Technology & IT Department By Nicholas La Rosa
Practice Technology Statement
Buildings are changing and becoming more intelligent. Like computers there becoming capable of controlling themselves, self-configuring been able to adapt to changing environments and self-operating been able to be controlled by a single managed computer system. Our company recognizes this and promote through the use of software and technology and its involvement within our designs. The practice is up to date with the latest software and technology and continues to be involved with its progression and change.
Technology Department Objectives
- Research advanced Computer Hardware, Software and Design Technology
- Test new Computer Technology and Hardware
- Provide practice members with training packages
- Control & Improve Practice Computer system Infrastructure
- Promote Green IT in Practice
- Contribute to TOGAF® & ArchiMate® The Open Group discussions on Computer & Technology based business Strategy
Current Practice Computer System
Presently the company have a server based windows operating computer system where the server connects each practice computer terminal together so that it is possible for all members of the practice to share the information and linked to the office printers and scanners. Each member is assigned to a particular terminal with Universal software packages.
Minimal Management have 11 computers within the main office in Nottingham. Each member of the practice has their own responsibility and within that responsibility they are included into the correct computer system. Each system has hardware and software packages to suit the needs of the member using them saving money on licences and energy.
Technology Growth
Minimal Management Computing Future
It is important for a company to have a computer system, hardware and software that suit the practice objectives. Minimal Managements is looking in to operating a new developing form of computing using “The Cloud” and hardware from IBM systems. Suitable for mid sized businesses IBM Smart Cloud Enterprise optimizes workload, business and budget. It is a pre configured computing solution which helps to connect with people, information and systems, crucial aims of Minimal Management’s practice strategy. Architectural practices require high performance computing and Minimal Management is looking into this developing computing technology with a IBM infrastructure which delivers secure and scale-able IT infrastructure with on demand access to a virtual server and data storage resources.
What is the Cloud ?
IBM defines the cloud technology,
“a flexible and scale-able shared environment which uses virtualization technologies to create and distribute computing resources to customers on an as-needed basis, via the public Internet or private network”
New technology drives the improvement of computer hardware, therefore when Minimal Management plan to adapt to The cloud computing solution the practice will need to change hardware to maximize the use of the new solution. Minimal Management will allocate new terminals for all the staff. Each computer will be installed with the then leading processor with the most advanced graphic cards able to stand the requirements of powerful high speed rendering and 3D modelling software packages, up to date office packages for word processing and spreadsheet tasks.
Minimal Management Green IT
As a company we aim to reduce carbon footprint within our offices as well as in the buildings that we design. Computers have a huge impact on a company's carbon footprint therefore Minimal Management is looking into creating a Green IT based practice. Firms don't always understand the cost within a electricity bill that goes towards paying for data storage and running computers and the energy in which it uses. Architect practices store masses of information through computer systems and Green IT is a method that can be used to help understand the way it is stored and to improve energy consumption.
The Cloud is a strategy that interacts with the Green IT in practice guide as the computing solution reduces the need for the practice to have large storage servers with data and information been saved and stored over the internet. Practice computers are specific to the needs of the staff using them.
To adopt the green IT strategy the practice will,
- Calculate the energy used through computer systems in the company using energy calculators provided by IT companies such as IT Governance.
- Allocate certain computers for specific tasks so that not all terminals run high performance software. High performance software requires extra computer cooling that uses a lot of energy.
- Produce standard office rules for computers, printers and scanners to be switched off at the mains when not in use.
- Monitoring the printing levels and reducing print wastage.
Future Approach to Design Technology & Software
The technology and software been researched by Minimal Management can also influence the performance of a design. Through BIM (Building Information Modelling) and BMS (Building Management Systems) the company can really help clients to cut energy cost and consumption to a minimum.
BIM (Building Information Modelling)
- Office for word prossesing, presentations, and spreadsheets
- Google Sketchup for creating basic 3D models
- Auto CAD for 2D drafting
- Artlantis & Revit Animation & Rendering packages
- Adobe package to adjust presentation quality
Benefits of The Cloud
Cloud Structure
Link:
The Cloud Facts
1) Your IT provider will host services for multiple companies; sharing complex infrastructure is cost-efficient and you pay only for what you actually use.
2) The most basic cloud services work out of the box; for more complex software and database solutions, cloud computing allows you to skip the hardware procurement and capital expenditure phase - it's perfect for start-ups.
