The Potential of 3D Digital Sketching and Its Physical Model in the Creative Design Process

• Grant number: 24/23637-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning
• Principal Investigator: Simone Helena Tanoue Vizioli
• Grantee: Angelica Poon
• Host Institution: Instituto de Arquitetura e Urbanismo de São Carlos (IAU). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research is part of the N.ELAC IAU USP activities, focusing on Language and Representation and exploring perception and cognition processes in design. It also extends the researcher's previous studies on the potential of freehand drawing in architectural design, including: 1) introduction of virtual reality in design teaching (PUB USP Scholar 2023/2024, with papers published at Graphica 2024 and Sigradi 2024). The proponent also organized and acted as a monitor in the workshop "Drawing (with) Space: Diffusion Course in Virtual Reality Drawing" - 2024 - IAU USP, aligned with this research topic.The main goal is to investigate the hybrid creative design process by integrating analog drawing, 3D digital drawing in Virtual Reality (VR), and prototyping through 3D printing, applying these methods to the development of complex forms typically designed with parametric design software. Specifically, this research aims to: I) explore the interoperability between the 3D drawing software (Gravity Sketch) and BIM-based architectural production software; II) develop complex forms using freehand tridimensional drawing in VR with Oculus Rift S and manual controllers; III) analyze the outcomes by systematizing data from reports, processes, and products.The adopted methodology is Design Science Research (DSR), involving experiments to address interoperability challenges between technological tools, thus fostering practical knowledge and creating a theoretical repertoire to enrich discussions in Architecture and Urbanism.