Yau Mei-yee. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-[84]). / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Hong Kong Building Regulations --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Introduction to Architectural Design --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Related Works of Design Expert System --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Application of Model-based Reasoning to Design Expert System --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Model-based Reasoning System --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Related Works of Model-based Reasoning --- p.6 / Chapter 2 --- Framework for FPDX System --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1 --- Overview of FPDX --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Graphics User Interface --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- A Library of Floor Plan Design Elements --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3 --- Floor Plan Compiler --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Diffculties in acquisting the Semantic Knowledge from AutoCAD files --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4 --- Inference Engine of FPDX --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Design Data Base --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Knowledge Base of Government Regulations --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Inference Mechanism --- p.21 / Chapter 3 --- Model-based Expert System --- p.24 / Chapter 3.1 --- Advantages of Applying Model-based System to FPDX --- p.25 / Chapter 3.2 --- Modelling Designs --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3 --- Reasoning A Design --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Reasoning at the Component Level --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Reasoning at the Subsystem Level --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4 --- Prolog Programming Environment --- p.34 / Chapter 4 --- Frame-based Knowledge System --- p.35 / Chapter 4.1 --- Benefits of Hierarchical Frames --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2 --- Knowledge Representation of FPDX --- p.36 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Reasons of Applying Frames to FPDX --- p.36 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Advantages of Using Frames in FPDX --- p.37 / Chapter 4.3 --- Syntactic Knowledge and Semantic Knowledge --- p.38 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Syntactic Knowledge --- p.38 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Semantic Knowledge --- p.40 / Chapter 4.4 --- Illustration of Frames of FPDX --- p.40 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- AKO and APO Inter-relationships --- p.41 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Different Types of Inheritance in FPDX --- p.43 / Chapter 5 --- An Example --- p.45 / Chapter 6 --- Conclusions --- p.54 / Appendices --- p.55 / Chapter A --- Illustration of Graphical Design Elements --- p.56 / Chapter B --- Hierarchy of Frames of FPDX Elements --- p.61 / Chapter C --- Part of the AutoLISP Program on Regulations --- p.66 / Chapter D --- Prolog Predicates of FPDX --- p.68 / Chapter E --- A Glossary of Building Regulations --- p.76 / Bibliography

Representation has always been a critical component in architectural practice and representational techniques have been evolving over time. The relatively recent advent of the digital media is revolutionizing architectural representation. Digital representation techniques are proving to be a more effective means of communicating the design to the client and the collaborative project team. The techniques are advancing so rapidly that it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep in pace with the digital acceleration and utilize these representation techniques in architectural practice. There is a wide difference between what is possible using digital architectural visualization and what is implemented in practice. The research explores the extent of utilization of these digital representation techniques and the challenges they pose in practical implementation. Employing a logical approach to selectively implement this digital procedural change in representation would help in realizing the strategic benefits of these rapidly progressing techniques.