Day 2: Labyrinth

 

    As an architect today does not hold the same responsibility as of the old master architects. Today's architects also hold the responsibility of the engineers and contractors. There is no longer a need for these professions to be separated. The advancement of technology has integrated the architects into the process of construction and analysis.
   We live in a new world today completely different from when spaces were purely designed by a sole architect. If we look at the previous generation of architecture ironically only the architect of the building is recognized. This "starchitect" trend is very ironic because for the fact that these starchitects were only involved in presenting a concept. Those that actually bring the building together are completely taken out of the picture when the finished product is presented. The clear disjoint of design and construction has wasted time, money, and the chance of expansion within our practice.
   Unlike the previous evolution of architecture, our generation has more program needs due to the advancement of our technology. The outdated disjointed method of guessing to fit spaces together is no longer applicable for today's needs. BIM has been invented to bring collaboration of all those involved in the project. Architects are now allowed to design, "simulate the building, it's performance, and it's construction before breaking the ground" (Bedrick).

   BIM is a game changer. It has changed the role of an architect. We can analyze the performance without sending it out to other specialists because BIM has built in tools that will allow for faster production of results. These interoperable tools gives the technology of the building to co-exist with the design process rather than it become the last thought.



Day 1 Barcelona Pavilion: Perspective overlays & response to readings

Day 1 Barcelona Pavilion: Perspective overlays

perspective 1

perspective 2

perspective 3

Link to documentation drawings.

Link to Revit model.

Responses to the readings:

1) Report on Integrated Practice_ by Mayne

     Mayne explains the "revolutionary" rather than "evolutionary" shift of architecture practice of using BIM. Progressively thinking designers aren't concerned with a computer program that can generate what we can draw but to invent a program that "allows us to continually move back and forth between mirco and macro" (Mayne). It is imperative that firms practice with the new technology of BIM. Though BIM is young and still being invented, it is very important that firms practice with the program. BIM has dramatically decreased the linear process of thinking. It has allowed for designers to play "ping pong" or bouncing back from micro to macro faster which increases productivity. Not only does BIM allow for faster productivity, it also uniforms documentation that could easily be fabricated without the author to guide them. BIM allows for less emphasis on styling and allows for emphasis on the actual making. It is imperative that architects accept these changes rather than ignoring them which will outdate their designs. This revolution completely changes the way we think and design. 

2) Report on Integrated Practice_Eastman

    Eastman extends the thoughts of Mayne. He proposes the pros and cons of this new technology. As proposed in my thoughts of Mayne's article, BIM holds many pros that designers once lacked. The program allows for faster alliteration and also fixes design before construction. Before BIM, constructors were given some blueprints that were wrongly interpreted due to the lack of uniform in documentation. BIM also "spellchecks" or prevents the designer to construct anything that could not be built in the real world. 

    Eastman also expresses the flaws of the program. The program isn't yet designed according to applicable codes. It also lacks anaylses such as "the energy, cost estimation, lighting, air flow and mechanical equipment simulation" (Eastman). Also, some research needs to be conducted in order to share parametric objects. 

   BIM is constantly improving, it has come a long way since the day of blueprints. Designers cannot deny that BIM will allow for faster and more effective production of architecture. The new range of tools and analysis that BIM carries eliminates unnecessary errors of production. It is impractical to keep designing architecture with outdated technology. Outdated technology will only produce outdated designs.