Kanban as a supporting tool for the sustainable design and operation of smart buildings: The potential of the toyota production system in architecture

Abstract

This paper describes the translation of the process management tool 'Kanban' and its adjacent Toyota Production System into an architectural design supporting tool in the context of computer integrated buildings. The triggering question is: 'How can architects handle requirements and services of ubiquitous computing in relation to their cursory knowledge about networked services and its unpredictable future development?'. The paper develops a system called 'Ubicomp-Kanban' based on the characteristics Toyota Production System. It is suitable for both design and operation of binary networked services in built environment in selected architectural scales and selected functions. The application of the system allows more precise planning and resource optimized operation of academic buildings. The paper does not intend to set up a new approach for building information models (BIM).