Mocuments : Construction Documents for Construction Labor by Clarisse Wean

MOCUMENTS CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION LABOR

CON TEN

NNTT

CONTEXT

QUESTION

PRECEDENTS METHODOLOGY SPECULATION BIBLIOGRAPHY

CON TEX

NXT CONSTRUCTION LABOR ARCHITECTURAL LABOR Context

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

CONSTRUCTION LABOR

is defined as the physical labor of the material construction of buildings.

Roles include: - Following construction documents & instructions - Loading or unloading building materials - Operating equipment and machines

Context

1,008

Of fatalities in 2018

33.5% were from falls

11.1%

were from being struck by an object

Construction laborers are

4x more likely than

other workers to die on the job.

Context

Racial Diversity

1.9% Asian 6.4% Black or African American

30.4% Hispanic or Latino 61.3% White

Education Backgrounds

Less than 9th Grade

9th Grade HS Diploma

HS Diploma

Some College

Bachelor Degree +

Context

ARCHITECTURAL LABOR

is defined as the aesthetic, technical, and administrative work that produces immaterial representations of buildings.

Roles include: - Digitally model a project - Prepare construction documents - Prepare project specifications - Prepare contract documents

Context

There is clearly a rift between construction labor and architectural labor. Many professionals have also identified this rift. Architect and critic, Peggy Deamer is

co-founder of the Architecture Lobby, which advocates for the value of architectural design and labor. However, in our opinion, Deamer and the Architecture Lobby’s work does not deal directly with construction labor. Without a concern for construction labor, and vice versa, we believe that the rift between labor practices will remain steadfast.

Context

Quilian Riano & Peggy Deamer stage a performance of the Architecture Lobby’s manifesto at the 2014 AIA National Convention

Andres Jaques and his Office for Political Innovation have also identified the rift. In 12 Actions to Make Peter Eisenman Transparent graphic strategies are deployed to allow the local population to understand construction processes. However, there remained a distance between the graphic applications, on equipments and uniforms, and the physical labor performed and endured, day in and day out.

Context

12 Actions to Make Peter Eisenman Transparent

A recent initiative to bridge the rift is led by Grace Farms. A movement to remove slave labor from the built environment, the initiative brings to light standards, deliverables, laws, contracts, and cultural norms that are present among architects and material supply chains. The initiative is far reaching. However, we believe that there is a primary interface between architectural and construction labor - and as such is our area of concern. This interface is the construction document.

Context

Grace Farms Design for Freedom

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

are defined as legal, procedural, and construction information that outline the key interrelationships, rights, responsibilities, and dynamics that bring a building into being.

They typically include: - Legal & contractual information - Contractor bidding requirements - Contract forms & modifications - Procedural & administrative information

Context

$31.3 billion

lost due to poor information & data

18% of firms consistently use apps to access information and collaborate

Context

Construction documents have inherent limitations when describing complex 3-dimensional assemblies. Orthographic projection is sufficient for describing simple shapes in a clear, legible

manner, more complex geometry requires more articulate represenation. This difficulty often results in miscommunication between the architect and contractor, where drawing legibility can make the difference between a project that is on schedule or behind and over budget.

Context

CD sets also rely on an encyclopedia of standardized drawing blocks to connote highly specific information. These standards are often not intuitive to people without formal Architectural training. As mentioned before, many construction workers do without formal education past high school. The question of legibility in construction documentation is something of extreme importance.

Context

Construction documents have become more accessible through the use of portable screens. However, this is not implemented universally. Full scale models are used to represent specific parts of buildings allowing for workers to get a sense of the final product. These are limited to certain projects and can be very expensive to construct. The representation we are most familiar with would be scaled models. Though they usually are used to describe form and lack any detail pertaining to the construction process or materiality.

Context

QUE TION

ESN

Question

How can we use digital fabrication technologies to make construction documents for construction lABOR?

Question

PREC DEN

CENTS

BIM

DISCRETE ARCHITECTURE MORPHOSIS MODULAR Precedents

MOCUMENTS

BIM, or building information modeling, is an intelligent 3D model-based process that uses digital tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.

