SHERIF MORAD ABDELMOHSEN
American University in Cairo, Architecture, Faculty Member
- Ain Shams University, Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty Memberadd
- Design Computation (Architecture), Design Methods, Design Research Method (Architecture), Design Research, CAAD, Design Process (Architecture), and 8 moreDesign pedagogy, Building Information Modeling, Collaborative Design, Ubiquitous Computing, Computer Aided Design, BIM (Architecture), Interoperability, and BIM Educationedit
- I am Associate Professor of Digital Media and Design Computing, Head of the Design Computing and Fabrication Lab, and... moreI am Associate Professor of Digital Media and Design Computing, Head of the Design Computing and Fabrication Lab, and Co-Director of Graduate Studies at the Department of Architecture, The American University in Cairo (AUC). I got my PhD (2011) in Architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, and my MSc (2004) and BSc (2000) in architectural engineering from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
I currently teach courses involving computational design at AUC. I have also taught several architectural undergraduate courses at Ain Shams University, the Arab Academy for Science and Technology (AAST), the British University in Egypt (BUE) and Future University in Egypt (FUE) as a part time lecturer.
I am a licensed architect in Egypt, where I worked as senior architect in an architectural firm, and as freelance BIM consultant otherwise. I participated in architectural projects including residential buildings and villas, commercial complexes, museums, and exhibitions in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Germany. I am also founder of KRAFT | Studio, a design computing laboratory based in Cairo, Egypt, that investigates the implementation of digital media and design computing in the built environment, and currently co-founder and managing partner at UDAAR for Engineering Consultancy and Technology Solutions.
My PhD thesis topic involved studying the communication of design intent in BIM-enabled architectural practice through an ethnographic study of architectural and AEC firms. My research interests include building information modeling (BIM), cognitive processes in concept design, patterns of distributed cognition in design, models of design expertise, collaborative design, tangible interfaces, and ambient intelligence. I have publications and posters in international conferences and journals related to design computing and cognition such as Advanced Engineering Informatics, Automation in Construction, IJAC, CAADFutures, DCC, ACADIA, CAADRIA, eCAADe, IASDR, ASCAAD, SID and CDC, and acted as reviewer for eCAADe, ACADIA, CAAD Futures, Automation in Construction, IJAC, Ain Shams Engineering Journal.
I am currently involved in several research projects at AUC, including soft responsive systems for kinetic facades, and additive manufacturing and forming for creative installations, in addition to automated space layout planning and management. I worked earlier with Professor Charles Eastman and the AEC Integration Laboratory team (2007-2010) on a research project titled "BIM-enabled design guide automation" with the General Services Administration (GSA) for the automated rule checking and review of early concept designs for US courthouse buildings. I have also worked as Research Manager at the Consultancy for Research Laboratory (CoReLab) at Ain Shams University, where I have been involved in the automated planning, management and assessment of the E-JUST New Campus Project.
In April 2009, I received the ARCC / KING Student Medal for Excellence in Architectural + Environmental Design Research, as the Georgia Tech recipient for the academic year 2008/2009. The award is given to one student per ARCC member college, school, institute, or unit, and based upon criteria that acknowledge innovation, integrity, and scholarship in architectural and/or environmental design research.
In December 2009, I received an invitation of membership to the Golden Key International Honor Society, given exclusively to the top 15% of college / university sophomores, juniors and seniors, 2nd and 3rd year students and top performing U.S. graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on the objective criteria of their academic achievements.
In April 2012, I received the Faculty Award of Merit for Best Doctoral Presentation at the School of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology.edit
The shared BIM model is assumed to encompass all required parameters and attributes about a design product or process for AEC practitioners. However, socio-cognitive day-to-day interactions that occur in the workplace reveal discrepancies... more
The shared BIM model is assumed to encompass all required parameters and attributes about a design product or process for AEC practitioners. However, socio-cognitive day-to-day interactions that occur in the workplace reveal discrepancies between what is exchanged as design information upon sharing the model and what is exchanged as goals, needs and possibly conflicting intentions and interests upon working collectively on a common ill-structured problem. This book presents findings of an ethnographic study that explores affordances and limitations in BIM-enabled practice regarding the communication of design intent among design teams in the context of an architectural project. Using persona descriptions and grounded theory coding, a thick description is provided that takes into account the dynamic interactions among teams, including interdisciplinary, intradisciplinary and non-disciplinary interaction. Richer descriptions are proposed to existing surveys and market reports that address the use and benefits of BIM in the AEC industry, including topics such as the internal business value of BIM, top ways to improve value of BIM, and the impact of project factors on BIM value.
