Sepehr Abrishami | University of Portsmouth (original) (raw)

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Papers by Sepehr Abrishami

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual generative BIM workspace for maximising AEC conceptual design innovation: A paradigm of future opportunities

CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION 15(1), Jan 2015

Purpose Problems relating ostensibly to failures in computational support for the conceptual des... more Purpose
Problems relating ostensibly to failures in computational support for the conceptual design stage are well-documented in extant literature. These failures are multifarious and significant, with several deficiencies being acknowledged in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Whilst acknowledging this, extant literature has highlighted the importance of computational design in the AEC industry; and failures in this area include the need to strengthen the congruent links and support mechanisms in order to exploit the opportunities presented by new computational design methods. Given this, it is postulated that the application of generative design could enhance the design experience by assisting designers with the iterative generation of alternatives and parameterisation (change management) processes. Moreover, as Building Information Modelling (BIM) applications are increasingly providing comprehensive support for modelling and management, then additional synergies could be examined for further exploitation.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper focuses on the potential for developing an interactive BIM environment that purposefully adopts generative design as a method of computational design for the early design stages. This research facilitates the automation of the conceptual architectural design process, using BIM as the central conduit for enhancing the integration of the whole building design process (including design interfaces). This approach is designed to improve designers’ cognition and collaboration during the conceptual architectural design process.

Findings
This paper evaluates the existing methods and decision support mechanisms, and introduces the potential of combining different concepts into a single environment (generative design/BIM).

Originality/value
This research is novel in that it critically appraises virtual generative workspaces using BIM as the central conduit. The outcome and intervention of this research forms a theoretical basis for the development of a ‘proof of concept’ prototype, which actively engages generative design into a single dynamic BIM environment to support the early conceptual design process.

Research paper thumbnail of Integration of BIM and generative design to exploit AEC conceptual design innovation

New technological advancements in Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) design has brought ... more New technological advancements in Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) design has brought the 'level of automation' as a pivotal factor in the success of projects. One of the key debates in 'effective automation' is its congruence throughout the AEC projects. This is currently hampered due to the failures in computational support at the early conceptual design stages. Yet, these failures are significant, and have direct impact upon the success of the AEC design process. Extant literature has identified a significant knowledge gap concerning the key impact links and support mechanisms needed to overtly exploit computational design methods, especially Building Information Modelling (BIM), throughout the conceptual design stage. This study posited that integration of generative design algorithms to the existing BIM platforms could bridge this gap by generating design solutions and transforming them into next stages of detailed design. This paper reports on the conducted survey to investigate perceptions of 153 professionals and students and articulate their approach to different angles of such a technology. Most of the respondents highlighted several deficiencies in the existing tools, whilst they asserted that such a purposeful BIM interface can offer comprehensive support for automation of the entire of AEC design and implementation phases, and particularly enhance the decision making process at the early design phases. Building upon two main constructs of the conducted survey, namely information modelling and form generation, this study further developed conceptual framework for 'virtual generative design workspace' using BIM as the central conduit. The details of this framework are presented in this paper. The developed framework will be used to develop a 'proof of concept' prototype, to actively engage generative design methods into a single dynamic BIM environment. This study contributes by forming a stepping stone for digital integrating of all stages of AEC projects and implementing BIM Level 3 (Cloud), as targeted by many countries. COPYRIGHT: © 2014 The authors. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 unported (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploiting modern opportunities in AEC industry: A paradigm of future opportunities

