B7 Course Reflection

Taking intelligent building has been an interesting choice for me this term; walking in into the course, I did not know what to expect because the concept of intelligent building was somehow new to me. As we started to get into the weekly subjects, the knowledge that I have gained during this term have influenced my area of interest for future career goals and studies.

For instance, with the various assignments, I was able to first learn more about blogs, and database which was at the time a concept that I was studying, and it was presented in a different view that had allowed me to understand better what I am studying in a different course. Then, the couple assignments on Microsoft Access had given me the basics that I need to further use this program because even though I have use it extensively before, the concepts behind the relationships among the tables were new and challenging at first. Also, during the research for my final project, I was able to gain more knowledge on green building and intelligent building.

Prior to this course, I had never thought of sensors and robotics as tools that would impact greatly the construction industry, and known that intelligent building is a dynamic and responsive architecture that provides every occupant with productive, cost-effective and environmentally approved conditions through a continuous interaction among its basic elements: places (fabric; structure; facilities); process (automation; control; systems); people (services; users) and management (maintenance; performance) and the interrelation between them.” (Architectural Science Review, Volume 59, 2016, Issue 5), or green building involves the creation of structures using processes that are environmental friendly and efficient throughout a building life’s cycle such as siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Overall, I would say that I have truly enjoyed this course, and the way many subjects were introduced during the lecture; This process makes the time worthwhile and has increased my curiosity about multiple subjects within the construction industry. I can wait to use some of the concepts that I have learned in this course, and I am looking forward to see how the evolution of technology would influence this course and the future of our industry.

Comments:

Malik,

I like your approach about the course reflection; first I agree with you by saying that most of us had different opinions about the course, and our expectations were totally outside of the scope of the course. Also, your opinion about the weekly blog posts is well-expressed because every student had posted something unique every week which makes it interesting to read about the many subjects covered in class.

Alyssia,

It was interesting that you have mentioned the many technological concepts  learned during this course, and your opinions about the classroom and some of the things that we could improve in this course is truly appreciated.

Johnson,

Most of us would agree about your opinions on this course; it is true that the class is a reflection of one’s work, time, and effort. I found your final project interesting, and the correlation that you have drawn between this course, the construction industry and the future is worth looking into.

Amisial B-6 Uses of Database in Design Offices

Amisial B-6 Uses of Database in Design Offices

Per my belief, I think database is an indispensable tool for any successful companies and offices. Since they could be used for a variety of task in businesses and offices, they became a daily tool that most employees use for accomplishing projects. According to Herzing College:

“Databases are used to structurally organize and capture large quantities of data by inputting, storing, retrieving and managing information. While we commonly think of databases to be online stores of information, a phone book or census also qualify as examples. In computer lingo, a database application is the program responsible for retrieving and storing this data. Offices these days generally function on a database management system, which provides an interface between the user and the database, and also catalogues data. Some of the more popular database management systems include Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft Access. Since there are a variety of DBMS’s available to choose from, each office may function using different software. For this reason, DBMS software will often come with an Open Database Connectivity driver, which allows different database systems to interact and share information.

For instance, Dropbox is a popular system of cloud storage like Google Drive, where users can maintain, share and access massive quantities of files on the internet. It itself acts as a huge database, where one can “drop” or sync images, documents, downloads into a private or shared account, for the intent of then being immediately accessible from any computer with an online connection. Rather than emailing the same files to ten different people, a database will receive the data and allow the other ten co-workers to view and download at their will. “

Reference: http://www.herzing.ca/blog/winnipeg/the-importance-of-database-applications-in-the-office/

Comments:

Isaac,

It was interesting that you have related functionality of database during construction with your past personal work experience. I can see why it would be a struggle to have a database that allows multiple incoming updates from several parties. I found myself genuinely interested in finding database with such capacity, but I can tell you during my time working for the city, I was able to access a database with which my team was able to update multiple projects concurrently.

Wicker,

Your writing about Structured Query Language (SQL) was enjoyable, and I agree with you by stating that SQL must evolved alongside with some design programs. In fact, as you understand the relationship between SQL and design program or database, it becomes more efficient for the user, and their both intended purposes are more reachable.

Sonny,

I like the way your information was presented about relational database theory (RDB). As someone who is a novice in RDBs; I could say that they are a primary tool for user-friendly type of database, and they are mostly used for database in which it is important to present the users information in the form of tables.