Low-cost programmable materials such as wood have been utilized to replace mechanical actuators of adaptive architectural skins. Although research investigated ways to understand the hygroscopic response of wood to variations in humidity... more
Low-cost programmable materials such as wood have been utilized to replace mechanical actuators of adaptive architectural skins. Although research investigated ways to understand the hygroscopic response of wood to variations in humidity levels, there are still no clear methods developed to track and analyze such response. This paper introduces a computational method to analyze, track and store the hygroscopic response of wood through image analysis and continuous tracking of angular measurements in relation to time. This is done through a computational closed loop that links the smart material interface (SMI) representing hygroscopic response with a digital and tangible interface comprising a Flex sensor, Arduino kit, and FireFly plugin. Results show no significant difference between the proposed sensing mechanism and conventional image analysis tracking systems. Using the described method, acquiring real-time data can be utilized to develop learning mechanisms and predict the controlled motion of programmable material for adaptive architectural skins.
Research Interests:
Bricks are utilized for their structural and aesthetic roles. Studies demonstrate the impact of thermal mass and shading on energy performance, with limited evidence of other factors such as bonds, patterns and extrusions. This paper... more
Bricks are utilized for their structural and aesthetic roles. Studies demonstrate the impact of thermal mass and shading on energy performance, with limited evidence of other factors such as bonds, patterns and extrusions. This paper investigates the relationship between the location of extruded bricks and their gradient extrusion value. Patterns divide walls into zones with different extrusion values. The study integrates parametric analysis with energy performance simulations conducted on a south façade for a typical residential room in a hot arid climate. Results show 27.75% energy consumption reduction to the base case, indicating potential impact of the non-uniform distribution patterns.
Research Interests:
A variety of heuristic methods and algorithms have been developed for space layout planning problems. Recent efforts to generate furniture layout schemes in existing spatial configurations have mostly relied on exhaustive search and are... more
A variety of heuristic methods and algorithms have been developed for space layout planning problems. Recent efforts to generate furniture layout schemes in existing spatial configurations have mostly relied on exhaustive search and are likely to produce dysfunctional or counter-intuitive solutions. In this paper, we propose a heuristic approach for the automated generation of furniture layout schemes, with specific focus on residential spaces. First, we present an operational definition for furniture entities, space configurations, and space entities. Then we introduce a heuristic algorithm for generating furniture layout schemes based on a set of space subdivision rules, object-object relations, and object-space relations. Using Grasshopper, we generate a group of possible schemes for a sample residential living space. A discussion follows, outlining current limitations, expanding the context of the study, and possibilities for development.
Research Interests:
One of the problems in teaching students how to design kinetic architecture is the difficulty of helping them grasp concepts like motion, physical computing and fabrication, concepts not generally dealt with in conventional architectural... more
One of the problems in teaching students how to design kinetic architecture is the difficulty of helping them grasp concepts like motion, physical computing and fabrication, concepts not generally dealt with in conventional architectural projects. In this paper, we introduce a pedagogical method for better utilizing prototyping and explore the role prototyping plays in learning and conceptualizing design ideas. Our method is based on building the learner's sensory experience through iteration and focusing on the process as well as the product. Specifically, our research attempts to address the following questions: How can architecture students anticipate and feel motion while they design kinetic prototypes? How do their prototypes enable them to explore design ideas? As a case study, we applied our methodology in an 8-week workshop in a fabrication laboratory in Cairo, Egypt. The workshop was open to young architects and students who had completed at least four semesters of study at the university. We describe the pedagogical approach we developed to build the sensory experience of making motion, and demonstrate the basic setting and stages of the workshop. We show how a cyclical learning process, based on perception and action-copying and iteration-contributed to the students' learning experience and enabled them to create and improvise on their own.
Research Interests:
Bricks are significant building elements that are heavily utilized, whether for structural or ornamental purposes. Nevertheless, little has been published on the relationship between brick bonding, shape, and extrusion, and the impact on... more
Bricks are significant building elements that are heavily utilized, whether for structural or ornamental purposes. Nevertheless, little has been published on the relationship between brick bonding, shape, and extrusion, and the impact on energy performance. This paper investigates the impact of different brick bond types and projections on building energy using a custom algorithm. This investigation was conducted in two phases on 24 cases for a south façade. The first phase investigated three different brick bonds for their thermal performance: Running, English and Flemish bonds. The second phase involves parametric simulations to evaluate energy consumptions for three extrusion values [baseline " no extrusion " , ¼ brick extrusion, and ½ brick extrusion] and four different extrusion percentages (ranging from 15% to 60%). The first phase results show no significant differences in energy performance for the base case. The second phase results show that the performance achieved was 26% less than the base case. This was accomplished using the Flemish bond with either 30% wall area extruded with half brick length, or 60% bricks extruded with quarter brick length. The preliminary findings indicate a relationship between extrusion and energy performance. Further studies should include in-situ testing and investigation of patterns under different climatic zones.
