A computer system for rehabilitation of buildings in their urban setting

The authors describe the application of computer techniques in a special example of technical management of the architectural and urban fabric. This relates to a restoration and rehabilitation programme being carried out in Marseille's old city quarters which will involve reconstruction of facades. The GAMSAU laboratory has chosen this example as a testing ground for the development and analysis of the requirements for a computerised data management system. The data to be collected will include descriptions of the current state of facades and details of their historical evolution complete with drawings, photographs, and colour palettes. The computer system will be based on a database management package, and will feature structured object description, multimedia data support, sharing and distribution of data among users, the integration of different applications software, handling of design alternatives, and keeping of progress records.