Robert Oxman

Refinement and adaptation in design cognition

Refinement and adaptation are proposed as two cognitive styles in design. These two concepts are defined and elaborated. Refinement is associated with generic design and adaptation is associated with case-based design. An approach to computational modelling of design processes is developed. A method based on this approach is employed for the study of refinement and adaptation and for their formalization. The study is elaborated in the area of architectural design.

An information engineering approach to modelling building design

Abstract This paper highlights potential problems in the construction industry concerning the large quantities of information produced and the lack of an adequate information structure within which to coordinate this information. The Information Engineering Method (IEM) and Information Engineering Facility (IEF) CASE tool are described and put forward as a means of establishing an information structure at a strategic level thus providing a framework for the implementation of lower level applications systems. The paper describes how the ICON (Integration/Information for Construction) project at Salford University is establishing and modelling the information requirements for the construction industry at the strategic level. The IEM and IEF are demonstrated using activity, data and interaction models with particular attention being paid to the function of building design within the broader context of design, procurement and the management of construction. Implications for future practice are also discussed.

Typological Knowledge Acquisition through a Schema of Generic Representations

Architectural design is highly knowledge intensive with a diversity of classes of knowledge necessary for design expertise. Despite the centrality of knowledge in design, acquisition procedures for the extraction and formalisation of design knowledge are scarce. The paper presents a schema of generic representations that are proposed as a framework for the modeling of generic design of building types. The general graphical schema of generic design can function as a knowledge extraction and representation tool. It enables the identification of knowledge required for design decisions and provides a framework for representing and instantiating this knowledge in a sequential graphical form. The schema has been implemented for typological knowledge (building types in architectural design). The general schema has also been exploited in order to develop a design-support system for the generic design of a specific building type. The paper presents the theoretical rationale and background for the development of the general schema and demonstrates its utility.

An integrated approach to CAD: modelling concepts in building design and construction

Abstract The ICON project is concerned with the creation of a generic information structure for the construction industry. A central feature of the information model is the use of object-oriented modelling techniques to allow information to be viewed from different ‘perspectives’ and at different levels of abstraction, according to the requirements of the user. This paper discusses the object modelling of concepts and information in the design area. Drawing on knowledge elicited from protocol analysis of the design activity, a series of interrelated object models has been developed, reflecting different perspectives and abstraction levels within the design domain. Three of these models (spatial design, physical design and structural design) are presented and their implications for the communication and sharing of information discussed.

The object oriented modelling of building design concepts

Abstract This paper describes the development of an object oriented model for building design which is being developed by the ICON (Information/Integration for CONstruction) project at Salford University. This model consists of a series of sub-models of varying levels of abstraction which represent the conceptual, physical and structural perspectives of design and which fit within an industry wide framework. Such a framework will facilitate the integration of information across the various disciplines involved in a construction project; this will allow information created at any stage or level of abstraction to be viewed by any participant of the construction industry according to their own requirements. This concept of perspectives is central to the modelling techniques adopted.

The conceptual modelling of construction management information

Abstract The conceptual modelling of construction management information models the information for the activities performed at the post design stage. In this paper, such activities have been identified by a steering group of industrialists and representatives of the major professional institutions in the UK who are assisting the research team in the development of conceptual models for construction management information. The resulting conceptual models form the basis for developing construction management databases which can monitor the time, cost and quality aspects of a construction project. Proper information modelling is a key factor in realising these aspects. However, unless a sound methodology is used to structure the information required by the various disciplines involved at the construction stage, the critical factors of time, cost and quality may not be achievable. This paper reports on a methodology used by the ICON project being developed at the University of Salford which is attempting to provide a framework of information into which the modelling of construction management information fits. This methodology is based on the coupling of two powerful information modelling and analysis techniques namely Information Engineering and Object Oriented Analysis and Design with the assistance of an object oriented CASE (Computer Aided Software/Systems Engineering) tool which automates the production of information models. The Information Engineering method was used for the strategic planning of information using activity decomposition/activity hierarchy whilst the Object Oriented Analysis and Design approach was performed at the analysis, design and implementation stages due to the incorporation of the notion of information perspectives. An Object Oriented CASE tool (Ptech) is being used to assist in producing the various information models required by the construction management disciplines and to generate executable computer code from these models.

Remembrance of things past: design precedents in libraries

Abstract The paper presents a model of case memory for design in a computerized library of design precedents. The model is composed of distinct chunks of knowledge called design stories . A formalism for the design story is developed which represents significant conceptual linkages. Stories are structured in memory according to a semantic network of the design domain content vocabulary. The lexicon of the semantic network acts as a memory index. The memory structure and indexing system are demonstrated to enhance search and to support cross-contextual browsing and exploration. The approach is applied in a pilot design aid system in the task domain of architectural design.

Cognitive models in design case libraries

An emphasis of the present research is to characterize the uniqueness of domain specific knowledge in design, and particularly, knowledge and reasoning in representative tasks in architectural design.

The Hierarchical Principle and its Architectural Applications

This paper introduces the general systems concept of the hierarchical relationship of the parts of a system and considers the application of this principle to the organization of the physical sub-systems of building. The particular relevance of the hierarchical organization of sub-systems in the process of the industrialization of building is described with reference to developments in housing systems in Western Europe. The paper concludes with the definition of the dual attributes of hierarchical organization in industrialized building: hierarchic organization is consistent with the rationale of the industrial process; the hierarchic relationship possesses certain intrinsic potential for flexibility and adaptability, a potential which makes the systems workable in a social sense.

Formal knowledge in knowledge-based CAD

Abstract Current CAD systems are characterized by the use of geometrical models as a central representation. The paper identifies the limitations of this representation and the lack of other types of knowledge in design systems. Formal knowledge is identified as a significant class of knowledge which can be represented in design systems. The relevance of knowledge-based technology to CAD is discussed. An example of a class of high level formal knowledge in a knowledge-based design system is presented.