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

This paper focuses on the potential for developing an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) environmen... more This paper focuses on the potential for developing an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) environment that exploits new concepts such as parametric design and genetic algorithm as a method of computational architecture through the conceptual design process. Existing tools and decision support mechanisms are investigated as part of this process. The proposed system introduces the potential of combining different concepts under the chamber of a single VR environment. Influential factors in this area are: form generation, change management, conceptual design illustration, and collaboration throughout the whole design process. First part of this paper introduces the basics of conceptual design, then critically reviews design thinking parallel with the design process; thereafter provides a roadmap for conceptual design and computational support, with a specific focus on the early conceptual design stage (including computational methods for sketching and collaboration throughout conceptual design). Extant literature on the characteristics of collaborative behaviour within the initial conceptual architectural design processes performed through virtual environments are examined. Extant literature highlights the importance of computational design in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. However, there is a significant knowledge gap in literature c oncerning the veracity of findings to date which explicitly identify the congruent links and support mechanisms needed to overtly exploit the opportunities presented with new computational design methods. This research is the first of the kind to purpos efully endeavour to uncover ne w insight and understanding into virtual generative workspaces, especially though new social interactions and decision-making criteria. Research findings to date have identified new insight into how AEC designers think during the early conceptual design stages. These issues are used to satiate the pivotal drivers, priorities, and critical success factors needed for effective operationalisation through a conceptual design support tool and possible future directions within computational design strategy. The outcomes and intervention of this research will be used to develop a ‘proof of concept’ prototype to reveal the role of generative design methods integrated into a single dynamic and flexible VR environment which supports early conceptual AEC design process.

Research paper thumbnail of G-BIM Framework and Development Process for Integrated AEC Design Automation

The integration and automation of the whole design and implementation process has become a pivota... more The integration and automation of the whole design and implementation process has become a pivotal factor in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) projects, especially regarding recent technological developments and emergent drivers in the field. Extant literature has highlighted a series of recurrent problems in process integration, especially at the conceptual design stage. This study presents the adoption of Generative Building Information Modelling (G-BIM) workspaces as an emerging technology. This has the potential to leverage conceptual design innovation in AEC projects. It builds upon the findings of an initial survey, and proffers a framework for using generative BIM workspaces at the conceptual design stage. This framework highlights the links and dependencies between generative/parametric tools and BIM applications to expedite information transition using generative tools primarily based on neutral BIM standards. Limitations of tools and approaches for providing accurate project information models are also captured in this framework. This paper demonstrates an overview of the G-BIM framework and the developed conceptual tool. Moreover, it reports on the challenges and opportunities associated with existing software applications. Findings reveal that the application of Generative Design (GD) can significantly enhance the design experience by assisting designers in the iterative generation of design alternatives and parameterisation processes. This framework purposefully integrates BIM with GD to enhance the design process at the conceptual design stage. This forms the rubrics for a working prototype which actively engages GD methods into a single dynamic BIM environment – the results of which will be presented in later works.

Research paper thumbnail of G-BIM framework: A feasibility study for the adoption of generative BIM workspace for conceptual design automation

The integration and automation of the whole design and implementation process has become a pivota... more The integration and automation of the whole design and implementation process has become a pivotal factor in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) projects, especially regarding recent technological developments and emergent drivers in the field. Extant literature has highlighted a series of recurrent problems in process integration, especially at the conceptual design stage – which invites a series of technological challenges. This study presents the adoption of Generative Building Information Modelling (G-BIM) workspaces as an emerging technology with the potential to leverage conceptual design innovation in AEC projects. It builds upon the findings of an initial survey, and proffers a preliminary theoretical framework for using generative BIM workspaces at the conceptual design stage. This framework highlights the link and dependencies between generative/parametric tools and BIM applications to expedite information transition using generative tools primarily based on neutral BIM standards. Limitations of tools and approaches for providing accurate project information models are also captured in this framework. This paper demonstrates an overview of the G-BIM framework and conceptual developed tool. Moreover, the paper briefly reports challenges and opportunities associated with existing software applications. Findings reveal that the application of Generative Design (GD) can significantly enhance the design experience by assisting designers in the iterative generation of alternatives and parameterisation processes. This theoretical framework purposefully integrates BIM with GD to enhance the design process at the conceptual design stage. This forms the rubrics for a working prototype which actively engages GD methods into a single dynamic BIM environment – the results of which will be presented in later works.

