Celso Carnos Scaletsky

The Kaléidoscope System to Organize Architectural Design References

The presentation of a new computer-based tool to assist architectural conception demands reflection on the process of creation itself. There is an articulation between typical conceptual procedures and computerized means. We chose one of these procedures: the utilization of external references (not necessarily architectural) to stimulate new design ideas. This is the basis for the experimental computational model “kaléidoscope”, which is characterized as an open reference system for architectural design. There are two essential qualities for such a system: 1) The system should permit an individual interpretation and construction of the referential knowledge, considering that 2) references may proceed from fields other than architecture. The computational model begins with a reference, formed by the association of an image to concepts and / or texts. The concepts are graphically represented and organized in thematic thesauri. The “kaléidoscope” system includes several search and navigation modes, allowing access to references as a means to rouse new design ideas.

The use of intuition during scenario building activities in design projects

Abstract This paper presents the results of a master ́s thesis that aimed to provide a better understanding of the use of intuition during scenario building activities. The research assumes that design projects can be considered a process of knowledge creation. A special kind of knowledge refers to scenario building activities, which can be characterized as a space for strategic conversations. Protocols have been conducted to analyze collected data during scenario building activities. After the collection process, data was analyzed through linkographics, in which the use of intuition was identified in design moves. The results show that the use of the intuition in scenario building relates to the ability of the designers to transform their procedures in immediate and experimental ways, emerging through associative and holistic connections. Intuition, therefore, is perceived as a project resource, a source of information used in approaching the unknown.