Evaluation of three-dimensional computer visual materials to support user's participation in architectural design process.

This paper evaluated the use of Three-dimensional (3D) Computer Visual Materials (CVM) to support user participation in the early design stages for a private house. A qualitative approach was identified in two stages. Firstly, a semistructured interview with a sample of architectural firms was conducted, and secondly, data was collected from conversational dialogues between an architect and a list of clients. The results revealed that various stages of the design process have different responses with respect to the use of Visual Material (VM) and its impact on user participation. In addition, there appeared to be a direct relationship between the Level of Details (LoDs) and specific design stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]