Towards an Era of Opening Up Architectural Information to Society:
The Organization of B.Information
Nikken Sekkei’s Digital Design Lab (DDL) is developing platforms that enable anyone to utilize architectural information.
Scroll Down
Based on the concept of “Generating New Value by Multiplying Architecture and Technology,” Nikken Sekkei’s DDL is utilizing computers in actual projects to advance R&D for the more realistic simulation of everything concerning architecture.
The Advantages of 3D Architectural Visualization
Around 2009, Japan’s construction industry began introducing building information modeling (BIM), which actively utilizes computers in design, construction, and other such processes; this trend is accelerating.
Until then, architecture could only be visualized through the flat world of drawings. As the degree of understanding depended on the viewer, discrepancies in communication could result. With 3D visualization, everything can be visualized, such as the lines of sight from all seats in a stadium or, for a building with a complex structure, how sunlight will strike it or how the wind will blow. All this can be shared visually with the people concerned.
In the design process of the past, various studies were conducted with simple models substituting for buildings. However, being able to visualize architecture at high resolution, as much as possible, without pairing away detailed information is said to be ideal. If the wind generated around a building and other issues that can arise are verified in advance and designs adjusted in kind, there will be far fewer post-construction regrets about what would have been better.
Until then, architecture could only be visualized through the flat world of drawings. As the degree of understanding depended on the viewer, discrepancies in communication could result. With 3D visualization, everything can be visualized, such as the lines of sight from all seats in a stadium or, for a building with a complex structure, how sunlight will strike it or how the wind will blow. All this can be shared visually with the people concerned.
In the design process of the past, various studies were conducted with simple models substituting for buildings. However, being able to visualize architecture at high resolution, as much as possible, without pairing away detailed information is said to be ideal. If the wind generated around a building and other issues that can arise are verified in advance and designs adjusted in kind, there will be far fewer post-construction regrets about what would have been better.
Seeking Relative Evaluations of Buildings
DDL is focused on advancing the organization of B.Information. BIM, mentioned earlier, was a method primarily focused on architectural processes; B.Information, however, aims to create architectural information platforms by digitizing all information concerning architecture so that people in industries besides construction, such as real estate, communications, and energy, can use it effectively.
Although today’s world has entered an era where all information is being brought to light, because architecture is not necessarily something public, related information tends to be black-boxed. At present, it is not even easy to find out how many meters tall a building is. However, by making architectural information open and seeing buildings as groups rather than as single buildings, as has been the case until now, it should be possible to relatively evaluate the connections between different buildings, the movement of people surrounding them, the environment and other factors. If so, even in urban areas claiming the heat island effect, for example, it could become possible to institute greening or impose restrictions in specific areas only, rather than taking uniform measures in widespread areas.
In keeping, there would likely be many such scenarios in the world in which architectural information would be needed. To create a more open platform for B.Information, technology is being developed to visualize information while discussing what information people in what industries want.
Establishing Foundations for Both Internal and External Use
What value does the information surrounding architecture have? A clue can be found within the Nikken Group, which has around 1,500 experts designing a wealth of architecture around the world. Usually, architectural projects start from zero each time, like something made to order. However, if the massive project experience from the past can be integrated and the knowledge systematized, it should be possible, from the initial stages, to make accurate trial cost calculations and effectively provide society with even a higher quality of architecture.
The development of B.Information is advancing in order to establish both a foundation for utilizing knowledge in projects in companies within the Nikken Group and a social foundation that will allow anyone to utilize fundamental, post-construction building information. When architectural information is opened up to society, the world and its cities might appear very different. It is our hope that you will look forward to future developments.
The development of B.Information is advancing in order to establish both a foundation for utilizing knowledge in projects in companies within the Nikken Group and a social foundation that will allow anyone to utilize fundamental, post-construction building information. When architectural information is opened up to society, the world and its cities might appear very different. It is our hope that you will look forward to future developments.
B.information Concept (Japanese)
