The Analysis of the Digital Technology on Design - Essay Example

Teacher’s Influence of Digital Technology on Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Building Facilities Introduction Design, construction, and maintenance are the constituent parts of the building process of a facility. The methods used for these three elements are closely associated with the technical progress. No one would attempt to build a skyscraper without having proper building materials and construction technology. Industrial revolution made it possible. The current century is the era of digital technology. The specificity of this new technology is bound to influence design, construction and maintenance of the building process. The following sections illustrate how information technology is dominating over this process and going to dominate in the coming years. Architectural Design Architecture is an art of modeling of the human environment, and designing of behavior of people from the same environment, through a functional organization of space and form of elements of objects and system via creative composition and color. Inspiration plays an important role in architectural art of modeling. An architectural design seeks for newer and amazing forms and shapes of the objects. Shape and form are part of architectural style. It is a set of core features and attributes of the specific time and place. It reveals specific detail of its functional, constructive, and the artistic form of a particular period of human civilization. The foundation of architectural design is the shape and form. Until the advent of digital technology architects could only use Euclidean geometrical figures to develop the shape and form of the facility. Digital technology helped architects go beyond the Euclidean geometry. Architectural design process uses the latest technical achievements as tools. It happened during the industrial revolution, and it is happening now. New technology of the industrial revolution inspired architects of that time to design structures of unimaginable size, form, and function. Development of steel making process inspired architects to design bridges and structures with large span. The concepts of standardization and serial production brought by the industrial revolution influenced modernist architecture, in the same way as digital fabrication influences contemporary architecture. Standardization gave birth to mass customization, which is now getting replaced by mass production with non-standard complex designs based on non-Euclidean geometries. In architecture, digital age has brought a new design approach and it is called parametric design approach. This new approach is going to influence architectural design process for coming years. Only advent of digital technology made architects possible to implement parametric design method. Various programs used as tools for parametric design method are developed using the concept of disciplines like mathematics, topological geometry, and curvilinearity, morphogenetic, and biomorphic. The concept of parametric design approach is embedded in creating a model of geometric elements describing and controlling their relationship in such a way that any change in one element brings changes to all other elements. Parametric design method uses geometric model whose geometry is a function of a finite number of parameters. Parameters of the elements and their spatial relationships constitute the model. It helps architects to generate a variety of building shapes within a short term and exclude basic mistakes. The essence of parametric design constitutes in creating a mathematical model for structurally homogeneous products, and then with the help of a defined set of dimensional parameters, the structural configuration and spatial arrangement of elements of the system are changed through an algorithm. This new advances in design process are reshaping today’s architecture laying foundation of architectural design of coming years. The architect can incorporate the geometrical design data numerically with the environment and study their integral performance before even it is built. Oxman (5) states about digital architecture and its future, “Beyond the post-modern sensibility of complexity through ‘heterotopia’, or complex hybrids, the Guggenheim, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and other projects by Gehry introduced new geometric approaches freed from priori formalisms, such as linguistic formalisms”. Application of parametric design approach in architecture helped to produce unique geometrical configuration of the structure. Frank Gehry, a leading architect in the area of parametric design approach, has taken this design approach one step further using it from design to manufacturing. The next section describes the influence of new technology in this area. Figure1. Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles Borrowed from: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qT2 h6uDoh8/T8XYY_F8qxI/AAAAAAAAAbo/yN9Q9BTIvME/s640/Walt_Disney_Concert_hall.jpg Manufacturing The Cockpit Building in the Netherlands is a good example that demonstrates the use of digital technology in the manufacturing of construction materials. This Acoustic barrier (Staveric and Mariana) building can be described as a snakelike body crawling along the highway. Parametric concept is based on relatively simple set of curves, describing a parametric relation between the height, width, and length. The curves create the 3d envelope for the geometric volume. The evolving geometry is intersected with a parametric spatial constructive grid to create intersecting points between the 3d envelope and the constructive grid. The intersecting points are reference points, and they create a “cloud of