A design problem cannot be comprehensively stated because the design problem has a multidisciplinary nature and the design problem itself evolves as solutions are attempted by the designer. This paper proposes a prototype architectural design environment, which aims to integrate various applications for designing a building. Within an object-oriented design environment, a unified data model and a data management system have been implemented to seamlessly connect all application. The suggested unified data model organises the structure of the design data to keep the design consistent throughout the design and construction process. By means of the unified data model, integrated CAAD systems could represent and exchange design information at a semantic level, i.e. the user’s way of thinking, such as exchanging components and features of a building rather than graphical primitives. In consequence, the unified data model reduces the misunderstandings and communication problems among the multiple disciplines of architectural design. The suggested data management system supports the consistent and straight forward mechanisms for controlling the data representation through the interconnected modules. It is responsible for creating, maintaining, and reviewing a consistent database of the design description. It also helps to perfrom effective data communication among the various design stages to ensure quality and time saving in the final construction of the building.
