GSAP - Digital Infrastructure

Digital Infrastructure

The Paperless Design Studio (PDS) was the most visible, and controversial of several innovations introduced this year (1994-95) as part of the School's "digital technology initiative." Other important developments included significant improvements in facilities and electronic infrastructure for research, teaching, presentation and general computing. This involved large investments in new furniture, hardware and software, network wiring and renovation of space.

The creation of the Paperless Design Studio on the 7th floor of Avery Hall involved a physical renovation (by Stan Allen), and a parallel, invisible, electronic design project. The challenge was to bring a complete range of digital design tools, including high-end 3D modeling and animation software, to 33 individual student desks. Central to the solution was the installation of over 100 high-speed Ethernet connections in Avery and Fayerweather Halls which make possible the use of central servers to distribute files and software programs to students at any machine in the School. This wiring also makes possible remote printing, access to library and other online resources, video conferencing to other Columbia University labs and multiple simultaneous connections to the Internet and the World Wide Web. Earlier computer hardware and software evaluation at the Digital Design Lab determined the linking of Silicon Graphics workstations with Macintosh Power PCs, and the use of "industrial-strength" animation software, supplied by Softimage, Alias and other developers. Output of the "paperless" studios included plenty of hard copy, but also, for the first time at the GSAP, significant quantities of video animation, "live" computer- generated demos and flipbooks, and interactive multimedia documents.

The Multimedia Lab in 202 Fayerweather was enhanced with PowerPC Macintoshes, large format laser printing, a central software server, projection screen, and high-speed Internet connections. Software included modeling, rendering and digital image processing tools, as well as multimedia authoring software.

Room 206 Fayerweather was outfitted with video-capture equipment networked to a cluster of Macintosh and Silicon Graphics workstations for multimedia development, 3D interface research and the production of architectural animation videos.

The renovation of Room 114 Avery (designed by Scott Marble) has provided the School with a location for electronic events, Paperless Studio reviews and computer-related teaching. The Electronic Theater has dedicated workstations, multiple high-speed Internet connections, sound and video equipment, as well as slide, video and high-resolution computer projection. Plans are underway for a similar treatment of Wood Auditorium.