Real Design Projects Research Articles

The Detection and Calculation of Design-Weighting on Indoor Environmental Elements—Illustrated by Real Interior Design Projects

In interior design projects, homeowners’ expectations and thoughts in mind are sometimes ambiguous and hard to pinpoint. This lack of clarity can lead to disagreements between owners and designers, making it difficult for designers to receive due remuneration. At the same time, the design project always has a restricted budget. Suppose the funds could be prioritized based on owners’ preferred weight of the indoor elements, with a larger portion of the budget allocated to the most crucial elements. In that case, it can significantly enhance the owner’s satisfaction. To address these challenges, this research introduces a novel analytical and computational approach that leverages the Positive And Negative Affects Schedule (PANAS) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to assess homeowners’ sentiments toward various indoor elements. This method aims to determine indoor elements’ design-weighting, design sequence, and distribution of project budgets, enabling designers to understand better and meet homeowners’ genuine needs and expectations in interior design projects. The efficacy of this approach was evaluated through the analysis of three real-life residential interior design projects. Data from the PANAS emotion scale and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements of the homeowners were collected before and after project completion. The findings revealed high satisfaction among homeowners following project execution. By adjusting indoor elements, owners’ negative emotions decreased significantly, positive emotions surged, and there was an improvement in the activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, leading to enhanced physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, in-depth interviews with homeowners corroborated the effectiveness of the analytical calculation method in identifying latent negative indoor elements of concern to homeowners, thereby validating the practical utility of this approach in real-world design scenarios.

Multi-agent collaborative conceptual design method for robotic manufacturing systems in small- and mid-sized enterprises

Robotic manufacturing systems are essential in the post-pandemic world owing to their high level of flexibility and automation during a labor crisis. However, designing a suitable robotic manufacturing system for small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) is challenging, considering both their financial burdens and the current supply chain disruptions of component suppliers. To address these challenges, this study proposes a distributed multi-agent collaborative conceptual design method involving designers and suppliers to assist SMEs in implementing robotic manufacturing systems. First, we propose a common data model that enables knowledge interaction between different agents during collaborative conceptual design. Subsequently, based on the proposed data model, the agent-based collaborative conceptual design process is developed, which enables different agents to communicate, interact, and negotiate with each other according to their experiences and knowledge. Third, an integrative algorithm based on 2-additive fuzzy measures, Choquet integral, and stochastic multi-criteria acceptability analysis is implemented to support the multi-agent decision-making process to robustly select architecture alternatives. As a case study, a real industrial design project of a robotic manufacturing system required by our industrial partner, is adopted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

The establishment of BIM‐embedded knowledge‐sharing platform and its learning community model: A case of prefabricated building design

AbstractBuilding information modeling (BIM) not only can be a medium for 3D display and simulation but also can be embedded in the knowledge ontology to connect more comprehensive information. Despite the advantages of the BIM‐embedded knowledge ontology that has been explored in engineering practices, it is still less discussed in engineering education. Therefore, this paper aims to establish a BIM‐embedded knowledge‐sharing platform and its corresponding learning community model to improve learning outcomes. The BIM‐embedded knowledge‐sharing platform is established by the MediaWiki to connect the knowledge entries with the related BIM components to expand the BIM‐embedded knowledge ontology. The learning community model is developed on problem‐based learning and project‐based learning to encourage students to build their own knowledge by creating, sharing, and modifying knowledge entries. In the experimental teaching, twenty students are invited to participate in the learning community for a class on prefabricated building design. Students are guided to build and share their knowledge entries and the related BIM components by following the learning community model. Besides this, they also use the BIM‐embedded knowledge‐sharing platform to complete a real design project. Results show the proposed BIM‐embedded knowledge‐sharing platform and the learning community model are beneficial for the learning outcomes.

Using artificial neural network and WebGL to algorithmically optimize window wall ratios of high-rise office buildings

Abstract By coupling parametric modeling, building performance simulation engines, and optimization algorithms, optimal design choices regarding predefined building performance objectives can be automatically obtained. This becomes an emerging research topic among scholars in the fields of architecture and built environment. However, it is not easy to apply this method to real building design projects, because of two main drawbacks: Building performance simulation is too time consuming, and the numerical visualization of final results is not intuitive for architects to make decisions. Therefore, this study tries to fill these two gaps by training an artificial neural network to replace simulation engines and developing a web application to speed up the 3D visualization of selected design choices. These two strategies are applied to optimize office towers’ window wall ratios in Hangzhou, China. Architects working on new design projects in that city can obtain the optimal group of window wall ratios for four facades in 2 s, faster than using simulation engines, which cost architects 2 weeks. Moreover, architects can also efficiently observe the appearance of design solutions with the web application. By improving its usability from these two aspects, this study significantly improves the applicability of algorithmic optimization for building design projects.

