Object design and information management for lifelong spatial reconfiguration in buildings 1
1
Dimitra Chatziandreou , Kostopoulou Maria Aliki and Vassilis Bourdakis 1) Student, Dept. Architecture, Univ. Thessaly, Volos, Greece 2) Associate Professor, Dept. Architecture, Univ. Thessaly, Volos, Greece
2
Abstract The paper discusses the viability of a software solution to the spatial reconfiguration of open plan buildings. As part of this quest, a single intelligent, modular “smart” wall partition containing all the technologies and mechanical systems needed for an office building is developed. Management is via a based-on-data system gathering information and saving it in a preconfigured database, which is also open to the users loading personal preferences. This data combined with a series of rules and conditions, faciliate spatial scenarios. The results are personalized solutions enhancing spatial utilisation and energy economy, no unused spaces at any time and totally reconfigerable floor plans that respond to users’ needs. Keywords: Object design; Facility management; BIM; Wall partitions.
Since current data 1 demonstrate that construction, mostly in Europe but also in America, is facing a general recession a turn towards reuse of the current building stock seems to be the future direction. However, in the majority of such projects, the new use hardly relates to the original one, causing complex and expensive architectural solutions.
manually up until now. A BIM software could be every tool, application, web application and platform capable of handling real time data and facilitating users’ contribution to the project.[6] It introduces a workflow that makes every participant to collaborate with the others to create a non-linear design process. All the above BIM’s principles have been used to create a method that would promote its implementation a little further than a simple appliance.
Thus, the question is if it is possible to create a solution that works within the building’s envelope and therefore be implemented in every building regardless its location, original use, form and size. A system that corresponds to each building individually, but still obeys general rules.
Nevertheless an initial consideration in utilising BIM is that the primary phases of the project are made with traditional design methods like program analysis, space categorizing according to needs, space divisions and unions, etc.[11]
For this quest, the most appropriate system is one that would give the designer the chance to be liberated from form limitations and focus on the information provided by each building.[7] Next step is the translation of this whole procedure to space forming. Searching for a system able to unite data with space solutions, we came along BIM (Building Information Modeling) for its ability to provide eternally changeable solutions depending on the users’ needs, and still be in the position to manage building’s function with the minimum possible loss of time and effort and almost without any spatial or functional devaluation.
The second step was creating this particular construct/element that would be able to cover the huge variety of space and installation needs of a large project such as an office building. The functions that the element should address are: the interior walls, lighting, cooling, heating and ventilation installations, working space, storage space, computing etc., all combined with the ability to move and be joined with the others identical to it, providing architectural solutions that make it pleasant and comfortable for the users and still not prohibitively expensive.
1.Introduction
BIM focuses on processes and information instead of people and permanent abiding solutions. [10] Through a system database, it provides the user with a virtual model of the physical building loaded with up-to-date, valuable information related to it, which could be accessible by users when it’s needed, throughout the life cycle of the building. The whole building’s documentation lies inside this database. Its objective is to prevent unsuitable decision making due to the absence of taking into account important factors and time wasted by the non-automated low level processes conducted 1
American data indicating a waste of almost 500 million dollars per year in expenditures during construction,[5]
Continuing with the object design and the results given regarding the plans, it became obvious that we were fending out of the initial building’s program and tending to a more global solution, which with the adequate changes, can be implemented in every existing open plan building. [1]