Use of dynamic digital representation techniques in architectural animation: An experimental field study over "architectural design competitions"

Several different tools have been continuously used for achitectural respresentation. After the 1960s, due to the developments in computer technology, computer-aided respresentation techniques have come into prominence and there have been significant developments in architectural representation. This thesis has been written in order to support developments in architectural respresentation techniques and to help improve them. This thesis deals with "architectural animation", one of the computer-aided respresentation techniques, which is also regarded as an effective way to represent cognitive and conceptual space. Architectural animation enables spectators to comprehend an architectural structure better from an architect's point of view (physical, perceptual, conceptual). The aim of this study is to determine the best methods which could transfer architectural designs to target audiences and to minimize the communication gap between animators and architects. Animations from architectural competitions, which represent architectural design, have been used in this research. In accordance with the aims given above, dynamic digital representation techniques that strengthen visual representations and "cinematography tools", one of the most important of these techniques, have been chosen. Additionally, Ching's approach to physical, perceptual and conceptual space which is harmonious with cinematography tools and also provides an opportunity to analyze the parts of architectural designs have been evaluated. Firstly, the basic steps of "architectural design process" and factors which form architecture have been explained in order to understand the importance of architectural animation. In this explanation, Ching's physcical, perceptual and conceptual approach has been mentioned. The relationship between architecture and communication was studied in terms of effective respresentation techniques, perception, visual perception and semiology. Followed by examining different representation styles of architecture. To be able to understand the use of cinematography tools in architectural animations, firstly the relationship between cinematograpgy and architecture was examined and architectural animations which have that strong relationship have been categorized according to their purpose of use. This study deals with cinematographic tools under certain factors in terms of frequency of occurence in architectural animations. These factors can be listed as such: Scenario, Cinematography Tools in Singular Images, Cinematography Tools in Sequencing Processing, Montage, Light – Illumination, Sound – Music. The review of literature part of the thesis includes the following stages: Firstly, analysis of cinematography techniques in three of the architectural animations selected for an architectural competiton. Secondly, a questionnaire study evaluating what architects think about these animations after watching them, and a comparison between the analysis at the first stage of the survey and the survey results at the second stage and finally making proposals based upon the results of the comparison. With the help of the analysis and the evaluation of architectural animations, it has been ascertained that the use of "cinematography tools" (quite important in visual communication design) offer spectators a better comprehension of physical, perceptual and conceptual features of architectural design. The questionnaire has also revealed similar results. Moreover, it has been concluded that to minimize the gap between animators and architects, a common language could be created between cinematography tools (Scenario, Cinematography Tools in Singular Images, Cinematography Tools in Sequencing Processing, Montage, Light – Illumination, Sound – Music) and architectural design (physical, perceptual, conceptual). Keywords: Architectural representation, communication, architectural animation, cinematography tools, architectural design