For example, Augmented Reality is a technology that layers computer-generated elements on top of existing reality. Imagine using a camera on a tablet or smartphone to view an existing office building on the screen. This can be extremely helpful when designing a building with many different disciplines because it allows the designers to see how and where all the building components will need to be placed in order to work. The overlay of information is connected to one or many databases on top of real-world equipment and assets. The databases hold the information of what is existing and what could exist on top of it.
Another use of databases in design firms could be in using construction collaboration tools. Today, collaboration tools are on the market that integrates with other construction management tools so that all contractors and subcontractors have access to a real-time database. If in the design phase, architects and engineers used these tools to integrate with the construction phase of the building, they would be able to resolve conflicts in constructability in real-time, rather than have to waste time and money when the construction is supposed to be happening and delay the project.
There are many uses of databases in AEC design firms that extend far past the reaches of robust BIMs, but at the core, BIMs ar the driving force behind what makes databases so essential in the building design world today.
Johnson, Andy. “How Technology Is Transforming the AEC Industry.” NV5, 27 Feb. 2017, www.nv5.com/news-2/technology-transforming-aec-industry/.
Comments
Hi Mika,
I genuinely agree with the advantages of SQL over NoSQL, and perhaps this is just because I work with SQL
much more frequently so I am more familiar with this language but I see that the benefits for AEC work most often
can be derived from a relational model. Especially since using SQL technology, you can extract NoSQL based
information out of databases to use. It is a more robust language, and very easy to learn.
Hi Brian,
SQL databases can be extremely important to holding information, and running queries in order to analyze that
information into useable data with meaning. I agree that it has a major weakness by only being able to operate
with relational databases, but there are many languages that can bridge the two. SQL is a necessary baseline
information language to build off more database-related knowledge moving forward!
Hi Amanda,
I enjoyed your perspective on object-oriented databases, I didn't know anything about them before so it was a
very helpful explanation. I have had some exposure to relational databases at work but never have had to know
about OOD. There is a need when considering how people in the AEC industry use information, for a database
that does more than relating tables, but must be directly associated with objects in order to have actual meaning.
5 comments:
Madeleine,
I agree with your statement that databases are a good use of communication and collaboration. I think that the incorporation of databases could potentially increase productivity in the design phase. This is because like you stated, architects can resolve conflicts rather than wasting time and money.
Madeleine,
I never associated Augmented Reality applications with a need for databases, but after reading your post that actually makes so much sense! There's a lot of data to be interpreted and stored in such an application and it is imperative that there is a database to help organize the process.Though I agree that collaboration tools in the construction industry would be helpful, I do think that getting people to want to learn and use them could be tricky. Great post!
Hey Madeleine,
Reading over your blog helped me connect the dots and spurred my interest in how design firms need to have a well-managed database.
Just thinking of how much time will be saved in seeing how projects of the relatively same scope can be designed if you had success in the past. Also, connecting your blog to construction was a nice tie in on how both design and construction rely the quick access of information to deliver quality content in a timely manner.
Madeline,
With today's technology and the pace at which we are moving, I think it would be really difficult to get anywhere as a design firm without integrating the use of databases. I like how you tied collaboration and databases together, what would the point be if all this stored information could not be shared? Also, your Augmented Reality example is something that makes complete sense, but I would have never thought that the components that go into AR are themselves databases. Goes to show how applicable and essential databases truly are.
Madeleine,
I have never considered augmented reality as an aspect of databases, let alone for the design phase of a building. Using AR in the design phase would make visualization so much easier for clients. It would stop miscommunications in their tracks. With the rate of technological advances, I'd expect to see AR used frequently in the industry sooner rather than later. This would be a huge advance for an industry that's so behind the curve.
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