The World is my Oyster...Again!

Experienced Architect and Design Technology Consultant very excited about the opportunities that are awaiting me in this great wide world. For more about me, check out my LinkedIn profile. I am open to any and all possibilities. Whoa...Déjà vu!

New Worlds

Just so I have at least one more post this year…I thought I would throw this up.

New job, in a new city, with a new house, new schools, new people.  At least the earth is remaining the same…except for that whole global warming thing. 

Where to Next

I don’t know.  The reasons for wanting to blog haven’t changed.  I will hopefully journal about technology, architecture, sustainability, business, wine, chocolate, LEED, Revit, fashion, design, and food.

But we will see.

One thing I have done recently was talk about technology implementation.  Check it out here:  http://aiacc.org/now-next-future-conference-presentations/

I had the honor of sharing the stage with some very esteemed speakers.  It was a humbling and invigorating experience.

The World is My Oyster

Experienced Architect and Design Technology Consultant very excited about the opportunities that are awaiting me in this great wide world.  For more about me, check out my LinkedIn profile.  I am open to any and all possibilities.

2011 AIA Convention - BIM for Residential Architecture

BIM for Residential Architecture A Small Firm Primer (SA402)

 

Speakers

Stuart M. Narofsky, AIA, LEED AP
James A. Walbridge, AIA

 

Session Blurb

This seminar, hosted by CRAN (Custom Residential Architects Network), is designed to address the evolving and complex question of BIM technology and its relevance for mainstream use in the small residential architecture firm. Some of the questions facing the small residential firm in adopting BIM surround performance in producing documents that address client benefits and satisfaction, costs involved with integrating BIM into a small office, staff education and training, legal ramifications of the information produced or shared in BIM and the effective use of BIM models by allied industries and craftsmen. This workshop, although not directly relating to this year's convention theme, is nevertheless a critical topic for enhancing delivery of services. Demand is high from small practices across the nation for topics addressing BIM delivery methods because the technology will continue to evolve and merge into our profession and industry. Questions remain as to how small practitioners can most effectively utilize this technology. The speakers, having adopted BIM into their own practices, will be able to share their unique insights with attendees, thus giving a real world insight into the opportunities and pitfalls in integrating BIM into their offices. They also represent differing computer platforms, PC and Mac, to provide a diversity of perspectives.

 

Notes

This was a very interesting session.  Both speakers own firms that are architect-led design-build.  This was another emphasis on integration as key to getting the most out of BIM.  The first speaker, James Walbridge has Tekton Architecture.  They use ArchiCAD as their BIM tool of choice.  The other speaker, Stuart Narofsky owns Narofsky Architecture and he uses Revit.  Although they highlighted the software used by each firm during the presentation, it was really not that important.  Both speakers had the same essential message to share.

First, they used the Wikipedia definition of BIM, which I had never seen before.  I thought it was interesting that they used that definition instead of the Nation BIM Standard definition or some other industry organization or standards setting entity.

Over the course of the next 50 minutes, they had a few good pearls:

1. They both stated in there own way, only model what you must…just enough.  And always keep your focus on what the BIM will be used for.
2. As design-builders, they brought the subs and consultants on early in the design process.  This was to discuss means and methods of construction and then set up the model in the best way.
3. The tighter the design, the tighter the model needs to be.
4. Both speakers gave examples of how they vary their tools based on the project.  They have a suite of tools available.  This gives them flexibility to use what is best for the project. 

Mr. Walbridge gave a great example of the Ebisu Sushi restaurant project in San Francisco.  It was a BIM project, but not all of it was done with BIM.  Everything in the restaurant was drawn in 2D except the main design feature - a folded wood panel system that was designed to represent a wave curling.  Check out the PDF link below on pages 49-58,  The folding panels were modeled and sent directly to the fabricator to be cut.  The tolerances were very tight otherwise the wave would not fit together.  This was very cool.  The main point of this example was that not all of your project needs to be BIM.  You can use BIM as a tool on even a single design feature.

Link to session PDF.

