Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.4
3.1
Journals
Buildings
Special Issues
Architectural Design Supported by Information Technology: 2nd Edition
share announcement

Architectural Design Supported by Information Technology: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 7194

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Frank Petzold

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Interests: computational design; BIM; design decision support; AI; public participation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Luis Felipe González Böhme

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile
Interests: robotic timber joinery; traditional timber framing; robotic fabrication; affordable housing design; constraint-based design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Gerhard Schubert

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Interests: mixed reality/AI/early design stages/design decision support/computational design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As fundamental planning decisions are made during early stages in design processes, early stages of architectural design have a significant impact on the subsequent performance of cities, districts and buildings in these settlements.

Increasing digitization, the technological innovations that accompany digitization and resultant new methods have contributed to wide-ranging transformations in architectural design processes in recent decades.

Today, information technology offers a vast number of different design methods and tools, for example, simulations, artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing and robotic fabrication as well as BIM towards digital twins in built environments as a digital backbone.

In addition, climate change and its consequences have significantly changed the way we think about living together and how we deal with (spatial) resources.

The key to current research and research in the coming years will be to exploit the potential of currently available and forward-looking information technologies and their integration into design processes to offer an "expanded possibility space" and to support architects in decision-making processes.

The aim of this Special Issue is to allow scientists who are investigating digital methods to support decision-making processes in early stages of design processes to publish their works and to discuss potential application fields with a broad scientific community.

You can view the Original Special Issue here: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/buildings/special_issues/Architectural_Information.

Prof. Dr. Frank Petzold
Prof. Luis Felipe González Böhme
Dr. Gerhard Schubert
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • early architectural design stages
  • computational design
  • design decision support
  • simulation, prediction, and evaluation in design
  • BIM
  • performance-based spatial design
  • machine learning
  • Construction 4.0/robotic fabrication/human–robot collaboration