Research Interests:
The concept of the digital chain has been widely revolutionizing design and production in the field of architecture. While this concept has been explored in a number of projects, only a few have investigated the specific generative design... more
The concept of the digital chain has been widely revolutionizing design and production in the field of architecture. While this concept has been explored in a number of projects, only a few have investigated the specific generative design methods in such a process in an educational context. Different schools of thought have emerged in this regard. Some promote the rule-based approach, where specific rules and systems are more dominant than inspiration and intuition, and vice versa. In this paper, we argue that, throughout the digital chain, there exists a different set of dynamics that govern the implemented methods, that is neither fully rule-based nor intuition-based, but a hybrid of both. We present the process and outcomes of three consecutive semesters of a digital design studio and workshop course. The paper puts forward an inquiry into the digital chain process exercised in each class, and provides a thick description of the implemented generative design methods.
Research Interests:
The mass customization process of double curved façade panels is still in its infancy, in spite of recent efforts in digital fabrication and panel manufacturing and processing techniques. As these techniques have typically tended to... more
The mass customization process of double curved façade panels is still in its infancy, in spite of recent efforts in digital fabrication and panel manufacturing and processing techniques. As these techniques have typically tended to develop workarounds for curved façade manufacturing, they present challenges in terms of economic feasibility, façade surface continuity, accuracy and waste reduction. In this paper, we present an optimized design-to-robotic production approach that integrates multipoint forming and adjustable moulds together with robotic free form material deposition to produce mass customizable double curved façade panels. We argue that our approach generates customizable double curved panels with complex geometry, and optimizes fabrication workflow, with minimum waste and maximum accuracy in representing irregular and organic form. We introduce the detailed steps of our approach, followed by a discussion on implications and future work.
Research Interests:
This paper describes the process of designing a prototype for a soft responsive system for a kinetic building facade. The prototype uses lightweight materials and mechanisms to generate a building facade skin that is both soft (less... more
This paper describes the process of designing a prototype for a soft responsive system for a kinetic building facade. The prototype uses lightweight materials and mechanisms to generate a building facade skin that is both soft (less dependent on hard mechanical systems) and responsive (dynamically and
simultaneously adapting to spatial and environmental conditions). By combining concepts stemming from both tensegrity structures and folding mechanisms, we develop a prototype that changes dynamically to produce varying facade patterns and perforations based on sensor-network data and feedback. We use radiation sensors and shape memory alloys to control the prototype mechanism and allow for the required parametric adaptation. Based on the data from the radiation
sensors, the lengths of the shape memory alloys are altered using electric wires and are parametrically linked to the input data. The transformation in the resulting overall surface is directly linked to the desired levels of daylighting and solar exposure. We conclude with directions for future research, including full scale testing, advanced simulation, and multi-objective optimization.
simultaneously adapting to spatial and environmental conditions). By combining concepts stemming from both tensegrity structures and folding mechanisms, we develop a prototype that changes dynamically to produce varying facade patterns and perforations based on sensor-network data and feedback. We use radiation sensors and shape memory alloys to control the prototype mechanism and allow for the required parametric adaptation. Based on the data from the radiation
sensors, the lengths of the shape memory alloys are altered using electric wires and are parametrically linked to the input data. The transformation in the resulting overall surface is directly linked to the desired levels of daylighting and solar exposure. We conclude with directions for future research, including full scale testing, advanced simulation, and multi-objective optimization.
Research Interests:
A variety of heuristic methods and algorithms have been developed for space layout planning problems. Recent efforts to generate furniture layout schemes in existing spatial configurations have mostly relied on exhaustive search and are... more
A variety of heuristic methods and algorithms have been developed for space layout planning problems. Recent efforts to generate furniture layout schemes in existing spatial configurations have mostly relied on exhaustive search and are likely to produce dysfunctional or counter-intuitive solutions. In this paper, we propose a heuristic approach for the automated generation of furniture layout schemes, with specific focus on residential spaces. First, we present an operational definition for furniture entities, space configurations, and space entities. Then we introduce a heuristic algorithm for generating furniture layout schemes based on a set of space subdivision rules, object-object relations, and object-space relations. Using Grasshopper, we generate a group of possible schemes for a sample residential living space. A discussion follows, outlining current limitations, expanding the context of the study, and possibilities for development including the integration of fuzzy logic for inconsistent input datasets.
Research Interests:
Design and technology are widely separated in the architectural professional practice, an issue often discernible in developing countries. Architects mostly use technology as a facilitator for design near final design stages; a process... more
Design and technology are widely separated in the architectural professional practice, an issue often discernible in developing countries. Architects mostly use technology as a facilitator for design near final design stages; a process that might dismiss many of the benefits that could have been attained had it been engaged early on within a framework of informed appropriation of technology. This paper presents the findings of an ethnographic study that investigates how this gap could be bridged by means of introducing nanotechnology in early design stages, and how utilizing nanotechnology – both as process and product – would allow architects to holistically integrate design and technology. The study provides a thick description of the design decision making process of a group of architects working on a residential project in an architectural firm in Egypt, and how it was affected through the injection of nanotechnological design knowledge in the early design stages.
