17. A Computer Scientist’s Dream System for Designing Houses—Mind to Machine

UNC GRIP Molecular Graphics System user consoleJames Lipscomb

image

Pyramids, cathedrals, and rockets exist not because of geometry, theory of structures, or thermodynamics, but because they were first pictures—literally visions—in the minds of those who conceived them.

EUGENE FERGUSON [1992], ENGINEERINGAND THE MIND’S EYE

The Challenge

Suppose one could imagine into existence an ideal computer system for the architectural design of houses and other buildings. What would it be like?

A Vision

A professional architect is obviously better equipped than I to envision an entire ...

Get The Design of Design: Essays from a Computer Scientist now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.