2011 AIA Convention - Integrated Design to Fabrication

Integrated Design to Fabrication for Urban Housing Solutions (FR326)

 

Speakers

David C. Hovey Jr., AIA
Calvin Kam, AIA, PhD, PE, LEED AP

 

Session Blurb

The restoration of urban infrastructure in cities like New Orleans will require a systematic reexamination of many fundamental methodologies of design and building. These efforts can connect to current trends affecting the architectural profession—ideas connected to sustainability, building information modeling, alternative project delivery, and digital fabrication—through new strategies for urban housing. In this presentation, experts in project delivery, technology implementation, and digital fabrication will explore the intersection of these strategies by proposing approaches for model-based design and construction for housing and by exploring models potentially relevant to urban renewal. Using project examples from practice and research, this session will create a framework for a potential future of housing construction.

 

Notes

The session highlighted a process developed by Optima to go from design to fabrication.  A single family residence of 5000 square feet which they say has been engineered to be assembled in 56 working days.  The way they can do this is by using a completely integrated in-house team. 

The second part of the session reviewed one of Optima’s multifamily developments called Camel View Village.  What they pointed out was that they were able to achieve an increase in landscaping on the site.  The 13 acre property ended up with 24 acres of green space.  They did this by optimizing (no pun intended) every horizontal surface for planting by taking light meter readings as the structure was being built.  This allowed them to know exactly how much light was going to be available and where in order to know exactly what to plant and where.  It was quite nice to see another example of live research data during construction to feed further design refinement of future phases of construction.  There was another great example of this at the 2010 AIA Convention in Miami.  It was a session on The New York Times building.  I blogged about here.  I am always amazed at how much can be accomplished by a truly integrated design and construction team.

Link to session PDF.

2011 AIA Convention - The AIA 2030 Commitment

Measuring Industry Progress Towards 2030 (TH247)

 

Speakers

William J. Worthen, LEED AP

 

Session Blurb

Altering current design and construction practices to reduce the use of natural resources and non-renewable energy sources, to address the problem of waste production, and to promote regeneration of natural resources will require a multiple-year effort. The AIA 2030 Commitment is a growing national initiative for entities working in the built environment to transform the way we practice. It asks these organizations to make a pledge, to develop multi-year action plans, and to implement steps that can advance AIA's goal of carbon neutral buildings by the year 2030.The purpose of this initiative is to transform how we approach practice by focusing on the entire design portfolio rather than on individual, exemplary projects. Rooted in the belief that good design is sustainable design, the intent was to develop a method of tracking and measuring progress towards the 2030 goals that was simple and normalized for firms of all types. Sustainable design goals should be incorporated into every project from the outset, not just those seeking green building certification. William Worthen, AIA LEED AP, will moderate a panel of firm principals presenting the reasons for joining the 2030 Commitment, the sustainable design and business strategies they have implemented within their offices and on their projects, and the challenges faced in transforming how they design projects and operate as a firm to reduce the negative impact of the design and construction industry on the climate. The session will also explore the tools being developed by the AIA to assist firms of all sizes and expertise levels in meeting the challenge.

 

Notes

There are not many notes I can provide beyond the session blurb.  They really just did an overview of AIA 2030 Commitment and how it is different from the 2030 Challenge. Essential the difference is a commitment to provide documentation showing potential project energy use at a very high level on an annual basis.  The predicted energy use is all that is and can be reported. There is not way to report actual from the design side.  There were obvious concerns around whether this is really useful.  Owners and users will inevitably use the building somewhat differently than what the energy modeler assumed.  The first version of the 2030 Commitment Report is available online here.

Link to session PDF.

2011 AIA Convention - Award Winning BIM

Seven Years of AIA TAP BIM Awards (TH224)

Speakers

Stephen R. Hagan, FAIA, BIM Awards Chair
Calvin Kam, AIA, PhD, TAP Co-chair
Tony Rinella, Assoc AIA, TAP Co-chair

Session Blurb

Award-winning building information models and the firms and teams that submitted and have received these awards constitute a tremendous knowledge base and set of case studies on the state of practice and state of the art for Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). This moderated panel discussion, by members of the AIA Technology in Architecture Practice (TAP) advisory group, who also served for the past six years as coordinators and jury members, will explore the progress of BIM and what the future holds by looking back at what can be learned from the winners of the past six years of AIA TAP BIM Awards. Included in the discussion will be case studies from Stellar Architecture, Process Improvement, academic, and sustainability categories. Quotations and commentary from winning teams and jury members will add an additional perspective to the presentations and interactive Q&A with the attendees.