Research Interests:
Nanotechnology is not usually sought in the early stages of architectural design but is rather used as an end-product in the final design stages. The lack of an efficient integration of nano-enhanced applications throughout the design... more
Nanotechnology is not usually sought in the early stages of architectural design but is rather used as an end-product in the final design stages. The lack of an efficient integration of nano-enhanced applications throughout the design process inhibits designed artefacts from gaining further performance enhancements. In the context of architectural design practice, this integration requires introducing the design team with nanotechnology design knowledge that addresses the complex state of each of the design stages, especially the concept design stage. This paper presents the findings of an ethnographic study that investigates how nanotechnology affects the rationale of architects in practice when nanotechnology design knowledge is injected early on in the design process.
Research Interests:
Generative design systems have contributed in liberating the limits of design exploration, allowing designers to explore various design solutions. In this paper, we used one-dimensional cellular automata (CA) to generate an optimized... more
Generative design systems have contributed in liberating the limits of design exploration, allowing designers to explore various design solutions. In this paper, we used one-dimensional cellular automata (CA) to generate an optimized solar screen in a south oriented classroom for efficent daylighting performance. We used Grasshopper for the modeling process, and Diva-for-Rhino, which interfaces with Radiance, to evaluate daylighting performance based on the IES approved method. CA rule number 210 was specifically employed to develop the necessary parameters for form generation where 847 different cases were examined. Results of this research demonstrated the potential of CA in achieving the intended visual aspects and daylighting requirements.
Fathy, F., Mansour, Y., Sabry, H., Abdelmohsen, S. and Wagdy, A. (2015), Cellular Automata for Efficient Daylighting Performance: Optimized Façade Treatment, in proceedings of BS2015: The 14th Conference of the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA), Hyderabad, India, pp. 2705-2711.
Fathy, F., Mansour, Y., Sabry, H., Abdelmohsen, S. and Wagdy, A. (2015), Cellular Automata for Efficient Daylighting Performance: Optimized Façade Treatment, in proceedings of BS2015: The 14th Conference of the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA), Hyderabad, India, pp. 2705-2711.
Research Interests:
CAAD education has traditionally focused on delivering skills related to specific software tools. With today’s abundance of computational methods and systems, this approach has proven to be flawed in terms of its learning outcomes. One of... more
CAAD education has traditionally focused on delivering skills related to specific software tools. With today’s abundance of computational methods and systems, this approach has proven to be flawed in terms of its learning outcomes. One of the growing areas of computational design, which has not adequately received sufficient attention in CAAD curricula, is responsive and kinetic architecture. Compared to other constituents of an architectural project, a pedagogical approach to designing systems such as responsive structures or kinetic façade systems requires much more than the typical knowledge and skill set. It extends to include a variety of components such as digital fabrication and making, physical computing, parametric modeling and generative design, kinematics and motion, and material exploration, to name only a few.
Attempts to integrate the design of kinetic structures in education go back as early as 1970, but more involving product than process (Zuk and Clark, 1970). More recent pedagogical attempts include the work of Fox and Hu (2005), which focused on a bottom-up approach of designing mechanical structures then adding sensors and actuators to produce full scale responsive environments. Other efforts, such as El-Zanfaly (2011), provide basic guidelines for designing kinetic structures based on shape and motion grammars. Efforts that followed include intensive workshops or brief course modules. This paper aims at a more comprehensive integration of designing responsive systems as a pedagogical approach in architectural design studio.
We propose a framework for designing responsive systems in design studio that incorporates learning by doing (Ozkar, 2007), making in design (Blikstein, 2013) and sensorial computing. We hypothesize that integrating the learning of these systems in studio enhances student perception of spatial quality, mechanism and structural integrity, behavior and time, in addition to attention to scale, detail and connections, therefore informing the design process at both the architectural and urban design level.
Attempts to integrate the design of kinetic structures in education go back as early as 1970, but more involving product than process (Zuk and Clark, 1970). More recent pedagogical attempts include the work of Fox and Hu (2005), which focused on a bottom-up approach of designing mechanical structures then adding sensors and actuators to produce full scale responsive environments. Other efforts, such as El-Zanfaly (2011), provide basic guidelines for designing kinetic structures based on shape and motion grammars. Efforts that followed include intensive workshops or brief course modules. This paper aims at a more comprehensive integration of designing responsive systems as a pedagogical approach in architectural design studio.
We propose a framework for designing responsive systems in design studio that incorporates learning by doing (Ozkar, 2007), making in design (Blikstein, 2013) and sensorial computing. We hypothesize that integrating the learning of these systems in studio enhances student perception of spatial quality, mechanism and structural integrity, behavior and time, in addition to attention to scale, detail and connections, therefore informing the design process at both the architectural and urban design level.
