The Impact of Ict On The Architectural Design Process by Ebukanson Anietie

THE IMPACT OF ICT

ON THE
ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN PROCESS
WRITTEN BY:

EBUKANSON, ANIETIE GABRIEL

FEBRUARY 2010

FEBRUARY 2010
IMPACT OF ICT IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS
EBUKANSON, ANIETIE. G.
ABSTRACT
The potential of Information and communications technology (ICT) for improving

the quality of professional services is generally acknowledged. ICT studies the
technology used to handle information and communication. It entails storage,
retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receiving of information electronically in a
digital form. This paper presents a brief study on the role of ICT within
architectural practice, especially in design process. The architectural design
process which is in three main stages: the brief analysis, the initial design stage
and the final design stage (production of all constructions documents by the
architect and other professionals involved), will be discussed.
New Technologies used for virtual pre-coordination such as building information

modeling (BIM), provides environments that allows for optimal interactivity
between the different professionals (architect, engineers, surveyors, and the
quantity surveyor) The influence of BIM as one of the major ways in which ICT
has impacted on the design process will be discussed.
Also, further discuss will be on how the architectural working environment has
been influenced and transformed by ICT and the new expertise areas in
architecture that has emerged. This study will contribute to a better
understanding and overview of the present trend with regards to ICT related
technologies and benefits in the architectural design process.
[Keywords] ICT, design process, virtual pre-coordination
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TABLE OF CONTENT
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………..…3
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………..4
1.1. OBJECTIVES OF THIS RESEARCH………………………………………….5
1.2. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)…………………7
1.3. THE DESIGN PROCESS……………………………………………………….8
1.31. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS…………………………………….9
CHAPTER TWO
2.0. IMPACT OF ICT AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS………….12
2.1. VIRTUAL PRE-COORDINATION………………………….………………….12
2.11. BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)…………………………….13
2.12. EXAMPLES OF PROJECT USING VIRTUAL PRE-COORDINATION…16
2.13. ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL PRE-COORDINATION …………………...19
2.2. IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND

WORKING METHODS………………………………………………………………26
2.3. THE ARCHITECTURAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT IS CHANGING..….29
3.0. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………..31
5.0. REFERENCES (HAVARD STYLE OF REFERENCE)……………………..33
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CHAPTER ONE
1.0. INTRODUCTION
The modern profession of architecture echoes with its origins, its rich history,
and the fast-paced changes of the 21st century. Globalization of practice,
especially as it relates to changes in the workforce, labor, and practice, has the
potential to dramatically change the discipline. The outsourcing of design and
drawing labor overseas; the robotic manufacturing of building components and
materials; and the use of sophisticated three-dimensional computer programs to
design buildings raise questions and challenge current modes of project
delivery. Trends in computer-aided building design and manufacturing figure
prominently in any discussion of project delivery methods. The creation and
aggregation of very large, highly complex three dimensional design information
databases can now be managed collaboratively over the internet by large project
teams working remotely.
A significant current trend in computer programs for building design and

documentation, for example, is the move towards Building Information Modeling.
The initial purpose of computer drawing systems was to automate two
dimensional drafting. It did so through representing three dimensional building
elements with an assemblage of two dimensional symbols such as lines.
However, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an object-oriented CAD
system, in which two-dimensional symbols that stood for building elements are
replaced by three-dimensional objects with embedded information, capable of
representing elements of construction. This allows for multiple views to be
generated, for multiple building systems to be coordinated, for materials and
quantities to be known and referenced to each other, all during the design and
documentation phases of a project. These qualities allow for a degree of
interconnectivity during design and documentation phases not readily achievable
in two-dimensional CAD systems.
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This virtual pre-coordination results in reductions in problems resulting from

incomplete coordination and errors in two dimensional construction information
that were previously universally experienced in the design process and on
construction sites, are now making it possible to deliver better quality buildings,
on time and with reduced abortive works and post construction claims.
1.1. OBJECTIVES OF THIS RESEARCH
The objective of this study is to create a change oriented framework of the

contemporary architectural profession, which is focusing especially on the role of
ICT within architectural practice, especially in the design process. This
framework will be used in managing and mastering the changes and their effects
on architectural design, on working practice and on architectural information
management. It is not just noticing the changes, but merely leading and
managing the changes and their desired effects (Kotter, 1996). The applicable
objective of this study, based on understanding the changes, is to document
pragmatic guidelines for modern architectural practice.
The focus is on architectural practice within the field of the design process. A
comprehensive literature survey in the area of architectural ICT, change
management within it and design practice will be collected to form the foundation
for further work.
Since ICT-based changes within architecture seem to have been remarkable

within recent decades, a hypothetical framework of changes within the
architectural practice is created, to be the starting point. Three different periods
of time have been defined.
• Early 1980's (1980-85)
- The last days of hand-drawing
- The era before CAD
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Design drawings were drawn traditionally to paper and transparents. Paper

copies were distributed to project teams with traditional mail and couriers.
Communication was done in weekly face-to-face design meetings and with