 

Notes

This session, like most awards sessions, reviewed the winners of the various categories.  What was nice about this presentation was that they took the time to highlight some of the trends they have seen in the awards submissions over the past seven years.  The early BIM award submissions were about drawing automation.  Next there was model production to decision and then direct to fabrication.  Now the emphasis is on process – designers, owners, constructors in integrated teams.

A BIM Scorecard from CIFE/Stanford was introduced. The beta version was reviewed and some of the BIM Award winner’s projects were assessed using this new tool. This tool is supposed to be available on the CIFE website, but as of this writing, I cannot find it.  When it does come available, it will be a very useful tool for assessing a project’s usage of BIM and highlighting areas where a project could have done more.

Link to session PDF.

2011 AIA Convention - Mega-Regions

Mega regions—The World of the Future (GS001)

Speaker

Thomas Friedman, Foreign Affairs columnist for The New York Times, Author of Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution—and How It Can Renew America

Session Blurb

If we have one obligation, it is to pass on this country, with its institutions and opportunities, to the next generation so that they have a chance to achieve the American dream and live better lives than we do. The consequences of globalization and a lack of seriousness when it comes to protecting the environment are making this an increasingly complicated task. As mega-regions, networks of cities with shared economies, ecosystems, and transportation systems, continue to expand, the world is becoming an increasingly "flat" place—that is, a place in which American workers are increasingly competing with workers in countries with emerging markets. To remain competitive, Americans must be willing to invest in things like infrastructure, education, immigration, and the environment. By taking ownership of our actions and sacrificing in order to achieve our higher goals, we can ensure our country will be a truly exceptional place to live for generations to come. Thomas Friedman points to solutions that will empower us to do just that, and paints a vivid picture of our future world.

 

Notes

One of the main purposes of any convention keynote presentation is to stir the attendees.  Make them feel enthusiastic about being at the convention.  Get them excited for the overall convention experience.  The keynote by Thomas Friedman did just that.  I found him to be a very dynamic speaker.  He was skilled at painting vivid pictures with his words as he spoke, much in the same way he does when he writes.

I was first introduced to his writing when I read his 2005 book, The World is Flat.  This was a very interesting read about globalization.  I highly recommend it.  His newest book, Hot, Flat and Crowded, was the basis for his talk.  More information about it here.

Sadly, with presentations such as this, the enthusiasm and energy with which this presentation was given cannot be adequately transcribed to a simple blog post.  However, I think there are still some interesting quotes that I can share as I outline his talk.

He started by painting a detailed picture of the current state of affairs in America.  He said that the perception is that America is falling. We are not growing sustainably, both in the market place and the environment. We under price the risk, privatize the gains and socialize the losses in both the market and the environment.  Peoples attitudes are IGB, UBG: do what you want now because either I'll Be Gone or You'll Be Gone.  The difference is situational values versus sustainable values.  Then he set the stage for the next part of the talk by giving his definition of ecology and economy: Mother Nature is biology, chemistry and physics; The Market is a balance of fear and greed.

In the second part, he talked about his book, Hot, Flat and Crowded.  Hot means global warming; Flat means a hyper connected world; Crowded means 8 billion now, 10 billion by 2050.  He outlined 5 issues from this book about our future. 

1. Energy and Natural resource supply and demand.  Someone invented a new form of measurement called the Americom which is 300 million people living like Americans. In 1953 there were 2.5 Americom. Today there is 8 Americom.  This will grow and strain resources.
2. Petro politics or Petro dictatorships.  The price of oil is inverse to the freedom of people in the oil producing countries.  This was a very interesting comparison.  Essential, freedom drives down the price of oil.  He had some very compelling data from respectable sources to back this up.  It was very sad.
3. Climate Change.  Referred to by Joseph Romm as Global Weirding, because of the crazy weather it causes.  We need to buy insurance now against climate change. Nobody buys insurance because they are certain they will need it. They buy insurance because they are uncertain.  Climate change is one of the most uncertain things facing the planet today.
4. Energy Poverty.  1 in 4 people in the world don't have access to power.  Some of the images shown during this part of the presentation were heartbreaking.  One I remember was an image of about 15 young men in one of the African countries.  They were all in a evenly spaced row, sitting on short round bollards beside a road.  There, they were reading and doing their homework.  The road was at the airport and they went there because that was the only place they had access to light after dark…from the street lamps.
5. Biodiversity Loss.  This is the new Noah age. We need to save species now. There is no time for later. One species is lost every 20 minutes.

