B1: Week 2 Blog Post - Group B, Voznyak

BIM 
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is changing the way that engineers and architects design, construct, and manage the life-cycles of buildings, infrastructure, and utilities. According to the largest BIM software company, Autodesk, it’s more than merely a 2D or 3D software. It is an intelligent process which allows for experimentation, analysis, instant feedback, and the ability to share information with a click of a button at anytime and anywhere in the world! The BIM process utilizes the human-computer interaction by creating a system which uses human intelligence and capacity for design combined with a computer’s ability to display geometry, data, and provide quantitative and qualitative feedback. Parametric design really stretches BIM to its limits by automatically calculating and molding the rest of the model according to the changes made, allowing for designers to “precisely tune every aspect of building performance from acoustics to energy efficiency”. I believe that because the BIM model allows for a combination of the different elements of construction such as architecture, site, structure, MEP, green technologies, etc. it will allow for better coordination and seamless communication between the designers, builders, and owners. In return, this will improve accuracy, reduce rework, decrease change orders and save everybody time and money.

 Arieff, Allison. "New Forms That Function Better." Technology Review. N.p., 31 July 2013. Web. <http://www.technologyreview.com/review/517596/new-forms-that-function-better/>.

 "What Is BIM." Autodesk. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2015. <http://www.autodesk.com/solutions/building-information-modeling/overview>.

3-D Printing 

Mankind is certainly only at the tip of the iceberg regarding the useful potential applications of 3-D printing in the industrial, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and other fields. This technology builds upon a similar technology, a computer controlled cutting machine (CNC router) which uses programmable coordinates to print 2-d objects out of metal and wood. 3-D printing, as an emerging technology, though first used in the mid 80’s, it is still extremely limited in applications and produces expensive products unfeasible for mass-production. Until very recently, we were only able to print using plastics. “Inks made from different types of materials, precisely applied, are greatly expanding the kinds of things that can be printed”. With the 3-d printing explosion we are now able to print food, electronics, tools, and even human organs! In fact, several research teams around the world have successfully printed bionic ears, complex eye tissue, and skin. I believe that 3-D printers are the ultimate tool and one day we will be able to make anything with a touch of a button from the comfort of our homes!

 
"3D Printing: Make Anything You Want." YouTube. 16x9 Global News, 28 Jan. 2013. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0EJmBoLq-g>.
 
Rotman, David. "Microscale 3-D Printing." Technology Review. Technology Review, 2014. Web. <http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/526521/microscale-3-d-printing/>.

Structures
 An interesting example to using technology to the designer’s benefit is the use of computer-aided design tools and robotic fabrication is the Landesgarternschau Exhibition Hall in Germany. The building is a first of its kind and uses 243 geometrically unique plates connecting together via joints to make the building envelope. The speed of manufacturing fabrication lead-time is also quite impressive taking only 3-weeks to print!

 This sort of advancement in technology and the complexity of buildings have been hand-in-hand. That is as we, humans, advance our technological capabilities we have been required to build bigger and more complex structures and thus applied our innovations to the construction of those environments. Whether it may be prefabricated materials and structures, innovation of materials that can span longer distances and hold more weight, the use of building information modeling, green technologies, or incorporating sensors that adapt the building to its environment, technology beyond a doubt has changed the way we build throughout time.

 Fredrickson, Trent. "Robotically Fabricated Landesgartenschau Exhibition Hall in Germany." Designboom. N.p., 24 June 2014. Web. <http://www.designboom.com/architecture/robotically-fabricated-landesgartenschau-exhibition-hall-06-25-2014/>.

 Future
 The future of the construction and engineering industry certainly will heavily apply and rely upon all technologies. From drones, manufacturing printing, building information models, to robots performing dangerous tasks, automation will be used. The futuristic time of the Hollywood movies is upon us, the “robotification” of society has already started! We interact with technology and robot automation nearly during every step of our day to day lives. Robots are making the quality of life much better but at the same time removing many jobs from the market. Just as work-animals can no longer provide usefulness equal to the cost of housing and feeding them, many employees will be replaced. As the article and the embedded YouTube video, “Humans Need Not Apply” clearly states, robots will quickly take over many of the tasks that people perform due to pure economics, robots are cheap and efficient. There is no stopping this process, the only option we have is to prepare ourselves through re-education and re-training the workforce.

 Allain, Rhett. "The Robotification of Society Is Coming." Wired.com. N.p., 17 Jan. 2105. Web. <http://www.wired.com/2015/01/robotification-society-coming/>.