Introduction

To increase the community’s knowledge of architectural design by utilising the state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and high-speed network in NUS, the Department of Architecture has established a web-based digital archive (http://www.arch.nus.edu.sg/resources.html) of selected projects done by architecture students. Though it is meant primarily as a knowledge database for the students to study and learn from previous projects done by their peers, staff also benefit from this database particularly when the publications that showcase the students’ work across all programmes and levels have to be prepared. The data in the digital archive currently comprises works of the core design studio modules, where each student has to create and develop his/her own architectural designs. All the works have been converted into digital data using the most common data formats.

How it was done

The CD-ROMs submitted by the students were scanned using the tools Catfish and Thumbs. The former tool produces the index of files and the latter, the thumbnails for previewing. These two files and information on ‘Module Code’, ‘Academic Year’, ‘Semester’, ‘Studio Leader’, ‘Student’s Name’ and ‘Matriculation Number’ etc. were compiled in an MS Access database file. Search criteria and graphical user interface set by the Digital Archive Committee and the ITU of the Department of Architecture made the database searchable via the web. In the subsequent sections of this article, I shall be demonstrating how a user can search for a particular student’s work in the archive.

Step 1: Entering the search criteria

The website allows several search criteria to be entered. For example if one would like to know about Dr. Stephen Wittkopf’s best piece of work in architectural design studio, the user has to simply enter the following search criteria such as ‘Grade’, ‘Studio Leader’ and ‘Module Code’ as shown in Figure 1. The remaining fields can be left unspecified.

Step 2: Viewing the records found

Once the criteria are entered, the user can hit the search button. This will bring the user to a page (Figure 2) showing results such as ‘Student’s Name’, ‘Matrix Number’, ‘Academic Year’ and ‘Semester’ of matching record(s). Links that allow the work to be previewed and retrieved in full detail have been added.

Figure 1- Step 1: Entering the search criteria

Figure 2 - Step 2: Viewing the records found

Step 3: Viewing a PDF file using the ‘Project Preview’

The field ‘CD-ROM/Disk Number’ indicates the storage media that contains all data in full detail. This media can be either mapped to a network drive or loaned from the Department. At present, due to copyright issues, the storage media can only be loaned from staff. However, students and other users can preview the data by clicking on the ‘Project Preview’ link. This will launch the Adobe Acrobat Reader and allow the user to view a PDF file which depicts thumbnails of all data available for a particular student’s work. It comprises a short description of the design, the final presentation boards and raw data that has been produced along the project. Furthermore the ‘File Name’, ‘Size’ and ‘Location’ of the data file are displayed as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3- Step 3: Viewing a PDF file using the ‘Project Preview’

Figure 4 - Step 4: Browsing the Project File Index

Step 4: Browsing the Project File Index

An optional index of all files can be retrieved to familiarise oneself with the structure of the folders and files for a particular match. Figure 4 depicts the text file that appears when the user clicks on ‘Project Information’. In future, more criteria such as ‘site and building type’ and ‘related sources’ shall be considered.

With the convenience that comes with features like viewing, sorting and collecting of data, the digital archive has been a great support to the publication of the Department’s annual folio. In addition, the archive has helped to establish a gallery of printed posters of selected works along the corridors of the architecture building (Figure 5).

Figure 5 - Posters of selected works along the corridors of the achitectural building

Conclusion

In future, more keywords will be added to allow students to retrieve designs of a particular site or building type done by previous students. This will greatly enhance the students’ knowledge of design precedents which is important for any design development. The internet-based access to the archive also allows external examiners (especially those outside Singapore) to review the students’ work anytime anywhere. As we continue to develop and work on the archive, other modules such as dissertations and even staff’s products and publications may be embedded or linked eventually.