telephones. Mobile phones were not present yet. The introduction of a telefax
was dramatic for designers. Despite traditional mail, drawings and other
documents could be distributed also via phone lines, and much quicker than with
mail.
• Mid 1990's (1993-98)
- The expansion of architectural CAD
- The era of appearing digital drawing
The shift from hand drawing to CAD-drawing was started. Paper prints of CAD-
drawings were still distributed to project teams with traditional mail and couriers.
Copy shops were transferred to printing shops.
After the invention of www in 1993 web-based communication started to expand,

but it had not achieved very large volume yet in mid-1990's.
• Beginning of the 2000's
- The rise of integrated and pervasive web supported digital design
- The importance of communication
- 2D-drawing became the main design method
- 3D-modelling was used in visualization
- The advent of building information modeling (BIM).
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Drawings were produced with enhanced CAD systems with extended drawing
automation. Drawings were distributed to project teams with email and more and
more via project document banks. Web dramatically changed the
communication environment. Not only email, but also various collaborative
working and communicating platforms transferred design work to virtual.
Organizations started also changing their activities towards virtual services,
virtual support and virtual products. Design work was also done with more
constant pace, instead of earlier phases and staggered design cycles.
The experiences from building information modeling (BIM) and product modeling
encouraged the AEC-field to develop CAD-drawings towards integrated virtual
building information management.
1.2. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
Information Communications Technology (ICT) is the study of the technology

used to handle information and aid communication. The phrase was coined by
the new National Curriculum documents for the UK in 2000. It is the combination
of Informatics technology with other, related technologies, specifically
communication technology. ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve,
manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. For
example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots. It is also
concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other.
ICT is often categorized into two broad types of product: -
• The traditional computer-based technologies (things you can typically do

on a personal computer or using computers at home or at work); and
• The more recent, and fast-growing range of digital communication
technologies (which allow people and organizations to communicate and
share information digitally)
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1.21. General Impacts Of ICT
• ICT impact on general practitioners

• ICT impact on the judicial system
• ICT impact on term-paper writing
• ICT impact on science
• ICT impact on what is on television
• ICT impact on groceries
• ICT impact on pharmacy
• ICT impact on architecture
ICT has impacted on different ways especially the undenying fact that everything
goes faster, cheaper, more expensive, or slower. ICT has influenced the
processes underlying these professions. This could be called the automation
aspect of ICT. That aspect of ICT is important if not decisive to many
professions and professionals. It has delivered digital prosperity to us.
1.3. THE DESIGN PROCESS
Design is the planning that lays the basis for the making of every object or
system. It can be used both as a noun and as a verb. As a verb, "to design"
refers to the process of originating and developing a plan for a product,
structure, system, or component with intention. As a noun, "a design" is used for
either the final (solution) plan (e.g. proposal, drawing, model, description) or the
result of implementing that plan in the form of the final product of a design
process.
Designing often requires a designer to consider the aesthetic, functional, and

many other aspects of an object or a process, which usually requires
considerable research, thought, modeling, interactive adjustment, and re-design.
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1.31. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS
The architectural design process encompasses the development of the

architectural design and construction bid documents for the proposed facility.
This process evolves through several phases and the duration is highly
dependent on the project scope and timing for completion. Most projects
naturally follow these outlined processes.
Detailed Design Brief
A detailed design brief is prepared in consultation with the client. This is where
the client tells the architect what he wants in layman’s terms while the architect
streamlines it professionally.
Feasibility Study
This step undertakes to examine the issues that will make the project achievable
or not, and in some cases to determine the best strategy for proceeding with the
project. Feasibility Study entails some of these or more.
• Budget and scope of the project
• Site analysis:
• What is the best strategy for developing the project on a given site?
• What is the optimal size and type of building?
• Is the building or site chosen structurally sound?
• How will other site considerations, such as solar access, wind, etc., affect the
project?
• What other cost, planning, and design constraints might the project run into?
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Schematic Design Development
The Schematic Design synthesizes the building into a defined, feasible design.
The design will be shown in the form of Schematic Drawings, and in some cases
a study model. The Schematic Design will address all significant areas of design
and will be reviewed with the client before proceeding with more detailed
drawings. A preliminary cost estimate can also be provided at this stage. Work in
this phase typically includes the following:
• Preliminary plans, sections, and elevations.
• Preliminary material choices.
• Study model, if appropriate
• Address preliminary mechanical, electrical, and plumbing issues.
• Address preliminary structural engineering issues.
• Code research and coordination with regulating agencies
• Preliminary cost estimate.
• Present design to interested parties.
• Revise design subsequent to client discussions.
Design Development
Based on an approved Schematic Design, Design Development is the process

of refining the design, and working out all the details, including the selection of
materials and the engineering systems. A more detailed cost estimate may also
be provided at this phase. The Design Development package will be reviewed
with the client before proceeding further with the project. Work in this phase
typically includes the following:
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• Produce final architectural designs and drawings.
• Produce all final engineering designs and drawings.
• Coordinate with any other design consultants.
• Finalize construction techniques and materials.
• Finalize HVAC equipment requirements, sizes, and layout.
• Finalize any code issues.
• Revise cost estimate.
Construction Documentation
Based on approved Design Development documents, construction drawings and