Research Interests:
This paper reports on the process and outcomes of a digital design studio that integrates parametric design and generative systems in architectural and urban design projects. It explores the interrelationship between the emergence of... more
This paper reports on the process and outcomes of a digital design studio that integrates parametric design and generative systems in architectural and urban design projects. It explores the interrelationship between the emergence of innovative formal representations using parametric design systems, and design autonomy; more specifically the conscious process of generating and developing an architectural concept. Groups of undergraduate students working on an architectural project are asked to identify a specific conceptual parti that relates to an aspect of architectural quality, define strategies that satisfy those aspects, and computational methodologies to implement those strategies, such as rule-based systems, self-organization systems, and genetic algorithms. The paper describes the educational approach and studio outcomes, discusses implications for CAAD education and curricula, and addresses issues to be considered for parametric and generative software development.
Research Interests:
The use of generative systems has been widely investigated in the architectural design process through different procedures and levels of autonomy to generate form. The digression from abstract pre-existing notions of vocabulary and rules... more
The use of generative systems has been widely investigated in the architectural design process through different procedures and levels of autonomy to generate form. The digression from abstract pre-existing notions of vocabulary and rules – even when resulting in emergent forms – to address complex real-world contexts is yet a challenging undertaking. This paper explores incorporating context in the process of designing using generative systems from ideation to fabrication, and explores the relationship between the emergent nature of generative design and the situated act of designing while using generative design tools. A course offered for 3rd year architecture students at the Department of Architecture, Ain Shams University, Egypt, was designed for this purpose. 110 students employed systems including shape grammars, L-systems, fractals and cellular automata, to design and fabricate 8 group projects. A discussion around emergence and situatedness is presented, with special attention to the designing process from ideation to fabrication.
Research Interests:
Architectural competitions have been traditionally used to select best design practices. The basis of assessment for competitions has typically involved non-technical concepts of quality, subjective and emotional appreciations of... more
Architectural competitions have been traditionally used to select best design practices. The basis of assessment for competitions has typically involved non-technical concepts of quality, subjective and emotional appreciations of experiences, and inseparable accord of formal, functional, aesthetic and contextual values (Rönn, 2011), rather than clear-cut objective and precisely measured values as in the engineering domain (Nashed, 2005; Nelson, 2006). Criteria for judgment usually focus on design parti and clarity of concept, novelty of architectural approach, context compliance, spatial organization, functional adaptability, economical solutions, and design flexibility. The assessment process, although presumably comprehensive and involving multiple evaluation techniques and resources, may still overlook important technical issues that may be fundamentally significant to the exclusion or approval of a given entry. This paper introduces a framework for assessing architectural competition entries aided by concepts of building information modeling (BIM).
Research Interests:
This paper introduces a BIM-based framework for outdoor circulation rule checking from a geometric modeling perspective. The paper extracts rules and patterns of circulation and interaction based on site planning standards and codes. It... more
This paper introduces a BIM-based framework for outdoor circulation rule checking from a geometric modeling perspective. The paper extracts rules and patterns of circulation and interaction based on site planning standards and codes. It then identifies high-level operators and 3D low-level operations involved in applicable circulation rules, and suggest methods for implementation. Mechanisms of integration between high-level operators and low-level operations are defined for different domains of rule checking, based on three types of datasets: 1) BIM objects in outdoor settings, including agents like pedestrians, bikes, vehicles, and other objects; 2) attributes and behavior of objects, and 3) interrelations among objects, including agent-agent or agent-object intersection conflicts, agent-agent or agent-object visual access, unobstructed access, and outdoor lighting and shading.
This paper discusses a course that addresses the integration between generative design and digital fabrication in the context of reconfiguring architectural space. The objective of the course, offered for 3rd year architecture students at... more
This paper discusses a course that addresses the integration between generative design and digital fabrication in the context of reconfiguring architectural space. The objective of the course, offered for 3rd year architecture students at the Department of Architecture, Ain Shams University, Egypt, was to design and fabricate interior design elements to be installed within the department lobby. Students worked in digital and physical environments to develop 8 group projects that featured concepts of shape grammars, L-systems, fractals and cellular automata. The potential of the realized projects is discussed in terms of 3D development of systems, contextual generative design, and pedagogical objectives.
Several technologies, including CAD technology, have provided competitive advantages to the architecture, Engineering and construction (AEC) industry in terms of cost and productivity. CAD has passed through evolutionary developments... more
Several technologies, including CAD technology, have provided competitive advantages to the architecture, Engineering and construction (AEC) industry in terms of cost and productivity. CAD has passed through evolutionary developments until it reached what it is today. Building Information Modeling (BIM), the current state of the art in CAD development, is mainly based on both feature-based CAD and parametric modeling technologies. This paper presents the Auto-Finish Macro (AFM); a tool developed with the purpose of accelerating the BIM workflow by reducing the time involved in building the architectural BIM model. We introduce the conceptual basis of AFM, its main input requirements, and working sequence, in addition to a case study. We also propose extensions to the current AFM capabilities to address different phases in the design process.