In the last part of his presentation, Mr. Friedman talk about his idea for a solution to all of the issues identified above.  His suggested solution:  Abundant, Cheap, Clean, Reliable Electrons.  We need a green revolution. What we are having is a green party. No one is getting hurt. Have you every seen a revolution where someone doesn't get hurt?  America can be the innovation leader in this area.  We excel at solving systems problems and this is a systems problem.  We need to instill an ecosystem of codes and laws.  There must be a cost for carbon and we must support and scale innovation.

His last comment was “change your leader, not your light bulb”.

2011 AIA Convention - The Federal Presence

The Federal Presence 2010 GSA Design Awards (TH205)

 

Speakers

Les Shepherd, AIA, U.S. General Services Administration
Casey L. Jones
Warren R. Schwartz, FAIA
Robert E. Siegel, AIA
Julie V. Snow, FAIA

 

Session Blurb

This session will provide an overview of contemporary federal architecture and will address issues and questions concerning how to get federal work and where the GSA's standards are relative to performance on design, engineering, construction, and the arts.

 

Notes

This was a review of the award recipient’s projects. Each project was briefly discussed by a panel. Some of the comments by the panelists were that the GSA needs to focus more on small firms. Another notable comment was that the GSA is a good client because they are institutional (large, everywhere) and they have a design focus.

The speakers from the GSA outlined two ways to get GSA work. One is to go after the big projects in a traditional competitive way. The other is to go after an IDIQ contract. IDIQ are not always just for little projects. GSA uses this method for getting larger projects started faster. As for performance, the GSA care about first the program, second the security aspects and then the rest is left to the designer

Link to PDF

2011 AIA Convention - BIM Awards Reception

AIA Technology in Architectural Practice BIM Awards Reception (EV105)

Speakers

Award Recipients

 

Session Blurb

The AIA TAP BIM Awards reception is an annual celebration of the BIM Awards program and its current recipients. The evening event is an opportunity for AIA members to network with peers while celebrating the best in BIM design.

 

Notes

Nothing to report here. The awards where somewhat unceremonious. The recipients were rushed up, handed a certificate, photographed and rushed away. The BIM handout was more informative.  You can find it here.

2011 AIA Convention - TAP Revolution

TAP Revolution: Better Design and Higher Value Driven by Process Innovation and Technology (EV115)

 

Speakers

Various

 

Session Blurb

Come to the AIA 2011 Convention early to connect with award winning BIM users for free. Hear from building owners about how BIM is revolutionizing the industry and better serving their needs. Learn how to achieve better design and higher value throughout the life-cycle of buildings. Owners such as GSA, US Coast Guard, Real Estate developers, Community Colleges, City and State Agencies, and others will present a rapid fire vision of what is happening and what owners need from the AEC industry.

Right after the owner's rapid fire presentations, the TAP Revolution will feature a special guest from Japan—Mr. Ryota Ieiri—to share first-hand accounts and outlook from the 3/11/11 disaster. Mr. Ieiri is a veteran writer, blogger and analyst who specialize in technology for architectural practice in Japan. He writes for the Nikkei Publications and on 5/11, he will join the TAP Advisory Group in discussing the near term needs, the longer term recover, and the future of information modeling and simulation technologies in support of emergency management. He will include a presentation of how architects, engineers and builders from Japan, US and the rest of the world are collaborating to plan for shelters in northern Japan.