written specifications are put together which describe in detail all of the
construction work to be done. These are the documents upon which the
construction contract will be based, and which the contractor will use to build the
project. Work in this phase typically includes the following:
• Prepare specific and detailed Construction Drawings required to bid
• Complete all coordination with consultants.
• Resolve any outstanding building or planning code issues.
• Apply for permit if required.
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CHAPTER TWO
2.0. IMPACT OF ICT AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS
2.1. VIRTUAL PRE-COORDINATION
Virtual pre-coordination provides virtual environments where various

professionals interact and collaborate by means of interdependent tasks. In this
sense, they may realize tasks that are dependent on tasks performed by other
professionals, while the interdependencies between tasks (through resource
management and temporal relations) delineate the overall behavior of a virtual
environment. The current trend toward the implementation of new technologies
and working methods is pervasive through the entire lifecycle of building-from
preliminary design, through coordination. Procurement, construction and into
facilities management. What initially began as "Building Information Modeling"
(BIM) is now evolving into Building Lifecycle Management (BLM). BIM contains
the 3D geometric information about the building including all of its associated 2D
data such as quantity, cost and engineering information. BLM goes beyond that,
to include the integration of all of the data relating to the fabrication, construction
process and facilities management phases.
Using BlM technology has major advantages for construction that saves time
and money. An accurate building model benefits all members of the project
team. It allows for a smoother and better planned construction process and
saves time and money and reduces the potential for errors and conflicts. This
will be discussed in details.
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2.11. BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of generating and managing

building data during its life cycle (Lee Et Al, 2006). It uses three-dimensional,
real-time, dynamic building modeling software to increase productivity in building
design and construction. (Holness, Gordon, 2008). The process produces the
Building Information Model which encompasses building geometry, spatial
relationships, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building
components.
It has been discovered beyond technology implementation, the positive impact

as well as some of the challenges that BIM has on our design culture, our design
process, and how it can help us achieve design excellence.
BIM and Design Culture
The design culture is affected by three interrelated factors: collaborative design,

generational differences, and mentoring.
Collaborative design, as with design iteration, is a keystone for design

excellence. It involves fully integrated multidisciplinary design and technical
expert teams from across a firm work in multiple office locations to provide
design services. This creates a team with a wide diversity of design
backgrounds. This diversity is brought to bear on projects, resulting in better
designs. BIM helps to facilitate this critical collaboration.
Models and data can reach across the wires to all corners of our practice. BIM
allows for easy conceptualization of designs, the result is that more designers
start working on a project sooner than traditional methods require. Previously, a
lead designer working with a junior designer or an intern architect to develop a
concept. With BIM, there may be two or more designers and representatives of
multiple disciplines at the outset of the project. It is important to note that with
BIM, everyone on the initial design team needs a higher level of knowledge and
understanding about how buildings go together.
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Mentoring is essential because the design culture of a firm is always affected by

new talent. The process of mentoring or developing that talent must also evolve
with BIM.
Mentoring can be made easier by using BIM. Most BIM software platforms are
intuitive tools, and an experienced professional can learn BIM in a relatively
short period of time. And young or new staff can learn how buildings go together
in software rather than through theoretical concepts and menial tasks.
BIM and Design Process
BIM has serious implications for the design process. BIM helps professionals
resolve design decisions faster and earlier in the project.
The design of some institutional facilities (hospitals and research laboratories,

for example) can be strongly program driven. This usually means that a lot of
data is generated before the aesthetic concept is developed. It is sometimes
only after a floor plate is established that the three-dimensional aesthetic is
discussed. BIM is very well suited to this kind of inside out design development.
BIM room data sheets are easily translated into databases, and our designers
frequently create concepts based on early program requirements.
BIM supports the sculptural art of shaping a building’s design form and our
understanding of how light responds to various nuanced changes to exterior and
interior design.
BIM can make it easier to see where things are working and where they are not.
It can help facilitate the resolution of a design much better and earlier than has
been done in the past. Previously, it was much more difficult to resolve design
issues by marrying two-dimensional layouts and plan views with concepts for the
shape of the building. This is where the BIM evolution is really quite useful. BIM
allows an earlier understanding of the relationship of all design elements.
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BIM and Design Excellence
Excellent design encompasses both form and function. This means striving for
the best possible technical and aesthetic design solution for our clients. With
BIM, designers, architects, and engineers produce higher value designs by
collaborating in a rapid iterative design process and by creating better, clearer
presentations. Clients are able to experience our design in a virtual model;
therefore, they are able to see their requirements fulfilled in the design.
Architecture is not a commodity; it is a service based on expertise and

experience. This opportunity is not just about reducing the time to market. BIM
offers the opportunity to provide higher value — better design refinement leading
to design excellence. Simply put, BIM allows us to provide better design
services.
BIM also allows for more rigorous design analysis. Models and data can be
linked to other digital design tools for analysis of such things as structural
stability and energy consumption. The central data can act as constantly
updated DNA for the project. Better collaboration can occur between all related
parties because of BIM. This collaboration increases the value of a project
because it drives increased communication among partners across disciplines.
Everyone can be better informed sooner. Working from compatible models or a
single repository of data ensures greater consistency and execution from design
to construction.
Managing this new style of design process presents some challenges. Project
scope and schedules must be respected and controlled. We can get lost in the
forest of thoughts, ideas, and changes. It can be too much information, too
quickly, and necessitate too many decisions at one time. Project leaders must
work closely with their design teams and clients to be sure to give them the
information and get from them the decisions needed to proceed appropriately
and in a timely manner. This is a big reason BIM can enhance our expertise
rather than diminish it. BIM technology is a tool. It does not make choices.
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Design presentation in BIM departs greatly from previous methods. Clients are
presented with a more holistic and three-dimensional view of the project through
the use of animations and renderings. Clients no longer have to review
numerous sketches and assemble the building design in their mind. With BIM, it
is right in front of them. Additionally, review tools exist that present the 3-D
model but don’t require a detailed understanding of the tool in order to explore
the model.
This new presentation method comes with challenges. Sometimes a client or