Precedents

3D Existing conditions Models - Scanning - Ground Penetration

4D SCHEDULING Project Phasing Simulations

Safety & Logistics Models

bIM driven prefabrication

Lean Scheduling - Last Planner - Just In Time - Detailed Simulation installation

Laser accurate bIM driven field layout

Visual Validation for Payment Approval

Animations, renderings, walthroughs

5D ESTIMATING

Real time conceptua modeling & cost pla

Quantity extraction support detailed co estimates

Trade Verifications - Structural Steel - Mechanical Plumb - Electrical Value En - Visualisations

Prefabrication Solu - Equipment Rooms - MEP Systems - Unique elements

BIM ser

FACILITY MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS

al anning

Life Cycle BIM Strategies

n to ost

bing ngineering

BIM As-Builts

SUSTAINABILITY

BIM embedded )&M Manuals

Conceptual energy analysis via D Profiler

COBie date population & extraction

Detailed energy analysis via Eco Tech

BIM Maintenance Plans & Technical Support

Sustainable element tracking

BIM file hosting on Lend Lease’s Digital Exchange System

BIM dimensions

utions LEED tracking

rvices Precedents

Discrete Architecture seeks to move away from the current method of architectural digitization. Hoping to find construction solutions by creating a post-labor system through automation. This has been tested through the scaling and seriality of parts aiming to simplify the design and construction process. However, we do not believe that the simplification will lead to a rise in equity for construction workers. As most projects are focused on efficiency. Gilles Retsin

Precedents

Morphosis’ 2018 project Kolon One is an example of an iterative, comprehensive design process. This includes 2D drawing, simulation, analysis, 3D printing, and digital model making - all looped together in one model. Beginning with a single digital model allows for continuous growth, receiving a stream of digital information as the project develops.

Precedents

Morphosis Kolon One Project

Another Morphosis project, the 2-4-6-8 House established new typologies oWf project documentation by folding and exploding

typical construction documents. Into massive, highly detailed drawings with the tectonics of intricate assemblies on full display.

Precedents

Morphosis 2-4-6-8 House

A final precedent is Le Corbusier’s Modular ruler. Based on human proportions, the ruler is specific to his projects,

construction documents, and construction systems. However, the tool is still designed around architectural labor, and the Modular system is based on specific traits in an attempt to typify humans as a whole.

Precedents

Le Corbusier Modular System

Contemporary practice surrounding the production of construction documents presents a multitude of labor-intensive complications. To mitigate some of this risk, we propose a new kind of construction document, one that consists of more than one media, allows for new conventions, and reduces error.

We propose:

MOCUMENTS

Precedents

MOCUMENTS

are defined as the material representation of architecture and construction information.

ARCHITECTURAL LABOR is thus redefined as the aesthetic, technical, and administrative process that produces MATERIAL representations of buildings.

Precedents

MET ODO GY

THOLOPLOTTER SHED

FINAL

Methodology

ANIMATION

Initial experiments involved hacking our 3D printers into 2D plotters - allowing us to plot construction drawings in their building sequence. We found that by including temporality in construction

documents, construction workers could rewind and fast forward to specific moments in time, and specific assemblies within the construction sequence.

Methodology

Stills from Videos Tracking 2D Plotting

In our first test of mocuments, we used a backyard shed as an starting point. As it was an already built project, we were able to produce post facto mocumentation. This included a

comprehensive study of the construction details of the shed, where the massing of the shed slowly gained resolution as foundation, framing, roof, and connection details were added. This digital model was then split into “chunks” to construct a 3d-printed model that could snap together.

Methodology

Shed Mocuments

Methodology

We tested how an aniated drawing could be incorporated into a Mocument set. How would an animation correspond to the way in which the Mocument is interacted with? What

information could be extracted from an animation that normally wouldn not appear on a construction document?

Methodology

Based on our initial experiments, our final methodology tested a full set of mocuments by redesigning an existing building. We began by critiquing and analyzing existing construction

documents for a 20,000 SF town hall.

Methodology

Mocument Fully Assembled

The overall digital model of the town hall was split up into five chunks, each with a varying resolution. The chunks move in resolution from overall massing

to highly articulated framing and wall assemblies. This allows for the building to be understood at multiple scales in a single source. With overall dimensions being provided by low resolution chunks, window frames and the relationship of large details to mass being shown in the middle portion, and highly specified elements and assemblies shown in the last two chunks.

