Spiro N. Pollalis

PROJECT DASHBOARD: CONCURRENT VISUAL REPRESENTATION METHOD OF PROJECT METRICS ON 3D BUILDING MODELS

Spatial and temporal data sets, and static (planned) and dynamic (actual) data that stem from temporal data, are constantly produced throughout the project lifecycle. The integration of these data creates various project metrics, which can accurately depict actual and anticipated project performance. Various 3D model-based project management systems have been introduced into AEC projects. However, these systems have been limited in their ability to visualize inter-related multiple data sets concurrently due to the fact that an adequate visual representation method had yet to be developed. This research introduces a 3D model-based visual representation method utilizing the power of information technology. The proposed representation enables the users to show a holistic picture of a project by applying the multiple project data sets to the geometric attributes (such as shapes, faces, and edges) of the 3D building model through color- tone variation and motion. The new control system is presented as a suite of 3D model-based data visualizations controlled from a user console, the Project Dashboard. The Project Dashboard introduces a new paradigm of project monitoring systems to project managers by providing intuitive information-delivery interfaces beyond the existing management and control systems.

Estimating buildings' energy consumption and energy costs in early project phases

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that building stock is currently one of the largest energy consumers. It is thus imperative that buildings are optimally planned, constructed, and used from both the environmental and the economic point of view. Cost models are relevant tools for achieving this objective as they can be used to estimate the occupancy costs in early project phases including energy costs.Design/methodology/approach – In the paper a regression model for predicting the energy consumption and energy costs of office buildings is developed based on the results of a survey conducted in 80 Swiss office properties.Findings – The proposed energy cost model shows good agreement with the observed field data. The mean absolute percentage error resulted in 12 per cent. Validation tests using five properties not used for the model development revealed percentage errors ranging between −17 per cent and 7 per cent. The proposed concept and the presented cost model can be used as a basis for fut...

TOWARDS THE AUTOMATION OF CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

An exploration of the nature of conceptual design in architecture leads to the discussion of computing in conceptual design. First, in this paper, conceptual design is studied as part of the design process, with a special interest in the generation of the formal intentions and the impact of the environmental constraints. Then, the current approaches for computer applications in conceptual design and their appropriateness are critically examined. Finally, the concept of the critical tasks is introduced as the operational tasks to achieve stated goals and the critical tasks method is proposed to establish a framework towards engineering the automation of conceptual design.

Knowledge, agency, and design information systems

This paper addresses CAAD from an organizational point of view. We employ recent developments in organizational economics to model the organizational processes in building design. Based on an analysis of(i) the cost of transferring knowledge, and (ii) agency cost in existing design organizations, we propose a framework for redesigning organizational processes and for developing appropriate design information systems. The paper describes work on a larger on-going research project at the Harvard Design School on intra- and interorganizational design information systems.

A concept for developing construction element cost models for German residential building projects

Early cost estimate of construction projects plays a vital role hence it forms a foundation for budgeting, planning, monitoring and even for litigation aims. In German practice, the first stage cost estimation is performed at the pre-design stage where no design details exist. Thus, the practical relevance of any model to be developed that requires further design information, would be questionable. The German norms describe construction cost elements as the subcategories for cost of construction works. Therefore, the accuracy of the first stage estimate can be improved by modelling construction cost elements where more detailed information incorporates. In this context, it is aimed to demonstrate the development of a predictive model for the most relevant cost element: external walls. Historical data was randomly sampled from Building Cost Information Centre (Baukosteninformationszentrum) database. The most significant predictors for cost of external walls were determined by backwards regression method. Multiple linear regression methodology is employed for the final parameter estimation. The results reveal that substantial variation in the cost of external walls can be explained by the proposed model which leads to high prediction accuracy. The development of the model is anticipated to influence further studies that address cost modelling in Germany.