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 2836 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Construction Management Education through 4D BIM and VR: Insights and Recommendations
by Narmin Abouelkhier, Muhammad Tariq Shafiq, Abdul Rauf and Negmeldin Alsheikh
Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3116; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103116 - 28 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1230
Abstract
Traditional teaching methods in construction management education often face challenges in providing students with practical, real-world experiences crucial for skill development. To address these limitations, this study explores the potential of integrating building information modeling (BIM) and virtual reality (VR) as educational tools [...] Read more.
Traditional teaching methods in construction management education often face challenges in providing students with practical, real-world experiences crucial for skill development. To address these limitations, this study explores the potential of integrating building information modeling (BIM) and virtual reality (VR) as educational tools for construction management students. Our aim is to assess the effectiveness of a 4D-BIM-based VR simulation in enhancing student’s learning experiences and performance in construction project management. This research employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative data and qualitative insights from a comparative experiment involving undergraduate students. Quantitative data were collected through objective error detection measures in construction sequences and processes, while qualitative insights were gathered from participant feedback. The findings highlight that students using VR-based simulations detected more errors in construction sequences and processes than in traditional 2D drawings, showcasing the utility of BIM and VR-enabled approaches in teaching construction management. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on integrating advanced technologies into educational practices, particularly in construction management, where practical hands-on experiences are crucial for skill development and real-world application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural Design Supported by Information Technology: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3031 KiB  
Article
Development of a Generative Design System for 3D-Printed Houses in Chile
by Rodrigo Garcia-Alvarado, Pedro Soza-Ruiz, Eduardo Valenzuela-Astudillo, Daniela Martuffi-Lazo and Jose Pinto Duarte
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2939; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092939 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1024
Abstract
Three dimensional-printing construction is an emerging technology with significant potential for faster building execution and more precise, controllable designs. This technology utilizes material deposition managed by computer data, enabling additive construction of shapes. This research aims to develop a generative design system for [...] Read more.
Three dimensional-printing construction is an emerging technology with significant potential for faster building execution and more precise, controllable designs. This technology utilizes material deposition managed by computer data, enabling additive construction of shapes. This research aims to develop a generative design system for 3D-printed houses in Chile, addressing the country’s growing demand for housing across diverse geographical locations and social groups, also present in other parts of the world. The development process involves synthesizing the external form features of existing Chilean houses and analyzing prototypes of 3D-printed houses worldwide to establish a set of geometric characteristics suitable for 3D-printed homes in Chile. A procedure is then outlined to create design alternatives using parametric programming on a BIM platform, followed by toolpath development for printing the building components. Various models are generated to demonstrate housing shapes’ versatility and adaptability to Chilean contexts and 3D-printed construction methods. Finally, a detailed design is created and printed to construct a housing prototype, testing the entire digital workflow. This experience highlights the variety of 3D-printed housing shapes that can be developed while assessing their feasibility for the Chilean context. This research complements the flexible design capabilities of 3D printing construction, resulting in buildings better suited to various locations and occupancy needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural Design Supported by Information Technology: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6613 KiB  
Article
The Conceptual Model Mediated by IVR and 3DP as a First Architectural Idea Generator
by Hugo Gomez-Tone and Javier F. Raposo Grau
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2334; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082334 - 28 Jul 2024
Viewed by 894
Abstract
The first ideas generation of the architectural project has traditionally been carried out through sketches. Even though in recent decades models have also gained importance, their use is still restricted due to the time required to make them and their difficulty of realization [...] Read more.
The first ideas generation of the architectural project has traditionally been carried out through sketches. Even though in recent decades models have also gained importance, their use is still restricted due to the time required to make them and their difficulty of realization when it comes to complex forms. This research argues that the use of concept models mediated by two disruptive technologies such as Immersive Virtual Reality and 3D Printing can foster the cognitive process of the ideation and configuration of the first architectural ideas. To demonstrate the hypothesis, a pilot study was conducted with 32 architecture students; 17 students created models manually and 15 used IVR and 3DP. Two observation sheets were used to collect information. The results show that in the process of generating ideas, the group that used the two technologies developed three of the four characteristics of the cognitive process better, being an undecided and slow process, then fast and continuous, and finally perceptual for reinterpretation. Also, both technologies complemented each other and favored the development of an intense, tactile, and phenomenological experience. Finally, regarding the model as a product, a better result was found in 3D-printed models in terms of two of the three characteristics, three-dimensionality complexity and materiality. It is concluded that these two technologies ideally complement each other as mediating tools for three-dimensional architectural thinking, making it possible to use the conceptual models as the first generators of the architectural idea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural Design Supported by Information Technology: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 62083 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Built Environment in Urban Negative Spaces Using Parametric Methods—Research on a High-Density City in China
by Wenqi Bai, Yudi Wu, Yiwei He, Li Wang, Zining Qiu and Yuqi Ye
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14041081 - 12 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1227
Abstract
In the early stage of architectural design, addressing the challenges posed by negative spaces in high-density urban environments is crucial for enhancing spatial efficiency and building sustainability. Multiple studies employed digital methods and tools to address these issues, such as parametric design, simulation, [...] Read more.
In the early stage of architectural design, addressing the challenges posed by negative spaces in high-density urban environments is crucial for enhancing spatial efficiency and building sustainability. Multiple studies employed digital methods and tools to address these issues, such as parametric design, simulation, and genetic algorithms, to investigate architectural generation approaches for urban negative spaces. This article proposes an integrated design process that involves finding the location and form of negative spaces, generating solutions using slime mold and wasp algorithms, and optimizing and analyzing solutions using the Wallacei plugin in Grasshopper. This comprehensive approach underscores the potential of parametric design to yield a multitude of solutions while also acknowledging the convergence challenges encountered during simulations, particularly in optimizing for optimal sunlight exposure during the winter solstice and minimal solar radiation in the summer. Analyzing the optimization goals and parameter values of the 15th Pareto optimal solution in the 100th generation reveals: (1) a higher number of units leads to positive correlation growth in both objectives; (2) within a certain number of units, parametrically generated solutions facilitate the convergence of optimization goals, yielding optimal outcomes. Therefore, factors such as the range of unit quantities and proportions need consideration during early-stage parametric design and simulation. This study explores a design methodology for negative spaces in high-density urban cities, validating the feasibility of various mainstream generation methods and offering insights for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural Design Supported by Information Technology: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 6242 KiB  
Article
Design Decision Support for Healthcare Architecture: A VR-Integrated Approach for Measuring User Perception
by Tianyi Yang, Marcus White, Ruby Lipson-Smith, Michelle M. Shannon and Mehrnoush Latifi
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030797 - 15 Mar 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1765
Abstract
Changing the physical environment of healthcare facilities can positively impact patient outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) offers the potential to understand how healthcare environment design impacts users’ perception, particularly among those with brain injuries like stroke, an area with limited research. In this study, [...] Read more.
Changing the physical environment of healthcare facilities can positively impact patient outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) offers the potential to understand how healthcare environment design impacts users’ perception, particularly among those with brain injuries like stroke, an area with limited research. In this study, our objective was to forge a new pathway in healthcare environment research by developing a comprehensive, six-module ‘user-centered’ design decision support approach, utilizing VR technology. This innovative method integrated patient engagement, architectural design principles, BIM prototyping, and a sophisticated VR user interface to produce realistic and immersive healthcare scenarios. Forty-four stroke survivors participated, experiencing 32 VR scenarios of in-patient bedrooms, followed by interactive in-VR questions and semi-structured interviews. The results of the approach proved to be comparatively efficient and feasible, provided a high level of immersion and presence for the participants, and effectively elicited extremely rich quantifiable response data, which revealed distinct environmental preferences. Our novel approach to understanding end-user responses to stroke rehabilitation architecture demonstrates potential to inform user-centered evidence-based design decisions in healthcare, to improve user experiences and health outcomes in other healthcare populations and environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural Design Supported by Information Technology: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5

Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Enabling cross-domain design decision support for additive construction
Authors: Chao Li; Frank Petzold
Affiliation: Chair of Architectural Informatics, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany.
Abstract: Advanced construction techniques, including additive manufacturing (AM) and modular construction, have drawn on experience in automation and digitalization from the manufacturing domain. Accordingly, existing ontological framework(s) from manufacturing should be studied and leveraged to enhance interoperability within the building industry, which is known to be fragmented with diverse areas of expertise, ranging from design, manufacturing to construction and quality control. A knowledge graph fusing such cross-domain expertise, once given, can be interacted using cutting-edge large language models for informative design decision support, improving design rationality regarding manufacturability, regulations, etc. However, it is rather labor-intensive to gather scattering knowledge pieces from experts, formalize dedicated domain ontologies for each, and then build up a coherent framework. To remedy the issue, this paper envisions a mixture-of-domain (MoD) approach by firstly postulating a well-founded ontology suit, then provide a prototype for documenting heterogeneous information entities from domain experts on BIM-based design. Eventually, a semi-formal knowledge graph compromising multitude of expertise will be generated. All in all, the proposed MoD approach will facilitate the interwinding knowledge acquisition processes and thus, bridge untapped area between formal and semi-formal knowledge realms, advancing future processes of ontology learning and retrieval augmented generation.

Back to TopTop