Progressive spheres of innovation: Efficiency, communication and collaboration

Abstract

Over the last few years, a large majority of construction work has moved overseas. In response to this, our engineering practice has been involved in a large number of Asian and Middle East design competitions, usually executed in a compressed timeframe. Building codes usually include very specific requirements regarding the lateral performance of a building under seismic and wind loads. This is especially true in China. Our structural engineering practice has thus developed a variety of digital tools customized to building code requirements, in order to provide relevant structural feedback in an appropriate design time frame. The paper will discuss our recent digital design work in the contextof building code requirements and information sharing. Our innovations have centered on three progressive spheres of innovation: internal efficiency, communication and collaboration. We propose thatonly with closer and more transparent collaboration will the building industry be effective and efficient in meeting clients' needs. However, without first addressing a firm's internal capabilities of efficiency and communication, the firm will be unable to effectively participate in the collaborative process. This paper begins by discussing various custom Rhino-Grasshopper components tofacilitate our internal design process. We then touch on the communication realm discussing work in lowering the barriers for information sharing. Lastly, we explore the necessary shifts in thinking required to move beyond linear design exploration and the exciting opportunity to deliver truly innovative design solutions.