2002	The 7th Designers 3D CAD Shootout for Architectural CADD Systems 2002 Challenge of the Architectural CADD Cup

Challenge Questions and Answers

1
Is Solid Modeling Required ?
No. -- just expected, as the 3D required elements are quite intense.
In 1996 the DataCAD Team stunned the entire audience with the most beautiful and detailed rendition of the required 3D elements, and their software did not have true boolean solid modeling.

2
Is Parametrics Required ?
No. -- just expected, as this feature usually allows for faster work and allows for changes to the design/model well into the charrette.

3
Must the Primary CADD be 3D ?
We will allow you to use 2D architectural programs (or programs with limited 3D visualization abilities) supplemented with 3D modeling programs. For instance - PowerCADD with FormZ, or AutoCAD with 3DStudio. Just make sure you tell us what you are using.

4
What About 3D Architectural Modeling Only Software ?
Again, these teams would have to use a 2D drafting oriented software as well, since we will expect all the conventionally expected 2D production drawing documentation - plans, sections, elevations, etc. as well. If you primarily use programs such as DesignWorkshop, 3DS Viz, FormZ, SoftCAD 3D, ArchiDesign and so on, you would need a production drawing partner.

5
VRML ?
We do expect that a VRML version of at least a portion of the design solution be created during the challenge. The intent of the challenge is that internet/web visualizations be made available. With the fact that many industry standards in this area have yet to be established, we have accepted QuickTimeVR, and 3DMF, and o2c, as essentially the same for these purposes. The VRML model will be of each Teams massing study for their building design.

6
Do we need a sponsor in the BSA, or AIA ?
You do not need a Boston Society of Architects, or American Institute of Architects, sponsor, but contacting and coordinating with local supporters is a very good idea. Designers outside the USA can submit designs and examples, as this year all the presentations will be done by our staff.

7
Are we required to have a team of 3 players? Could we compete with 2 ? Or even 1 ?
For the 2001 and 2002 Design Challenges, our new format does allow individuals to compete.

8
What is the Project We Will Design ?
The theme for 2002 is a neighborhood shopping center for Annapolis, Maryland. In the past Design Challenges 1996-2000, the project was not revealed until the one day of the public charrette.

9
Why don't we just draw up or model the same building ?
First, we wish to evaluate architectural design tools - space planning, 3D blocking, freeform sketching, automatic room modules, intelligent macros, and so on - not just the 2D CADD drafting abilities of software. Thus, we give a common design problem and then watch to see what design tools and methods each software can accommodate . We expect each Team to come up with a different building, which is indicative to our audience and jury as to what strengths and weaknesses each software may have. Secondly, this aspect is what makes this event exciting as a design challenge, making it fun for architects to watch.

10
Doesn't the skill of the architects on the Team effect the outcome ?
Of course, again, this is part of the excitement and fun of the event. The audience of architects comes to the event and the web site afterward to see what is possible in a limited period of time and compare side by side what can be done. The lists of features of each CADD program are well documented elsewhere, and impressive demonstrations by expert users can be seen in the exposition booths. This challenge takes off all the gloves, takes away all the smoke and mirrors, and now, regardless of the theoretical features of the various CADD programs, allows designers to pit their skills against one another. If a Team of creative designers can overcome the limitations of their software in an expedient way and win points then more power to them.

11
Our favorite software just came out with a new version, should we use it ?
Numerous times in this challenge, Teams have used extremely new versions of their software, hoping some new feature would give them "an edge" or perhaps just wanting to demonstrate their new software. In virtually every case this has been foolhardy and in several cases disastrous. The architects spent more time searching for commands they knew but couldn't find, or crashed on unstable just-released versions, just to show off some new feature they might not even get to. In a number of cases, Teams would have been wise if they had just stuck with the older version with which they were familiar. They should have just mentioned those new features or encouraged people to visit their show booth in one of their many presentations during and after the charrette.

