Circle in the list the words and expressions you know. Write down their translation in the table and calculate the percentage of your lexical competence.
1 |
a significant impact |
|
9 |
outside forces |
|
2 |
three dimensions |
|
10 |
ultimate result |
|
3 |
a software program |
|
11 |
to save time |
|
4 |
labor intensive |
|
12 |
easy-to-use |
|
5 |
to meet a need |
|
13 |
aging feature |
|
6 |
water treatment |
|
14 |
energy-efficient |
|
7 |
careful planning |
|
15 |
virtual reality |
|
8 |
standard appliances |
|
16 |
cost estimates |
|
It is an accepted fact that computers and specialized software have had a significant impact on planning, designing, constructing, and furnishing modern housing units. Computers are now used for various tasks, such as: drafting, designing, and rendering plans; adding color and shading to layouts; displaying plans in three dimensions; touring building interiors from a walk-through perspective; analyzing a housing unit’s energy use; and generating all the necessary reports. Today practically every architect, builder, and interior designer can have access to powerful drafting, that are designed to make their work easier and more efficient.
T
he
four basic categories of computer applications in the housing field
are: design and analysis, selection of construction elements and
processes, service to clients and customers, and project management.
Design and analysis
This category includes four primary areas: computer-assisted drafting and design; plot, site, and landscape planning; kitchen and bath design; and energy analysis. The number and type of software programs for these topics are rapidly increasing.
Computer-Assisted Drafting and Design. The largest and most familiar area of computer application in housing is computer-assisted drafting and design. CADD is a computer program that can automatically draw objects to scale or exact measurements. By being able to retrieve standard components or drawings from the computer’s memory, the designer is able to save time and improve accuracy. Previously, traditional drawings were done by hand, which is very labor intensive and costly for large-scale projects.
Another benefit of CADD is its computerized symbols library. Inserting standard symbols and shapes is quick, easy, and accurate. For example, symbols for trees, furniture, doors, windows, etc. are usually included in an architectural symbols library. When inserting an image in a document, it can be enlarged, reduced, or rotated to a different angle to meet a specific need.
P
lot,
Site, and Landscape Planning. These plans are required for most
homes and apartment buildings. The plot plan shows the site and
location of the buildings on the property. A site plan includes a
complete description of the shape, size, and important features on
the site. The landscape plan shows all the plants on the site as well
as paved areas, fences, and other landscape elements. Some landscape
programs even have an aging feature to show how the landscape will
change over time as plants mature. Other computer applications used
in plot, site, and landscape planning include:
design and evaluation of water treatment systems
water surface profile analysis
calculation of the volume quantities of earth that must be removed from the site or brought in for fill
automated contour mapping.
Kitchen and Bath Design. Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most expensive areas per square foot in the home. Both require careful planning to achieve maximum efficiency. As a result, numerous software programs have been developed to assist in designing these rooms and selecting standard appliances, cabinets, and fixtures. These programs allow users to select specific units and place them on a floor plan.
Energy Analysis. Since energy costs today are so significant, a complete energy analysis should be performed for most planned structures. Using these programs, the designer is able to analyze all aspects of energy efficiency and plan energy-efficient structures. Other computer applications of energy analysis include:
performance analysis of mechanical and lighting systems
evaluation of thermal and economic aspects of solar energy systems
evaluation of energy reflection and transmission from various surfaces.