Physical or digital: alternative approaches to modelling in a participatory design environment

Many of those who are advocating the use of computers in planning and design are promoting the internet as a way of involving non-experts. Although there is a great deal to be said for such an approach, the role of direct face-to-face communications remains important and yet relatively little has been done to investigate how computers can be of assistance in such a setting. This paper will present the results of an experiment in which a commercially available, but relatively inexpensive, computer-aided architectural design (CAAD) package has been used to facilitate participatory design. The results indicate that such an approach can significantly improve the quality of design and also enhance the experience of those who have participated in the design process.