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual generative BIM workspace for maximising AEC conceptual design innovation: A paradigm of future opportunities

CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION 15(1), Jan 2015

Purpose Problems relating ostensibly to failures in computational support for the conceptual des... more Purpose
Problems relating ostensibly to failures in computational support for the conceptual design stage are well-documented in extant literature. These failures are multifarious and significant, with several deficiencies being acknowledged in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Whilst acknowledging this, extant literature has highlighted the importance of computational design in the AEC industry; and failures in this area include the need to strengthen the congruent links and support mechanisms in order to exploit the opportunities presented by new computational design methods. Given this, it is postulated that the application of generative design could enhance the design experience by assisting designers with the iterative generation of alternatives and parameterisation (change management) processes. Moreover, as Building Information Modelling (BIM) applications are increasingly providing comprehensive support for modelling and management, then additional synergies could be examined for further exploitation.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper focuses on the potential for developing an interactive BIM environment that purposefully adopts generative design as a method of computational design for the early design stages. This research facilitates the automation of the conceptual architectural design process, using BIM as the central conduit for enhancing the integration of the whole building design process (including design interfaces). This approach is designed to improve designers’ cognition and collaboration during the conceptual architectural design process.

Findings
This paper evaluates the existing methods and decision support mechanisms, and introduces the potential of combining different concepts into a single environment (generative design/BIM).

Originality/value
This research is novel in that it critically appraises virtual generative workspaces using BIM as the central conduit. The outcome and intervention of this research forms a theoretical basis for the development of a ‘proof of concept’ prototype, which actively engages generative design into a single dynamic BIM environment to support the early conceptual design process.

Research paper thumbnail of Integration of BIM and generative design to exploit AEC conceptual design innovation

New technological advancements in Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) design has brought ... more New technological advancements in Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) design has brought the 'level of automation' as a pivotal factor in the success of projects. One of the key debates in 'effective automation' is its congruence throughout the AEC projects. This is currently hampered due to the failures in computational support at the early conceptual design stages. Yet, these failures are significant, and have direct impact upon the success of the AEC design process. Extant literature has identified a significant knowledge gap concerning the key impact links and support mechanisms needed to overtly exploit computational design methods, especially Building Information Modelling (BIM), throughout the conceptual design stage. This study posited that integration of generative design algorithms to the existing BIM platforms could bridge this gap by generating design solutions and transforming them into next stages of detailed design. This paper reports on the conducted survey to investigate perceptions of 153 professionals and students and articulate their approach to different angles of such a technology. Most of the respondents highlighted several deficiencies in the existing tools, whilst they asserted that such a purposeful BIM interface can offer comprehensive support for automation of the entire of AEC design and implementation phases, and particularly enhance the decision making process at the early design phases. Building upon two main constructs of the conducted survey, namely information modelling and form generation, this study further developed conceptual framework for 'virtual generative design workspace' using BIM as the central conduit. The details of this framework are presented in this paper. The developed framework will be used to develop a 'proof of concept' prototype, to actively engage generative design methods into a single dynamic BIM environment. This study contributes by forming a stepping stone for digital integrating of all stages of AEC projects and implementing BIM Level 3 (Cloud), as targeted by many countries. COPYRIGHT: © 2014 The authors. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 unported (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploiting modern opportunities in AEC industry: A paradigm of future opportunities

