Architectural model through the prism of cultural-historical tradition and new technologies

This article provides a comprehensive research of the architectural model as a cultural phenomenon in cultural-historical dimension since its origin to the latest technological solutions applied in modern architectural modeling. Research methodology is based on the structural-functional and semiotic approaches. The analysis of historical-cultural and modern development of architectural model reveals the five sociocultural functions fulfilled by the architectural model in professional activity, society and culture: professional planning and coordination of architectural project; presentation of the project to customer; commemoration of the outstanding results of human activity; educational engineering; art modeling, namely within the framework of the ensemble type of stenographic art.  It is demonstrated that since the beginning of the XXI century, the main function of architectural model – improvement of the project – intertwines with digital modeling for the most part. However, the presentational, commemorative, educational and artistic functions of the architectural model continue to be implemented in actual material, scaling up the distribution and improving the professional methods and techniques of implementation. Analysis is conducted on the role of 3D- printing for the development of modern architectural model. The conclusion is made that the architectural model is a universal form of retaining and transmitting cultural experience, the possibilities of which are not diminished by the advancement of digital technologies and virtual reality. The relevance of architectural model in modern world is associated with the unique quality of the phenomenon- to give a person an enticing illusion of symbolic appropriation of space. Digitalization of the society, professional activity, and education expands the needs for architectural modeling, and simultaneously provides new opportunities for implementation of a number of sociocultural functions of the architectural model on a new level.

Advances in root architectural modeling

Root architectural (RSA) models have become important tools in root research and plant phenotyping for studying root traits, processes, and interactions with the environment. The models have been used to simulate how various root traits and processes influence water and nutrient uptake. At a more technical level, they have been used to develop phenotyping technology, particularly for testing algorithms for segmenting roots. To compute these quantitative estimates regarding plant nutrition and root functioning, much development occurred in the last decade increasing the complexity of the models. This chapter describes first the application of the models to questions in plant biology, breeding, and agronomy, and second the development of the models. It concludes with a small outlook suggesting that models need benchmarking and validation and that new developments are likely to include better descriptions of root plasticity responses and focus on biological interactions among (soil) organisms, including mycorrhizal fungi.