 

Notes

This presentation was a rapid fire series of short talks by various owners’ representatives. There were about fifteen in all. The presentations were too fast to be able to take any notes on the individual presenters. Really, the presentations served to give audience members, primarily architects, a sense of what all the various owners are looking for in terms of BIM and related technologies. The general sense I got was that all these owners were looking for more innovative delivery methods than what traditional services provide. 

Following these presentations, two gentlemen from Japan spoke to the group about the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. Ryota Ieiri is a journalist and blogger who writes about architecture and BIM. Yoshihiko Sano is the president and principal at Yasui Architects & Engineers, Inc.

Ieiri talked about the BIMStorm that Onuma Planning System sponsored that helped produce some real plans for housing the displaced victims and the future of information modeling and simulation technologies in support of emergency management.  You can find more information here.

Sano spoke about the need for international firms to come in and participate in the redevelopment of the areas hit. Bringing in new ideas, technologies and processes.

2011 AIA Convention - Energy Modeling

Energy Modeling: What You Need To Know (EV101)

Speakers

William Worthen, AIA, Director, Resource Architect for Sustainability
Maurya McClintock, Facade Group
Nicholas Long, NREL.

Session Blurb

This session will present the latest AIA research and efforts related to energy modeling skills and tools, and how you can begin to use energy modeling to assist with high performance project design early in the design process. The outline for the AIA’s Practice Guide on Using Energy Modeling in the Design Process will be presented, as well as other education content and collaborations.

 

Notes

Bill Worthen spoke first. His talk was about the history of energy modeling within architecture, the current state of affairs and some of the challenges facing architects as they try to work with energy professionals and engineers to get better design data. The typical process is late in the project. Usually too late to have significant effect on the design. This is usually to check to make sure the design is going to do what everyone hopes it will do in terms of energy performance, but not to affect real design decisions.

There are certain challenges with this. There are limitations of software such as it may be able to only model certain things. An example given was chilled beams which apparently are difficult to model in current tools. Another issue is that the results are variable. Of course the output is only as good as the input, but the same input in different software can provide different results. This is due to the fact that there is currently no standard for what an energy model is or what energy modeling software does. There are no standards in analysis tools and analysis engines.

To get from 30% to 50% better than ASHRAE 90.1 baseline, design needs to be engaged. Typically, projects can achieve 30% just through tighter engineering of the systems, without really affecting design. To get beyond 30%, the geometry needs to be affected. The challenge is to get architects and engineers speaking a common language. For example, an architect says design and an engineer says geometry, but they both mean the same thing.

The speaker continued by highlighting some information from American Colligate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). It shows that ACSA think that energy analysis is the most important thing that needs to be understood by graduating students but that architecture schools and current curriculum are not prepared and/or not qualified to teach it.

International Green Construction Codes are coming. This is an evolutionary change. Green building codes will force us to do energy modeling.

An energy modeler should be like a spec writer, every project needs one. They might be dedicated on a large project or serving a few smaller projects, they might be internal or external consultant, but they need to be there.

Architects need to understand what is behind energy reports. The underlying assumptions made by energy modelers are unknown to architects. This needs to change.

Next the speaker highlighted some of the related industries activates. First, the ASHRAE presidents term theme: Modeling a Sustainable World. Under development by ASHRAE is a 50% AEDG for Large Hospitals which should be out in May 2012. This is another in the series of AEDG for both 30% and 50% efficiency over ASHRAE 90.1.

Next, the New Building Institute's Outcome-Based Energy Codes (of course there are liability concerns here). How do we ensure owners use the building the way the energy model predicted?

Finally, the AIA is developing a document called Practioner's Guide to Using Energy Modeling in the Design Process. This should help architects understand more about what energy modeling is and means.

The second speaker was Maurya McClintock of the Facade Group. Maurya talked about the tools that are currently available. She highlighted the most common ones including eQUEST, EnergyPlus, IES, EnergyPro (CA) and Comcheck. She also spoke briefly about the ongoing development of a graphical user interface for EnergyPlus and Radiance and the ability to import IFC files into EnergyPlus from Revit.

