CAD modelling in multidisciplinary design domains

In a multidisciplinary design environment, such as the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) domain, the various designers will have their own views, concepts and representations of design objects, making communication in a CAD environment a complex task. This paper demonstrates that by taking into consideration the concepts of function and purpose such multiple views and representations can be accomodated. The representation of the functional properties of design objects and their purpose is the underlying basis for the formation of different representations and the coordination of these representations. The paper puts forward definitions for function and purpose which allow for the representation of these properties of a design object and for interdisciplinary communication and integration in a CAD environment.