date: Tue, 3 Dec 1991 19:03:49 GMT
Organization: North Carolina State University



In article <6384@tamsun.tamu.edu> access@bambi.tamu.edu (James Goodlett) 
writes:

>In article <1991Nov25.212303.26038@milton.u.washington.edu> ee91ajh@brunel.
>ac.uk (Adam J Holt) writes:
>
>>Consider the architect of the future who virtually commutes to his
>>offices on a daily basis.  His office complex includes...(stuff deleted..) 
>
>        Nothing personal Adam, but architecture is so much more...
>my point is this, architecture is not about window dressing...it is not
>about creating a VISUAL description of a future built environment...though
>the profession seems to further this view in its publications...
>
(...Lots of good stuff deleted...)

I have to agree with Mr Goodlett. Virtual Environments used as a medium for
architects presents a fundamental change in the way that architecture
can be DESIGNED. The fact that the end user can experience the 
proposed environment is a small aspect of the overall picture. The
fact that windows can be moved is an absolutely miniscule point when
compared with the possible advantages it presents. (Although, as was
pointed out, the media would seem to feel otherwise.)

Since man has been designing the built environment, the process of
design has been accomplished through abstractions, (plan, section,
elevation, axons, perspectives and models), albeit abstractions often
with a greater and greater sense of reality. By integrating VR as
a Design tool rather than merely another output method, architects
stand to gain a great deal. Abstraction can now be used as a device
rather than a limiter.

>...but then again Adam, if everyone is jacked into
>a VR, will we need architects any more...?
 
A great word processor would not remove the need for great writers. I hope
the same is true for a great design environment. (And you still need
a roof over you head when you are "jacked in" ;-)

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Richard Zobel					 rwzobel@eos.ncsu.edu
NCSU School of Design
Department of Architecture