Assessment criterion for optimum design solutions of piecewise constant sections in I-rods with stability or first eigen-frequency limits

The criterion for the minimum material consumption of strips strengthening the I-rod with stability or first eigen-frequency limits is formulated in previous studies for the case of continuous change of the variable parameter. It is known that this solution allows evaluating a real design project not only by the criterion of its proximity to the minimum material consumption, but also by the reference point in the real design. In many cases, it is used to replace the continuous change in the variable size of the rod-strengthening piecewise constant sections. The boundaries of these sections are based on the minimum material consumption. The width of the strengthening strips is determined by the optimization methods. The paper proposes the criterion allowing to correctly assess the termination of the optimization processes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Protocols for Routine Calculations of Protein-Ligand Binding Affinities in Drug Design Projects Using AMBER GPU-TI with ff14SB/GAFF.

Accurate prediction of the absolute or relative protein–ligand binding affinity is one of the major tasks in computer-aided drug design projects, especially in the stage of lead optimization. In principle, the alchemical free energy (AFE) methods such as thermodynamic integration (TI) or free-energy perturbation (FEP) can fulfill this task, but in practice, a lot of hurdles prevent them from being routinely applied in daily drug design projects, such as the demanding computing resources, slow computing processes, unavailable or inaccurate force field parameters, and difficult and unfriendly setting up and post-analysis procedures. In this study, we have exploited practical protocols of applying the CPU (central processing unit)-TI and newly developed GPU (graphic processing unit)-TI modules and other tools in the AMBER software package, combined with ff14SB/GAFF1.8 force fields, to conduct efficient and accurate AFE calculations on protein–ligand binding free energies. We have tested 134 protein–ligand complexes in total for four target proteins (BACE, CDK2, MCL1, and PTP1B) and obtained overall comparable performance with the commercial Schrodinger FEP+ program (WangJ. Am. Chem. Soc.2015, 137, 2695−270325625324). The achieved accuracy fits within the requirements for computations to generate effective guidance for experimental work in drug lead optimization, and the needed wall time is short enough for practical application. Our verified protocol provides a practical solution for routine AFE calculations in real drug design projects.

Numerical Simulations and Empirical Data for the Evaluation of Daylight Factors in Existing Buildings in Sweden

Point Daylight Factor (DFP) has been used for daylighting design in Sweden for more than 40 years. Progressive densification of urban environments, in combination with stricter regulations on energy performance and indoor environmental quality of buildings, creates complex daylight design challenges that cannot be adequately solved with DFP. To support a development of the current and future daylight indicators in the Swedish context, the authors have developed a comprehensive methodology for the evaluation of daylight levels in existing buildings. The methodology comprises sample buildings of various use and their digital replicas in 3D, detailed numerical simulations and correlations of diverse DF metrics in existing buildings, a field investigation on residents’ satisfaction with available daylight levels in their homes, and a comparison between the numerical and experimental data. The study was deliberately limited to the evaluation of DF metrics for their intuitive understanding and easy evaluation in real design projects. The sample buildings represent typical architectural styles and building technologies between 1887 and 2013 in Gothenburg and include eight residential buildings, two office buildings, two schools, two student apartment buildings, and two hospitals. Although the simulated DFP is 1.4% on average, i.e., above the required 1%, large variations have been found between the studied 1200 rooms. The empirical data generally support the findings from the numerical simulations, but also bring unique insights in the residences’ preferences for rooms with good daylight. The most remarkable result is related to kitchens, typically the spaces with the lowest DF values, based on simulations, while the residents wish them to be the spaces with the most daylight. Finally, the work introduces a new DF metric, denoted DFW, which allows daylighting design in early stages when only limited data on the building shape and windows’ arrangement are available.