B4- Green Building vs Intelligent Building- Amisial

B4- Green Building vs Intelligent Building

My final project will be to write about these two concepts as the title indicates; the objective is to hopefully provide a clear distinction between the two, and to further assist by elaborating on the basic knowledge regarding the subject. This will be done by discussing the concepts and general theories developed on the subject, providing the main characteristics and definitions of both intelligent and green building, method of construction, materials, advantages and disadvantages, impacts on the environment, common interests and connections between the two.

As mentioned above, this is primarily about intelligent building, and it will discuss how intelligent building technologies can develop green building. Additionally, some of the common knowledge that has been already found about intelligent building are: they have higher level of security, easy to monitor, and include information integrated systems, but they were also proven to be of higher cost due to installation systems, and system complexion. Some of the challenges that we might encounter are: issues in finding case study for the two concepts (green & intelligent buildings) to illustrate the arguments presented and concrete data to elaborate on the comparison between the two.

Comments:

Tyler,

Your writing on how intelligent building technologies can be used to make a building more green will be very interesting; This is one aspect of intelligent building that I have not given a lot of thoughts, but the summary of your paper highlights everything that I needed to get a clear picture on this relationship between intelligent and green buildings. I agree to the fact that both buildings have closely similar goals but they use different methods, and I would have appreciated to know which one is more efficient in some specific goal as example impact on the environment.

 Thach,

I found your project subject very inspiring, and implementing intelligent appliances into intelligent building is a must in order to get the network system of the building more efficient. I completely agree with the fact that switching these appliances in an old hose is one of the first step into intelligent building, but I wonder what would be the outcome if such appliances are installed in a green house.

Bach,

Your project subject: underground intelligent building is very interesting; you have addressed some of the most important concerns that we have nowadays about tall buildings. You have mentioned that about 27% of the top ten tallest building are vanity height; I was hoping that this fact was elaborated a little more, and I agree that building underground seems safer, but I question if the environment impact will be less on the surrounding.

Amisial-B4: Current Advantages of BIM/REVIT

Current Advantages of BIM/REVIT

In our today’s world, BIM programs such as Revit has impacted the general construction industry considerably, and anyone would agree that most of the advantages span in all the phases of a project design and construction. Some people might even argue that there are more benefits that we have not yet conceived or taken advantages of. Thus, here is a glimpse of the current advantages of this program:

First, its application during the conceptual design speed up the process by giving basic information in terms of framework, massing, structure, and spatial layout. In addition, to this, it allows the conception of the project regarding its function, cost, construction methods and materials, environmental impacts, and building practices. Secondly, during the project design and analysis, it provides parameters with which the project could be manipulated using temperature control, ventilation and air flow, load distribution, lighting, pedestrian circulation, energy consumption, and water supply and waste water disposal.

Later during the planning and construction, it facilitates the production of automatically consistent set of drawing, 3D overview, and application schedules. Furthermore, special drawing could be developed for specific part of the construction which will decrease change orders, and save money in terms of materials, manpower, and time. According to this article cited below, the main advantages of using Revit could be summarized as follow: it is quicker meaning many of the drawing’s elevation, section, and perspective are automatically produced; The project information is automatically coordinated for the model i.e. there is a match plan for each drawing, and schedules match the quantities of element and type; The testing and the analysis could be done at an earlier phase meaning the coordination of all the elements of the project such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical, structural are largely beneficial.

Source: C. M. Eastman, “Chapter 5-9: BIM for Architects and Engineers,” in BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors, 2nd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012.

 BIMscape, “What is Revit Architecture”, January 21, 2017

http://bimscape.com/module-1/what-is-revit-architecture/

Comments:

Cody,

Your writing on the BIM/Revit advantages was particularly informative. I found the implementation of the new feature such as the energy analysis is one the many that we should expect soon. I believe that by turning Revit into a more indispensable tool within BIM would be more advantageous for everyone since it is already a commonly used program in the industry.

Lauren,

Your comparison between AutoCAD and Revit was very detailed; it clearly stated the reasons why most firms prefer the use of Revit instead of other programs. Also, I had appreciate reading about MicroStation, since I have never heard or used it. In addition, there was one aspect between AutoCAD and Revit that you did not mention; I have previously used drawing made from AutoCAD to be completed in Revit. This concept has been widely in use, and I believe that it has some interesting concepts.

Sara,

I agree with two of your key issues regarding Revit; the lack of interoperability within itself requires too much time from the users to obtain a desired result, but some of the automatically produced sections could compensate, and some of the recent add-on features are addressing these issues. Also, after construction, there is not much of the Revit model of project, I think that this is one aspect that we should invest on because it changes the way we view the life span of a building and how we go about renovation of previous structure.

