Interactive design exploration for constrained meshes

In architectural design, surface shapes are commonly subject to geometric constraints imposed by material, fabrication or assembly. Rationalization algorithms can convert a freeform design into a form feasible for production, but often require design modifications that might not comply with the design intent. In addition, they only offer limited support for exploring alternative feasible shapes, due to the high complexity of the optimization algorithm.We address these shortcomings and present a computational framework for interactive shape exploration of discrete geometric structures in the context of freeform architectural design. Our method is formulated as a mesh optimization subject to shape constraints. Our formulation can enforce soft constraints and hard constraints at the same time, and handles equality constraints and inequality constraints in a unified way. We propose a novel numerical solver that splits the optimization into a sequence of simple subproblems that can be solved efficiently and accurately.Based on this algorithm, we develop a system that allows the user to explore designs satisfying geometric constraints. Our system offers full control over the exploration process, by providing direct access to the specification of the design space. At the same time, the complexity of the underlying optimization is hidden from the user, who communicates with the system through intuitive interfaces.     

Where is the psychology going? Structural fault lines revealed by psychologists' use of Kuhn.

Psychologists' appropriation of language and ideas from Thomas Kuhn's (1962, 1970b) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions reveals deep and contradictory concerns about truth, science, and the progress of the field. The author argues that psychologists, uncomfortably straddling natural and social science traditions, reference Structure for 2 reasons largely overlooked: first, because it presents an intermediate, naturalistic position in the war between relativist and rationalist views of scientific truth, and second, because it presents a psychologized model of scientific change. The author suggests that the history of this mutual influence--psychologists being influenced by Kuhn and vice versa--may usefuly inform current practices of psychological science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

商业创新模式下的建筑设计服务

购物中心作为一种现代的零售商业模式,从上世纪90年代进入中国后,已为一般民众厂为接受。文章首先简要地介绍了美国购物中心的开发历史和类型,尤其是近年来出现的生活方式中心的特点和发展趋势。对于购物中心在中国的开发、规划设计中经常遇到的一些内容,如融资方式,主力商店和专卖店等进行了讨论。最后对于建筑师在这新的商业模式下如何与设计团队一起提供专业服务方面根据自身的经验提出了自己的看法。     

迈向21世纪的建筑艺术观

自现代主义建筑艺术创作理论之后，建筑创作表现出一直被怀疑为某种程度的哗众取宏。在这些繁杂的理论争论中，我们面临着如何迈向21世纪新历程的挑战？如何面对电脑、信息和新技术的冲击，避免建筑创作中人的主创作用的消蚀，是建筑创作迈向21世纪的重要课题。本篇文章主要从建筑艺术哲学角度，分析了当今建筑创作的现状和特征，提出没有任何规范约束的个性创作自由，将使21世纪建筑创作思维充满活力与生机。     

实现短流程钢铁企业最佳业绩中人的因素

德国巴登钢铁公司（BSW）炼钢厂有2座80t电炉，2座钢包炉和2台5流连铸机，由于BSW的生产和管理人员具有高的素质，精心保养设备，保持高生产率，从而降低生产成本。去年BSW炼钢厂生产140多万t质量合格钢坯。全员劳动生产率超过2000t钢／人·年。     

照亮都市空间的光纤之美

光导纤维如今已广泛应用于现代社会的各个领域,它不但适用于通信、医学、传感器等科学应用领域,缤纷的都市空间更是展现光纤之美的重要舞台。本文主要介绍了西方发达国家在城市建筑照明、室内照明、景观与公共艺术照明等诸多城市空间领域光导纤维的应用情况,旨在为丰富我国的城市空间提供一些有益的参考,并由此倡导光纤照明这样一种绿色、安全、时尚的城市照明方式。进而为其将来更好地服务于现代社会,提升城市生活品质做好理论与实践两方面的充分准备。     

避暑山庄的选址

造园首在选址。选址得当,可以事半功倍。计成在《园冶》中指出,只有“相地合宜”,才能“构园得体”。地址要好,清洁卫生,有丘有壑,草地和树林相间”。避暑山庄之所以能够在造园史上独树一帜,选址得当是其中一个重要原因。避暑山庄当时所以选择这块地方建造宫苑,除政治上的原因之外,主要是因为它具有优越的自然条件。避暑山庄的园林艺术成就,已得到世人的公认,造园家相地择址的匠心,也会给我们许多有益的启示。