Papers by Gianfranco Carrara
BIM and Knowledge Management for Archaeological Heritage
Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA)
This paper investigates the introduction of BIM in built heritage field, aimed at enhancing knowl... more This paper investigates the introduction of BIM in built heritage field, aimed at enhancing knowledge management during investigation and restoration activities.
Computer Aided Intelligent Modeling in Architectural Design
Abstract: The article discusses the problems, lines of research and developments that can be expe... more Abstract: The article discusses the problems, lines of research and developments that can be expected in the near future. On the basis of an example set in the near future we propose the development a new type of tool and discuss the research problems and issues involved. Computer-aided intelligent simulation is identified as the new frontier for the knowledge-based assistant (KBA), a tool now widely accepted by researchers and scholars working in the sector. Even in such a restricted field as simulation, the ability to leam from examples, to draw analogies and to try out tentative solutions so as to derive knowledge from new behavioural mechanisms constitute the elements that will in ali probability characterize research in the sector in the immediate future
Metodi e tecniche di approccio per la riqualificazione di un policlinico universitario. Il caso del Policlinico "Umberto I" di Roma. Proposta per un documento preliminare alla progettazione
La ricerca riporta le risultanze di uno studio che promuove l'avvio di un processo di ristrut... more La ricerca riporta le risultanze di uno studio che promuove l'avvio di un processo di ristrutturazione del Policlinico Umberto I a Roma
Multi-Model Representation of Design Knowledge
Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA)
eCAADe proceedings
This paper describes the context and the proposal for the extension of Building Information Model... more This paper describes the context and the proposal for the extension of Building Information Modelling to built heritage in order to enhance information management during the investigation and restoration activities. The core of the presented model is the integration of a BIM-based modelling environment and a knowledge base developed by means of ontologies, in order to represent all the semantics needed for a comprehensive representation of the historical artefact.To test its features, the model has been applied to the real archaeological investigation process of the Castor and Pollux temple at Cori, Italy.
Knowledge-based computational support for architectural design
The process of architectural design aims to define a physical form that will achieve certain func... more The process of architectural design aims to define a physical form that will achieve certain functional and behavioral objectives in a particular context. It comprises three distinct, but highly interrelated, operations: (1) Definition of the desired objectives; (2) production of alternative design solutions; (3) evaluation of the expected performances of the solutions and comparing them to the predefined objectives. Design can be viewed as a process of search for the a solution that satisfies stated needs, while at the same time adapting the needs to the opportunities and limitations inherent in the emerging solution. Computational techniques have been developed to assist each one of the three operations, with varying degrees of success. We propose to integrate all three operations into one whole, by developing a computational model that will facilitate smooth transition from one operation to another. The role of computers in supporting this model will include providing a database ...
Abstract. Building is one of the most widespread human activities, as it involves a far greater n... more Abstract. Building is one of the most widespread human activities, as it involves a far greater number of people and professional profiles than all other industries and absorbs about half of world energy consumption. Its multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature makes the design-construction process, as well as the building product, increasingly complex. It is thus always more difficult, with usual design methods and efficiently to obtain correctly designed solutions and to favour creativity, while respecting assigned time schedules and budgets. These are very well known problems, on which abundant efforts and resources have been spent in pursuit of an efficient solution. One generally agreed solution is efficient collaboration among the design actors, although all the forms and tools proposed hitherto do not allow all the difficulties embedded in the problem itself to be overcome. The great potentialities of the new media are considered to be crucial for the resolution of the ...
The current research we are conducting refers to a general model of architectural design. The com... more The current research we are conducting refers to a general model of architectural design. The complexity of the present-day design process is such that new ICT tools are required to consciously and appropriately govern the design choices. In particular, the tools that involve the early phases of the design process, when the choices crucial to the entire building process are made. In this perspective we are developing, together with a general model of architectural design based on Collaborative Design (CD), a simplified version of it – the χ -House game – that can be used to help university students appreciate the complexity of doing architecture and building. This “simplified version” of the general model is therefore a useful ‘design training tool’ in the case of complex problems that can be solved by means of iterations, trade-offs, creativity, and group work; and at the same time makes it possible to highlight, define and link relatively little known aspects of design, such as sc...
The following is a report on an on-going research study aimed at defining a support system for Co... more The following is a report on an on-going research study aimed at defining a support system for Collaborative Design in architecture. This paper concisely shows the latest results. In the present report the emphasis is laid on the relations among the operators and their different goals. We studied the preliminary phase of the architectural design, for which we defined a model and implemented a software system. The validity of the software system does not decrease when it is extended to the remaining design phases. The goal of the research is to improve collaboration among operators.
