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.

We introduce a system for urban planning - called Urp -that integrates functions addressing a broad range of the fields concerns into a single, physically based workbench setting. The I/O Bulb infrastructure on which the application is based allows physical architectural models placed on an ordinary table surface to cast shadows accurate for arbitrary times of day; to throw reflections off glass facade surfaces; to affect a real-time and visually coincident simulation of pedestrian-level windflow; and so on.

Article Free Access Share on Emancipated pixels: real-world graphics in the luminous room Authors: John Underkoffler Tangible Media Group, MIT Media Laboratory Tangible Media Group, MIT Media LaboratoryView Profile , Brygg Ullmer Tangible Media Group, MIT Media Laboratory Tangible Media Group, MIT Media LaboratoryView Profile , Hiroshi Ishii Tangible Media Group, MIT Media Laboratory Tangible Media Group, MIT Media LaboratoryView Profile Authors Info & Claims SIGGRAPH '99: Proceedings of the 26th annual conference on Computer graphics and interactive techniquesJuly 1999 Pages 385–392https://doi.org/10.1145/311535.311593Published:01 July 1999Publication History 116citation1,329DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations116Total Downloads1,329Last 12 Months64Last 6 weeks3 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my AlertsNew Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteeReaderPDF

Article Illuminating light: an optical design tool with a luminous-tangible interface Share on Authors: John Underkoffler MIT Media Laboratory, Cambridge, MA MIT Media Laboratory, Cambridge, MAView Profile , Hiroshi Ishii MIT Media Laboratory, Cambridge, MA MIT Media Laboratory, Cambridge, MAView Profile Authors Info & Claims CHI '98: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing SystemsJanuary 1998 Pages 542–549https://doi.org/10.1145/274644.274717Published:01 January 1998 91citation1,664DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations91Total Downloads1,664Last 12 Months28Last 6 weeks1 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my AlertsNew Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteGet Access