partner is not ready to see a building in a fully rendered state or cannot properly
understand all of the data. Sometimes it is best to show what is appropriate for a
particular decision point. BIM allows this and can show just one part or aspect of
a project at a time. It still takes skillful and talented professionals to make
judgments at the appropriate time and act as consultants to help a client’s
decision-making process. So again we see that BIM does not replace the value
that a professional must bring to a project to ensure its success.
This is a clear call to action for project leaders. In the BIM age, the best
architects will be able to manage information, capture clear design expectations,
and guide projects that iterate much more rapidly. (Bachman, 2009)
2.12. EXAMPLES OF PROJECT USING VIRTUAL PRE-COORDINATION
Taikoo Hui Guangzhou
The Taikoo Hui mixed use project in Guangzhou has taken Building Information
Modeling to the next level of scale. At 4; 5 million square feet, it is three times
the size of One island East. 10 Architectural BIM modelers and 18 MEP
modelers from China worked together for over a year to prepare the tender BIM
model. Using virtual pre-coordination techniques, the team identified and man-
aged thousands of clashes prior to tender. The project is now under
construction, and the information used on site is coordinated in the construction
BIM model.
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This example of large scale, internet-based construction project team

collaboration using state of the art information technology in China, in itself is
representative of how large networks of collaborators can effectively manage
large projects or even cities more effectively.
Figure1: Taikoo Hui BIM Model
Hong Kong Hotel Project
This project demonstrated that the new technologies and working methods can
deliver value at stage of a project and with any existing information. The BlM
process began after contract award, and helped the owner and contractor to
incorporate substantial design changes brought about by a change in tenant.
The BIM model was managed by the contractor, and helped to identify and
manage hundreds of clashes and coordination issues before they caused
problems on site.
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Figure 2: Hong Kong Hotel Project BIM
Hotel renovation project
The renovation of this large hotel required detailed coordination of MEP and
structural changes. Again, the owner and contractor used the BIM process to
manage large amounts of design and construction information prior to the actual
construction. Often problems were first encountered in the BIM modeling
process. The construction sequence was carefully reviewed in advance to
ensure that the methodology was optimized. Experience using this technology
shows that, the added value resulting from construction process optimization is
larger than that resulting from geometric pre-coordination.
Figure 3: Hotel renovation project

BIM Model.
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2.13. ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL PRE-COORDINATION
The generation of design solutions
There has been a lot of effort to describe and explain the design process and the
generation of design solutions since the early 1960’s (Lundequist, 1992). There is
no clear distinction between problem and solution, analysis, syntheses or
evaluation in the design process (Lawson, 1997). The design process is a
simultaneous learning about the nature of the problem and the range of the
possible solutions. The design problem is difficult to define and reveal, is multi-
dimensional and interactive. The challenge for the designer is to understand
what really constitutes the problem, to recognize hierarchical relationships, to
combine and to integrate (Lawson, 1997). The designer operates in a virtual
world, a constructed representation of the real world in practice (Lawson, 1997).
Abstract models or the media of communication (traditional: physical models,
drawings etc.) allow the designer great manipulative and immediately
investigative freedom without incurring time or costs, which would have been the
fact if the ideas had to be tested directly at the building site (Schön, 1983).
However, the first generations aim to organize the design process in a rational
and logical way, thus saving more time and resources for the intuitive and
creative moments of the process (Lundequist, 1992), still have some relevance.
One vehicle of achieving these early aims, although with other means, is ICT.
Computer Aided Design or Drafting
The generation of design solutions is still perhaps the area, in which the ICT at
least has gained a foothold. For the moment, the CAD (Computer Aided Design)
systems used within the design process, supports drafting and modeling rather
than special design attributes and analytical capabilities and have not changed
the task of drafting or modeling(Kalay, 2004). However, CAD systems have this
far definitely brought benefits, such as the possibility of producing a huge
amount of drawings in a limited amount of time, and the possibility of creating
highly realistic and professional representations of the design solution.
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Figure 4: Drawing and drafting with CAD
Figure 5: Product model based data management. Modifying and analyzing

product model data with applications
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Communication within the design process
The successful planning and realization of a building design depends heavily on

the success of communication on many levels. It could be described as the
designer’s conversation with the drawing (Schön, 1983). The dialogue between
two individuals, the extra-process role of communication represents another.
Failed communication can cause conflicts and misunderstandings, and
negatively influence the building project, if not recognized and solved at an early
stage. If the client does not know the symbolic meaning, or the level of
abstraction used, he will not understand what the architect tries to communicate,
and this could lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. The architect can
assume that the client knows which totality an abstraction represents, for
example the plan drawing door symbol, but a problematic case of information
loss could arise if the client does not know that the two lines on the paper
actually symbolize a door. Generally, some of the knowledge playing a part
within the design process is of tacit character. Explicit knowledge can be
articulated and is thus accessible to others while tacit knowledge cannot be
articulated (Griffith Et Al, 2003). A central part of the architect’s competence is to
understand and to use terms in a meaningful way.
Network technologies and collaboration
The importance of collaboration is growing, as globalization and increasingly

