Re: CBSArch - Open review and assessment improves Design outcome

[Sabu Francis]

Hi:

I am interested in this thread. The best model, I believe, for an open review system is the Open Source Movement in computer software. Some simple definitions are: http://floss.meraka.org.za/postnukeII/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=163 

 

Fore details refer  http://www.fsf.org  Also http://www.opensource.org/ 

 

An important document that discusses the advantage of open source over closed source (or proprietory) system is http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/   (by Eric Raymond) According to him, a bazaar like atmosphere where everything is kept open and "discussable" will give a better deal for everyone; is better than the hushed atmosphere of a cathedral (= a proprietory firm that guards its secrets).

 

In my small way I've been attempting to promote an open source movement in architecture since 1990. I believe one way to do it is to get to represent architecture in a very objective manner, so that the assessment can be done. I was fortunate to discover some mathematical principles because of which I could write a software for the early stage of design in architecture, called TAD Designer Lite. It is a BIM (Building Information Modeler) as per current terminologies. The difference with other BIM like Revit etc. and my software is that my software can easily handle the hazy initial stages of design also.  TAD has a built in programming language called ARDELA ( Architectural Design Language) which is a variant of Prolog. Using ARDELA, it is possible to write routines to do various assessment as the design is developed.

 

I have successfully carried out energy analysis using my software with Bombay IIT (Dr. J.K.Nayak) The interface work was done using ARDELA. The paper for the research done by us is available at Amazon and TERI if someone is interested.

 

TAD is available for all architects free of cost. It can be downloaded from my website http://www.sabufrancis.com/downloads

 

And I've started an "open source movement" that hopefully would address the issues pointed by Hara Narayan. The website at http://www.teamtad.com is being built to handle it.

 

Regards

 

Sabu Francis