Download - Distributed Design Reviews
Distributed Design Reviews
Wassim Jabi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
New Jersey School of Architecture
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Acknowledgments
• NJIT:– Mike Kehoe, NJSOA– Vic Passaro, Media Services– Michael Smart, NJSOA (Student Presenter)
• Pennsylvania State University:– Gavin Burris (aka 86)– Dr. Loukas Kalisperis– Prof. George Otto
Background and Motivation
• Design reviews are one of the most important forms of pedagogical communication between design instructors and students (Cuff, 1993).
• Talking and Drawing are the two most fundamental components of a language of design (Schön, 1983)
• Justification for the design studio teaching strategy often relies on the aggregate studio culture created by successive shared and overlapping design conversations.
• Studio faculty occasionally travel, or support practices in two cities, taking them out of town on a weekly basis. Distributed design reviews would be a great boon.
• The ability to use the Internet to involve remote expertise at a minimum cost would significantly expand the pool of candidate reviewers.
SmartBoard + Access Grid Node
Video Signal
X,YPen/Eraser/MouseMouse Up/DownDouble-click
Access Grid Node:Video / Audio
Top Ten Problems (Tested using low bandwidth)
1. Shadows. Need rear-projection screens.
2. Netmeeting/Messenger is platform-specific. (Webex.com is promising, but not free).
3. Audio Feedback Problems. Echo Cancellation / audio testing ahead of time.
4. Voice-Over-IP Latency/Lag. Faster network.
5. Security (Firewall) prevented collaboration. Needed to establish a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN)
6. Local jurors almost never went up to the board to sketch. Used laser pointer which remote juror could not see. Need multi-user wireless cursor/annotation control device.
7. Body language/gestures not transmitted. Video/Avatar/Telepresence.
8. Bandwidth limitations (animations/video). See #4.
9. Lack of familiarity. Introduce technology ahead of time.
10. Glare (Hotspot) from projector. See #1..
Top Ten Successes
1. Effective Discussion/Reviews
2. Technology Disappeared
3. Intuitive Interface1. Student stands next to artifact2. Student interacts directly with
artifact
4. Voice and graphics synchronized
5. Non-destructive sketching a boon
6. Students did not need to prepare more for a distributed review
7. SmartBoard worked for both co-located and distributed reviews
8. Set up is portable/moveable
9. Cost-effective, saves air travel costs.
10. Time zone difference was advantageous
The Ten Commandments
1. Start Early / Plan Ahead
2. Test. Test. Test.
3. Know Thy Neighbor
4. Use Back-Channel Diplomacy
5. Adjust Expectations
6. Keep it Cozy
7. Know Thy Software
8. Encourage Symmetry
9. Use Big Pipes
10. Have a Plan B … and C (aka Graceful Degradation)