ARCHITECTURAL HYBRID (PHYSICAL-DIGITAL) PROTOTYPING IN DESIGN PROCESSES WITH DIGITAL TWIN TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

A digital twin is a simultaneous digital reflection of object processes and states. Digital twins are usually made of objects that exist in reality or which are very near completion in a design and production process. In our research, we investigate the potential of digital twin technology for early design. Key to the early application of digital twin in design is the role of information and simulation. Since design information is valuable for predicting the future of design, we assume that design will begin to change as digital twin technologies become more and more adaptable, as designers simultaneously have digital twins of the past, present, and future. Digital twin technologies have many capabilities to support the design process at various stages from concept design to the final design. Throughout this process, architects use digital and physical models. Combined with digital twin technology, these models form what we call hybrid prototypes. Estimating that simulation has a vital impact on the design process, we raised the question of what the potential of architectural hybrid prototyping in design processes with digital twin technologies is. Similar to the development of the design through increasingly informed and detailed models, we think that the closest thing to the design process with the digital twin is the so-called foetal, child, and adult digital twin. Based on this classification, we approach the concept of hybrid prototyping and digital twin.