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
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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]
2. The case study building The chosen building “Kitrini Apothiki” is the warehouse of the American Tobacco Company located in the city of Volos in Greece. It was built in the 1930s. The plot is 2154m2 and incorporates a five-storey building with a basement and surface 1,259m2 per floor, with a total height of 20.15 m. and 22,806m3 volume. (Pic.1,2) It has been proposed for the building to be used for the relocation of the Centre of Research and Technology of Thessaly (CE.RE.TE.TH) and the creation of appropriate building infrastructure to serve its needs: archive storage spaces, new files’ processing space, maintenance lab, papers/magazines/books archive space, digitization lab, library (4000 volumes), staff offices multipurpose rooms and, at the same time, the creation of memory spaces of the period of occupation, a versatile conference center and permanent housing facilities for researchers and users of congress.
Partition’s dimensions have been chosen based an ergonomic design, so that the partitions repetition can form useable and comfortable spaces, starting from the minimum of 1m2. The higher parts provide sight oclussion, without preventing air ventilation and difuse lighting. For spaces that need vistas, the parts that reach the 1.6m.’s height are being suggested, and for totally open-plan spaces that amplify people’s communication, the shorter parts can be used. (Pic.3) Dimensions
Functions
(Height / Width / Thickness) 1st part wall segment
2.4 m. / 1m. / 0.06m.
Systems
shadowing , lighting, ventilation, space transparency,
The main building is U shaped. It consists of 0.60m thick external load-bearing masonry walls and reinforced concrete internal support columns, beams and slabs. (Pic.1) The vertical circulation is being served by one main core of stairs and elevator in the center of the building, and two secondary on either side. The auxiliary spaces are in predefined positions and not changeable. [2]
Technologies-
room division,
LED strips,(Pic.4c) fans, (Pic.4b) flexible textile, (Pic.4a) electrochromic glass, (Pic.4c)
space heating,
light/ humidity/ motion sensors, (Pic.4d)
movement,
motor,
energy stocking
casters, (Pic.4f)
sensing,
battery, (Pic.4f) energy sockets, (Pic.4f) cabling,( Pic.4 e) radiant heating cassettes (Pic.4d)
Pic.1.Typical Floor Plan (Blue colored: utility, Pink colored: movement) 2nd part screen
1.6m. / 1m. / 0.16m.
computer,
touch screen,
projection surface
sound system, hardware tower, battery
3rd part Pic.2.Horizontal Section
3. Presentation Analysis of the Modular Partition The modular partition has been designed to cover every possible need of an office building (users needs, space needs, electrical and mechanical installations). It is divided in three basic parts (wall segment, screen and work space) further subdivided according to the technologies incorporated.
work space
0.8m. / 1m. / 0.8m.
working space, storage, sitting, personal heating
desk, shelves, chair, radiant heating cassettes, casters
Table1.Modular Partition’s Elements Categorized by Part
(a)
(b)
Pic.3. Modular Partition: Closed / Stored, Open / In Use (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Pic.4.Systems and Technologies: (a) Flexible textile, (b) Fans, (c) Electrochromic Glass and Led Lights, (d) Sensors, Radint Heating, (e) Cabling, (f) Casters, Battery, Sockets
4. The System’s Mechanism 4.1. Information Gathering Information is being loaded to the system’s database in two different ways: Automatically: Data gathered by the sensors located on the wall segments in order to provide the building’s optimal function. Regarding the type of data that are being collected, they can be organised in four groups: 1. Environmental conditions of the building: (temperature, humidity, light, etc.) Sensors placed on each wall segment gather data about the interior space’s environment, in order to make the appropriate changes for an optimal thermal comfort inside the building. 2. Technologies-systems in use: Every technology-system provides an on-off notification regarding whether it’s in use or not. 3. Occupation density by users: Notification about the number of users in every space and their movements along the building. 4. Space and technologies occupancy check: Automated check for the spaces in use and the technologies used according to the program change. Manually: Each user can dynamically feed the system with data for his/her personal space configurations in a short or long-term time basis.