3) Most providers constantly update their software offering, adding new features as they become available.
4) If your business is growing fast or has seasonal spikes, you can go large quickly because cloud systems are built to cope with sharp increases in workload.
5) Cloud services are designed to be used from a distance, so if you have a mobile workforce, your staff will have access to most of your systems on the go.
Many technologies exhibit a S curve in their performance improvement over their lifetimes. When a technologies performance is plotted against the amount of effort and money invested in the technology it typically shows initial improvement then accelerated improvement, then diminishing improvement. Performance in technology at first is slow as its a new innovation, its poorly understood like BIM was when it was first introduced. Technology over the years has not been able to discover the most of BIM due to the slower progress of computer technology as of now. Therefore Minimal Management waited until the technology has been understood more to be actively involved with it so that the staff can be fully trained and use the technology with in projects confidently.
Building Information Modeling is the latest software technology being introduced throughout the Architectural profession involving all parties that contribute to a project. A complete 3D digital representation of a building system using a sophisticated visual model that includes information about the buildings components. As well as been a drawing and information tool, BIM offers the chance to extend information and monitor the buildings life-cycle when in use.
1) Better outcomes through collaboration
2) Enhanced performance
3) Optimized solutions
4) Greater predictability
5) Faster project delivery
6) Reduced safety risk
7) Fits first time
8) Reduced waste
9) Whole life asset management
10) Continual improvement
BMS (BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS)
A BMS system is computer system integrated in to a building that monitors and controls the mechanical and electrical systems such as the ventilation, heating and security systems. A BMS system is a critical tool making it capable to manage energy and help to reduce the amount of energy wasted. The system is monitored and controlled by a Facility Manager. Presently The Facility Manager has restricted input to an actual design of a building but Minimal Management understand that having Facility managers during the design stage will help construct a digital plan of work. This way the building can be included in with the BIM stage improving the outcome BMS system.
BMS FACTS
- Close control of environmental conditions, providing more comfort for building occupants
- Energy saving control functions which will reduce energy bills
- Ability to log and archive data for energy management purposes
- Provision of rapid information on plant status
- Automatic generation of alarms to warn appropriatepersonnel of equipment failure or condition changes
- Identification of both planned and reactive maintenance requirements (for example, systems can record the number of hours that motors have run, or identify filters on air supply systems which have become blocked)
- Ease of expansion.
BMS System Diagram
BIM Cycle Diagram
The company aim to design structures similar to the example below, a large residential vertical city that includes separate accommodating blocks. The technology is integrated using the form of a tree where the BMS, cables and piping is located in the center of the structure running from the BMS and control systems in the root of the structure underground and through the stem. The stem then has branches leading off to the separate blocks containing the sources of power whether it is renewable energy or grid fed energy. The BMS can then monitor the use of energy in each block from the root control panels and systems. The BMS will be designed using BIM technology.
Stem feeding Utillities from BMS
system to individual pods
Vertical
City
Links:
When new software and methods of construction and design technology are combined the results can be very successful. It is said that better standard of building is generated when there are as many technical and professional people involved, communicating well and feeding their own knowledge and information during the design stage of any building. At the moment a Facility Manager a controller of a BMS system has no involvement with the design of a building. Minimal Management when adopting this option of construction and design technology will consider the use of a Facility Manager where possible especially the design stage. The structure on which Minimal Management will approach this type of build will be as follows,
Practice Project Packages
When Minimal Management decide to adopt to this type of work the structure of the way we offer clients job costings and project planning will change. As an initial and ongoing idea until the practice include this technology and software Minimal Management have constructed 3 packages that depend on the level of detail, size of the project and the services the client requires from the practice. Not all clients will need or want the use of BIM or other software that the company uses for example the design of a house. Generally this kind of software is used on large scale projects.
Package 1 – Small size Projects (Houses) – Auto CAD, Sketch up
Package 2 – Medium size projects (Retail, industrial) – Auto CAD, Sketch up and Renders
Package 3 – Large scale projects – (Hotels, universities, hospitals) large 247 occupied buildings with high energy use – Complete software package.
This may help the company organize the use of staff and software and help the company save money on salary as well as been able to offer clients with staff specialized in the kind of design the client wish to adopt.
PRACTICE FUTURE PROJECT STRATEGY USING BIM & BMS