The constant increase of the complexity of the building process is generally accompanied by a par... more The constant increase of the complexity of the building process is generally accompanied by a parallel general reduction of product quality, commonly ascribed to the inadequacy of the routine design methods and tools. In facts these ones make their overall integration more difficult and impose serious constraints on design creativity, while they do not help design considered as 'the ability to choose from different solutions'. It is generally recognized that the solution of the problem lies in efficient forms of collaboration among all the actors involved in a project. However none of the forms and tools proposed hitherto has been found satisfactory. The essay shows how the essential basis of all forms of collaboration lie in the representation and management of the knowledge activated along the design process. It subsequently illustrates an innovative distributed Knowledge-based system that allows effective and creative collaboration among the actors. By virtue of the interoperability established among the various semantic universes it enhances the level and the quality of the exchanged information among the actors while managing not to change their operating modes.
The context in which designers operate is becaming more and more complex, owing to the large numb... more The context in which designers operate is becaming more and more complex, owing to the large number of codes, new materials, technologies and professional figures; new instruments are needed, therefore, to support and verify design activity. The results obtained in the first years of 'computer era' were barely sufficient. The hardware and software available today is capable of producing a new generation of CAD systems which can aid the designer in the process of conceiving and defining building objects. At the CAD Laboratory in the Department of Building and Environmental Control Techniques at the 'La Sapienza' University of Rome, research is being carried out with the aim of defining a new kind of Knowledge-based assistant for architectural design. To this purpose a partnership has been established whit a private firm called CARTESIANA, whose partners are software houses, designing and building associations.
Process/product complexity is at present an unavoidable component of present building design appr... more Process/product complexity is at present an unavoidable component of present building design approach that affects building product’s quality. To overcome this problem, effective collaboration is required among all the actors involved in the design process. Data and information exchange is not sufficient to guarantee mutual understanding; to support effective collaboration among actors; it is required a proper knowledge formalization and management. This paper reports on an innovative structure for knowledge modeling in cross-disciplinary building design, that has been formalized in a general template. The proposed Knowledge Model has been, at present, implemented by means of available ontology editors and is going to be used into teaching courses to check its efficiency in collaborative building design classes.
Knowledge-Based Computer-Aided Architectural Design
Google, Inc. (search), Subscribe (Full Service), Register (Limited Service, Free), Login. Search:... more Google, Inc. (search), Subscribe (Full Service), Register (Limited Service, Free), Login. Search: The ACM Digital Library The Guide. ...
BIM and Knowledge Management for Built Heritage
ABSTRACT Knowledge representation and management play a key role in built heritage field, deeply ... more ABSTRACT Knowledge representation and management play a key role in built heritage field, deeply influencing decisions and actions of the different specialists involved in investigation, intervention, conservation and fruition processes. An accurate and complete representation and comprehension of architectural heritage artefact requires a large amount of semantics related to its intangible aspects such as social and historical context. On these bases, the research presented in this paper investigates the potential impact of Building Information Modelling introduction in built heritage field in order to enhance knowledge management and, as a consequence, collaboration among specialists. To include in the artefact representation both tangible and intangible knowledge, the model has been conceived as the integration of a BIM environment with a knowledge base developed by means of ontologies. To test its features and capabilities, the model has been applied to the archaeological investigation of the Castor and Pollux temple at Cori, Italy.
This paper describes the context and the proposal for the extension of Building Information Model... more This paper describes the context and the proposal for the extension of Building Information Modelling to built heritage in order to enhance information management during the investigation and restoration activities. The core of the presented model is the integration of a BIM-based modelling environment and a knowledge base developed by means of ontologies, in order to represent all the semantics needed for a comprehensive representation of the historical artefact.To test its features, the model has been applied to the real archaeological investigation process of the Castor and Pollux temple at Cori, Italy.
Shared Space' and 'Public Space' Dialectics in Collaborative Architectural Design
The present paper describes on-going research on Collaborative Design. The proposed model, the re... more The present paper describes on-going research on Collaborative Design. The proposed model, the resulting system and its implementation refer mainly to architectural and building design in the modes and forms in which it is carried on in advanced design firms. The model may actually be used effectively also in other environments. The research simultaneously pursues an integrated model of the: a) structure of the networked architectural design process (operators, activities, phases and resources); b) required knowledge (distributed and functional to the operators and the process phases). The article focuses on the first aspect of the model: the relationship that exists among the various 'actors' in the design process (according to the STEP-ISO definition, Wix, 1997) during the various stages of its development (McKinney and Fischer, 1998). . In Collaborative Design support systems this aspect touches on a number of different problems: database structure, homogeneity of the kno...
