
NOTE: 500 Word Draft Abstract
NOTE: 0007 — Wednesday 09 August 2017
Developing Delocalised Open-Source, Architecture-Centric Tools for BIM Applications
[Situation/Research problem investigated]
The increase and rise of web development platforms seek to prove its worth as a ubiquitous space for building valuable tools within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. Applications in AEC are constantly progressing with new software programs and plugins, but in its entirety, Progressive Web Applications (PWA) are becoming essential to the workflow of project collaboration and curatorship (Leon and Molina, 2009).
[Problem/Reason for Research/Relevance]
Due to the multitude of digital tools currently available for Architects, they are defined as localised programs that are pulled from streams of other specialised fields. Whether it be Revit, built for Project Managers and Consultants, to Rhinoceros, created for Industrial Designers. Even the use of the Adobe Suite finds itself focused to its Graphic Designer demographic. The role of the Architect is never the same in every firm, however, they still maintain a common responsibility to coordinate information between various stakeholders within the life of a project (Verdonck, Weytjens, Verbeeck and Froyen, 2011).
The manual, tedious and frustrating nature of updating versions of software packages require new licensing, and at times, overall upgrades of computer systems. Web applications have a place within all web browsers, an easily accessible tool on all desktop, mobile and tablet devices (Birch, 2017). It is for this reason that web applications can provide a seamless presence in the process of communication, where direct links between a localised Building Information Modelling (BIM) platform such as Revit can speak with other programs on the other side of the world, by retrieving, storing and sending data through the web in real-time via an existing web-platform such as Flux.
The rise in BIM applications has resulted with the increase in the amount of data created and embedded in architectural models. However, it is these large data-sets that have become highly accessible which have the ability to converse between the physical and digital worlds (Scheurer, 2010). Therefore, throughout this research, data has proven its worth as the universal language used in the process of delocalising BIM workspaces at multiple levels of scale.
[Research Procedure/Method/Adoption and Application]
The research project evolved rapidly along three strands of development on software design, data management and stakeholder engagement. The process was initiated with providing a proof of concept through a novel workflow developed using localised programs and Flux, and this led to emphasise the clear connection and ability to facilitate the project further into a PWA.
[General Results Obtained/Anticipated]
One of the key outcomes throughout the process was the development of a web-based platform, essentially a real-time tool for visualising and interacting with large complex data-sets, in conjunction with multi-scale and multi-layered 3D Building Information Modelling (BIM) objects.
Another outcome, was the definition of modules throughout the process which clarify the distinct areas of transformation. The first is the BIM database which encapsulates the interchangeable data and produces the model, whilst the second being the interactive open-source web-based platform which pulls data from the database autonomously. Further, through the experience of developing the tool pragmatically resulted with accentuating the knowledge of web-development to be an essential skill in architectural practice. In addition, software engineering practising principles provide a productive framework in creating flexible tools within the AEC industry (Carlile, 2015).
[Major Conclusions/Implications]
Due to the massive growth in data provided by implementation of BIM, the research emphasises the need for Software Engineering practices within the AEC industry through Open-Source Web Application development. Ultimately, the future will eventually revolve around the practice of delineating localised workspaces in general, and look to challenge its existence for customised ubiquitous tools (Aydin and Schnabel, 2014).
KEYWORDS
- BIM Tool
- Delocalised Workspaces
- Web-based Platforms
- Interactive Database
- Interfaces
CUMINCAD Papers to look into
- A survey on the visual communication skills of BIM Tools
- Data Transmission Opportunities for Collaborative Cloud-Based Building Information Modelling
- New Interfaces, new scenarios. Vroom n.0: Vroom n.0: The emerging potential of collaborative 3D web platforms
- Design Support Tools in Practice. The Architects’ Perspective
- BIM Value: http://bimvaluetool.natspec.org/
- Delivering Value with BIM: A Framework for Built Environment Practitioners
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Last modified on Wednesday 09 August 2017

