Figure 1. U.S. Vacancy Rates in Top Office markets 2023(Retrieved from: U.S. vacancy rates in top office markets 2023 | Statista )
From the industrialized construction classes, I learnt that the floor plan configurator is often used as part of the business of IC project, and it is proven to be successful in securing business. Floor plan configurators are powerful tools designed to streamline and enhance the planning and design process for a variety of stakeholders in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.
Intended users
The configurator serves the architects, developers, clients of construction projects, and industrialized construction players, including prefabricators. The configurator would provide different solutions and let the project stakeholder to make decision.
Need you’re trying to provide a solution or support for
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the workforce landscape, leading to a significant shift towards remote work. This transition has resulted in a substantial increase in vacant office spaces. Concurrently, the housing crisis continues to escalate, highlighting a growing need for residential accommodations. These two converging trends present a unique opportunity to repurpose empty office spaces into residential buildings.
To capitalize on this opportunity, the configurator tool is to be developed to expedite the design and planning phases of conversion projects by generating various floor plan options efficiently. By utilizing these configurators, architects and developers can quickly adapt existing office layouts to meet residential standards, ensuring optimal space utilization and compliance with housing regulations.
The configurator tools will not only enhance the speed and accuracy of the design process but also provide flexibility in exploring different design scenarios. This capability is crucial for addressing the diverse needs of potential residents and maximizing the potential of repurposed spaces.
Inputs
The input would be: 1. Existing building geometry (used as boundary) - Constant
- Product Type (Studio Unit, 2 Bedroom Unit, 3 Bedroom Unit, 4 Bedroom Unit)
- Dimension (Width, Length, Height) - Variable
- Construction Cost of Each Type - Variable
Underlying logic of the model you’ll implement
The existing building geometry will be used as the boundaries for the project. Product type information, such as unit specifications, will be input into the model. It will then automate the generation of various combinations of these product types within the existing building structure, creating optimized layout configurations. The model will produce multiple floor plan options, illustrating potential arrangements of residential units. The final output will provide a set of these floor plan options, the predicted construction cost and embodied carbon of the product.
Outputs
- Floor Plan
- Floor Area Utilization Rate (Total Area of Product/ Boundary Area)
- Construction Cost
- Embodied Carbon
