Published in the Proceedings of IEEE & ACM ISMAR 2002, September 30 - October 1, 2002, © 2002 IEEE 1 Augmented Urban Planning Workbench: Overlaying Drawings, Physical Models and Digital Simulation Hiroshi Ishii John Underkoffler Dan Chak Ben Piper Tangible Media Group MIT Media Laboratory {ishii, jh, chak, benpiper}@media.mit.edu Eran Ben-Joseph, Luke Yeung* Zahra Kanji Department of Urban Studies and Planning Department of Architecture* MIT School of Architecture and Planning {ebj, lyeung, zahra}@MIT.EDU Abstract There is a problem in the spatial and temporal separation between the varying forms of representation used in urban design. Sketches, physical models, and more recently computational simulation, while each serving a useful purpose, tend to be incompatible forms of representation. The contemporary designer is required assimilate these divergent media into a single mental construct and in so doing is distracted from the central process of design. We propose an Augmented Reality Workbench called “Luminous Table” that attempts to address this issue by integrating multiple forms of physical and digital representations. 2D drawings, 3D physical models, and digital simulation are overlaid into a single information space in order to support the urban design process. We describe how the system was used in a graduate design course and discuss how the simultaneous use of physical and digital media allowed for a more holistic design approach. We also discuss the need for future technical improvements. 1. Introduction – The Urban Design Process Urban designers shape the construction of cities in order to provide surroundings that are healthy, stimulating, and sustainable. In doing so, they are faced with the challenge of communicating their spatial concepts and ideas to the broader public. Three Forms of Representation in Urban Design In order to express their vision, urban designers commonly employ the following modes of representation (Fig. 2): • Drawings on sheets of papers (two-dimensional) Hand-drawn sketches, scaled plans, diagrams, maps, satellite photographs (drawn or printed) • Physical Models (three-dimensional) Physical scaled models of buildings and landscape. • Digital Models in computers (two and three- dimensional) Digital models of buildings and landscape, simulation models and analytical tools of light, shadows, wind, and traffic flow. By ‘triangulating’ between these multiple forms of representation, we gain a more realistic sense of the site and proposed urban design. Mitchell and McCullough (1995) articulated the many different forms of representation within a design process [7] (Fig. 3). Note that each form of representation often remains separated from the others in time, space and scale. Drawings on a wall, physical models on a table, and digital models in a computer screen are created and displayed independently (Fig. 4). Figure 1. Urban planning students using the Luminous Table in the design studio. two-dimensional three-dimensional physical drawings on physical models papers digital digital models and computational simulation & analysis Figure 2. The three primary modes of representation used in urban design.