background

 researching late medieval timber frame

buildings (1180-1530)

 concerned with jointing and structural

techniques

 using scientific dating - dendrochronology

 recalibrating old chrono-typologies

 challenging the theory of teleological

utilising digital technologies
 collect, collate, manage, query and
ultimately disseminate data relevant
to the study of timber joints. Such
technologies include:

 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

 Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

 Database Management Systems (DBMS)

 3D modelling

 online backups
hampshire

 imaging space
through cartesian
mathematics has
great value for
geodatabases and
spatial data

 108 dendro-dated
properties
 spatial queries
 change and add
layers of content

 display queries
created in access
visually and
spatially
buildings with the gothic arch
prior to westminster palace
science vs. theory vs.
science

 knowledge is data yet “data are different

from knowledge” (Curtis 2005, 19)

 data are truths and beliefs

truths data beliefs

science vs. theory vs.
science
 the management of the data exists outside
both science and theory, it is the
application that can inform both

 “let the data speak; see what it has to say”

(J Schofield 1999)

 neutral philosophical ontology vs.

computing ontologies

 “we become what we behold that we shape

our tools and thereafter our tools shape us”
(M McLuhan 1964, xi-xii)

 what we create in digital form becomes

visualising data
 “seeing is forgetting the name of the
thing one sees” Paul Valéry (1871-1945)

 “data graphics visually display measured

quantities by means of the combined
use of points, lines, a coordinate system,
numbers, symbols, words, shading and
colour” (Tufte 2001, 9)
visualising data

Is this the face on Mars? Or is this ?

 10101010100101
01010101010100
00010101011011
00110110101010
10001101010101
01010110101010
10101010101010
01101011101011
11000000000000
11 (NASA, 1976 + 2001)
visualising data

 Tufte argues that “a graphic does not

distort if the visual representation of the
data is consistent with the numerical
representations” (Tufte 2001, 55)

 we depict ‘time’ and ‘space’ as cartesian

coordinates that portray a false
‘boundedness’ in a virtual world devoid
of culture

 “it is a looking glass into a mathematical

the flagellation of christ
piero della francesca fl.1455-60
an example of the application of cartesian geometry to the
depiction of space and linear perspection in art, showing the
authenticity debate is nothing new
re-present not represent

 in wishing to remain outside the issue of a

‘sense of place’ I have chosen to re-
present the joints devoid of a virtual
context

 In virtual space, using 3d studio max, I

can use real measurements
What is 3d?

is this 3d or is this?
What is 3d?

 it is not being bounded by 2d space

 it is not the ability to be imaged in one

of many planes

 is it then the ability to interact with and

manipulate the viewing angle?

 If it is, then does it not then become 4d?

what is 3d?
showcasing adobe 3d and microsoft photosynth

Adobe Acrobat
Document

photosynth
dissemination

 online website and ADS archive

 mobile phones with internet connection,

and/or, data cards

 portable media devices

Field uses

 other researchers

 conservation officers

 construction industry

 building owners
what have i learnt?
 that the phrase ‘digital technologies’ is
not enough – it’s ‘emerging digital
technologies’

 you have to plan for the future

 nobody wants to share 

 backup then backup again!

Supervised by Prof. Tom Beaumont James, Dr Keith Wilkinson, Dr Amanda Richardson
and Mr Edward Roberts