Collaborative working environments for architectural design
BIM and simulation of building use processes
ABSTRACT Since its advent, Building Information Modelling approach has been gradually extended fr... more ABSTRACT Since its advent, Building Information Modelling approach has been gradually extended from the sole representation of the Building and of its components (BIM 3D) to the management of knowledge related to construction time (BIM 4D), costs estimation (BIM 5D) and building life cycle (BIM 6D). Nevertheless, a relevant factor as the building functional response to the activities of its intended users is still underrepresented by current BIM and IFC models. As result, designers are still forced to make decisions that will impact the building future use just relying on norms, regulations and manuals, or on their previous professional experience. The consequences are often clear in our world: after their construction, many buildings don’t work as expected, but it is usually too late or too costly to intervene. The research described in this paper aims at: 1) extending the current BIM approach in order to include semantics related to the building use process; 2) integrate this model with a virtual simulation environment, where the designers can observe how the building will interact with its intended users. The proposed model is based on an ontology-based representation of the build-ing use process, structured in terms of activities performed, users involved and building spaces where they are located. This static representation is associated to a simulation engine derived from the videogames industry, where the use process previously formalized is simulated and dynamically visualized. This system allows designers and clients to predict and evaluate how the building will be used and experienced before it will be actually realized and occupied, when it is still possible to in-crease the quality of the final product and solve errors and problems. To test and calibrate the model, some experiments have been developed in the hospital design field, simulating the functioning of some hospital wards both under routine and emergency sce-narios. 1. Introduzione La capacità dell’ organismo edilizio di ri-spondere in modo ottimale a quello che sarà il suo futuro utilizzo da parte degli utenti è uno degli obiettivi primari della progettazio-ne stessa e, come assunto da P. N. Maggi, il termine stesso di qualità dell’ organismo edilizio può essere considerato solo come termine relativo, definibile e valutabile solo in funzione della conoscenza dell’ uso che ne verrà fatto, delle attività e degli utenti che ospiterà e delle conseguenti sollecitazioni “funzionali” a cui sarà sottoposto (Maggi, 2009). Nonostante l’importanza di tale aspetto, po-chi metodi e strumenti sono stati introdotti nel processo progettuale al fine di prevedere e valutare come l’edificio verrà effettivamente utilizzato una volta realizzato e occupato dai suoi utenti. Ad oggi i progettisti, nel momento in cui si trovano a compiere scelte progettuali che inevitabilmente avranno un impatto sulle attività e sulla vita dei futuri utenti dell’ edificio, possono contare principalmente sulla conoscenza formalizzata nella normativa e nella manualistica, e sulla loro esperienza pregressa nel campo della proget-tazione. Sebbene sia ancora da considerarsi dominante,tale approccio normativo ( e quello improntato sulla manualistica e sulle regole di buona pratica) sta oramai mostrando tutti i suoi limiti nell’ attuale mondo della progettazione edilizia caratterizzato, negli ultimi anni, da un esponenziale aumento della complessità (Koutamanis, 1996; Carrara, 1994).Infatti la conoscenza implementata dalla normativa è, per sua stessa natura, generale e astratta e, fornisce un’ azione unificante delle differenti istanze legate all’ uomo e le sue attività (Maggi, 2009). Questo suo alto livello di generalità e astrazione mal si pone nei confronti di un prodotto progettuale quale quello edilizio, caratterizzato invece da una così alta unicità, specificità e dipendenza dal contesto. Quando il progettista invece decide di contare sulla propria esperienza professionale per prendere decisioni relative all’ uso dell’ edificio, spesso le criticità che emergono sono altre: l’esperienza personale è infatti legata comunque ad una casistica limitata di casi precedenti e risulta effettiva-mente valida solo in presenza di forti analo-gie (contesto, tipologia, profilo degli utenti, etc.) con edifici precedentemente realizzati. Ad oggi, si può affermare che gran parte della previsione della risposta funzionale dell’ edificio ai suoi futuri utenti e alle loro attività è lasciata all’ immaginazione dei progettisti, a cui spetta il compito di progettare mettendo al centro gli utenti (Perin 1972) utilizzando la loro soggettiva, incompleta e spesso non obiettiva conoscenza basata sull’ esperienza. Le conseguenze sono molto spesso davanti ai nostri occhi. Una volta realizzati, molti edifici non funzionano come si era ipotizzato in fase progettuale: spesso essi funzionano in modo peggiore (nella maggioranza dei casi), altre volte semplicemente in modo differen-te. Questo fa si che,…
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Papers by Gianfranco Carrara