O'Coill, Carl and Doughty, Mark (2004) Computer game technology as a tool for participatory design. In: eCAADe2004: Architecture in the Network Society, 15-18 Sep 2004, Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Abstract

This paper reviews existing research into real-time visualisation in architecture, urban design and landscape architecture and describes a University of Lincoln research project exploring the application of this technology to participatory design in a community-based, urban landscaping project. Staff at the School of Architecture have used ‘Virtools Development’, a computer game prototyping package, to help residents in Hull, UK, to visualise and interact with a design proposal for a ‘home zone’ in their neighbourhood, arrived at as part of a wider participatory process. This paper evaluates computer game technology in relation to more conventional participatory tools. It is diffcult to justify using the technology to create simple 'walk through' simulations of design proposals, it argues. In such cases the benefits real-time, interactive visualization brings to the participatory process are outweighed by the technical difficulties involved in the production and use of real time environments.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Additional Information:	This paper reviews existing research into real-time visualisation in architecture, urban design and landscape architecture and describes a University of Lincoln research project exploring the application of this technology to participatory design in a community-based, urban landscaping project. Staff at the School of Architecture have used ‘Virtools Development’, a computer game prototyping package, to help residents in Hull, UK, to visualise and interact with a design proposal for a ‘home zone’ in their neighbourhood, arrived at as part of a wider participatory process. This paper evaluates computer game technology in relation to more conventional participatory tools. It is diffcult to justify using the technology to create simple 'walk through' simulations of design proposals, it argues. In such cases the benefits real-time, interactive visualization brings to the participatory process are outweighed by the technical difficulties involved in the production and use of real time environments.
Keywords:	Games computing, participatory design
Subjects:	G Mathematical and Computer Sciences > G610 Software Design G Mathematical and Computer Sciences > G450 Multi-media Computing Science
Divisions:	College of Sciences > Faculty of Science > Lincoln School of Computer Science
Depositing User:	Mark Doughty
Date Deposited:	27 Feb 2006
Last Modified:	13 Mar 2013 08:22
URI:	http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/97

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