complex technique and products require more teamwork, and the complexity of
the problem becomes unmanageable for one individual. The focus changes from
the individual to the collaborative design process, and introduces a new
dimension in the idea finding process: the interaction between the individual and
the group. Participants with different backgrounds, preferences and experiences
try to achieve a common goal.
Network technologies such as e-mail and the internet have contributed to the
most radical changes within the average working day for the building process
participants, for instance supporting processes independent of geographical and
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organizational borders. Collaborative design and communication within a virtual

instead of collocated situation inherits many new properties, and this eventually
leads to various challenges. The network technologies still offer neither the
same social presence and information richness, nor the ability to transfer tacit
knowledge that a face-to-face collaboration or conversation does (Duarte,
Snyder, 2001). Herein lies a challenge; to develop network technologies offering
the communication possibilities necessary for the achievement of a common
understanding, to solve complex problems or to generate complex design
solutions. Within the communication process between two or more individuals,
ICT have had a dramatic impact on the medium of communication. This could
possibly require another use of language and level of abstraction and challenge
the skills of the message receiver, hence to another culture of communication.
Information access and distribution
The network technologies make an easy and fast access to and distribution of
information possible. This has been a huge benefit within the building project
and has contributed more to accelerate the design processes than the CAD
tools (Schwägerl, 2004). The development of the data based technologies, server
or internet-based, has been an important support of handling the huge amount
of documents and drawings within building project. The pool of material is
accessible to the different projects participants, anytime. The participants have
to actively retrieve the information they need, and this is different from the
traditionally passive “getting-the-plan-with-mail”; there is a development from a
push to pull of information. The use of databases, network technologies etc.
supports the distribution speed of information required to keep the project
continuously running. However, much of the information could be considered
more of a distraction than actually useful, given a specific situation. The negative
effect of information overload is growing. Thus, the attention of the receiver is
becoming an important resource (Davenport, Beck, 2002).
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Communication standards and 3D product models
Another influential trend within ICT is the development of communication format

standards between different programs and systems, ensuring interoperability. An
example of such a standard is the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) (Kiviniemi,
2004). The development of communication standards is one of the fundaments
for a research field by many seen as one of the most promising within the
construction sector: the development of the 3D product model or building
information model (BIM). Such models are based on the definition of objects
(products) containing intelligent information. The main objects, such as doors
and windows, are standardized, such standardization could become barriers
within the creative process; design elements that fall outside the standardized
repertoire of building objects could be difficult to generate without special ICT
skills (Atkin et al, 2003). However, every participant (design team, legislators,
contractors, manufacturers etc.) in the building process can get access to, make
contributions to or receive information from this model in parallel. All building
project information is gathered in this one model, and there are no parallel
illustrations of building parts comprised of plan, section, detail etc. This can
reduce one of the main sources of building site failures: inconsistency within the
fragmented drawing and document material (Kiviniemi, 2004). From the model
“traditional” drawings can easily be generated, and the density of information
can be controlled.
Redefinition of planning stages, roles and responsibility
Through the use of ICT, processes can be accelerated and traditional stages
can overlap. Already at a very early stage of the design process, traditionally
later participants can get access to e.g. the 3D product model. Contractors,
specialists and manufacturer can contribute with knowledge that helps to reduce
uncertainty early in the design process. The “wheel of dominance” (Gray,
Hughes, 2001), illustrating which participants dominating the different planning
stages of the design process, could change. But the overlap between earlier and
later planning stages can perhaps contribute with constraints that increase the
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complexity of the solution and problem finding, making it more difficult to focus
on the right aspects to the right time. The ICT, in this case the product model,
leads to a “land raising”, the many small islands transform to one big island.
Thus, the traditional boarders between roles or planning stages blur and change.
The separate bits of the planning process are melting and compressed to a
conglomerate. The ICT development changes the human perception of distance
and time. The understanding of these different changes is central. ICT impacts
on the definition of work processes, roles and responsibility.
Virtual Reality
ICT offers a most powerful support of evaluation. Through simulation and highly
realistic visualizations it is possible to get an impression of the real-world
building project before it is finished. Unrecognized problems can be identified,
uncertainty reduced and errors avoided already at an early stage of the building
project. In the management area ICT support time-, cost- and resource planning,
in the design process they simulate for example the financial and climatic effects
of the ventilation-and heating system. Presentation tools supporting VR, 3D-
modeling, animations etc. can support the evaluation of visual qualities (Wikforss,
Red, 2003). However, a conceptual image communicated in a highly realistic
manner can also give a false picture of the reality. There can be a conscious or
unconscious mismatch between the intention of the sender and the
interpretation of the receiver (Lawson, 1997).
These tools usually require the presence of something to evaluate, and also that
some level of precision has already been reached. And such a level is often not
feasible in the early design stage. Lawson (Lawson, 1997) characterizes the too
early precision temptation as the design trap of over-precision, which can
become a creative process impediment. Until now, the building of ICT models as
foundation for simulations has been cumbersome and expensive. This often
resulted in simulation of limited parts of the total design. But the design problem
is multi-dimensional and interactive. Interconnectedness of different factors is an
important issue. The focus only on parts can lead to a lack of integration,
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thereby reducing the quality of the project in total (Lawson, 1997). The possibility
of importing 3D product models into simulation software reduces the model
building effort and thus the building could be simulated and tested in total
(Kiviniemi, 2004).
Information overload
We do not know much about how the human being handles and edits
information (Wikforss, Red, 2003). The ability to absorb information is limited, and
when confronted with too much information, the receiver can lose the overview,
or worse, completely ignore the message communicated; thus leading to crucial
information being lost and unrecognized. An information overload could possibly
result in a loss of focus on the important aspects within evaluation and decision-
making. Valuable time must sometimes be spent filtering relevant from
unimportant information. Some ICT development projects try to establish
methods for the filtering of internet-based information (Wikforss, Red, 2003).
Decision-making
Faster information distribution, better access to information and more powerful

