A creative approach to ship architecture

In 1980 the author presented a paper to the Institution entitled 'Creative Ship Design' ((1)). The intention in choosing that title was not to imply that ship design as then practised was not capable of being innovative, but rather to make the point that, if naval architects were to fully utilise the benefits becoming available because of the veritable explosion in design methods and creative techniques for dealing with complexity, they then would be enabled to design even more creatively than hitherto. The earlier paper suggested that designers should focus more intensely, at the initial design stages, on ship architecture – both internal and on the topsides – than was possible before the advent of computer aids.Even that long ago rudimentary computerised graphics were becoming available to designers.In the present instance,given a personal belief that current advances in computer graphics makes such possibilities even more achievable, this paper is consequently entitled ”A Creative Approach to Ship Architecture”, with the aim of conveying the architectural emphasis in the approach to ship design being advocated.