11th EAEA Envisioning Architecture: Design, Evaluation, Communication Conference in 2013

Track 2 | Experiential Simulation | The sensorial perception of the built environment

Perceptual simulation for urban design: its use for developing and sharing urban design guidelines

ABSTRACT

Traditionally, graphic and written guidelines are provided on conceptual representations, like plans and sections, in order to highlight specific design tips. The exploration of our research refers to the representation of guidelines on perceptual and subjective images, in particular on photography, digital models and videos. The main goal is to make designers aware of the importance of the experience perceived in space, thus giving attention to dynamic aspects, which are so relevant to the sight while we approach architectural and urban objects in space. A series of works concerning the use of analysis and guidelines on perceptual supports, implemented within our research team and together with students, are presented in this paper. The applications refer to punctual places within urban sites and to linear landscapes, such as a motorway, whereby the issue of velocity highly impacts on perception. Applications show that the use of graphic and written guidelines on perceptual images – beside traditional guidelines – enhances the attention of designers to the environment as is perceived by users, thus improving the overall quality of design. In fact, the use of perspective views becomes an effective way to drive conceptual design and verify design outcomes on visual simulations.
Hence, the combined use of traditional types of representation with photorealistic images contributes to generate a working basis, easily shareable, that can support the development of the design project and increase the understanding of its cumulate and dynamic output on the existing environment. Moreover, realistic simulations are more comprehensible by the wider public, and this helps communication, evaluation and participation.

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AUTHORS

Barbara E.A. Piga

Laboratorio di Simulazione Urbana Fausto Curti, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU), Politenico di Milano

An Architect by education, Barbara E.A. Piga is Adjunct Professor in Urban Design at the Politecnico di Milano(POLIMI) since 2011, where she is also research fellow (since 2010). She is research scientist at the Laboratorio di Simulazione Urbana 'Fausto Curti' (DAStU) since its foundation in 2007 and holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from POLIMI (2010). Her research interest is urban design and perceptual simulation. She works in particular with dynamic simulations of the urban environment as a design and evaluation tool.

Eugenio Morello

Laboratorio di Simulazione Urbana Fausto Curti, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU), Politenico di Milano

An architect by education, Eugenio Morello is Assistant Professor in Urban Design at the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) since 2010. He is also research scientist at the Laboratorio di Simulazione Urbana Fausto Curti, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU). His research interest is urban environmental quality and urban morphology. He works in particular with digital simulations and prediction models for the integration of environmental aspects and energy systems within the design of sustainable neighborhoods. He was previously a Roberto Rocca postdoctoral fellow at the Human Space Lab, POLIMI (2009) and at the SENSEable City Lab, MIT (2008). He was also adjunct professor at POLIMI since 2006, where he taught urban design. He holds a Ph.D. in environmental design and building technology from POLIMI (2006).

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