New Media, Continuing Debate Presented By: By: By: Web Address: http/ Topic Number: Topic Number: Date: 18 October 2000

Bauhaus School The Bauhaus was the site of a debate over the relative influence of art and technology in design. The Bauhaus debate are found in discussion about the impact of technology on art. Bauhaus The Weimar Bauhaus was founded by Walter Gropius in then relocated in 1925 to Dessau and closed in 1933 Walter Gropius Walter Gropius

Bauhaus School Then the new Bauhaus program in Weimar was established in 1995 when the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering was renamed as the Bauhaus University, Weimar Weimar

Reasons of establishing Bauhaus School Debate over the relative influence of art and technology in design. The theme was the promise and reality of computing for the design and planning processes. Students at the Bauhaus University apply architectural spatial concepts in the design of "digital space."

Reasons of establishing Bauhaus School Discussion about the impact of technology on art. Discuss the ramifications of computing on architectural design and education. An interpretation of a pattern from Christopher Alexander's "Pattern Language."

The goal of the Bauhaus University Complement an education in engineering science with teaching in art—not just art or technology, but the unity of art and technology Computer media and technology play a vital role to make "digital convergence" between the process of digitization and the imprint it leaves on the culture and disciplines it encompasses.

The Weimar Bauhaus program The Weimar Bauhaus program embraces both classical/physical and virtual/digital architects. The Weimar program considers the potential of an architectural education beyond traditional practice. The virtual reality laboratory in the departmen t of Computer Science in Architectur e (InfAR), Bauhaus University

The Weimar Bauhaus program Professor Dirk Donath, of CAAD (Computer Aided Architectural Design), describes "building" in the Weimar program as including both physical architecture and virtual architecture. Physical architecture includes the theory, design, and construction of the built environment. From the Pattern Language design studio

The Weimar Bauhaus program Virtual architecture includes interaction environments, visualized networks, or communication structures. There may be many design languages that are suitable for building virtual worlds. Interpretation of a Diener & Diener Building, from the Virtual Reality-Aided Design studio.

Example In this regard, the point of view that an architect brings to the design of computer programs is instrumental in the development of the field of design computing. The concepts of spatial design, sequence, and organization so important to an architect are also essential to the design of virtual architecture. Visualization of the Weimar Goethe Parc, using InfAR's Virtual Environment software.

Important question The work in virtual architecture at Weimar, raises many important issues about the reality of computing for the practicing architect. Put, is it possible to be proficient in both computing and design? This depends on whether the primary final design product is the "software" or a "physical" building. So far, the demands of becoming proficient in either the design of software or the design of buildings indicate that it is extremely rare to be adept at both.

Approaches to design computing in architecture There are three distinct approaches to design computing in architecture. The first focuses on the use of existing software and examines the impact of computing vs. traditional media on architectural design. Model of a virtual living area.

Approaches to design computing in architecture The second focuses on the development of software which aid the design of architecture. The third approach, an architectural education is the underpinning for the design of computer programs that may have nothing to do with the physical world of buildings. This arena opens up new opportunities for applying knowledge about physical architecture to the realm of virtual architecture

The result The Bauhaus University limits the possibilities for new development and the potential of design computing as a field of inquiry. The potential of the Weimar Bauhaus is that it presents an opportunity to examine this intertwined issue of technology and design. Only time will tell whether the promise becomes reality.