This paper presents the design and implementation of space object semantics for developing automated building design review systems. The space semantics are developed as a pre-processing operation on a design-oriented building model. We... more
This paper presents the design and implementation of space object semantics for developing automated building design review systems. The space semantics are developed as a pre-processing operation on a design-oriented building model. We have developed a set of four software modules for reviewing different aspects of a specific building type – US Courthouses. IFC provides the common building model schema from which these analyses are carried out. Space objects, like other BIM-building objects, can carry their information-rich space objects and space use semantics properties internally to the model; we have used instead external links to an easily supported information base. We describe the problem of space object semantics, how building space objects can be automatically organized and classified within BIM systems based on their semantics, and our reflection on best practices learned from application development. In this paper, we also focus on the building type-independent issues for establishing space object semantics for any generic building type. All the research and development features noted in this paper are implemented in Solibri Model Checker (SMC) as a plug-in module that constitutes a subset of other pre-processing operations and design review systems.
One of the significant benefits of Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the ability to effectively use analysis and evaluation programs during design, as feedback. However, the current dominant approach to analysis and evaluation of... more
One of the significant benefits of Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the ability to effectively use analysis and evaluation programs during design, as feedback. However, the current dominant approach to analysis and evaluation of design proposals requires the creation of a separate building model for each kind of evaluation. This typically involves using a BIM tool to prepare the data for a specific type of analysis to obtain design feedback. Most of the effort lies in modifying the building model to support the analysis required. When dealing with multiple evaluations, this process is time consuming, greatly reducing the design benefits of BIM. We propose a system architecture to facilitate analysis and feedback in architectural design, based on post-processing design-oriented building models. The post-processing automatically adapts the building model to the needs of the specific analysis, where multiple analyses can be run from the same building model. We outline the methods for realizing such design interoperability. By utilizing geometric and attribute relationships and semantics, data subsets are identified and aggregated. We present an example where the design of a class of buildings – federal courthouses, is evaluated in terms of multiple analyses: programmatic spaces, building circulation, energy consumption, and preliminary cost. These analyses are performed by post-processing a single BIM model. The method is applicable to both API-based direct interfaces as well as open-standard building models.
This paper explores the interaction and different types of representations enacted in a BIM-enabled environment that involves interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary collaboration among teams of designers in an architectural praxis... more
This paper explores the interaction and different types of representations enacted in a BIM-enabled environment that involves interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary collaboration among teams of designers in an architectural praxis context. By means of an ethnographic study conducted over the course of an architectural project from schematic design to construction documents, including five disciplines and twenty subjects, genres of communication interfaces are identified between BIM-authoring tools, sketching interfaces and domain specific analysis tools, and explored within the realm of distributed cognition. Implications in architectural practice and education are then discussed.
This paper introduces the Preliminary Concept Design (PCD) Cost Analysis Module developed for the General Services Administration (GSA) and the analysis results of a case study involving a concept design courthouse BIM model. The module... more
This paper introduces the Preliminary Concept Design (PCD) Cost Analysis Module developed for the General Services Administration (GSA) and the analysis results of a case study involving a concept design courthouse BIM model. The module uses IFC data from BIM models to extract quantity take off data using Solibri Model Checker (SMC), generates an input XML file to the PACES cost estimating software, and produces a comprehensive reporting scheme. The paper explores interoperability issues related to integrating design and analysis tools; specifically BIM models and cost models. We argue that architects and estimators can benefit from the proposed module, where the cost feedback cycle becomes more efficient and their decision-making process is continuously informed throughout multiple design iterations.
This paper presents a pilot study to analyze the role of problem solving expertise (PSE) and computational tool proficiency (CTP) of expert and novice architects in the ideation process within a distributed cognition environment. To... more
This paper presents a pilot study to analyze the role of problem solving expertise (PSE) and computational tool proficiency (CTP) of expert and novice architects in the ideation process within a distributed cognition environment. To analyze PSE, we studied the frequency of occurrence of unique problem solving tasks per limited commitment mode (LCM) revisit. We also devised a quantitative measure for analyzing CTP based on the frequency of unique and normally distributed modeling activities per design process flows for a parametric modeling tool. In our study that involved freehand sketching and parametric modeling as two external representations used in the ideation process, we concluded that expert architects have higher levels of both PSE and CTP than novices.
Building information modelling (BIM) is a powerful tool for clients and architects alike, particularly when clients have ongoing complex programmatic requirements. This paper demonstrates an approach to automate the design guidelines for... more
Building information modelling (BIM) is a powerful tool for clients and architects alike, particularly when clients have ongoing complex programmatic requirements. This paper demonstrates an approach to automate the design guidelines for all US courthouses in such a way that preliminary designs by architects could be assessed and checked against specific criteria. This research was funded by the US federal government’s General Service Administration (GSA).