Needs’ elaboration between users, designers and project leaders: Analysis of a design process of a virtual reality-based software

ContextThe participation of users in the design process is recognized as a positive and a necessary element as artifacts suit their needs. Two complementary approaches of users’ involvement co-exist: the user-centered design and the participatory design. These approaches involve learning process from users to designers and vice versa. However, there has no research in design of virtual reality (VR)-based software dealing with how the elaboration of needs is actually distributed in time and among users, designers and project leaders, as well as how it is actually supported by tools and methods. ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe, in a real design project of a virtual reality-based software, how the various stakeholders (users, designers, project leaders) actually participate by sharing and pulling pieces of information from the process of needs elaboration, and how these contributions evolve throughout the decisions made in the course of the project. MethodOur method, based on the observation of the practices in collective design, allows us to collect and analyze the relationship between each possible action (e.g., elicitation), each stakeholder who initiates these actions (e.g., users) and each phase of the design process (e.g., evaluation phase), and the dynamics of the construction of needs. ResultsOur results detail how the elicited needs are dealt with by designers, users and/or project leaders: (1) we show a strong contribution of users in the design, compared to others stakeholders, (2) among the needs elicited by users, most have been validated by the designers, (3) some elicited needs could have been firstly rejected and finally validated and implemented. ConclusionWe identify the reasons which justify and explain our results confronting them to the literature. We underline the conditions have been satisfied in our study in order to involve effectively users in the design of emerging technologies.

A constraint-based parametric model to support building services design exploration

In this paper, we present a generative design approach using constraint-based programming to handle the space configuration for ceiling mounted fan coil systems in buildings. This work utilises and builds on the result from previous projects presented in Medjdoub et al. [(2003). Generation of variational standard plant room solutions. Automation in Construction, 12(2), 155–166] and Medjdoub [(2009). Constraint-based adaptation for complex space configuration in building services. ITcon, 14, 724–735.]. In Medjdoub [(2009). Constraint-based adaptation for complex space configuration in building services. ITcon, 14, 724–735], we have presented a hybrid approach using case-based reasoning and constraint satisfaction problem approach to deal with the space configuration and pipe routing of complex design problems for ceiling mounted fan coil systems in buildings. One of the limitations of the aforementioned approach is that the solution generated is defined only geometrically. In this work, we have redefined the case library by describing each case as a graph of design constraints. This new definition of the cases supports the generation of parametric solutions, where further interactive modification can be done by the user while maintaining all the design constraints. This brings benefits in terms of increasing the quality of the solution by providing the user the possibility to make the appropriate modifications using his/her heuristic knowledge. Finally, this approach has been benchmarked using real scenario design projects.

ReShape

The latest FPGA devices provide the headroom to implement large-scale and complex systems. A key requirement is the integration of modules from diverse sources to promote modular design and reuse. A contrary factor is that using dynamic partial reconfiguration typically requires low-level planning of the system implementation. In this article, we introduce ReShape: a high-level approach for designing reconfigurable systems by interconnecting modules, which gives a “plug and play” look and feel, is supported by tools that carry out implementation functions, and is carried through to support system reconfiguration during operation. The emphasis is on the inter-module connections and abstracting the communication patterns that are typical between modules: for example, the streaming of data, or the reading and writing of data to and from memory modules. The details of wiring and signaling are hidden from view, via metadata associated with individual modules. This setting allows system reconfiguration at the module level, both by supporting type checking of replacement modules and by managing the overall system implementation, via metadata associated with its FPGA floorplan. The methodology and tools have been implemented in a prototype targeted to a domain-specific setting---high-speed networking---and have been validated on real telecommunications design projects.

REAL WORLD DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION IN THE STUDENTS FIRST DATABASE COURSE

All Computer Information Systems programs require a database course for their majors. This paper describes an approach to such a course in which real world examples, both design projects and actual database application projects are incorporated throughout the semester. Working on real projects for real users gives the students valuable experience. Database consulting scenarios are also discussed, showing both good and bad examples of real issues a real consultant encountered. Students are expected to apply the traditional database concepts to actual database storage problems. The design of the database is emphasized and a number of “tricks” are offered to aid the student in this process. User interaction is required in connection with the student’s actual individual database project. The details of a database written by the Author to organize all information surrounding the student’s project are presented. Course content is discussed and recommendations are made.

