Didactical integration of analog and digital tools into architectural education

This paper describes the new syllabus of the course "Methods of representation" that has evolved in the first year of architectural study at our university. Due to the rapidly growing digital possibilities students need to know/learn the new topics and tools which are relevant in modem architectural design practice. Our students should be empowered rather than overwhelmed by the arsenal of digital tools available today. In this course we try to define the essential skills in representation which we achieve through the synthesis of digital and analog methods and tools. Digital and analog methods and tools we use are: study and construction of complex geometry, observation and analysis of organic forms and their representation through hand drawing, collaborative work through peer-to-peer learning on our web interface, N-URBS-modelling, rapid prototyping and desktop publishing.