points” that describes the geometry in the model. Each cloud point reflects a node with its specific parameters and values. Relations among the points describe the spatial constructive grid and the displacements of the steel profile to support the scaling of the glass plates. All points and their relations are collected in a database and provided to the CNC machines for manufacturing (Soundbarrier). Figure 2. Soundbarrier Holland Borrowed from: http://www.oosterhuis.nl/quickstart/index.php?id=soundbarrier Building Information Modeling The above review presented a brief description of current trend in architectural design and material processing. It also explained advantages of digital architectural design. The trend shows ubiquitous use of digital technology in disciplines related to the processes associated with the building of a facility. The current trend also predicts that design, construction, and maintenance process of building facility in the coming future will be entirely controlled by the digital technology. The proof of it is the emergence of Building Information Modeling or BIM technology. Construction is a process consisting of assembling of the building according to the architectural design. Both architectural design and construction are a multitasking job, and it is conducted by a project manager, and supervised by a team consisting of the design engineer, construction manager, construction engineer, and project architect. Advent of digital technology has made this task easier by implementing the new method of managing and sharing of architectural design and civil construction data. However, it did not change the logical concept of architectural designing and construction managing procedure. BIM is a product of digital technology, which is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility creating a shared knowledge of resource of information about a facility to form a reliable basis for decisions making procedures during its life cycle from inception onward (Sinclair). Even though it is a product of digital technology, but it serves as a modern concept in the area of design and construction management. Although the acronym refers to Building Information Modeling, but some believes that it should be Building Information Management and others use the term alluding to Building Information Modeling and Management. Perhaps it serves both purposes of Information Modeling and Construction Management. Marvin Richards and Mark Bew in 2008 produced BIM Maturity Diagram as illustrated in Figure 3 that explains this new emerging concept. Figure 3. BIM maturity diagram after Marvin Richard and Mark Bew ( Sinclair, 2012). Building design and construction are communicated with each other through dozens and sometimes hundreds of irregular documents. In this context, BIM as a tool helps creation and management of physical and operating parameters of a facility (structure or building) in models. Architectural design had long been using digital technology tool CAD. However, CAD 2D and 3D models exclude bid and contract documents, timelines, specifications, price lists, installation and maintenance guides, cable lists, and labels. The levels of the BIM maturity diagram display involvement of different key members designated to data and management process activities. BIM is a parametric design model consisting of repository information for architectural design, construction, and maintenance. This means BIM is a model that includes parameters, change of one of which modifies the complete final product. The primary BIM idea is in operation since 1980s as CAD 2D model. An architectural 2D model incorporates parameters X and Y coordinates. With the advent of digital technology, it becomes easy to get 3D and animated architectural design. An architectural 3D model includes X, Y and Z parameters. If we add to this model “time”, (construction – production schedule) then the model turns into 4 D. Once added cost to 4D, it turns into 5D model. Thus, an architect or lead project planner can add as many parameters as required in the model. However, it should be noted a complete mathematical understanding of freedom and constraints of the parameters must be recognized clearly to make the model workable. In other words, BIM model can help designer / manager to obtain accurate decision with respect to designing, cost, schedule, etc. Thus, BIM models become resources, which could be used and shared among stakeholders in the decision-making process from the conceptual stage thru all design and construction phases as well as throughout facility’s operational life. BIM creates a database of a facility, which can be accessed, modified, and used by stakeholders. It was mentioned earlier that BIM did not change the architectural design concept and building construction procedures, instead has provided with, a convenient tool, to manage a complex multi task in a better way. So, what is BIM? We refer to Figure 3 and 4. In conventional drawings plans, sections, elevations, perspectives, and other 2- and 3-dimensions drawings were created through the articulation of lines. Lines, in this case, are the basis of the language. BIM is a 3-dimensional digital representation of a building, from which the plans, sections, elevations, perspectives, spreadsheets, and other useful output are created (Hill). This is what is shown in Figure 3. Model, in BIM concept, are the basis of the language. Models are objects, such as; walls, doors, windows, etc; and these objects contain data. This is what is shown in Figure 4.. Figure 3. A BIM Model sample showing drawing from different phases in one window. Borrowed from http://www.daolnwod.com/screenshotfull/179653.jpeg Figure 4. What is BIM (Hill) Application of BIM in Design Stages. In order to better