Meniru, K C U (2005) Computer-aided conceptual building design. PhD thesis, Concordia University, Canada.
Abstract
Decisions made at the early stages of design are critical in relation to the later stages of the building design and construction process. This is becoming more evident as the design process and a variety of building techniques/materials become more complex. Computers are currently ubiquitous in later stages while absent in the earlier design stages which are still dominated by manual techniques. One of the consequences of the situation is the need to translate manual design solutions into a format that can be used by computers at the later stages, thus increasing the probability for errors and incompatibilities. This research project provides a clear description of the early building design process in a way that makes it possible to formulate basic requirements for successfully supporting the process. These basic requirements are then used to compare with existing computer tools in order to determine what is the current available support. An in-depth study, using the technique of protocol analysis, of eight designers during early building design sessions is carried out in order to identify the features that are needed in a computer environment. Specifications are defined based on this study to guide the creation of a system to support the early building design process using computers. The research project formulates concepts for computer-supported early building design and uses these to create a prototype that satisfies a subset of the specifications. This prototype is described and then tested in a way that favorably compares it to a manual design session showing superiority in design management and interpretation of ideas while reducing efforts.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building design; design management; probability; protocol analysis; specification; design decision; designer |
| Index terms: | design decision, design stage, design management, construction process, prototype, design process, specification, protocol analysis, designer, becoming, building design |
| Subjects: | design methods, profession, architectural design, professional practice, modelling and simulation, design process, contractual condition, research methods, design practice, philosophical process, building construction |
| Topics: | Site Management, Contract Administration, Design Practice, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here