The next speaker was Nicholas Long from NREL.  NREL develops OpenStudio. He demonstrated this EnergyPlus plug-in for SketchUp. He highlighted the Photo Match feature of SketchUp for getting started quickly in making an energy model of an existing building. He also showed how to quickly turn a SketchUp model used for design into an energy model using a copy/paste method. The demonstration was a very simple box which left me wondering about how well it would work with a well developed model produced by a designer.

In addition, Long spoke about some of the new developments that are being worked on for OpenStudio. These include a basic HVAC graphical design tool, guides and tutorials, gbXML and IFC import to OpenStudio. Finally he talked about the development of a NREL Building Component Library. Components could be customized, configured and saved on the web. Each component would have unique URL so as to be able to share components with others via web hyperlink.

2011 AIA Convention - Series

This year I had the privilege of attending the AIA National convention in New Orleans.  Overall it was very interesting and informative.  I learned a few new things and was reinforced in my knowledge of some other topics.  In addition, I connected with some colleagues, consultants, friends and even a couple classmates.  I believe a good time was had by all.

In an effort to share some of the new stuff I learned, the next series of posts here will be the notes from the various sessions I attended.  These entries will not represent my usual writing style because I am transcribing my own shorthand notes.  These may feel somewhat disjoint when written into text.  I will, however, attempt to glue some of these ideas together by giving my general sense of the message and interpretation of the key points of the session.  Please enjoy (or ignore).  ;o)

AIA 2010 Conference Sessions Available Online

http://www.softconference.com/aia/

You will need to login or create an account.  All of the sessions are available on demand.  The audio is synchronized with the slide shows.  This is a great way to refresh what you already learned or to see something new.

2010 AIA Convention - Energy Analysis Using EnergyPlus

Energy Analysis Using EnergyPlus: The Next Phase of High Performance Building Design

Speakers:
Nicholas Long, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Dru Crawley, U.S. Department of Energy

This talk started with a review of the current sustainable initiatives in the US like the DOE's Net-Zero Energy program.

Why Use Energy Simulation? Inform energy decisions from earliest phases of design through construction and into operation. Help the design team and owner focus energy-use reduction efforts where they will be most effective. Permit assessment of predicted performance with established benchmarks or project goals. Size renewable energy systems and determine their likely % contribution. Evaluate alternatives through programming, design, construction, operation—retrofit, too. AND simulation is cheaper than constructing the wrong building!

What Can Energy Simulation Do for My Buildings? Typically used for studies of individual buildings:

• building overheating
• heating, cooling equipment design
• predict the dynamic response and performance of buildings
• compare different design or retrofit options—load calculations, energy performance, peak demand, and cost-benefit implications
• simulate complex and ‘green’ technologies
  • naturally ventilated, passive, and mixed-mode buildings
  • daylighting
  • overheating in unconditioned spaces
  • advanced controls operation
• regulatory compliance
• integrated views of performance
• points for green building ratings

Next was a review and demonstration of the EnergyPlus plug-in for SketchUp call OpenStudio.

What is EnergyPlus?

• Fully integrated building & HVAC simulation program
• Based on best features of BLAST and DOE-2.1E plus new capabilities
• Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, Mac
• Simulation engine and basic utilities only
• Interfaces available separately
• Info at www.energyplus.gov

What is Google SketchUp?

• Intuitive, easy-to-use 3-D drawing software
• Available from Google as free or pro versions
• Popular among architects
• Powerful API using Ruby programming language for plug-ins

What is OpenStudio?

• Adds EnergyPlus functionality to SketchUp
• Create and edit building geometry with standard SketchUp drawing tools
• Work with daylighting related input objects Daylighting: Controls and Output: Illuminance Map
• Add people, lights, electric and gas equipment, infiltration rates, and ideal loads air systems
• Save as EnergyPlus input file (idf)
• Opens any EnergyPlus idf file
• Run EnergyPlus simulation and display results

The handout has tutorials included in it that are easy to follow. Also see tutorials on the AIA website for Learning Units here: http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB079836.

