For the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, all of the planning steps were carried out in 3D on the computer, with a centrally administered data model – the ‘mother model’ – acting as the geometric standard. In this interview, Ben van Berkel discusses the computer-aided design process, architectural qualities in different mathematical models and cost-efficient construction using computer-aided design. [...more]

Digital architectural visualisations are growing ever more perfect. Renderings are becoming increasingly photo-realistic; the movements in animations give an impression of the finished building. What separates these monoscopic representations from the reality, however, is the decisive architectural instant: the spatial impression. In contrast, stereoscopic vision has been employed for years within the computer game, research, medicine and technology spheres. When the viewer can directly reach into the environment, this is generally known as Virtual Reality (VR). VR simulations, e.g. flight simulators, are used when it would be impossible to repeat a physical experiment or the health of those involved would be put at risk. Medical students operate virtually, the space mouse is replacing the scalpel. Can these findings be applied to the world of architecture? [...more]