Precedents reconceived: Urban design learning catalysed through data rich 3-D digital models

Design students are increasingly seeking precedent information through web-based digital archives of design cases. Little is known, however, about the use, relative merits or opportunities of digital cases as a knowledge source for design students. This paper uses a study of web-based urban design reference tools to examine new opportunities for using precedents in urban design. The research includes focus groups, content analysis of student work and an auto-ethnography by one of the authors to examine student use of the reference tools in 3 urban design studios in planning and landscape architecture. Students used 3-D digital models of precedents to review, replicate, revise, reshape and recreate elements of urban design in an environment of accelerated learning.

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► A web based urban design reference database with 3-D visualizations is presented.
► The use of the database is examined in 3 beginning urban design studios.
► Students review, replicate, revise, reshape and recreate 3D models of precedents.
►  Digital 3D models can offset the absence of episodic memory in novice designers.