Link to PDF handout

2010 AIA Convention - Building Reuse: Modern Tools, Modern Performance

Building Reuse: Modern Tools, Modern Performance--Predicting Facade Performance in Reuse and Refurbishment Design

Speakers:
Scott Bondi, Ph.D., P.E., LEED® AP, Arup
Neil McClelland, CPEng, Arup
Tali Mejicovsky, P.E., CPEng, LEED® AP, Arup

Reuse of existing building stock is vital to sustainability. Retain components that can continue to perform. Remove and replace those than can not. Retrofit and refurbish those that are in between

Often these goals are in conflict with cost, aesthetics.  It is labor intensive to retain over demolish the work and often conflicts with how contracts are awarded in construction.

This presentation centered around two topics. The tools used for facade and glazing design, namely Laurence Berkley National Laboratory’s Window, Therm and Optics and a demonstration on how they can help design glazing and window assemblies.

To open, the discussion centered on some of the codes involved. These include the National Fenestration Rating Council (FNRC) referenced by ASHRAE 90.1 which in turn refers to LBNL suite of software.

Next, they put a brief spot light on the limitations to what the standards and software. NFRC doesn't very well cover louvered openings or grazing systems with integrated (internal) shading devices. The applications that use U-value have a hard time with double-skin systems. Also, applications that use the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) do not take into consideration shading devices or light shelves.

Finally, the talk honed in on some methodologies. First, one must understand external conditions. This includes weather data and weather history. Second, one must understand internal conditions. Using computation fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling is a great way to see what is happening with temperature and airflow inside the building. Then use the tools from LBNL to create the right façade and glazing system to meet the requirements. And don't forget to do real life testing of mockups.

Link to PDF handout

2010 AIA Convention - Integrated Practice

Integrated Practice: Generative Knowledge--Sharing Expertise Early in the Process

Speakers:
Renee Chow
Paul Endres, AIA
Susan Ubbelohde, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP

This was another disappointing session. It opened with an argument for as to why BIM and Integrated Project Delivery do not go together. Essentially the speakers were saying that people were relying on the tools too much and just confusing the use of BIM for really integration. A shared model does not necessarily mean shared knowledge. Then they launched into project reviews, which took the discussion completely off topic.

Link to PDF handout

2010 AIA Convention - The New York Times Building

The New York Times Building: A Tool for Evidence Based Design--The Role of Research and Energy-Related System Databases in Informing the Design Process
Speakers:
William Maiman, Director of Marketing, MechoShade Systems & Adjunct Faculty Member, Fashion Institute of Technology
Bruce Fowle, FAIA, LEED AP Founding Principal, FXFOWLE Architects
Glenn HughesPresident, Glenn D. Hughes Consulting Associates
This was a very good presentation and very detailed. Lots of good ideas, references and a fascinating process of discovery through research and testing. The handout is very detailed as well and can almost stand alone without the narrative that went with it.
First speaker: William Maiman
Recommended reading: Evidence-Based Design for Multiple Building Types by D. Kirk Hamilton, FAIA and David H. Watkins, FAIA
Started with a review of how evidence is gathered using the scientific method. “The basis of Evidence Base Design is research methodology Based on multiple techniques rigorous science, and scrutiny Begins with the “WHY” question, Usually has a “major “WHAT” component, Constructed with a “HOW” element. The results form basis of answers and can be proven by others.” He then talked about the complications, caveats and nuances to scientific research. For example, making sure the sample research time period is appropriate for the data being gather. An illustration of this would be making sure to collect lighting data from solstice to solstice.
He then talked about certain codes and standards. The example cited was ASHRAE Standard 189.1 Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. The main comment here was that standards will apply whether or not they are referenced or specified. This is because these standards are a part of the standard of care.
Second speaker: Bruce Fowle, FAIA
This portion of the talk was an overview of the physical building itself. Many of the stats are noted below.

• Stories: 52
• Height: 830 feet, 1046 feet including mast
• Client: New York Times / Forest City Ratner
• Gross AREA: 1,600,000 square feet
• Tenants
  • NYT : 827,928 sq. ft.
  • Forest City Ratner: 606,181 sq. ft.
• Completion: 2007
• Core is 42.5' away from window wall for daylight penetration
• Glass skin with veil of ceramic tubing
• Exposed external structure
  • requiring intumescent fireproofing
  • required analysis of thermal affect of solar radiation

He then talked about the project team and some of the challenges of the building design. The key points are bulleted here.