For 2002 our format makes it easier for 3rd party developers to demonstrate new solutions, and for CADD software developers to address former areas of weakness.

12
Will we be allowed to have Auxiliary or Associate Team Members ?
Yes, in fact this may be a way to enlist at least partial help from one of the software developers or a local CADD vendor. The challenge remains yours, but they can be acknolowdged as an associate.

13
Can Teams propose any rule changes ?
Yes. The vehicle for this is the private internet forum only the Teams can see. Any challenger can make proposals, visible to all the challengers, on that forum, where the proposal is discussed and then voted on by all the Teams.

14
Who is governing this thing to make sure it is fair ?
The competition is hosted by the Boston Society of Architects, run by Professor Langdon, judged by a panel of experts on a jury with input from the spectating audience, and governed by a Board of Trustees of the Architectural CADD Cup. The Cup Trustees include the originator, and several previous participants in the challenge. The current Cup Trustees are Geoffrey Moore Langdon (originator), Charlie White, Robert Anderson, Tamas Hajas, and Jonathan Foster. The Deed of Gift of the Architectural CADD Cup (available online) outlines the basic rules of the challenge and entrusts the Cup Trustees with the responsibility to make sure future challenges are fair.

15
What are the event outline references to "charrette" and "presentation" ?
Charrette is an architectural term referring to a marathon worksession (originally an "allnighter" in the L'Ecole de Beaux Arts) and we use it to distinguish the three hour design work session of the challenge as opposed to the presentations of their finished work afterwards which at 10 minutes per Team, takes another two hours. Note that in 2001, 2002, the "charrette" time is unlimited as Teams do the work at home in the months before the November presentations.

16
How is the challenge evaluated ?
We will have a Jury of Architects and people involved with the site, some of whom are CADD experts, who will review the work submitted on Oct 31. and on Nov. 12, ask questions of the teams, make the awards, and write comments about each Team's work and their software. The the drawings will be posted to the Design Challenge web site.

17

In the past you had only 1 or 2 teams for each CADD software - now there are no limits ?

Yes, the limits are off. If we end up with 18 teams all using AutoCAD, so be it. If a user group, software developer, CADD reseller, or individual advocate is concerned that their particular favorite is not represented, then they should encourage a user group or school to put forth an entry or enter themselves - there are lots of categories.

18

Why don't the software developer companies just do this ?

Originally, in 1996, the software developer companies were explicitly forbidden to participate - with the idea that we did not want to see the same kind of demonstrations we already were seeing in other venues - we only had individual architects who were advocates of their particular design software. From 1997-2000 we allowed the software developer companies to participate, though it evolved into being dominated by them - becoming demonstrations. By focusing prizes on design (that makes use of CADD) instead of CADD (used for design) in 2001 and 2002 it frees us to have many categories of real architect-user participation.

19

So you need individuals to come forward, like in other design competitions ?

Yes - individuals, students, faculty and so on.

20

Can, or should, a software developer sponsor a user group Team ?

Again we take our president from the Americas Cup races - for incidence a club in France can propose a Team but is not required to get either the permission or sponsorship from the French government, but if that Team can work it out, the government is free to support that Team. Similarly, in the Architectural CADD Cup, we want architects to be free to come forward with their favorite software without obligation to the original software developer. The software developer is free to help or support those user group Teams, and may very well wish to.

21

The "preliminary" drawings are due Oct 31 - can we keep working until the presentations Nov 12 ?

Yes. However get the work to us in time for us to present it on Nov 12. We need to plan a major production for a large audience.

22
The Design Challenge Staff gives ALL the presentations ?
Yes, this is probably the biggest change for the 2002 event. We are doing this in order to cover more issues, and create a more even handed and fair presentation. This also allows us to present the gaps and weaknesses in each of the programs that neither users nor CADD software developers have been anxious to expose in the past. Most importantly, since our staff is familiar with a wide range of CADD software products, this method of presentation ensures that all the various CADD options will be presented, regardless of whether they had Teams come forward.