Glenn KatzOverview
Coordination View
In this view we can particularly observe the coordination between architectural, structural and plumbing.
In this view we can particularly observe the coordination between architectural, structural and mechanical.
Key Essential Unique Design Features
- Modular Design
- In each floor we had 1 Module 1 (100m2), 4 Modules 2 (70m2) and 4 Modules 3 (25m2). By standarizing this we achieve two main things: 1) We can be more efficient in the construction process. 2) We can potentially deconstruct the building or readapted according to market conditions or human value at the time without having to demolish the entire building as we currently do.
- Green/Solar Roof
- Inspired by Aros Kunstmuseum, the proposed exhibition center combines a solar and green roof.
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- To insulate the roof, while also fulfilling solar potential for renewable energy.
Big Successes
The big succes in this project is the overall coordination of the different systems involved, while partially achieving the far-fetching goals established at the beginning of the project.
- BIG IDEA 1: Flexibility
- Minimally Acceptable Value: 50% flexible.
- Desired / Target Value: 80% or higher.
- Actual: With the modular approach, the only part of our building that is not flexible is the risers for different systems, outside of this, the building is designed to be deconstruct and repourposed, clearly supassing the desired target of 80%
- BIG IDEA 2: Water Consumption Reduction
- Minimally Acceptable Value: 20% Water Reduction
- Desired / Target Value: 50% Water Reduction
- Actual: I unfortunately didn’t have an accurate way to measure the performance of this particular goal, and I consider this a failure and lesson learned on my side. Nevertheless I was able to design the plumbing and sanitary in such a way to pump back graywater from lavoratories into the WC, decreasing the water demand utilized in the building.
- BIG IDEA 3: Energy Efficiency
- Minimally Acceptable Value: 50% Energy Renewables
- Desired / Target Value: Net-Zero Energy
- Actual: While unfortunately didn’t achieve net zero, we got 54% reduction utilizing Solar Anaylisis in REVIT.
- 88 kWh / m2 / year (Machine Learning)
- 113 kWh / m2 / year =* 2,897 m2 = 327,361 kWh / year
- 175,808 kWh / year (54% of demand)
- 51% according to Insight
- 57.6 kWh / m2 / year =* 2,897 m2 = 166,867.2 kWh / year
- 166,867.2 kWh / year / 327,361 kWh / year= 327,361 kWh / year = 51%
1) Initial - Forma
2) Adjustment - Insight - NO PV (DEMAND)
3) After Design - Solar Analysis (SUPPLY)
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Big Challenges
The biggest challenge by far, was the modular and flexible aspect of my building. In order to achieve the desired execution and flexibility a lot of iteration was needed. At the begginning there was a lot of collision between my HVAC system and the structural system.
There was a lot of clash detection and a lot of model coordination in the cloud, but ultimately as we can appreciate in this render, we have the architectural, structural and mechanical all collaborating succesfully!
Lessons Learned
The most important lesson for me in this class was to continuously foster a Design Thinking mindset. For the ones who know me, I keep repeating a phrase that I love - Optimize the whole over the particular. In my journey understanding efficiency, regardless if we are talking about teams or buildings, the most important thing is to think about the overall performance, rather than micromanaging and optimizing for siloed parts. When we only work for a steel subcontractor or only have knowledge of one particular trade, our vision of the whole is biased. If our vision is biased, we can’t foster the much-needed empathy in our industry. By introducing design thinking and understanding the building performance overall, we can iterate and adjust while keeping in mind the overall performance over particular performance.
Additionally, for me, it was amazing to fully leverage the power of parametrization. During the design process, my model suffered from being too static and rigid. But through embracing parametric design, I learned the value of iteration. It's all about iterate, iterate, iterate. But with what in Lean Construction we call Set Based Design, with multiple design alteranatives simultaneously to avoid starting over with every design adjustment toward the last responsable moment. For example, Daniel may recall my problem regarding my floor to floor height, by properly putting locks between grids and elements, at the moment to increase the dimension from floor to floor, it was really smooth across all my disciplines. This approach not only allows for greater flexibility and adaptability but also opens up new avenues for innovation and problem-solving. One area of opportunity that stood out to me was the potential for metering and improving future designs. By incorporating parametric design principles into the metering process, we can gather valuable data that informs and refines our designs over time. It's a dynamic approach that holds immense potential for shaping the future of design and construction.
