Application and Evaluation of Double-Layer Grid Spatial Structures for the Engineering Education of Architects

AbstractUp until the Renaissance, architects had been considered master-builders. However, the complexity of modern construction required more specialization in trades and caused fragmentation of the responsibilities of individuals involved in design and construction. Nowadays, architects are mainly responsible for the issues related to aesthetics, form, and functionality. In addition, they act as integrators and collaborate with a number of professionals involved in the construction process. One important aspect of building design is its structure, which can have significant impacts on the form and functionality of the final design outcome. Therefore, architects must be aware of structural concepts, and particularly, how form and structural behavior are related to each other. This paper presents a collaborative effort by a team of engineers, computer scientists, architects, and educational experts to develop a web-based system called Structure and Form Analysis System (SAFAS) for use by undergraduate arc...