Methodology

Chunks of the Mocument Set

Methodology

The most detailed chunk of the town hall consisted of discrete elements able to be viewed as an assembly or individually. Stud walls

are able to be taken out and scrutinized, as well as more complex roof and wall assemblies that require closer attention. The model sits in the palm of a hand and is carried, handled, and stowed without any difficulty.

Methodology

Final Still from Animated Drawings

Methodology

Stills from the animated “drawing”

In conjunction with the Mocuments a new tool was created to help decode these new forms of representation. Similar to the caliper this tool can

measure spans and thicknesses. Additionally, standardized pieces can be quickly identified through the clear marking of true sizes of construction members.

Methodology

SPEC LATI

CUION

Speculation

Information Accessible via AR

Speculation

Mocument on a construction site

What happens to a building when moments of structural complexity become scaled up?

Speculation

Close Up of Variously Scaled Mocument

Speculation

Full Mocument Set

A FUTURE PRACTICE where . . .

mocuments have replaced construction no paper is printed . . . building information finally leaves the building information is accessible to m less construction errors occur . . . construction processes are no longer se

architectural labor and construction la

n documents . . .

construction trailer . . . more construction laborers . . .

equentially impossible . . .

abor meet in a material thing . . . Speculation

BIBL OGR PHY

LIRAY

Borson, Bob. 2015. “Technical Drawings.” Life of An Architect, Dec. 21, 2015. https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/thecabin-project-technical-drawings/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 24, 2020. “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.” https://www. cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6903a1.htm Claypool, Mollie. 2019. “Discrete Automation.” e-flux Architecture. Accessed Nov. 2020. https://www.e-flux.com/ architecture/becoming-digital/248060/discrete-automation/ “Construction Laborers and Helpers”, U.S. Bureau of Labr Satistics, accessed Nov. 2020. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ construction-and-extraction/construction-laborers-and-helpers.htm#tab-2 Deamer, Peggy. 2015. “Identifying the Designer as Worker.” MAS Context, no. 27 (Fall). https://www.mascontext.com/ tag/peggy-deamer/ “Emerging Professionals Companion”, The American Institute of Architects, accessed Nov. 2020. https://www.aia.org/ career-center/emerging-professionals Fails Management Institute, accessed Nov. 2020. https://www.fminet.com/ Grace Farms. “Design for Freedom Report.” Accessed Nov. 2020. https://www.designforfreedom.org/ Lambert, Leopold. 2015. “Le Corbusier and Fascism: Looking at Architecture Itself.” The Funambulist, May 1, 2015. Accessed Dec. 2020. https://thefunambulist.net/architecture/topie-impitoyable-le-corbusier-and-fascism-looking-atarchitecture-itself Morphosis. “Kolon One & Only Tower.” https://www.morphosis.com/architecture/261/ “New Trends of Fatal Falls in the Construction Industry”, The Center for Construction Research and Training, accessed Nov. 2020. https://www.cpwr.com/research/data-center/data-reports/ Ng, Amelyn. 2019. “7D Vision.” e-flux Architecture. Accessed Nov. 2020. https://www.e-flux.com/architecture/ software/337517/7d-vision/ Office for Political Innovation. n.d. “12 Acts to Make Peter Eisenman Transparent.” Accessed Nov. 2020. https:// officeforpoliticalinnovation.com/work/12-actions-to-make-peter-eisenman-transparent/. “Plan Symbols.” Accessed Dec. 2020. https://www.slideshare.net/gopaltry/plan-symbols TMD Studio. “What is BIM and why do you nee it?” February 25, 2017. Accessed Nov. 2020. https://medium.com/ studiotmd/what-is-bim-and-why-do-you-need-it-c4445eed7941 “Worker Safety Series”, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, accessed Nov. 2020. https://www.osha.gov/ Publications/OSHA3252/3252.html

#team-workers-unite Henry de Leon Max Lux Santiago Rodriguez Elliot Smithberger Clarisse Wean

MOCUMENTS CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION LABOR

Henry de Leon Max Lux Santiago Rodriguez Elliot Smithberger Clarisse Wean