explain, the following section presents a review of implementation of BIM in traditional design and construction management. BIM is becoming the future of entire building process management all over the world. BIM in the Pre-design and Design Stage. BIM stores parameters and description of the structure with cost data. BIM tools can help the architect to forecast the building cost at the earlier stage, which can be shared among all stakeholders geographically located at different places. BIM tools enhance collaboration between the designers and all other stakeholders. Stakeholders, on their turn, can take a decision with respect to cost, quality, and time frame as well as on many other things. BIM in the Pre-construction Stage. Pre-construction stage phase is used for the preparation of production information, tender documentation, and tender action. Important task of this stage is to gather information with sufficient detail to use for obtaining tenders. Detailed modeling, integration, and analysis of data are prepared for the sole purpose of conveying information to the people concerned with the construction of the building. Data are exchanged with engineers and other consultants for layouts of various requirements. Data contains public service department information on existing and suggested new services. The integrated data of this stage form the basis of discussion with contractors and sub-contractors. Entire data is stored in BIM models, and it is made available to contractors. Information from contractors and other specialists is also integrated into the BIM model. It is at this stage when 4D BIM data is created along with the contractor. The end BIM data includes working drawings, technical specifications, and contract drawings. The variety of BIM data depends on the software and parameters used in generating the models. Figure 5. The integrated data of Production Information stage BIM Model Maintenance and Development Stage. Use of BIM in building design has been publicized well, and more and more architects are moving from drawing based architectural approach to model based. The concept is nothing but storing and maintenance data in a well-structured way, which can be accessed, distributed, and shared. In other words, data storing is the maintenance work of this stage, which is different from facility management. Model maintenance should be understood as data management tasks of information technology. Use of BIM goes beyond the traditional planning and design phases of the project. The model is extended throughout the building’s lifecycle by supporting project management, cost management, project management, and facility management. This is a part of database maintenance tasks. BIM is an object-oriented database. An object-oriented database is reused and could involve participation in inheritance of another object. This becomes a part of research and development activities of BIM for architectural design and management. The purpose of use of this tool is to make the entire task convenient and cheaper. A construction work is a challenge, can cause tremendous loss not only to a particular company or industry, but also to the whole nation, if not handled correctly. BIM demonstrates that projects can be data based, designed, and managed. Database encapsulates three main logical parts (“InfoCOMM International”); (1) product, (2) organization, (3) process. The concept product defines building, plant, and infrastructure. The concept organization defines design construct and operate. The concept process defines instructions and methods that the organizations follow. These models are multidisciplinary and logically integrated, and data from the models can be shared and used. The concept of multidisciplinary tasks includes Architect, Engineers, Contractor, Owner, and Facility Managers. The models are not static but dynamic. They are performance models in the sense that they show predicted and measured performance with respect to the project’s performance objective. It is noteworthy to mention that BIM is a tool and any tool in practice needs maintenance and development. Figure 5 presents the maintenance and development concept of BIM. Figure 5. Maintenance and Design concept of BIM Conclusion The above review described how digital information technology has changed the building process and going to influence further. The review has pointed out that the focus is on the integration of design, construction, and management in one database so that one single change can show the effect on the entire process. Works Cited Hill, J. BIM in 10 lessons. World-Architects, 2013. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. http://www.world-architects.com/en/pages/insight/bim-10-lessons “InfoComm International.” (2009). Building Information Modeling. N.d, 2009. Web. 04 Dec. 2013.http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xbcr/infocomm/BIM_Brochure.pdf Oxman, R. Digital architecture as a challenge for design pedagogy: theory, knowledge, models and medium. Elsevier LTD, 2007. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. http://www.bezalel-architecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Oxman_2008_Design-Studies.pdf Sinclair, D. BIM overlay to the RIBA outline plan of work. RIBA, 2012. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. http://www.ribabookshops.com/uploads/b1e09aa7-c021-e684-a548-b3091db16d03.pdf Stavric, M. and Mariana, O. Parametric Modeling for Advanced Structure. N.p, 2011. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. http://shonen.naun.org/multimedia/UPress/ami/19-794.pdf Soundbarrier. 2006. Parametric Design. ONL, 2006. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. http://www.oosterhuis.nl/quickstart/index.php?id=soundbarrier Read More