Amisial- Post Blog 2 -BIM Chap 5

BIM Handbook Chapter 5: BIM for Architects and Engineers.

Reading chapter 5 of the BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors was such a treat for me due to some pre-made ideas that I had about BIM; even though, I did not agree on the approaches taken for some of the concepts discussed in the chapter, I must admit that I remain satisfied about the arguments presented.

In fact, this chapter begins by affirming how BIM is a paradigm change and redistributes the allocation effort to conceptual design while providing the following direct benefits: consistency across all drawings and reports, automating special interference checking, use of interfacing analysis, simulation, cost application which increases visualization, communication at all scales and phases of projects.

Throughout this chapter the impacts of BIM on design was presented using mainly three point of views: conceptual design meaning it becomes easier to generate complex building shells using BIM, Integration of engineering services: this could be summarized by the integration of new information with existing simulation and analysis tools, and Construction-Level Modeling which addresses potential achievement through collaborative design-construction process as example with Integrated Project Delivery (IPD).  Other facts were discussed such as evolutionary step to replace 2D drawings with 3D digital models and the practical concern of design firm when implementing BIM. However, because of this change, questions such as don’t we believe that the essence of design lay in the thought processes associated with conveying lines on paper? Don’t drawings and sketches enhance thinking and creative work? It is no doubt that we have moved from the age of designs conceptually made in a designer’s head and recorded externally to the ones created through visual aids and models, but does this promote the evolution of the human intelligence within this field and is it the right direction?

Additionally, it was also argued that BIM provides the implication of all the parties involved in a project biding under one single collaborative contract (IPD) which guarantees success through common interests, and the cost of having BIM was presented along with some application libraries, software and programs such as SketchUp Pro, Bonzai3D, Vector Works, OasisGSA, Robot, Sofistik, SpaceGass, Revit, Strand7, Rhino.

Source: C. M. Eastman, “Chapter 5: BIM for Architects and Engineers,” in BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors, 2nd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012, pp. 193–261.

Comments:

Abad,

Your overview on chapter 4 of the handbook about BIM for owners and facility managers have been well-presented. Throughout the chapter, anyone could see that BIM have provided considerable advantages to the owners on multiple level such as cost reliability and design assessment; Although, I totally agree with this fact because it brings the owner closer to the project, but what are the implications in regard to the designers, engineers and other parties involved? It is my belief that this would bring some constraints to the designers.

Chris,

I have enjoyed your approach on BIM for contractors. It reinstates undoubtedly that BIM promotes team effort, communication, and collaborative inputs for the realization of projects. I was more interested to the fact that BIM has clash detection for contractors which is a built-in method to identify when things are overlapped and can point them out before it’s too late. I would have appreciated to see any type of illustration on this subject.

Dung,

It was interesting to read your summary on chapter 2 for BIM: Design Tools and Parametric Modeling; In fact, by elaborating on the origin of BIM and the multiple codes and research conducted for the creation of complete building information modeling gives a different prospective on the matter. In addition, the inclusion of your coop experience in relation to BIM was certainly convincing.

Term Project Subjects- Amisial

Green Building vs Intelligent Building, 3D Printing, AI

Construction Sequence for AI

From a personal experience point of view, I would say construction sequence for AI is potentially similar for every designer since I would assume that it starts first by writing the documents necessary for the project, next creating the codes and running them for processes. After this step, the design process will be developed to accommodate shape, load and purposes, then the electrical and  possibly mechanical phase would take place which will lead to the final phase: the different units assembly. Furthermore, it is my belief that practical tests will be conducted before the construction is declared complete.

Week 2 Intelligent Buildings- Amisial

In my opinion, this term refers to a building or structure that has the implementation of all the innovative features in all the aspects of the systems such as mechanical, electrical, HVAC, structural, and design which makes the building self-sufficient, autonomous, and pro-efficient in every aspect. Furthermore, I would advance that is it a building of cost-effecting with minimal impacts on the environment.