Regarding the type of data that are being assembled, they can be categorized in three groups: 1. Users’ thermal comfort: Every user is capable of creating his/her ideal heating, cooling, lighting and working position conditions. This information can be saved and reloaded when needed. 2. Personal space’s use and everyday function: Every user can upload information regarding her/his personal use of spaces for a short or long period of time (for instance, Monday to Friday, office no.1 occupied from 8a.m. to 7p.m.). 3. General space needs: The general space configuration is being formed by data supplied by the users according to the day, week and month scheduling, concerning groups or individual users. It provides results related to the space needs of the building (for instance, June 2012, islands of work for 4 employees, multi-use islands for 10 visitors and assembly islands for 5 employees). 4.2. The Underlying Database The information gathered as described above is available in the cloud in order for it to be accessible by the building’s users, at any time. Similarly, the facility management of the building can be done remotely with a variety of tools that support BIM in the cloud during the whole building’s lifecycle. [8] 4.3. Automated process: Results and Space Creation The outcomes of the whole procedure are twofold; automatic by an underlying procedure or manual by the user themselves through the facility management application tool. 1. Outcomes that will occur automatically through the data stored in the central database: The optimal solution, according to the environment conditions, the daily schedule of the building, the given technologies and the number of users expected. It is formed automatically by the data stored in the central database, without human interference. It consists the basis for the inside space creation, but not the final result. 2. Outcomes that will occur manually by user configuration through the facility management application tool: With a basis of the optimal use, each user is free to decide how he/she prefers to use the space; according to his/ hers personal need for heating, cooling, ventilation, working space position, working schedule, isolation or interaction with the environment etc. 3. Final results: With the combination of the outcomes described above, we come to a result of an ever changing, during the building’s lifecycle, situation that leads to the creation of completely new spaces every time needed, by eliminating, resizing, duplicating or moving the predesigned as needed. The result is the “final” building’s plan that corresponds directly to the users’ needs. (Fig.1)
shelves and 3 additional work surfaces). A typical office building includes the following types of spaces: [4] 1.
Work space (Include offices and directors’ offices) (1)
2.
Storage space(Include personal storing spaces, library’s and archive’s stacks) (2)
3.
Research space (Include laboratories, workshops and library’s studying spaces) (3)
4.
Assembly space (Include cafés, restaurants and meeting rooms) (4)
5.
Auxiliary space (Include bars and information points) (5)
For the specific case of the chosen building one more type of space is required, the: 6.
Fig.1.Automatic Space Creation System’s Scheme
5. Space Creation 5.1. Space Islands’ Creation The building plans will be altered according to the standard floor plans defined. These plans adhere to a number of rules and conditions set, formed by particular variables and thus producing certain results.
For each type of space, according to the conditions presented above, a minimum space island is formed (Pic.5). These islands, named mode zero (starting mode), will be the initial space forms of every space type created, regardless its position and size. Therefore, the modular partitions that constitute each space unit generally operate in groups in order for the unit to sustain its function and integrity during the multiplications’ process. All the wall partitions are originally stored in a specific location inside the building. As long as each space scenario is defined, they move automatically in order to be placed in the coordinates given by the system for each one.
These terms are: 1.
2.
Multi-use space (Include exhibition spaces and projection rooms). (6)3
Type of Islands
A defined way that every part, system and technology can be moved inside the space: Each part, system or technology is able to move depending its joints, as designed.
Number of users
Used Parts’ Number (panels, screens, desks,chairs, shelves)
A fixed proportion between area and users, depending on each space’s function: The sizing of the spaces is being calculated according to the minimum number of people using each room, as well as the type of the use (visitor or employee) with the following rules2: _ Employee: 1x2= 2m2 space for personal use
Work
3
3x3=9
3, 3, 3, 3, 3
Storage
2
1x3=3
2, 0, 0, 0, 2
Research
2
2 x (1 x 3) = 6
1, 1, 2, 2, 2
Assembly
3
(1 x 4) +
0, 1, 2, 3, 0
(1 x 3) = 7
_ Visitor: 1x1= 1m2 space for personal use ( excludes furniture)
Auxiliary
3
_ Circulation space: 1x2= 2m2 3.