communication tools contribute to an acceleration of the planning process,
making a higher decision frequency possible (Gann, 2003). An important skill of
the designer is to juggle with several ideas at the same time, without forcing a
premature precision or decision (Lawson, 1997). Does the use of ICT force too
early decisions and generate artificial constraints? Is there a limit of time
compression within the architectural design process and decision-making? Also
Wikforss (Wikforss, Red, 2003).) emphasizes the importance of enough time for
maturing in the planning- and decision process, and that there is enough time to
reflect and understand the consequences of different solutions and decisions.
He emphasizes that ICT tools, e.g. the 3D product model, must allow a step-by-
step precision.
Seemingly, it is easier to make a decision if every uncertainty is eliminated. ICT

offers the possibility of storing and capturing previous project experiences, as
25

well as reusing and modifying these experiences from previous building projects
within new ones. This is an often-used method to reduce the high degree of
uncertainty in the early design phases, and to better support the estimate of cost
and time factors before the concept has reached the required level of precision.
The knowledge reservoir is based on tested experiences, repertoires and
routines. The inherent capabilities of ICT when it comes to knowledge storage
and reuse could lead to a misbalance between previous knowledge and
innovation in the creative process.
ICT offers the possibility to simulate and visualize the building in a nearly
realistic way, to make information available whenever wanted and to make
processes transparent and “reusable”. However, the nature of the design
process is also qualitative, subjective and highly uncertain. As “the feeling of” is
a part of the design process, intuition and the acceptance of risks are also part
of the decision process. ICT supports the declarative nature of explicit
knowledge (Griffith, Et Al, 2003). Possibly the analytic, quantitative and explicit
nature of the computer could disturb the balance between the qualitative and
quantitative, tacit and explicit, intuitive and conscious. This could potentially lead
to a bias within evaluation and decision-making, having negative effects on the
total building quality.
2.2. IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND

WORKING METHODS
Automated clash detection and management
Internet-based automated clash detection and management IS an essential

foundation of effective building lifecycle management. Owners and project team
members can collaborate effectively over the internet with other consultants and
project team members anywhere in the world. The figure below shows how
clashes are identified automatically by the BIM software. The definition and
tolerance of a clash can be pre-defined and lists of hundreds of design clashes
26

are generated automatically by the software. This frees up man power

previously used to do this work for the job of resolving the actual design issues.
Figure 6: Automated clash detection and management
Automated quantity take off and bills of quantity
All necessary information about building elements such as size, material, weight,
location and sequence are organized and integrated into the BIM model.
Quantities taken from the BIM are formatted using automated scripting functions.
As the design develops, the database of quantities is automatically updated. The
quantity surveyors are able to track costs more quickly and accurately during the
design process. Rather than spend time trying to take quantities off different sets
of large-scale 2- dimensional paper drawings, the quantity surveyors are able to
spend more time researching the market to find where the best prices for the
project can be obtained. This helps to save the project money and give the
owner and the design team quicker feedback on the development of the design.
Figure 7: Automated quantity take

off and bills of quantity
27

Automated 2 - dimensional drawing extraction from the BIM model
2-dimensional drawings are still required on site. These drawings are better
produced automatically from the BIM model, because they incorporate all of the
coordination information in the BlM model. For this reason they contain far fewer
errors, and revised drawings can be produced more quickly.
Internet based supply chain integration
Important to successful Building Lifecycle Management is the integration of the

supply chain. The One Island East tower for example, was modeled in great
detail by the cladding subcontractor. Cladding was coordinated with the rest of
the building prior to fabrication, so that mistakes that might traditionally be found
later in the process-even on site-could be eliminated earlier on. This helped to
complete the fabrication, delivery and installation of the cladding on time.
New forms of 3-dimensional data compression, combined with emerging file

sharing protocols make it possible for construction project teams to develop and
share large, complex BIM models over the internet. The highly effective project
team collaboration that took place on all of these example projects can also take
place in the virtual project office of any construction team. Owners and project
managers can have full, continuous and instant visibility into the current state of
the project BlM database without the need for drawing issues or special
meetings. All elements of the BIM contain hyper links to individuals,
manufacturers or design teams relating to those elements, thereby enabling
instant collaboration at any level of the decision making chain-over the internet.
28

