Representng the aesthetcs of Richard Meier's houses using building information modeling

Abstract

Beyond its widespread use for representng technical aspects and maters of building and construction science, Building information modeling (BIM) can be used to represent architectural relationships and rules drawn from aesthetc theory. This research suggests that BIM provides not only vocabulary but also syntactcal tools that can be used to capture an architectural language. In a case study using Richard Meier's language for single-family detached houses, a BIM template has been devised to represent the aesthetc concepts and relations therein. The template employs parameterized conceptual mass objects, syntactcal rules, and a library of architectionic elements, such as walls, roofs, columns, windows, doors, and railings. It constrains any design produced using the template to a grammatcally consistent expression or style. The template has been used as the startng point for modeling the Smith House, the Douglas House, and others created by the authors, demonstratng that the aesthetc template is general to many variations. Designing with the template to produce a unique but conforming design further illustrates the generality and expressiveness of the language. Having made the formal language explicit, in terms of syntactcal rules and vocabulary, it becomes easier to vary the formal grammar and concrete vocabulary to produce variant languages and styles. Accordingly, this approach is not limited to a specific style, such as Richard Meier's. Future research can be conducted to demonstrate how designing with BIM can support stylistc change. Adoption of this approach in practce could improve the consistency of architectural designs and their coherence to defined styles, potentially increasing the general level of aesthetc expression in our built environment.