Le recours à des environnements numériques pour la diffusion de connaissances relatives au patrimoine bâti: une exploration du potentiel de la modélisation de systèmes typologiques

Within the framework of this research project, we explore the possibilities of making use of information technologies to enhance the architectural designer's cognitive abilities. More precisely, we examine the possibilities of enabling the designer to become more knowledgeable about architectural heritage. We took an interest in this topic because it appears essential to explore new ways of conveying the intellectual values connected with the built heritage. In this regard, we hope to contribute towards the renewal of methods of the formalization and dissemination of the knowledge inherent in buildings and artefacts of historical interest. On the one hand, we take an interest in the knowledge construction process that induces the architectural historian to unfold a reasoning so as to organize his/her interpretation of a built environment. We study one of the strategies employed by the historian in tackling the problem of establishing connections between artefacts of a single family; that is, when proceeding to elaborate a typology. We intend to contribute to the development of a vehicle for knowledge that is sufficiently flexible to be adaptable to iterative changes in the interpretation provided by the historian, so as to prevent the eventual crystallization of the conclusions drawn from his/her study of the built environment. We also turn our attention to the knowledge reconstruction process undertaken by the learner, in this case the architectural designer. We aim to place at the designer’s disposal tools that enable him/her to apprehend the knowledge developed by the historian. In this regard, we explore the possibilities of implementing heuristic tools based on the learner’s action. In short, we strive to evaluate and understand to what extent and in which ways information technologies could make a difference in the knowledge construction process undertaken by the architectural historian, and in the knowledge reconstruction process undertaken by the learner. In what way could these processes take place in a dynamic and iterative way?  Within the framework of this reflection on the possible uses of information technologies, we formulate the following hypothesis: we argue that the eventual complementarity likely to develop between a conceptual model and a generative system would enhance the methods by which the researcher, working on built heritage, could convey his/her message to the architectural designer. To assess the validity of our theory, we conduct a set of experiments. Our approach is exemplified by two case studies dealing with the works of historians who established typologies of roof frames constructed in the north of France and in Belgium between the 11th and 19th centuries, and of 12th and 13th century gothic rose windows crafted in the Île-de-France. We then proceed to the implementation of interactive digital environments. The usefulness of these environments, as much within the historian’s thought process as within the learner’s, is evaluated via qualitative methods. Based on the conclusions drawn from these case studies, we propose a theoretical model that establishes a connexion between architectural history, cognition and information technologies. In undertaking these experiments and the subsequent theorizing, we aim to shed new light on the synergy likely to take place between the architectural historian and the computer scientist. At the conclusion of this process, which brought us from the terms of reference to the hypothesis and experiments, we place the present study in a larger context and open up new avenues of investigation that highlight the importance, for the architectural designer, of being knowledgeable about the built heritage and of making use of this knowledge in a conscious and articulated way. The details of this research project are likely to be of interest to any person working in the broad field of architectural history, as well as architectural designers concerned with obtaining a better knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the heritage handed down from his/her predecessors.

Keyphrases: Typologies architecturales, Programmation 3D, Cognition, Built heritage, Architectural typologies, Digital environments, 3D programming, Models, Cognition