Towards a usefulness-centered design: an analysis of participative and continuous co-construction of requirements in the context of emerging technologies

The main objective of this thesis is to support and to improve, with utility in consideration, the design process of artifacts in the context of emerging technologies. It was realized in the context of a Research-Action conducted as part of a real design project called 3DChild, which resulted in a virtual reality based software named “Appli-Viz’3D”.To meet our objective, we have chosen to focus on how utility is effectively dealt today in design community. Two main concerns guided our work. The first one was to analyze how utility and requirements are taken into account in design. From this point of view, we were interested in models, methods and tools used or advocated in marketing, industrial engineering, requirement engineering, software engineering, industrial design and ergonomics of design activities. We also explored representations of different profiles of designers on the utility and key elements in the process of construction of requirements. The second main interest was to study the effective contribution of stakeholders – designers and users – to the design of innovative artifacts through empirical studies. For this second line of research, we first aimed to analyze the global dynamics of the process of participative and continuous co-construction of requirements. We then focused on more specific issues of this process. We were particularly interested in the identification of requirements and in the proposal of specifications by different designers’ profiles. We finally studied the prioritization of requirements by different users’ profiles and the development of requirements, during the sessions of evaluation of the software Appli-Viz’3D in a participative context.At the end of this work, we propose two methodological contributions : a model of utility-centered design and an extension of a design method that is the I²I method. The model of utility-centered design is original because it is a framework to analyze, help or guide the inclusion of the utility in the design process. It theorizes the existence of two universes of utility : the prospective and retrospective universes. It formalizes the idea that the design involves a continuous dialectic between these two universes from the “analysis” phase where utility, form and detail of the software remain vague and speculative, to the “evaluation and test” phase where the final form is proven and continues to evolve in use. We propose also an extension of the I²I method in order to facilitate the integration of the user in the design process. In this sense, it is a methodological tool which aims to guide VR engineers to design products focused not only on the features, but also on the needs and expectations of end users. Our recommendations involve the integration of human specialists to achieve these steps.These methodological frameworks may provide tools for the Living Labs belonging to the European Network of Living Labs (EnoLL) supported by the European Commission. The objective of the Living Lab is to engage communities of users as soon as possible in the design process to co-create, explore, experiment and evaluate services, products or new uses before the implementation of an artifact. Their particularity is to establish a strong participatory dimension, because the end users, for whom the new product (or service) is built, is involved in the early stages of the design process, and their needs are taken into account throughout the project.

The Program Outcomes Achievement for Basic Reinforced Concrete Design Course between Two Different Sessions

This study aims to assess the students’ achievement of program outcomes (POs) for the Reinforced Concrete Design Course. The POs achievement for students in session 2009/2010 is evaluated and then compared with the previous session of 2008/2009. The course was selected as it is a compulsory course for all students in the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering (JKAS) and furthermore the project given to the students are always related to the real structural design project. POs achievement for the session 2009/2010 was evaluated based on the new improved POs compared to the previous POs used in session 2008/2009. The assessment of POs achievement is measured based on final examination, mid semester examination, tutorials and group project. The comparison results between the two sessions have successfully showed the increment of students’ achievement around 9-39% on all identified POs. The comparison is made in view to look on how effective the continuous quality improvement (CQI) that has been proposed in the previous session can affect the students’ performance. The effect of changes in the new improved PO as outlined in the course will also be assessed and discussed.

전달함수 기반의 선박 수중방사소음 해석 프레임워크 구현

The transfer function method is a widely used in the analysis of underwater radiated noise of ships because it is simple to implement and gives a simple way in the design stage requiring trade-off studies on various kinds of noise sources. In this study, a framework is implemented based on the transfer function method. The framework is interfaced to a software providing transfer functions of hull force to underwater radiated noise. The transfer function-based underwater radiated noise analysis approach is reviewed and the implemented framework structure is described. As an example, a numerical calculation of a virtual ship is carried out and its results are investigated in terms of applicability to real ship design project.

Parametric Performative Systems: Designing a Bioclimatic Responsive Skin

This paper assumes the façade as an innovative element of interaction between the inside and the outside: the architectural skin. As in nature, one of its most significant functions is the energy exchange with the environment. Similarly, efficiency increases by passive and active responses to climate conditions and site orientation. This research explores the potential of parametric techniques, programming and digital manufacturing, to design and build a Bioclimatic Responsive Skin (BRS). Firstly, we designed a bio-component applicable to any surface due to its parametric nature. Secondly, we fabricated two non-reactive working prototypes to study the manufacturing and construction details. Thirdly, we integrated the physical and the digital interfaces by using Generative Components™, Arduino, and Ubimash to generate a kinetic responsive model. This prototype was presented at SmartGeometry Workshop and Conference 2010. Finally, Lem3a architecture used this BRS in a real design project for a Sustainable house in New Hope, PA.

