Phd Abstract_outline of my research

George Vlachodimos, PhD Thesis

PhD thesis: Research and digital parametric design tool, an interactive real - time relationship between material, construction and software.

Georgios Vlachodimos, Msc Architect Engineer | AUTh, PhD Candidate, Dept of Architectural Design and Architectural Technology, School of Architecture | Faculty of Technology A.U.TH. mail : g.vlachodimos@yahoo.com

Abstract

Keywords: computational design, collaborative platform, design process, tool, parametric modeling

The Architectural design always was and will be a collaborative project between architects, engineers, and other specialists. As is well known, the modern digital technologies and globalization have changed the Architectural design in general.

In recent years, growing more complex projects and the new research in the majority of universities becomes a more demanding architectural process to cope with these new data. Thus, according to the universal interactivity of internet and the new flow of data, the contemporary architectural practice adapted.

According to all the above, the architecture design process always changes because the software always updates with new tools and the development - innovation are in the first line of progress.

The ‘clever’ and proper use of various programs and technologies can bring the desired result in a quick and easy way to design. The storage and retrieval of design data through databases, the workflow and the exchange of information through cloud technology, the open-source programming platforms (scripting) in conjunction with parametric programs and software of B.I.M. and AEC industry (through I.F.C. protocols) can bring flexibility to architecture process.

By combining computational design, smart materials and parameters emerges a new vision of design starts, which includes variation information, interaction with the user as well as a point artificial intelligence (AI). With the continuous exchange of information and data flow is achieved interaction while combining computational design and databases to some extent the notion 'intelligence' as a correction of some errors in the design process.

In this thesis, supported the strengthening of a research field with a target variable parametric and interactive architecture and construction control that meets the greatest desires of man - user. This can be achieved by a combination - cooperation of different - but with so much in common - branches as previously reported. Their role is not to replace the ‘traditional’ ways of planning and construction, but to develop and strengthen them.

In this thesis will explore the interactive relationships around software design in relation to the design of flexible parametric models, improve them and whether they are possible collaborations with other industries. Specifically analyze more ways design process via computer, and ways - techniques scripting, processing have epistemic and aesthetic impact on the design and making of architecture.

The purpose of this research is to investigate whether the software design can inform the design of flexible parametric models automatically in real time. The «common ground» between programming and parametric modeling in architecture.

In the present study, a methodology is presented on how software engineering and computational design can instantly update parametric modeling in a flexible, automated intelligent way. Researching the main aspects of the structure of software engineering, such as structured programming languages, computational intelligence, parametric programs, BIM – AEC industries, and interactive online new design technologies, analyzes their contribution and their possible connectivity to the overall architectural and engineering design. In this way, by working together and collaboratively, a new parametric modeling method will be created.

The proposed collaborative platform will allow architects to share their ideas effectively, their design models, store and retrieve design data, optimizing the whole process. Supportive of an Open Source collaborative platform for immediate optimization of design time and cost, and overall improvement of design process quality, leading to better design solutions and architecture in general…

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George Vlachodimos, PhD Thesis

Outline of my PhD research statement In this research will explore the interactive relationships around software design in relation to the design of flexible parametric models, improve them and whether they are possible collaborations with other industries. Specifically analyze more ways design process via computer, and ways techniques scripting, processing have epistemic and aesthetic impact on the design and making of architecture.

Figure 1. The most famous architectural CAD programs (workflow – a typical design process).

The architectural process always changes because the software always updates with new tools and the development and innovation are in the first line of progress. The term Design Process translates as a production modeling tool to provide an effective way for designers to create and evaluate complex geometric design models. In the CAM, the sector may appear as Process Planning. Combined with a full-fledged programming language is also a pedagogical tool for a progressive acquisition of programming concepts and practice for design.

The investigation into the concept of computability and its importance for digital design in architecture shows that the computer is not a neutral tool, but rather is actively shaping the way designers are approaching the question of design.

This point of view of the digital design in architecture opens up a new line of theoretical discourse in architecture that differs from the traditional relationship between architecture and design.

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George Vlachodimos, PhD Thesis

An important point, in this new change in design tools, is the understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the tools, and above all the management of these and understands the theories behind these new tools. It is very important to determine the capabilities of the model - building, and the implementation of objects in CAAD systems. The benefits of these systems will depend on a better understanding of the needs of architects. Through the exploration of the potential of each system is proposed as a possible solution for combine a more flexible and efficient design.

Figure 2. Architect design mind process - framework that generates form.

Finally, by combining computational design and parameters, a new vision of 3d design emerges, which includes various information, interaction with the user as well as artificial intelligence to some extent (AI). With the continuous exchange of information and data flow, interaction is achieved while combining computational design and databases-to some extent-with the notion 'intelligence' as a correction of some errors in the design process in general.

Figure 3. Development a combination of an advanced system, that will be driven by the artificial intelligent.