2.3. THE ARCHITECTURAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT IS CHANGING
The seminal features of architectural profession in the western society have

faced remarkable and thorough changes during the last few centuries. Extensive
changes have altered the social environment the architect works in, while also
the architectural "working table" has turned into digital. Most of the recent
changes concerning pragmatic architectural practice have been caused
principally by digital information and communication technologies (ICT).
The changes in architectural profession have concerned very profoundly the

tools which architects use and also the working methods. CAD-systems have
become the main tool for the architects during the 1990's and working without
CAD is hardly possible any more.
The architectural and designing working methods have changed drastically

during the last few decades caused by CAD, design integration, project
document management, collaborative team-work through the web and email.
Design communication is currently considered to be an inevitable skill sector of a
modern architect. Despite the tools, technology and communication, also the
organizational and legal context of architecture has been changing, when for
instance customer related issues, tight requirements for design content and
design tasks have developed more complex and multidimensional by nature.
The importance of customer and client requirements is the strategic basis for
architectural activities. Nevertheless the requirements are currently not well
implemented for instance into contemporary CAD systems.
29

Figure 8: Contemporary roles of the architectural profession. Despite skillful

designers – traditional architects – project managers & leaders (Bucher 2003)
and technology-oriented ICT-specialists are also needed in contemporary design
and construction.
30

3.0. CONCLUSION
A natural evolution process has changed drawings from hand-drawn papers to

digital documents where elementary CAD-components are now digital lines. The
change towards more complicated conceptual components – design objects
such as walls and windows – has also been evident for years. Performing
drawing and producing drawings will not vanish from building design – as it is
sometimes assumed – but the concept of digital drawing has already now been
proven very different than its traditional predecessor. Concerning design
representation in general, despite drawings, it has become possible to manage
design data with integrated and collaborative methods such as product model
based frameworks.
To perform design profession successfully these days requires an active

architectural role in communication, collaboration and team leading.
Coordinative and promoting actions are needed with clients, project participants
and numerous sectors of the surrounding society, and architects have
prominently a central role within this. The continuously expanding and altering
domain of architectural ICT has to be included as a profound technical and also
communicative basis for contemporary architectural toolbox.
Virtual Pre-coordination in the process of Building Lifecycle Management is

changing the nature of the industry, because it is greatly enhancing the ability of
project team members to collaborate effectively and is thereby reducing an order
of magnitude of waste across the entire industry. The entire supply chain
benefits from this improvement in efficiency, because it is integrally connected
into the process.
BIM is more than a technology or a tool. It represents a sea change to the

design process. How we prepare our firms for this shift will have everything to do
with our future success. Building information modeling is transforming the way
we design. In a relatively short time, using this technology for designing
31

buildings has challenged conventional thinking and begun to create a new

standard for the entire industry. The technology is nothing short of revolutionary.
Challenges in the utilization of advanced ICT methods, such as building product

modeling, is how to maintain design quality (Kalay, 2006). Efficient data
management is often done by economical reasons, which do not always respect
design quality or richness issues. Modeling experiences from other industrialized
domains, such as automotive design, should be regarded with care.
Cornerstones of classical architectural virtues, such as usability, flexibility and
richness, as well as design creativity and innovative solutions, should be taken
into severe consideration when developing architectural ICT in its various
contemporary forms. In adopting these novel roles of architecture, modern
pedagogic methods such as continuing education, learning by doing,
collaborative teamwork have to be acquired to the professional profile of modern
architecture. Especially IT-related issues are renewed these days with so
exhaustive pace that learning has to be continuing and also a normal condition
architectural practice. Also the fact that the architectural profession will be in
constant change, should be regarded as a permanent status.
32

5.0. REFERENCES (HAVARD STYLE OF REFERENCE)
Atkin B., Borgbrant J., Josephson, P.-E. Red. (2003). Construction Process
Improvement. Blackwell Science, UK. pp. 240-254.
Bachman, M. (2009). BIM’s Effect on Design Culture.
Brandon, P. Kokatruk, T, (2008). Virtual Futures for Design, Construction &

Procurement. Blackwell Publishing Limited. pp 71.
Davenport, T.H. & Beck, J.C. (2002). The Attention Economy. Harvard Business
School Press, Boston. pp. 17-33.
Duarte, D.L. & Snyder, N.T. (2001). Virtual Teams. Strategies, Tools, and
Techniques that Succeed. Wiley, Chichester. pp. 25-53.
Eastman, c., Teicholz., P., Saeks, R., Liston, K., BlM Handbook, John Wiley &.
Sons Inc., pp. 207.
Gann, D.M. (2003). Building Innovation – complex constructs in a changing

world. Thomas Telford, UK. pp. 150-186.
Gilchrist, A., Mahon, B. (2004). Information Architecture: designing information

environments for purpose. Facet Publishing, London. Pp xii.
Gray, C. & Hughes, W. (2001). Building Design Management. Butterworth

