B5 - Uses of databases in design offices

Use of Database in Design Offices

In B3, we did some research on the advantages of Revit/BIM. I found database is one of the benefits using Revit as design tool since Revit is able to generate tables of detailed information of various materials. Thereby, cost estimation is easier and more accurate. In addition, Microsoft Access is an application based on database management. It raised efficiency tremendously as the quantity of data goes beyond human’s ability. Another software I learned in Construction Management class is Primavera P6 that assists planning construction schedule. With the help of database built-in, we can make scheduling readily. Nowadays, nothing rely on computer technology can work properly without database, so does offices design.

When companies start designing offices, the software talked above has great possibility to be used. At first, Revit can quickly sketch a rough layout of the floor plan. Furthermore, it can automatically generate the bill of quantities because of the existence of database. For this reason, prospective clients are able to have a better understanding of cost ahead of time. Microsoft Access has the ability to systemize all kinds of information and pull out the specific one whenever you want. It works with Revit, that means, database in MS Access can be imported into Revit. Afterwards, Primavera P6 helps schedule works assigned to various groups of people. For instance, two processes cannot be done simultaneously, it will require you to set up priority so the later process will not start until the prior one finishes. When some human sources are not available during weekend or holiday, we can assign working days as we want thus the whole schedule will be recalculated automatically. By considering all sources and restrains according to database, it makes the final decision to approach critical path, the most efficient way to finish this project.

These are just part of applications of database in offices design. I believe there are already far more technologies used in designing process in the real marketing world. To sum up, people created database to take advantage of it. Database management will be a must-have skill in the near future.

Comments:

Jonathan Plotkin – I really like your post combining with your previous working experience. It gave us a clearer idea about how the knowledge we learned can be applied in the real job. You focused on the first co-op where you think is mostly related to database.

Mark Bancroft – As you are a frequent user of AutoCAD, you explained how database is used in AutoCAD step by step. You also talked some beneficial reasons to use database when doing designing work.

Jiaao Wu – The first look at your post gave me an impression that it is well organized since you analyzed reasons from three aspects: architectural, structural and HVAC design. I’ve never thought in that way. Nice analysis, by the way.