Dimensions (m2)
(1 x 1) +
1, 3, 0, 3, 0
(1 x 2) + (1 x 3) = 6
A given number of users and space types: The number of technologies and systems are being provided to each individual according to their minimum but yet optimal needs (for instance, a working island of 3 employees contains: 3 wall segments, 3 screens, 3 desks, 3 chairs, 3
Multi-use
5
3x3=9
2, 1, 0, 2, 2
Table2.Space Islands’ Characteristics
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The volume of the room when empty, divided by the number of people normally working in it, should be at least 11 cubic metres. All or part of a room over 3.0 m high should be counted as 3.0 m high. 11 cubic metres per person is a minimum and may be insufficient depending on the layout, contents and the nature of the work. [3]
3
The space types described above correspond to the according islands. (Table2)
No1: 1 to 4 control points (A, B, C, D) per unit, located in significant points (usually edge points) (Control Points’ hierarchy: A < B < C < D) No 2: obstacles check for every solution (walls, columns, etc.) No 3: Duplication through rotation (90,180 or 270 degrees), movement (1/2 or 1 islands’s dimensions), or rotation and movement
(a)
(b)
(c)
(e)
(d)
(f)
Pic.5.Space Units: (a) Work Island, (b) Storage Island, (c) Research Island, (d) Assembly Island, (e) Auxiliary Island, (f) Multi-use Island
5.2. Space Units’ Multiplication As mentioned above, all space results come from the multiplication of the designed Island. The way these space islands can be multiplied and combined should follow certain rules in order to create functional spaces and provide specific solutions to the user. These rules are the following:
5.3.Space Dynamics In order to define the space relations reference is made to the dynamics of ‘traction’ and ‘repulsion’ that each space type exerts upon the others. These dynamics are the following: Traction: _ Work with research islands, due to the similarity of the users _ Work and research islands with storage islands as the second ones serve the needs of the first ones _ All the above with the secondary movement cores and the permanent spaces for easy everyday access _ Assembly and multi-use islands, due to the similarity of the users _ Auxiliary with assembly and multi-use islands for informing the visitors about the current activities _ The last two referred with the main movement cores of the building for easy orientation of the visitors Repulsion: _ Work, research and storage islands from the assembly, multi-use and auxiliary islands as they have opposite needs, the first ones refer mostly to employees and the second ones to visitors _ Work and research islands from the main movement cores because of their noise isolation needs _ Multi-use and assembly islands from the rest of the islands according to their use 5.4. Temporary Stored Spaces Due to the needs of each island described above, the unused parts of the modular partitions are stored in different combinations along the building: _ Walls segments as separation elements for the meeting rooms, the directors’ offices, the library and the projection rooms _ Screens attached on wall segments (because of their inability to move on their own) stored near the main entrance, the exhibitions or the offices’ entrance to form “interactive walls” that inform the passing-by-uses about the current news, expand the projection surfaces for easier team work or forming interactive exhibitions all over the building _ Desks near exhibition rooms, projections rooms or near the library and the main entrance are forming extra surfaces to serve spontaneous uses (informal meeting points, desktop for books-quick-look, etc.) _ Shelves near the library and the offices can help as extra storage space _ Entire modular partitions near the offices for adjustable number of offices’
6. Exemplar Scenario 6.1. Calculation of the Needed Modular Partitions The space can go from maximum (all the parts in use) to minimum uses (all the parts stored), although the most representative scenario is one that includes all the range of space types at the same time. This particular scenario is presented below with a detailed step-by-step presentation of the automatically produced results of the invented mechanism4. (Fig.2) 120 employees
280 users in total
280 modular partitions
Type of Island
Hosted Employees
Hosted Visitors
1.
Work
18
-
Number of Islands 6
2.
Storage
18
18
9
3.
Research
10
8
9
4.
Assembly
9
12
7
5.
Auxiliary
3
3
2
6.
Multi-use
-
15
3
Table3.Space Islands’ Quantity Calculation According to the Number of Users
160 visitors 400 modular partitions 4.000 book volumes
~0.03m. thickness / volume
120m. of storage space
120 modular partitions
number of modular partitions per floor
amount of parts – technologies available per floor
number of islands formed on each floor
amount of parts – technologies in use
Number of unused parts -technologies
Fig.3.Methodology for Stored Parts’ Quantity Calculation
Ground floor (permanent spaces): 120 modular partitions
1st floor: 70 modular partitions
2nd floor: 70 modular partitions
3rd floor: 70 modular partitions
3rd floor: 70 modular partitions
Fig.2.Methodology for Modular Partition’s Parts Calculation
6.2. Calculation of the Space Islands and therefore the Unused - Stored Parts of the Modular Partition The number of users using each space island defines the quantity of the islands formed. The exemplar scenario presented requires full occupation (280 users). To produce the more pluralistic and representative alteration possible we consider them equally distributed among the four floors (the ground floor is being examined separately because of the special type of spaces that require-mostly permanent spaces).
4
The number of wall partitions in each floor is equal because we consider them non-transferable from one floor to another.
