3D teaching: the ideal complement for professionals in design and construction

Today, the requirement of professional skills to university students is constantly increasing in our society. In our opinion, the content offered in official degrees need to be nourished with different variables, enriching their global professional knowledge in a parallel way; that is why, in recent years, there is a great multiplicity of complementary courses at university. One of the most socially demanded technical requirements within the architectural, design or engineering field is the management of 3D drawing software, becoming an indispensable reality in these sectors. Thus, this specific training becomes essential over two-dimension traditional design, because the inclusion of great possibilities of spatial development that go beyond conventional orthographic projections (plans, sections or elevations), allowing modelling and rotation of the selected items from multiple angles and perspectives. Therefore, this paper analyzes the teaching methodology of a complementary course for those technicians in the construction industry interested in computer-aided design, using modelling (SketchupMake) and rendering programs (Kerkythea). The course is developed from the technician point of view, by learning computer management and its application to professional development from a more general to a more specific view through practical examples. The proposed methodology is based on the development of real examples in different professional environments such as rehabilitation, new constructions, opening projects or architectural design. This multidisciplinary contribution improves criticism of students in different areas, encouraging new learning strategies and the independent development of three-dimensional solutions. Thus, the practical implementation of new situations, even suggested by the students themselves, ensures active participation, saving time during the design process and the increase of effectiveness when generating elements which may be represented, moved or virtually tested. In conclusion, this teaching-learning methodology improves the skills and competencies of students to face the growing professional demands of society. After finishing the course, technicians not only improved their expertise in the field of drawing but they also enhanced their capacity for spatial vision; both essential qualities in these sectors that can be applied to their professional development with great success.

Ventilated Stone Veneer: Mechanical Behaviour, Calculation Methodologies, Major Pathologies and Existing Tests

The increase of building pathologies related to the use of stone materials and the use of ventilated stone veneers, requires the reformulation of design concepts in building façades and also the reformulation of the architectural project. The aim of this paper is to identify, analyze and evaluate synthetically building pathologies in stone ventilated façades in order to obtain the main technical conditions to be considered in the architectural design, by interpreting its mechanical behavior and capabilities to prevent such pathologies and to ensure the proper features during the building lifetime. The methodology is based on both laboratory stone tests and in situ tests about construction systems, by analyzing physical and mechanical behavior of the outer layer in relation to other building requirements. The results imply the need of proper sizing, specific quality control and practical application of calculation methods, to control high concentration pressures in ventilated façades by reaching appropriate project solutions. In conclusion, the research about different pathologies of stone ventilated façades, the study of their mechanical behavior, their anchorage and their connection with their constructive aspects, will help to improve the construction quality of the stone ventilated façade in buildings and to enhance the use of natural stone in modern architecture.

Aplicación del dibujo arquitectónico en 3D para el análisis histórico de los sistemas constructivos industrializados

La condición tridimensional de la construcción edificatoria precisa del uso del dibujo en 3D como la mejor herramienta de proyecto y transmisión de conocimientos técnicos y formales. El objetivo de esta comunicación es mostrar la aplicación de la expresión gráfica en 3D en un análisis histórico sobre la evolución de la envolvente industrializada en arquitectura, identificando sus principales condicionantes técnicos y constructivos. El estudio compara la evolución del uso de sistemas constructivos industrializados mediante un análisis gráfico de las soluciones constructivas más destacables. La metodología empleada se basa en la identificación y estudio de determinados sistemas constructivos industrializados compuestos por materiales ligeros así como de obras de arquitectura representativas por su influencia en la evolución de la envolvente arquitectónica en la segunda mitad del siglo XX. La representación gráfica en 3D ayuda a comparar las obras analizadas desde aspectos tecnológicos y formales, constatándose la utilidad del dibujo asistido por ordenador en el análisis constructivo realizado. En conclusión, el uso del dibujo arquitectónico en 3D contribuye, por la mejor comprensión de las características espaciales de las soluciones constructivas, al análisis de las propiedades materiales y funcionales de los sistemas constructivos industrializados y su aplicación al diseño arquitectónico, ayudando a perfeccionar su conocimiento e incrementando la calidad constructiva y compromiso social de las propuestas arquitectónicas.

Escuelas (alternativas) de arquitectura. ¿Modelos (alternativos) de oposición?

Observamos un renovado interés por los modelos pedagógicos del proyecto arquitectónico, especialmente en su vertiente más agresiva o contestataria. A menudo se formulan por oposición a los modelos más tradicionales, en un marco general de crisis institucional. Este trabajo propone alternativas también desobedientes para las escuelas de arquitectura, pero que escapan a las lógicas dicotómicas o polarizadas, capaces de orientar el futuro de un modo más creativo. Para ello se propone el trabajo de autores tan dispares como el de Judith Revel, Rosi Braidotti o Brian Holmes, que desde ámbitos diversos intentan escapar a las lógicas de oposición para abrirse a formas más arriesgadas y afirmativas de estar. Finalmente, se propone una vinculación de las escuelas de arquitectura a formas de producción de comunidad a partir de criterios como el relato, la utilidad o la calidad, en la línea de las aportaciones de Richard Sennett. En definitiva, este trabajo se enmarca en una investigación más general que aspira a reflexionar sobre los órganos formativos del arquitecto desde un marco de pensamiento transversal.

Previ: la tipología entre la fluidez de la vida y el rigor de la edificación

Hace diez años que el Proyecto Experimental de Vivienda (Previ), de Lima, a propósito de la convocatoria de investigación de la Bienal Iberoamericana de Arquitectura y Urbanismo celebrada en 2004 en esta ciudad, despertó un renovado interés en arquitectos jóvenes y comprometidos que se aproximaban a esta experiencia con la mirada atenta de quien desea aprender para construir vivienda social de irrenunciable vocación urbana. Asimismo, la asignatura pendiente de la industrialización en la vivienda de bajo coste ha propiciado el estudio de este caso. Después de plantear los aspectos básicos de Previ que nos permiten entenderlo y proyectarlo en su contexto, este artículo se acerca de nuevo a esa experiencia para leerla desde las claves proyectuales tipológicas que, a nuestro parecer, tienden un puente entre la vida que fluye (la utilitas) y el rigor que reclama la re edificatoria (la firmitas).

The Big BIM battle: BIM adoption in the UK for large and small companies

As BIM adoption continues, the goal of a totally collaborative model with multiple contributors is attainable. Many initiatives such as the 2016 UK government level 2 BIM deadline are putting pressure on the construction industry to speed up the changeover. Clients and collaborators have higher expectations of using digital 3D models to communicate design ideas and solve practical problems. Contractors and clients are benefitting from cost saving scheduling and clash detection offered by BIM. Effective collaboration on the project will also give speed and efficiency gains. Despite this, many businesses of varying sizes are still having problems. The cost of the software and the training provides an obvious barrier for micro-enterprises and could explain a delay in adoption. Many studies have looked at these problems faced by SME and micro-enterprises. Larger companies have different problems. The efforts made by government to encourage them are quite comprehensive, but is anything being done to help smaller sectors and keep the industry cohesive? This limited study examines several companies of varying size and varying project type: architectural design businesses, main contractor, structural engineer and building consultancy. The study examines the barriers to a truly collaborative BIM workflow facing different specialities on a larger project and a contrasting small/medium project. The findings will establish that different barriers for each sector are actually pushing further apart, thus potentially creating a BIM-only construction elite, leaving the small companies remaining on 2D based drawing.