Mock‐up versus CAD Modeling Preferences of Architecture Students in the Early Design Phase

Abstract

Preferences for using physical mock-up modeling or computer-aided design (CAD) among architecture students in the early design phase are analyzed. The data is obtained from a questionnaire, consisting of eight multiple-choice questions and one open-ended question. The respondents are architecture students; the majority of them are still in their undergraduate studies. As quantitative analysis methods hypothesis tests based on the probability distributions known as the z-distribution, and the Chi-squared distribution were carried out. Generally, it was investigated which modeling technique is more efficient in the early design phase. Moreover, according to the age groups of respondents, the difference in the preference among mock-up and CAD is identified. Explicitly, younger students prefer CAD, while other ones prefer mock-up representation. The reasons for the difference are analyzed. Since the choice for mock-up modeling or CAD modeling can have a strong impact on the design processes of both, students and professionals, the result of the study is relevant, because it gives a hint about probable future architecture practice.