Identifying Visualization Opportunities to Help Architects Manage the Complexity of Building Codes

Stan Nowak, Bon Adriel Aseniero, Lyn Bartram, Tovi Grossman, George Fitzmaurice, Justin Matejka

January 2023 · IEEE Comput. Graph. Appl. (CG&A)

Abstract

We report a study investigating the viability of using interactive visualizations to aid architectural design with building codes. While visualizations have been used to support general architectural design exploration, existing computational solutions treat building codes as separate from, rather than part of, the design process, creating challenges for architects. Through a series of participatory design studies with professional architects, we found that interactive visualizations have promising potential to aid design exploration and sensemaking in early stages of architectural design by providing feedback about potential allowances and consequences of design decisions. However, implementing a visualization system necessitates addressing the complexity and ambiguity inherent in building codes. To tackle these challenges, we propose various user-driven knowledge management mechanisms for integrating, negotiating, interpreting, and documenting building code rules.

DOI PDF

Figures

FIGURE 1. Survey question exploring issues related to build- ing code visualization.

FIGURE 2. Mock-up of concept system to visualize building codes: (1) Floorplan within a CAD program. (2) Minimum corridor width overlays determined by estimated occupants. (3) Room use types. (4) Occupant load calculations shown by room size bar chart and corresponding strip chart showing people. (5) Additional icon markup showing thresholds such as additional doors. (6) Green bars representing client-requested room sizes. (7) Minimum widths of corridor segments determined by occupant load flowing from each room into the path of escape. (8) Change tracking while editing CAD model. (9) Highlighting changes in orange and compliance issues in red relative to previous version compliance issues.

FIGURE 3. A series of mock-ups illustrating a user-driven knowledge management system: (1) Automated compliance checking. (2) Context-relevant building codes. (3) Building code configuration and access to source documentation. (4) Change history and commenting. (5) Annotations linking building codes with CAD models.

BibTeX

@article{10.1109/MCG.2023.3307971,
  author = {Nowak, Stan and Aseniero, Bon Adriel and Bartram, Lyn and Grossman, Tovi and Fitzmaurice, George and Matejka, Justin},
  title = {Identifying Visualization Opportunities to Help Architects Manage the Complexity of Building Codes},
  year = {2023},
  issue_date = {Nov.-Dec. 2023},
  publisher = {IEEE Computer Society Press},
  address = {Washington, DC, USA},
  volume = {43},
  number = {6},
  issn = {0272-1716},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1109/MCG.2023.3307971},
  doi = {10.1109/MCG.2023.3307971},
  abstract = {We report a study investigating the viability of using interactive visualizations to aid architectural design with building codes. While visualizations have been used to support general architectural design exploration, existing computational solutions treat building codes as separate from, rather than part of, the design process, creating challenges for architects. Through a series of participatory design studies with professional architects, we found that interactive visualizations have promising potential to aid design exploration and sensemaking in early stages of architectural design by providing feedback about potential allowances and consequences of design decisions. However, implementing a visualization system necessitates addressing the complexity and ambiguity inherent in building codes. To tackle these challenges, we propose various user-driven knowledge management mechanisms for integrating, negotiating, interpreting, and documenting building code rules.},
  journal = {IEEE Comput. Graph. Appl.},
  month = {nov,},
  pages = {75–86},
  numpages = {12},
}