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

This paper focuses on the potential for developing an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) environmen... more This paper focuses on the potential for developing an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) environment that exploits new concepts such as parametric design and genetic algorithm as a method of computational architecture through the conceptual design process. Existing tools and decision support mechanisms are investigated as part of this process. The proposed system introduces the potential of combining different concepts under the chamber of a single VR environment. Influential factors in this area are: form generation, change management, conceptual design illustration, and collaboration throughout the whole design process. First part of this paper introduces the basics of conceptual design, then critically reviews design thinking parallel with the design process; thereafter provides a roadmap for conceptual design and computational support, with a specific focus on the early conceptual design stage (including computational methods for sketching and collaboration throughout conceptual design). Extant literature on the characteristics of collaborative behaviour within the initial conceptual architectural design processes performed through virtual environments are examined. Extant literature highlights the importance of computational design in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. However, there is a significant knowledge gap in literature c oncerning the veracity of findings to date which explicitly identify the congruent links and support mechanisms needed to overtly exploit the opportunities presented with new computational design methods. This research is the first of the kind to purpos efully endeavour to uncover ne w insight and understanding into virtual generative workspaces, especially though new social interactions and decision-making criteria. Research findings to date have identified new insight into how AEC designers think during the early conceptual design stages. These issues are used to satiate the pivotal drivers, priorities, and critical success factors needed for effective operationalisation through a conceptual design support tool and possible future directions within computational design strategy. The outcomes and intervention of this research will be used to develop a ‘proof of concept’ prototype to reveal the role of generative design methods integrated into a single dynamic and flexible VR environment which supports early conceptual AEC design process.

Research paper thumbnail of G-BIM Framework and Development Process for Integrated AEC Design Automation

The integration and automation of the whole design and implementation process has become a pivota... more The integration and automation of the whole design and implementation process has become a pivotal factor in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) projects, especially regarding recent technological developments and emergent drivers in the field. Extant literature has highlighted a series of recurrent problems in process integration, especially at the conceptual design stage. This study presents the adoption of Generative Building Information Modelling (G-BIM) workspaces as an emerging technology. This has the potential to leverage conceptual design innovation in AEC projects. It builds upon the findings of an initial survey, and proffers a framework for using generative BIM workspaces at the conceptual design stage. This framework highlights the links and dependencies between generative/parametric tools and BIM applications to expedite information transition using generative tools primarily based on neutral BIM standards. Limitations of tools and approaches for providing accurate project information models are also captured in this framework. This paper demonstrates an overview of the G-BIM framework and the developed conceptual tool. Moreover, it reports on the challenges and opportunities associated with existing software applications. Findings reveal that the application of Generative Design (GD) can significantly enhance the design experience by assisting designers in the iterative generation of design alternatives and parameterisation processes. This framework purposefully integrates BIM with GD to enhance the design process at the conceptual design stage. This forms the rubrics for a working prototype which actively engages GD methods into a single dynamic BIM environment – the results of which will be presented in later works.

Research paper thumbnail of G-BIM framework: A feasibility study for the adoption of generative BIM workspace for conceptual design automation

The integration and automation of the whole design and implementation process has become a pivota... more The integration and automation of the whole design and implementation process has become a pivotal factor in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) projects, especially regarding recent technological developments and emergent drivers in the field. Extant literature has highlighted a series of recurrent problems in process integration, especially at the conceptual design stage – which invites a series of technological challenges. This study presents the adoption of Generative Building Information Modelling (G-BIM) workspaces as an emerging technology with the potential to leverage conceptual design innovation in AEC projects. It builds upon the findings of an initial survey, and proffers a preliminary theoretical framework for using generative BIM workspaces at the conceptual design stage. This framework highlights the link and dependencies between generative/parametric tools and BIM applications to expedite information transition using generative tools primarily based on neutral BIM standards. Limitations of tools and approaches for providing accurate project information models are also captured in this framework. This paper demonstrates an overview of the G-BIM framework and conceptual developed tool. Moreover, the paper briefly reports challenges and opportunities associated with existing software applications. Findings reveal that the application of Generative Design (GD) can significantly enhance the design experience by assisting designers in the iterative generation of alternatives and parameterisation processes. This theoretical framework purposefully integrates BIM with GD to enhance the design process at the conceptual design stage. This forms the rubrics for a working prototype which actively engages GD methods into a single dynamic BIM environment – the results of which will be presented in later works.