B6 Final Blog Post

When starting the course, I was intrigued about what would it entail to study Intelligent Building. Would the whole class be just building oriented? Are we going to learn about new technologies, new materials, new software, new approaches to building? Are we going to concentrate on only AI and robotics? It was a little bit of everything that helped to shape my understanding about the discipline.

It was interesting to experience engineering from a different prospective. As future electrical engineer I deal with a lot if circuits, power elements, computer programs etc., and honestly have no idea what a problem-solving process for architectural and structural engineers is. Just to learn a little bit more about building procedure, design process, and interaction between parties that are involved in the project made it a great learning experience. 

I was introduced to new programs, otherwise I wouldn’t get exposed to. Trying to figure out how to deal with Revit and even create a small model was very exciting. Creating data base had its ups and down, but I solely blame it on MS Access. My opinions about sensors changed. I used to think of them just as small gadgets, but they are a part of a bigger network and help not only to control temperature but maintain a whole system. 

The understanding of intelligent building changed for me. It went from being defined as smart building or green building to actually building intelligently, using the best technology and the best techniques. And also most expensive doesn’t mean the best, there are a lot of things to consider.  

Also I did not expect how much writing I would have to do in this class. I am so used to writing lab reports that use a very dry language, I am not used to writing about my own experiences.

Varsha,
I really enjoyed reading your reflection. It was interesting to read about somebody else's experience with the subject, especially somebody's with AE concentration.
I agree with you about bringing more courses that help to apply the knowledge we gained in theoretical classes and actually help us to look whats needed in the field.   

Douha,

Great use of an emoji. It caught my eye, that is why I am commenting on your post.

I agree with you that one of the advantages of the course was exposing us to new programs and new technologies. It is hard to think outside the box sometimes and this course helped to look at certain things from a different prospective.

Manon,

I enjoyed reading your post. I think we had similar experience with the course. I was also confused at the beginning to what to expect.
I wish you a good luck with your third co-op. Virtual Design Construction field sounds like a very exciting field to enter. Hopefully you will get a job in that field.

B5- Uses of databases in design offices. 

There is an expression that states that knowledge is strength. And it has been the truth for centuries. However, in modern world the expression should be a little bit different "Data is Strength". 

Databases have a very wide application in the modern world. With the spread of the internet the need for structuring and sorting of new data erupt. There were always databases that consisted of different tables that could be cross referenced. Though modern technology made it possible to create data structures with virtual referencing that make it easier to access and use.

Design nowadays highly depends on computers. They not only provide useful software but also help to provide useful information about new trends and development of the industry. However, one of the most important features of the modern software is access to wide range of databases. All the information is being grouped and classified. Anything starting from different kinds of concrete to different type of light fixtures. Not only modern designers can base their project on using existing available products but also give their project a real life feel.

The proper software with proper database can either enhance the design or ruin it. All the projects start with an idea. Something that somebody thought of. A lot of times it starts with a piece of paper and then travels to a display. Having access to right information and right tools to use that information can help to build the project up from that original idea, adding to it. Using data collected such rain accumulation, weather patterns, seismic activity, wind strength and etc. can help to choose the right materials and even change the final look of the project.

Comments.

To Michael Manley:

I enjoyed reading your post, it is well structured and makes some good points. I liked that your pointed out how much can be done with “big data” and how hard it is to find reliable space for it. I just wanted to point out another disadvantage of having large databases is navigation. Creating and putting together, cataloging large amounts of information is not an easy task. The way the information is out together directly influence on the way it is accessed. And if it is not done correctly some of the information might be unused. 

To Brian Huynh:

Your post is very informative. I haven’t dealt with database languages before and to be frank did not know that such a thing existed. It is very fascinating that with the development of a bigger data structure there are ways to ease communications within them and make extraction of the information less complicated. However, it is good to know that SQL deals with only relational databases, that’s quite a limitation. 

To Douha Alqudaihi:

It is an interesting post about the relational databases. I like that you added a little figure to represent the way the tables are connected it made the narrative more understandable.

 It is very true that databases are everywhere. It is quite interesting how they found there way in our life and most of the time people are not even aware of their existence. And sorting function is very helpful. I buy a lot of things online and sorting through the selection help to find the right objects.

B4 Living off the grid, technology and equipment behind it.

The reason I wanted to take this course was due to the fact that I wanted to see how my field, electrical engineering, and architectural field can be combined. That is why I chose to look into the topic of self-sustainable buildings for the project. The topic itself is very broad since the term “self-sustainable” can include anything starting with self-sustainable materials to build the structures from to high-tech AI operated units. In order to narrow it down I decided to follow my major path and look into the off-grid living.

Renewable energy went from being an expensive and experimental to reliable and affordable technology. The market for the renewable power is one of the fastest growing in the world. Soon enough power needs of the nation and world in general will be able to be satisfied fully by the alternative providers. That is why it is important to know what the switch will mean for the average consumers. And what changes in building structures and building techniques should be made to be prepared for the shift.

We are all familiar with an idea of off grid living. But what are the exact steps that need to be taken in order to be able to go completely off grid? Does one need to live on the cliff of the mountain in order to completely achieve it or living off grid is possible in the middle of the city?  What is the technology behind self-sustainability and what kind of new technology was release recently that makes the switch much more plausible? I will try to find the answers to stated questions in my project. 

I am currently researching into the portable self-sustainable units in order to gain the knowledge about the inner operations of those tiny homes. But mostly I am trying to concentrate on the power consumption, changes to household power grid, additional equipment and possible drawbacks.

Comments.

To Douha Alqudaihi:

3D printing is the fast growing sector in  technology nowadays. The whole process went from taking hours in order to print a tiny object to be able to print houses in matters of hours. I like that you don’t want to only concentrate your attention on positive aspects of 3D printing for construction business but also want to look into the human aspect and possible unemployment. 

To Liam Osenford:

Artificial Intelligence is a fascinating topic. Generations after generations were intrigued by the idea and wrote a lot of novels and created other art projects devoted to it. And now we are living during the time that were predicted by them.

I like that your post seems well structure like you are going from point to point that you are trying to make in your project. It will be interesting to see the timeline you come up with and the primary users you will identify.  

To Mika Awai:

Your project description seems well designed and well thought of. I am myself looking into sustainable buildings so I am interested to see the results of your research into the topic. I wasn’t aware that there is a special subcategory of the BIM software that assists in helping to create green and sustainable structures. I am wondering what would the special data basis be for those kind of projects and how the whole thing will be executed.