Blog Post 1

Amisial B-1

Three Tech Trends Shifting the BIM Industry in 2016

By Dennis Williams       

http://www.aecbytes.com/viewpoint/2016/issue_80.html

July 21, 2016

HVAC

In this article, some of the new advanced features in building information modeling (BIM) were discussed by informing how they are shifting the trend of this industry in a new age. Particularly, HVAC which is a field that I believe could be more explored to improve building efficiency and performance, decrease the impacts on the environment and increasing occupant comfort was well presented. In fact, I was interested on how the addition of these followings: smart thermostats, talking fridges, reactive lighting units, sensors and software to monitor occupant’s activities while adjusting room temperature, building GPS location to affect lighting and air conditioning in saving energy for when there is enough natural light for a side of the building, are changing our views regarding buildings. I think that it is only the beginning of a new era in HVAC because if we think for a moment in implementing similar features on bigger level such city, states, or countries; we could truly step into some radical changes for a brighter future.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Leave AI Alone

By Andrew Burt       

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/opinion/leave-artificial-intelligence.html

January 4, 2018

This article addresses the controversies regarding AI and discusses the general concerns about implementing regulations on AI; while this last idea is the most challenging for our generation, I must admit that I totally support such opinions. Since, AI has been in used around the 1900s, it was never properly defined, and even currently, the industry is struggling to accurately define it because AI does not represent one single technology or development. On the other hand, I have enjoyed the multiple uses of AI such as 3D printing, financial algorithms, and self-parking and looking forward to new inventions, however, while some might argue that it is too premature to start regulating AI; It would be beneficial to start investing more resources into analyzing the different impacts of AI in the world. It has been reported that AI performed higher in multiple human intelligence areas, so the question remains: will we compete against them or increase our intellectual capacity to better use them?

Comments: 

Carlos,

I have enjoyed your approach on the 3D printing, your information on the main advantages were efficiently presented; however, one the main advantages retains my attention: reduced costs. I have enjoyed the benefits of 3D printing, but I think in some areas, it increases costs in some part of the construction. Compared to developed environment, when there is no need for using the materials produced; it is used most of the time as a markup for future development or construction.

Allison,

Your post on robotics is quite enjoyable, and honestly by implementing autonomous on-site robot, the construction industry would maintain its edge in the world of inventions. I totally agree that such methods will efficiently facilitate the construction process. However, my concern is what is the impacts on human involvement within the construction industry, and since they do not have the inspiration to create or design; what will be our point of view of this aspect. Lastly, I don’t think that we are fully prepared to step into this new era and their implication on a more general level is far beyond 10 years.

Nay Ye Oo,

Your writing on computers related to the future is very interesting; one could clearly see that the trend of this industry for the past decades has been the creation of more portable and comfortable computers while maximizing their performance. The same observation could be made about cellphones, but one thing that got my attention was the multiple or limiting features that most of them have. This genuinely makes me think about what are the consequences or impacts for such computers.

Mariano Amisial Introduction

Hello everyone,

I am Mariano Amisial, and for this course, I believe that my background as primarily a drafting designer would have a strong hold in understanding the materials of this course. In fact, since I have already obtained a degree in architectural engineering, it has opened my mind in analyzing the concepts of intelligent building. Moreover, how intelligent buildings are perceived, and the implications and improvements made currently represent the object of my interest.

At the end of this course, I expect to gain a more profound knowledge about intelligent buildings and learn the multiple programs used in improving intelligent building along with the current theories and concepts recently developed. In my research using the Evernote database, 3D printing, robotics, AI, design and sensors were the most interesting subjects. I strongly believe that 3D printing is the next step in building design, and if more studies are conducted on the subject, it will represent the new era in building design. My personal definition for intelligent building is the concept of having a building with the most sustainable and current features along with the implementation of low impact on environment, BIM, and engineering programs that will make it self-sufficient.

Last Names for Tags

Below are the names of the student in Intelligent Building in AY2017-18.  This post is used to create the last names as labels/tags to be used when you enter a post.  It's initially alphabetic, but students added after 1/7/2018 may be at the end.

Amisial, Mariano Anibaba, Abd'Lmalik Oladepo

Arnold, Zachery Todd

Bihun, Oksana T

Chen, Lu

daCostaXimenes, Marino Hero Sutejo H S Dahroug, Shaden

Deutsch, Alyssia M

DiGiovanni, Bradley S

Gibson, Christopher A

Hillinger, Carlos Luis

Hollis, Sarah

Huxley, Jake

Johnson, Cody James

Kujawa, Lauren E

Lovett, Joshua M

Maita, Andrew

Milligan, Kerry M

Mutso, Maria-Irena

Odorizzi, Mark R

Oo, Nay Ye Quelly, Peter Isaac

Shuster, Jordan W Sisson, Thomas

Strohl, Diedre H

Thach, Christopher Tangari, Luciana

Tran, Bach Tran, Dung

Tufano, Sarina Angel Wahbeh, Jacob Tareq

Wicker, Tyler C

Xiao, Jianfeng

Zhang, Shuyuan