Heinemann, USA.
Griffith T.L., Sawyer J.E., Neale M.A. (2003). Virtualness and Knowledge in
Teams: Managing the Love Triangle of Organizations, Individuals, and
Information Technology. MIS Quarterly 24/4, pp. 265-287.
Hannu Penttilä, Tor-Ulf Weck. The effects of information and communication

technology (ICT) on architectural profession. Helsinki University of Technology
(HUT). Department of Architecture, Finland.
33

Holness, Gordon V.R. (2008). "Building Information Modeling Gaining

Momentum." ASHRAE Journal. Pp 28-40.
Kalay, Y.E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media – Principles, Theories and

Methods of Computer-Aided Design. The MIT Press, USA
Kalay, Yehuda E. (2006). The impact of information technology on design

methods, products and practices, Design Studies, Volume 27, Issue 3, Pages
225-422.
Kiviniemi, A. (2004). 3D Modeling in Architectural Design.Term Paper, 07.06.04.

Stanford, USA.
Kotter, John P. (1996). Leading Change. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School
Press, 1996.
Lawson, B. (1997). How Designers Think – The Design Process Demystified.

3rd ed. Architectural Press, USA
Lee, G., Sacks, R., and Eastman, C. M. (2006). Specifying parametric building
object behavior (BOB) for a building information modeling system. Automation in
Construction, pp 758-776.
Lundequist, J. (1992). Prosjekteringsmetodikens teoretiska bakgrund. KTH

Reprocentral, Stockholm.
Schön, D. A. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner – How Professionals Think In

Action. Ashgate, UK.
Schwägerl, K. (2004). CAD – eine Bestandsaufnahme. Teil 1: Konzeptionen und

Zeitersparnis. Deutsche Bauzeitung (DB), pp. 80-81.
Wikforss, Ö. red. (2003). Byggandets Informationsteknologi – så används och

utveklas IT i Byggandet. Svensk Byggtjänst, Stockholm.
34

www.structuresnw.com
www.Wikipedia. Com
35

The Impact of Ict On The Architectural Design Process by Ebukanson Anietie

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THE IMPACT OF ICT

The potential of Information and communications technology (ICT) for improving

New Technologies used for virtual pre-coordination such as building information

[Keywords] ICT, design process, virtual pre-coordination

1.1. OBJECTIVES OF THIS RESEARCH………………………………………….5

1.2. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)…………………7

1.3. THE DESIGN PROCESS……………………………………………………….8

1.31. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS…………………………………….9

2.0. IMPACT OF ICT AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS………….12

2.1. VIRTUAL PRE-COORDINATION………………………….………………….12

2.11. BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)…………………………….13

2.12. EXAMPLES OF PROJECT USING VIRTUAL PRE-COORDINATION…16

2.13. ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL PRE-COORDINATION …………………...19

2.2. IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND

2.3. THE ARCHITECTURAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT IS CHANGING..….29

5.0. REFERENCES (HAVARD STYLE OF REFERENCE)……………………..33

A significant current trend in computer programs for building design and

This virtual pre-coordination results in reductions in problems resulting from

1.1. OBJECTIVES OF THIS RESEARCH

The objective of this study is to create a change oriented framework of the

Since ICT-based changes within architecture seem to have been remarkable

• Early 1980's (1980-85)

- The last days of hand-drawing

- The era before CAD

Design drawings were drawn traditionally to paper and transparents. Paper

Communication was done in weekly face-to-face design meetings and with

• Mid 1990's (1993-98)

- The expansion of architectural CAD

- The era of appearing digital drawing

After the invention of www in 1993 web-based communication started to expand,

• Beginning of the 2000's

- The rise of integrated and pervasive web supported digital design

- The importance of communication

- 2D-drawing became the main design method

- 3D-modelling was used in visualization

- The advent of building information modeling (BIM).

1.2. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

Information Communications Technology (ICT) is the study of the technology

ICT is often categorized into two broad types of product: -

• The traditional computer-based technologies (things you can typically do

1.21. General Impacts Of ICT

• ICT impact on general practitioners

1.3. THE DESIGN PROCESS

Designing often requires a designer to consider the aesthetic, functional, and

1.31. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS

The architectural design process encompasses the development of the

 Detailed Design Brief

• Budget and scope of the project

• What is the optimal size and type of building?

• Is the building or site chosen structurally sound?

 Schematic Design Development

• Preliminary plans, sections, and elevations.

• Preliminary material choices.

• Study model, if appropriate

• Address preliminary mechanical, electrical, and plumbing issues.

• Address preliminary structural engineering issues.

• Code research and coordination with regulating agencies

• Preliminary cost estimate.

• Present design to interested parties.

• Revise design subsequent to client discussions.

Based on an approved Schematic Design, Design Development is the process

• Produce final architectural designs and drawings.

Detailed Design Brief

Schematic Design Development

BIM and Design Culture

BIM and Design Process

BIM and Design Excellence

Taikoo Hui Guangzhou

Hong Kong Hotel Project

Hotel renovation project

The generation of design solutions

Computer Aided Design or Drafting

Communication within the design process

Network technologies and collaboration

Information access and distribution

Communication standards and 3D product models

Redefinition of planning stages, roles and responsibility

Automated clash detection and management

Automated quantity take off and bills of quantity

Automated 2 - dimensional drawing extraction from the BIM model

Internet based supply chain integration