Design analytics and data-driven collaboration in evaluating alternatives

Abstract

Evaluation of design ideas is an important task throughout the life cycle of design development in the AEC industry. It involves multiple stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and interests. However, there is limited computational support which through this collaboration is facilitated, in particular for projects that are complex. Current systems are either highly specialized for designers or configured for a particular purpose or design workflow overlooking other stakeholders' needs. We present our approach to motivating participatory and collaborative design decision-making on alternative solutions as early as possible in the design process. The main principle motivating our approach is giving the stakeholders the control over customizing the data presentation interfaces. We introduce our prototype system D-ART as a collection of customizable web interfaces supporting design data form and performance presentation, feedback input, design solutions comparisons, and feedback compiling and presentation. Finally, we started the evaluation of these interfaces through an expert evaluation process which generally reported positive results. Although the results are not conclusive, they hint towards the need for presenting and compiling feedback back to the designers which will be the main point of our future work.