Computational Design
January - March 2020
Backend Development
Django, Python
For my computational design thesis, I decided to choose a topic that embodies components of my first and second degree. I had a newfound passion for designing for the user, so I decided to investigate into a topic that would allow me to design an experience for the targeted user and make their daily process a more effective and efficient one. I really enjoyed learning how to develop the backend of a design application because it helps me to understand the processes and tasks involved so I can communicate effectively to developers in the future. Overall, it was a really enriching experience to be able to learns new skills and strengthen my knowledge in UX/UI design.
The process of material and furniture selection can be streamlined and automated when two servers are given the opportunity to communicate with each other. This is realised through the use of relational databases and web servers, Django, and restful APIs. Through an agile design process, a digital prototype of the material database is able to be created, tested, evaluated and launched. The database encompasses a Django framework with an admin page to manage objects. Views are then written for the material database and the content is serialised to return either text or JSON files and published onto a domain for client server access. Simultaneously, a CSS storing data for different styles of rooms is being developed to access objects from the material database. These two systems are able to community with each other by sending and receiving data. Ultimately a material database utilising restful architecture, relational databases and Django is created to streamline the process of material selection. This allows for any computer to access data from the material database.
Material Database, Rest APIs, Django, Relational Database, Restful Architecture
This research paper examines the process behind creating a material database using relational databases and restful APIs. This topic is investigated to streamline and hopefully automate the process of design in architecture. The paper strives to automate processes in architecture through integrating methods utilised in computer science. The end result of this research will optimistically result in a digital prototype which can streamline the process between designing and material selection.
Download the thesis here.