The Energy Puppet is an ambient display device that provides peripheral awareness of energy consumption for individual home appliances. The display produces different “pet-like” behavioral reactions according to energy use patterns of the... more
The Energy Puppet is an ambient display device that provides peripheral awareness of energy consumption for individual home appliances. The display produces different “pet-like” behavioral reactions according to energy use patterns of the appliances to give homeowners an indication of their energy consumption status. The puppet would raise its “arms” in victory to display normal consumption rate, or its “eyes” would change color to red and “roar” to warn the homeowners when the specific appliance reaches dangerously high consumption rates. The assumption is that the awareness of energy consumption could affect how people consume and control energy use in their households. This paper describes the usage scenarios and the design and implementation of Energy Puppet and discusses future research directions.
The introduction of machine-readable tools for architectural design, which do not just focus on mere geometry or presentation, but on the richness of information embedded computationally in the design, has impacted the way architects... more
The introduction of machine-readable tools for architectural design, which do not just focus on mere geometry or presentation, but on the richness of information embedded computationally in the design, has impacted the way architects approach and manipulate their designs. With the rapid acceleration in building information modeling (BIM) as a
process which fosters machine-readable applications, architects and other participants in the design and construction industry are using BIM tools in full collaboration. As a trend which is already invading architectural practice, BIM is gradually transforming the culture of the profession in many ways. This culture is developing new properties for its participants, knowledge construction mechanisms, resources, and production machineries. This paper puts forward the assumption that BIM has caused a state of transformation in the epistemic culture of architectural practice. It appears that practice in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is still in this phase of transformation; on the edge of developing a new culture. The paper attempts to address properties of such an emerging culture, and the new role architects are faced with to overcome its challenges.
process which fosters machine-readable applications, architects and other participants in the design and construction industry are using BIM tools in full collaboration. As a trend which is already invading architectural practice, BIM is gradually transforming the culture of the profession in many ways. This culture is developing new properties for its participants, knowledge construction mechanisms, resources, and production machineries. This paper puts forward the assumption that BIM has caused a state of transformation in the epistemic culture of architectural practice. It appears that practice in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is still in this phase of transformation; on the edge of developing a new culture. The paper attempts to address properties of such an emerging culture, and the new role architects are faced with to overcome its challenges.
We conducted a protocol study of the architectural sketching process. We decompose the process into process flows to explore the extent to which it expresses concept development in schematic and refined design phases. We track the... more
We conducted a protocol study of the architectural sketching process. We decompose the process into process flows to explore the extent to which it expresses concept development in schematic and refined design phases. We track the development of design concepts in these phases by following the process flows of individual sketched strokes. We argue that each stroke drawn by the designer reveals a probability of an embedded concept, and that this concept is either promoted and propagated throughout the design phases, or blocked while designing. We expand the notion of lateral and vertical transformation in design by introducing a set of processes described as cross propagation, lateral promotion and vertical promotion.
Architects perform problem-solving tasks while designing through various externalization modes. Among the architectural community sketching is associated with conceptual design, and parametric modeling is seen as a tool for detailed... more
Architects perform problem-solving tasks while designing through various externalization modes. Among the architectural community sketching is associated with conceptual design, and parametric modeling is seen as a tool for detailed design development. However, parametric modeling is increasingly being used for exploring design concepts.
We propose that sketching and parametric modeling can be integrated strategically as alternate externalization modes to support problem solving in conceptual design. With sketching, architects are able to externalize their ideas quickly and effortlessly, as the flexible structure of sketching provokes multiple interpretations through continuous reflection. With parametric modeling, architects must define a set of parameters and rule-based constraints. By modeling design objects as parametric, multiple design variations can be generated, modified, and evaluated.
In this paper we describe an effi cient process of problem-solving by studying the strategic use of sketching and parametric modeling in conceptual design. We conduct an experiment to explore the processes involved in both modes. Digital sketching is recorded by the Logitech io2 personal digital pen, and parametric modeling using Digital Project software is recorded by screen video capturing software, followed by a retrospective analysis. The ACADIA 2007 competition brief is used as the design task.
We propose that sketching and parametric modeling can be integrated strategically as alternate externalization modes to support problem solving in conceptual design. With sketching, architects are able to externalize their ideas quickly and effortlessly, as the flexible structure of sketching provokes multiple interpretations through continuous reflection. With parametric modeling, architects must define a set of parameters and rule-based constraints. By modeling design objects as parametric, multiple design variations can be generated, modified, and evaluated.
In this paper we describe an effi cient process of problem-solving by studying the strategic use of sketching and parametric modeling in conceptual design. We conduct an experiment to explore the processes involved in both modes. Digital sketching is recorded by the Logitech io2 personal digital pen, and parametric modeling using Digital Project software is recorded by screen video capturing software, followed by a retrospective analysis. The ACADIA 2007 competition brief is used as the design task.