6.3. Floor Plan’s Formation From the above calculations we take the exact amount of the particles placed in the building. Although the way that they are going to be located inside the building is defined by the following factors: a. A grid-line-system covers the building with the x’x (…, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2,) and y’y (…, -B, -A, 0, A, B,) grid lines being its symmetry axes. The control points of every space island are aligned with these lines. b. The distances between the islands, as well as the location of the unused-stored parts, are set according to the traction and repulsion dynamics named before. c. For every duplication, in order for the optimal alternative to be chosen, elements like exterior walls, concrete spaces (stairs, elevators, WCs, kitchens), pillars, etc., are being identified by the system as obstacles, so they prevent the islands to be headed towards them. The same factors apply regarding the duplication of the unused parts. d. The unused parts are placed in between of the other uses in order to preserve the open-plan character of the building, also according to the dynamics described before.(Fig.3) The result of the whole procedure presented in this research is giving automatically made floor plans (Pic.6) that remains functional and personalized and can be altered every time the facts change (Pic.7, Pic.8).
Pic.6.Exemplar Scenario: Second Floor Plan
Pic.7.Alternative Scenario: Employees’ Layout
Pic.8.Alternative Scenario: Visitors’ Layout
(8 Work Islands, 8 Storage Islands, 0 Research Islands, 7 Assembly Islands, 2 Auxiliary Islands, 0 Multi-use Islands)
(0 Work Islands, 14 Storage Islands, 9 Research Islands, 9 Assembly Islands, 2 Auxiliary Islands, 7 Multi-use Islands)
7. Conclusions The goal of the system was to introduce and potentially test the concept of BIM into every existing open plan building in order to transform it into an office building. Designing the units based upon spatial optimisation results in a significant saving of space - especially when compared to a typical reuse layout. Further to the brief defined spaces, a new type of responsive space is being created by the parts of the wall partitions that are temporarily inactive. Instead of storing them in a separate room out of sight in a traditional way, they interact with the other functions and can be used for spontaneous, unspecified activities. The amount of wall partitions purchased for an office building is calculated in a way that all the possible needs are covered and yet there is a small amount of free-of-use partitions with matching available technologies. The surplus provide vistas and spatial segregation and is always available for further conversion whilst the space remains open-plan, featuring high level of customisation and isolation on the individual workspaces/cubicles (lighting, HVAC, privacy, etc). The alterations in the buildings’ plan layout, programmed via the facility management platform, offer a high amount of automation to the building, thus enhancing the overal building management. It is important to stress that this ease of management and layout configuration is matched with a highly customisable personal space, allowing users to experience a more configurable space than typically available. [9] The technology enhanced partitions’ help avoiding substantial expensive renovations that can alter the buildings’ appearance (fact extremely important for heritage listed buildings). Being prefabricated, unskilled staff are only necessary every time the building needs a minor or even major change of use. The result is an interior space design that is eternally changeable, fact that leads us to full adaptation to the building’s schedule, both for short-term or long term periods and also applicable worldwide, demanding a minimum user’s training.
8. Acknowledgements This paper is part of D. Chatziandreou and M.A. Kostopoulou undergraduate diploma thesis ‘Object design and information management for lifelong space alterations in existing buildings’, at the Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly, Greece. The authors wish to thank K. Adamakis Architects for providing the technical drawings for the proposed restoration of the building.
References [1] D. Chatziandreou, M.A. Kostopoulou, , “The concept of BIM and research for potential implementation in Greece”, research project supervised by V. Bourdakis and F. M Noriega for the University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece [2] K. Adamakis, K. Sarantis, E. Pavlou, C. Nikitaki, N. Margaritis, Restoration, Change of Use for the Building of ‘Kitrini Apothiki’, for the needs of the Centre for Research and Technology (CE.RE.TE.TH), Thessaly, Greece, 2009) [3] HSE (Health and Safety Executive)‘Workplace health, safety and welfare, A short guide for managers’, HSE Books, ISBN 978 0 7176 6277 7 [4] CE.RE.TE.TH, Centre for Research and Technology, http://www.cereteth.gr/ [5] Finith E. Jernigan – AIA
(interview July 2010)
[6] Kimon Onuma, FAIA - President and Founder (interview July 2010) [7] R. J. Weis,
J. P. Craiger, ‘Ubiquitous Computing’, 2002.
[8] M. Fox, M. Kemp, ‘Interactive Architecture’, Princeton Architectural Press, New York, 2009 [9] M. Weisr, J. S. Brown, ‘The coming Age of Calm Technology’, 1996. [10] F. E. Jernigan, ‘BIG BIM, little bim’ 2007 [11] C. Eastman, P. Teicholz, R. Sacks, K. Liston, ‘BIM Handbook’ (April 2008)