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George Vlachodimos, PhD Thesis

State-of-The-Art This research makes an original contribution to changing 'attitude' towards the modeling of architectural design. This is achieved by introducing multi-industry systems and technologies for a more flexible modeling by proposing a collaborative design platform - identifying design specifications - resulting in a new and more versatile model. In terms of implementation, the combination of programs and technologies is what achieves the purpose of this research as already mentioned and will be thoroughly analyzed in this dissertation.

By exploring the various definitions and capabilities of parametric modeling, we come to the conclusion that the characteristic defining a parametric model is not the 'outputs', but the need to construct and maintain relationships - parameters associated with the model. The challenges for the definition and use of parametric models, both as a way of designing and constructing, as well as the way of controlling an active relationship between hardware, software construction, are analyzed.

Innovations will be based on the combination of collaborative design platforms and software technology to create an interactive programming environment for architects. One of the goals of this collaborative tool or open source program is to be simple, flexible and allow the architects to share and retrieve design information efficiently by introducing mechanisms of classification and data management, so to improve the design process.

Additionally, the platform will offer support for parametric components and it will give the possibility to work independently on components of assemblies and parametric definitions, thus all the specialists can work simultaneously on different scales and domain and combine or modify components that are generated previously by other designers.

Finally, a very interesting question that needs to be investigated is how the wealth of data we have access to our world can shape influences and forms in architecture. In particular, how can we start creating tools, either through data-intelligence-gathering applications or intelligent combinational design processes. Experienced with all this, for finding ideas, ways, creating a more efficient architecture.

Figure 4. A final review of collaborative parametric design method with all the present technologies.

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George Vlachodimos, PhD Thesis

Overview of Dissertation Initially, chapter 1 describes the new architectural design methodologies that dominate today and how the design has been shaped. Also, a quick analysis is made of which areas of knowledge can help in the practice of parametric modeling, such as materials, scale, algorithms, mathematics and geometry. Separated in sub funds, each of the above modules serves as a basis for the overall role of new technologies to emerge both in the new perception of space and in the new possibilities - design prospects created.

In Chapter 2, definitions and analyzes of parametric modeling give a complete picture of what is a parametric model to reveal the many challenges faced by architects when using parametric models in practice, either as a morphology or as a design tool. Some of the most well-known parametric programs are presented as examples, and then the whole design process is analyzed, as well as the ways of manufacturing the models produced by them. In conclusion, according to the above considerations, this complex relationship emerges as to what impact it has and how the parametric modeling has, in general, been embodied in practice.

In Chapter 3, specific knowledge related to computer software and design technology is introduced with their categories as well as what they offer and how they are used in architectural design. In particular, in subsections, there are presented digital methods of modern computational processes with their respective characteristics. Then, the correlations between C.A.D. systems are investigated, so as to explore the ways of communicating a variety of design programs from different industries.

Also, the analysis of the BIM-AEC technology sector, inextricably linked to the above systems, cannot be omitted. Together with two examples embedded at the end of this chapter, all previous development of this theory goes into the practice of architectural design.

Chapter 4 develops methods and platforms - programming languages for architectural creation with the application of various types of software either open source or driven through databases and information. There is an analysis of the types of programming languages and their capabilities, quoting some of the most popular modern programming formats. Then, according to all of the above, an overall evaluation is emerging, where the programming logic proves to be a difficult modeling environment for architects. Descriptive design processes that are geared to managing and analyzing data in general, which are a very important area for architectural firms and industry, are also described, playing a leading role in the near future.

Chapter 5 explores various experiments and studies mainly from university research centers that are at the forefront of corresponding developments using the latest technology with the most pioneering workflow and digital processes. The examples described in this chapter allow for a better understanding of the parametric design process at a practical level because one can observe it more prudently, from the beginning of a modeling up to its completion, ie its construction.

The sixth and penultimate chapter feeds the debate on the final conclusions (Chapter 7). Initially, new design platforms have been developed in recent years, with some gaps. Accordingly, with the standardization of these processes developed earlier, a comprehensive picture of quantitative data of interconnection relationships emerges throughout the architectural process. These relationships have implications for how parametric modeling has been incorporated into practice, and how we discuss parametric modeling in general. In addition, the qualitative and quantitative data on the term "quality of accounting" are listed and explained. In conclusion, a new cooperative platform for parametric modeling is proposed, according to which new combinational methods of computational design, through existing systems - programs with automated processes, will create a new method of architectural process.

Concluding in the 7th and final chapter, and as a logical continuation of the previous module set out in the software design specifications, the new design requirements for the creation of the software are presented. With explanatory diagrams, the analysis of the new design process becomes even more understandable and prudent. Finally, the final conclusions of the survey are analyzed, emphasizing the novelty of the proposal.

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George Vlachodimos, PhD Thesis

Figure 5. The structure of the chapters and subsections of this thesis.

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