Stefan Boeykens

Custom Digital Workflows: A New Framework for Design Analysis Integration

Flexible information exchange is critical to successful design-analysis integration, but current top-down, standards-based and model-oriented strategies impose restrictions that contradict this flexibility. In this article we present a bottom-up, user-controlled and process-oriented approach to linking design and analysis applications that is more responsive to the varied needs of designers and design teams. Drawing on research into scientific workflows, we present a framework for integration that capitalises on advances in cloud computing to connect discrete tools via flexible and distributed process networks. We then discuss how a shared mapping process that is flexible and user friendly supports non-programmers in creating these custom connections. Adopting a services-oriented system architecture, we propose a web-based platform that enables data, semantics and models to be shared on the fly. We then discuss potential challenges and opportunities for its development as a flexible, visual, collaborative, scalable and open system.

Improving Design Workflow in Architectural Design Applications

In architectural design software, there is a trend to integrate the whole design process in a single application. Design, 3D modeling, drafting, but also design evaluation and presentation are bundled inside the application. This is especially apparent in applications that adhere to the concept of Building Information Modeling. When we look at the functionality in these applications, however, a disruption of the design process can be encountered, preventing the designer to step back and forth throughout the different design phases or scale levels. Three current architectural design applications are briefly positioned and compared and potential improvements to the workflow are introduced.