Use of Hybrid Models for Testing and Debugging Control Software for Electromechanical Systems

This paper proposes a hybrid modeling language and its application to a simulator-based testing and debugging environment for the control software for electromechanical systems. The new hybrid modeling language is designed mainly focusing on simulation speed, flexibility in connecting with control software, and model reusability. This language maintains the advantages of existing hybrid modeling languages such as Hybrid cc, including the flexibility of constraint programming and the reusability of the object-oriented approach. A new feature of the language is that it allows combination of compositional constraint programming and sequential procedural programming. The compiled code is executed efficiently by the runtime system, which has a built-in mechanism for communicating with external software, eliminating the complicated setup required for integrating the simulator with the control software. Model components programmed by the object-oriented approach allow designers to use existing components and to concentrate on the task of modeling the newly designed hardware. The runtime system has been integrated with a three-dimensional kinematics simulator and a control software design tool to create a simulator-based testing and debugging environment. The effectiveness of this system has been confirmed through its application to real product design projects.

Shared dynamic entities technology to support distant coordination in design activity

The coordination of design systems is based on various coordination modes. Prescriptive activity sequences and negotiation around intermediary objects are complementary approaches to solve this issue. Both are involved in real design projects. Models to support this global coordination are often centred on one of the two approaches. Indeed models are rarely complete enough to handle all the complexity of both. This paper focuses on a quite new technology providing the opportunity to build a model simultaneously to its instantiation. This technology, based on the concept of dynamic entities, is adapted to be shared between designers working from remote areas. Then we propose to use this technology to support coordination design in distributed organisations. Dynamic entities provide a way to complete and adapt a model according to the continuously negotiated context and free the system for being configured on very specific design modes.

Fast, Efficient Equipment Placement Heuristicsfor Broadband Switched or Internet Router Networks

Planning and designing the next generation of IP router or switched broadband networks seems a daunting challenge considering the many complex, interacting factors affecting the performance and cost of such networks. Generally, this complexity implies that it may not even be clear what constitutes a “good” network design for a particular specification. Different network owners or operators may view the same solution differently, depending on their unique needs and perspectives. Nevertheless, we have observed a core common issue arising in the early stages of network design efforts involving leading-edge broadband switched technologies such as ATM, Frame Relay, and SMDSs or even Internet IP router networks. This core issue can be stated as follows: Given a set of service demands for the various network nodes, where should switching or routing equipment be placed to minimize the Installed First Cost of the network? Note that the specified service demands are usually projections for a future scenario and generally entail significant uncertainty. Despite this uncertainty, we have found that network owners and operators generally feel it is worthwhile to obtain high-level advice on equipment placement with a goal of minimizing Installed First Cost. This paper reports on a heuristic approach we have implemented for this problem that has evolved out of real network design projects. A tool with both a Solution Engine and an intuitive Graphical User Interface has been developed. The approach is highly efficients for example, the tool can often handle LATA-sized networks in seconds or less on a workstation processor. By using only nodal demands rather than the more complex point-to-point demands usually required in tools of this sort, we have created an approach that is not only highly efficient, but is also a better match to real design projects in which demand data is generally scant and highly uncertain.

Human Factors in Design—Suggestions for Effective Communication in Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Human factors practitioners frequently find themselves working with individuals from other disciplines, often in teams. In this context, human factors practitioners need ways to influence the thinking and behavior of people with very different priorities from their own. This paper presents practical insights and techniques developed in the course of work with multi-disciplinary development teams for many different products. Suggestions are based upon three simple principles: creating shared experience, making information visual, and offering constructive direction. Drawing upon illustrated examples taken from real design projects, we discuss the value and limitations of live observation, photography, video, model-making and sketching as data gathering and presentation tools. Techniques for creating shared experience include character development, scenario-building, and role-playing walkthroughs. Finally we discuss ways of communicating design direction and suggestions—in writing, presentations and conversation—which are stimulating rather than restricting to other team members.

A situational approach to design strategies

It is well known that the choice for an appropriate design strategy is an important factor in the success of a systems development project. However, the selection of a design strategy is often not carried out in a systematic way. Moreover, it is not always clear in what situation a particular design strategy is appropriate. Finally, sometimes none of the currently existing design strategies is appropriate. Consequently, there is a need to develop a strategy that is geared towards a particular project situation. In this paper we show how the selection of an existing design strategy can be carried out in a systematic way and how new design strategies can be developed. We do so by analysing the structure of design strategies and by showing how the different settings of strategy parameters can be used to reduce the risks of a particular project situation. We conclude with a description of the application of our method to a real design project.