Towards an integrated set of design tools based on a common data format for building and services design

The emerging technology in building product design using knowledge-based en gineering (KBE), is currently exciting practitioners in the building constr uction industry. This paper investigates the use of KBE techniques and asse sses the contribution this approach can make to the traditional design proc ess. To do this, the investigation has developed an integrated set of desig n tools based on a common data format, for integrating 3D electronic protot ypes with building services information for use in building design. This ap proach has been developed on the basis of an open framework and has been ap plied to the design of an airport terminal building and its plant room. Wit hin the framework, the design process and the information needed, are divid ed into modules and represented in the form of 3D digital mock-up models (o r electronic prototypes). Within the integrated system, an interface has be en developed to facilitate the sharing of information with a thermal analys is software application, which contributes to the design process. In this p aper, the methodology is discussed and its working system is illustrated an d evaluated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.