Monday, February 12, 2018

Jianfeng Xiao - Blog 5 - Use of Database in Design


From Wikipedia, it is clear to know that a database is an organized collection of data. In our life, data can be collected from everywhere: cellphone, sensors and digital tools, etc. Data can be use in a building’s whole life cycle, such as design, construction and maintenance phase. In this post, the importance of using database in designing process will be discussed.
In the article “How Big Data and VR in Architecture Will Greatly Improve Design”, it talks about the combined force of data and VR in design will advance the architectural practice. At the beginning, it provides an example of old time and current method of collecting data for designing. Harvard University hired Sasaki Associates to run a master-planning exercise. A question was being asked by Sasaki, “How do student get into campus”. For old method, college kids would be hired to sit out there to count. But for current method, a program was used to track the movement. The current method is much convenience. Through this survey, Sasaki team knew which way student prefer so that they could focus on these paths when designing the whole plan. In addition, the VR is also helpful in designing. Through running the simulation in virtual model using collected data, the designer can have a more accurate idea of what the site or building will be like when constructed. The VR allows designer to see if their design is appropriate or not. Through applying both database and VR for designing, designer will be able to design more effectively and more efficiently. If a designing firm can collect and organize all data from previous project, this will help designer to make better design decision.
Other than the plan designing, database can also be applying to ventilation design of an building by using sensors. In the article, “The world's most sustainable building is also the smartest”, sensors are used to measure every aspect of lighting, CO2 level and humidity. This will help to measure the air quality and wellness condition of building. Through analyzing these data, designer can know how to design more comfortable building.

Sources Cited:
BERNSTEIN, PHIL. “How Big Data and VR in Architecture Will Greatly Improve Design.” Redshift by AUTODESK, 21 Feb. 2017, www.autodesk.com/redshift/big-data-vr-in-architecture/.

PEAKE, ELEANOR. “The World's Most Sustainable Building Is Also the SmartestThe World's Most Sustainable Building Is Also the Smartest.” WIRED, www.wired.co.uk/article/this-is-the-worlds-smartest-building.


Lauren Kujawa Comments:
Lauren,
Your post about the importance of knowledge is interesting. I agree with you that construction firms should collect data from previous project to be able to apply them in future project. This will allow engineers to track projects and search for information they do not understand.
Carlos Hillinger Comments:
Carlos,
You did a great job explaining the object-oriented database and relational database. I have no idea of their difference until I read your post. The post I did is about the use of database of design. I think the database used in design is like object-oriented database that is more specific. I think you can discuss more about the areas where we use object-oriented database.
Mark Odorizzi Comments:
Mark,
You did a good job explaining the relational database theory. This is helpful for me to understand the concept of relational database. The tables clearly show what the relation and non-relation data looks like. This database seems to require the ability to code and program. I think you can also discuss what areas will this database can be applied.

3 comments:

  1. Reading your post is very interesting. I like the examples you give that connect ways in which we use data readily available to us now through new technologies that make prior methods of achieving the same tasks obsolete. Data is such a useful tool when it comes to design because it allows for us to take what we know and apply it in smarter ways, hence smarter buildings and environments also! I will have to check out the articles you cited.

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  2. I like how you found an article that was able to relate back to how object oriented data bases could be used in creating a design. Having tools that are able to calculate data in an efficient and fast way such as the application you discussed will help designers and engineers make their projects more efficient and more functional.

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  3. Jianfeng,

    You brought up some very good points on the collection of data, though I think much of databases are the organization and eventual use of said data. There are numerous methods for this, of course, as are there for the collection as you have mentioned.

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