The DesignMind Toolkit
A toolkit for evidence-based, cognitively-informed and human-centred architectural design
METADATA ONLY
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2023-09
Publication Type
Conference Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
METADATA ONLY
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Integrating empirical evidence into architectural design has the potential to create more humane, legible, and inclusive spaces. Yet, the fast-paced nature of the design process, limited proficiency in scientific terminology, and a natural reliance on design intuition limit architects' ability to effectively apply empirical findings to inform their design decisions. To address this gap, this paper presents DesignMind, a toolkit for evidence-based, cognitively-informed, and human-centred architectural design. DesignMind has four complementary modules: (1) evidence-based design flashcards, (2) topological and geometric analysis, (3) agent-based simulation, and (4) cognitive walkthrough in virtual reality. The effectiveness of DesignMind was evaluated in an academic context where architecture and STEM students used it to analyse and design healthcare and workplace layouts. Initial results show that DesignMind is effective in integrating evidence-based design into the architectural design process and providing students with tools to test their designs for human-centred design criteria such as wayfinding, social communication potential and nursing efficiency. These preliminary results underscore the challenges and opportunities of DesignMind to fuel parallel efforts in evidence-based design, calling for a critical discussion around the notion of evidence in architecture and its interplay with design intuition.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
Book title
Digital Design Reconsidered - Proceedings of the 41st Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2023)
Journal / series
Volume
1
Pages / Article No.
51 - 60
Publisher
Graz University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture
Event
41st Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2023)
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Evidence-based Design; Design education; Human-Centred Architecture; Design toolkit; Design cognition
Organisational unit
03987 - Hölscher, Christoph / Hölscher, Christoph