Incorporating the usage of 3D modelling programming in teaching architectural heritage design

Abstract

This paper discusses on the integration application of using 3-Dimensional (3D) modelling program in order to teach architectural heritage design. The 3D program mentioned in this paper (3DStudioMax) was used in order to determine the ergonomic properties of traditional Malay furniture that were available inside the selected samples of Traditional Malay Houses (TMH). The anthropometric measurements of the Traditional Malays were calculated and transferred into 3D renderings in order to help visualise the interactions between the users and the furniture. The visualisations included recreation of the environment during which the users were carrying out their daily activities, all into 3D renderings. These visualisations also provided a look of how the furniture of the Traditional Malays were ergonomic towards their users. The samples used in this study consisted of technical drawings of TMH that were archived in the Center for the Study of Built Environment in the Malay Kingdom (KALAM) of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Results showed that the usage of the 3D program helps to give a better understanding of architectural heritage design by providing a visual aid in summarising elements that were no longer available within the environments during site visits.