Digital Design Methods I Fall 21

21. September 2021 Zhao Ma

IIn the first semester of Digital Design Methods, students learned about basic landscape architecture technologies. With 3D laser scanners and drone surveys, the basics of data acquisition were introduced; in more advanced workshops students were trained in simple methods of data modeling and visualization. The Kloppstockwiese in Zurich, with its varied topography and vegetation, served as an exemplary study site. By studying this compact yet complex environment, students were able to learn not only about the opportunities but also the challenges of digital design methods. This semester started with the generation of point clouds from laser scans and photogrammetry and the translation of these scans into topographic models. Thus, the students learned to separate vegetation and terrain in densely vegetated point clouds. Subsequently, the topography was analyzed in a CAD program and, with the support of generative design tools, a path with consistent slope was embedded into the existing topography. Finally, the digital model of the existing topography and the new path design was translated back into a physical model using a CNC milling machine. All students successfully demonstrated that they not only know the methods in theory, but are also able to apply them in practice to a limited extent.