This paper presents an interface for interacting with tangible objects to produce and edit architectural 3D models, called TangiCAD. TangiCAD is a tangible/virtual construction kit which allows architects to manipulate virtual models... more
This paper presents an interface for interacting with tangible objects to produce and edit architectural 3D models, called TangiCAD. TangiCAD is a tangible/virtual construction kit which allows architects to manipulate virtual models using easy hand control of tangible cubes, as an alternative interface for 3D modeling. It consists of a set of tangible cubes representing architectural elements, such as walls, columns, slabs,…etc., in addition to some editing operations. With more developed versions, the paper argues that architects could use tangible interfaces to carry out 3D modeling in an intuitive way, using their "flip-the-box" hands-on movement.
The process of architectural education has always been influenced by technological advancements in computer and information technologies. Through the manipulation of advanced innovative, interactive and intelligent technologies, students... more
The process of architectural education has always been influenced by technological advancements in computer and information technologies. Through the manipulation of advanced innovative, interactive and intelligent technologies, students of architecture can enhance their intellectual level, design skills and later on, their professional practice level, by improving their architectural awareness and spatial perception.
This paper presents a theoretical model for integrating the basic concepts of mixed reality in the process of architectural education, augmented by a layer of intelligence, through incorporating the basic theories and mechanisms of artificial intelligence, and pedagogical intelligent agents in particular. The paper presents the framework's key concepts, components, potential applications, and discusses its current limitations and points out toward future directions of research and development along the same course.
This paper presents a theoretical model for integrating the basic concepts of mixed reality in the process of architectural education, augmented by a layer of intelligence, through incorporating the basic theories and mechanisms of artificial intelligence, and pedagogical intelligent agents in particular. The paper presents the framework's key concepts, components, potential applications, and discusses its current limitations and points out toward future directions of research and development along the same course.
This digital design studio aims at integrating parametric and generative design in architectural projects. Students are exposed to design computing literature and readings in areas of parametric design, scripting, responsive architecture,... more
This digital design studio aims at integrating parametric and generative design in architectural projects. Students are exposed to design computing literature and readings in areas of parametric design, scripting, responsive architecture, emerging practice, and building information modeling. The studio is mainly divided into three parts: (1) group work and master plan, (2) design, fabrication and operation of a responsive/kinetic component, and (3) design development and detailing. In part (1), each group is required to define parametric strategies that satisfy their formulated conceptual structures as well as existing site conditions. They are asked to develop computational methodologies to implement those strategies, such as rule-based systems, self-organization systems, genetic algorithms, or computational geometry. Then they are required to implement basic procedures in a parametric design tool to achieve those methodologies and strategies. The goal is to guide students to utilize parametric design skills early in the process through a conceptual rather than a purely formalistic approach. Part (2) involves a detailed level of design, where students work on developing innovative working prototypes of building elements (including lighting elements, shading devices, canopies, paneling systems, apertures, etc.) using concepts of kinetic structures and responsive systems. Students present their work collectively, reflecting on how their overall ideation-to-fabrication process affects their design thinking process at different levels and scales of design. In part (3), the students work on developing and detailing their buildings, and are encouraged to build on their findings in part (2) to inform their design development effort, and develop models involving evaluation methods and using simulation and analysis tools regarding a topic of their choice.
Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7j5B5sdCeFXaFVxMHk4b1RmVk0/view?usp=sharing
Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7j5B5sdCeFXaFVxMHk4b1RmVk0/view?usp=sharing
Research Interests:
This course aims at introducing concepts of parametric design and modeling, generative design and digital fabrication. Both Autodesk Revit and Rhino/Grasshopper are introduced as parametric design tools, with specific focus on parametric... more
This course aims at introducing concepts of parametric design and modeling, generative design and digital fabrication. Both Autodesk Revit and Rhino/Grasshopper are introduced as parametric design tools, with specific focus on parametric modeling features and data extraction for analysis and fabrication. Each semester, students are exposed to different techniques and methods of form generation (shape grammars, L-systems, origami, fractals, cellular automata, etc.) and digital fabrication (including sectioning, tessellation, folding, forming, etc.). The course is project-based, where students work in groups to design and fabricate a full-scale model that uses concepts of parametric modeling, shape optimization and digital fabrication, in addition to a group of lab tutorials and exercises. They first develop preliminary ideas and storyboards for their projects. In parallel, they are introduced to basics of parametric modeling in Rhino and Grasshopper, including concepts of curve and surface creation, lists, transformations, surface morphs, manipulating geometry through contextual inputs, data extraction for fabrication, shape optimization, material selection, rendering in V-ray, and layout design in Adobe InDesign. The student groups develop parametric models for their alternatives, and are given feedback regarding both functional and technical aspects. They are then asked to provide fabrication-ready models for their projects. A selected number of projects are chosen for the final fabrication and installation. All students work on shape optimization, assembly and installation of the final outcome.
Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7j5B5sdCeFXWEFoYkJjQm9jNTA/view?usp=sharing
Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7j5B5sdCeFXWEFoYkJjQm9jNTA/view?usp=sharing