• Elements for Success
  • Clients Committed to Design Excellence
  • Clients Who Understand the Value of R&D
  • Resourceful and Creative Design Team
• Team
  • Renzo Piano Building Workshop (architect)
  • FXFOWLE Architects (architect)
  • Gensler (interior architecture)
  • Flack + Kurtz (mechanical, electrical & plumbing)
  • Thorton Tomasetti Engineers (structural)
  • AMEC (construction manager)

Ceramic Tubing Research and Development.

This part of the presentation was very interesting. See pages 16-19 for images of the testing process of the ceramic tubing. They engaged materials experts to figure out the exact configuration of the ceramic materials. They tested multiple material configurations. Thermal and humidity was most important. They then gave the materials technology to manufacturers. This point was stressed. Materials research was conducted by the design team to be sure of design and performance. Then they paid a $50,000 stipend, directly out of the project budget, to 4 manufactures to do a 2 story mockup.
The result was:

• Allowed Manufacturers to Develop, Test & Understand Solutions
• Determined Real Costs / Eliminated Scare Factor Prior to Bidding
• $250 -$300K Investment by Client for R&D
• Saved Millions of Dollars in Buy-Out
• Ensured Design Quality and Performance of Final Product

Third speaker: Glenn Hughes
Review of design research and post-occupancy performance. It is important to continue to do research during the project. The objective is creating a body of knowledge that was not previously there. The design team took advantage of many research organizations: CBE, LBNL, Lutron, NaturalWorks, AnyHere Software, WSP Flack+Kurtz, Loisos & Ubbelohde, DeMontford University, MechoShade Systems, Arizona State University, and funding sources: NYSERDA, DOE, CEC, NYT.
Point of the research is to prove that the design meets the requirements. It was stressed how important it is to establish a building performance database to reinforce the use of successful design.
The Mock Up
The mock up included final furniture and finishes. It was used as a test of “constructability”, get employee feedback, and as a lighting experiment that included solstice to solstice metering. Over 100 sensors were used tracking things like thermal comfort and glare. The result was optimization. The data gathered was used to inform the design. Now, all lights are dimmable, variable luminance based on tasks - 5 to 50 foot candles and all lighting and shading is tracked in a database. This provides evidence for future design.
Link to PDF handout

2010 AIA Convention - Roof as Floor

Roof as Floor: Lessons Learned from 30 Years of Designing Green Roofs
Speakers:
Susan Weiler, FASLA, Partner, OLIN
David Rubin, Partner, OLIN
Unfortunately, I felt this presentation was one big marketing campaign. There were over 140 slides almost all of which were pictures of projects done by the sponsoring firm, OLIN. The only thing I really got of use was the following points.
· 3" of soil is minimum for small plants and run-off control
· ventilation is important
· structural coordination is important
· understanding the finish floor elevation is important
· but drainage is the most important
· and of course water proofing is really important too.
Link to PDF handout

2010 AIA Convention - BIM for Building Skins

BIM for Building Skins: The Future of Facade Design, Engineering, Fabrication, and Construction
Speakers:
Joseph Burns, FAIA, LEED AP, SE, Thornton Tomasetti
Mark E. Dannettel, AIA, LEED AP, ASCE, Thornton Tomasetti
In this presentation the stress was that interoperability between software was the key to their success. Turns out MS Excel was the center for the BIM exchange (see page 6 of PDF). The case study was on the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago. The key to making the design work was to rationalize the surfaces. The goal was to turn a 3D problem into a 2D problem. The presentation outlined the various methods for making the 3D to 2D translation (see page 10 of PDF).
One problem was that glass is not cut. To make it into shapes, it is scored and then broken. So when dealing with odd glass shapes, the manufacturer had to oversize the panels to be able to break them into the correct shapes. There was quite a bit of waste. (The presented slide show had some graphics in it that are unfortunately not in the handout)
Another problem was in getting the exact dimension tolerances. With irregular shapes of glass, the design tolerances were far more stringent than the construction tolerances. Tolerances had to be achieved with edge grinding. It was however, that edge grinding tolerance is equal to one half of the pane’s thickness. This may not always be close enough.
Link to PDF Handout