A/E/C SYSTEMS SHOW REPORT - A/E/C COMPUTING

The annual A/E/C SYSTEMS Show this week in Washington D.C. brings together experts and novices in computers in architecture, engineering, and construction. This year CAD software is being upstaged by project extranets, and other Internet technologies. Next week we'll look at how these Internet-based collaboration systems are facilitating design and construction communications. Online now is the Conference presentation by ArchitectureWeek editor Kevin Matthews.
Photo: Courtesy of IDEAL Scanners & Systems, Inc. — Denise Weiler of Penton Media learns about the new web-based large format document archive and access system from IDEAL.

A HOUSE IN MEXICO

At the heart of Mexico's Central Highlands, in the center of historic San Miguel de Allende, a 2,000 square-foot house wraps around an ancient pomegranate tree that shades the central courtyard. San Francisco architects House + House pulled rooms apart to create tiny gardens, where sunlight pours into every space.

THE RIGHT TOOL AT THE RIGHT TIME

Are computers smart enough to guess what our sketches mean? University of Washington researcher Ellen Do thinks they are. She's training them to surmise design intent and anticipate our next moves. Next week, part four of our series on innovative research projects will examine Do's work in progress.