The Technology of Architecture
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M. A. Schnabel (ed.), Back to the Future: The Next 50 Years, (51st International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA)), ©2017, Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA), pp. 803–812. Architectural Technology The Technology of Architecture Gillian Armstrong1 and Sam Allwinkle2 1 University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia [email protected] 2 Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland [email protected] Abstract: Architectural Technology is a relatively new discipline and relates to the anatomy and physiology of buildings and of their production and performance. The practice of Architectural Technology is underpinned by the application of science, engineering and technology and is closely aligned to industry. Architecture Technology is also set within an industry that is under capitalised, resource intensive, risk averse and litigious. Industry is now recognising the value of the discipline of Architectural Technology as critical in the digital age given its focus on empirically based design. Digitalisation of design and construction through Building Information Modelling, relates to production, performance, environmental sustainability, economic efficiency and effectiveness. BIM enables simulation, standardisation, systemisation, and optimisation in design and construction. One example of the relevancy of the discipline is how the skills of Architectural Technology align with those necessary for BIM and this hopefully create greater recognition of the discipline in the future. To improve the recognition of the discipline beyond the UK, this paper presents the educational and professional standards for Architectural Technology. The argument is made that concurrent industry interests in Building Information Modelling and in the profession, is an opportunity for both the expansion of the discipline and greater BIM adoption. Keywords: Architectural technology, architecture, technologist, BIM. 1. Introduction The profession of Architectural Technologist has moved away from the earlier draftsperson and technicians’ role (Cheetham & Lewis, 2001). Architectural technology has been defined as the technology of architecture and encompasses knowledge and understanding which underpins the design of buildings and structures, as both a product and a process (CIAT, 2015). The profession is considered as a specialisation, with technologists contributing to construction teams as specialist designers who have unique strengths in building performance, production and process. Architectural Technology operates within an industry that is described as under‐capitalised, resource intensive, risk averse and litigious (Caplehorn, 2017). Building information modelling (BIM) is often acknowledged as a tool to navigate this challenging environment and deliver Lean construction (Dave et 804 G. Armstrong and S. Allwinkle al, 2013). BIM is now recognised as key in the optimisation in the design, construction and resulting performance of buildings (Arayici et al., 2011; Hamza & Horne, 2006). The prominence of BIM aligns closely with the specialisms of Architectural Technologists, which lie in design and project management processes linked to the building life cycle through the integration of technology (Emmitt, 2009). BIM adoption is one example of the increasing relevance of Architectural Technologist as a growing profession and provides an opportunity for technology orientated professionals to take a key role within the industry (Morton & Thompson, 2011). Architectural Technology is recognised as an academic subject in several countries and there are undergraduate and postgraduate programmes internationally in Denmark, USA, Canada (Armstrong et al, 2013; Barrett, 2011). In the UK, for example, there are 34 architectural technology degree programmes accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT, 2015), most of which are aligned with other built environment provision, such as architecture, quantity surveying, building surveying and construction management. This paper will focus upon the formal and professional recognition of the discipline. For clarity, the UK is focussed upon in this paper because it has a single national professional body, and one which is increasingly also international in scope. A key purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of the value of Architectural Technology in order to support wider recognition internationally. To achieve this goal, there are three sections to this paper: the first familiarises the reader with the focus and scope of Architectural Technology as a discipline in the UK; the second details the educational context of Architectural Technology as a distinct career pathway; the third highlights BIM as a driver to greater professional recognition. 2. Defining Architectural Technology and the CIAT Example Architectural Technology, as a design function relates to the anatomy and physiology of buildings and their production, performance and processes and is based upon the knowledge and application of science, engineering and technology. This is further linked to robustness and the life span characteristics of building systems, materials and components to achieve long term durability. It is also fundamental to the retrofit design of existing buildings and the methods of assessment needed to evaluate structures through the use of building diagnostics and pathology. Recent research on barriers to adaptive reuse existing buildings, highlights the need for a greater focus upon new knowledge and interest in technical performance standards of building regulation (Armstrong, 2016). A lack of discussion and empirical data of existing building technology present significant barriers to sustainable reuse of existing building stock (Hu, 2017). Previous regulatory shifts from prescriptive standards to performance standards requires technological, social, legal and economic understanding applied in a design methodology (Visscher et al, 2016). Looking to the future, there are now calls for building regulation codes and enforcement systems to shift again: from performance‐based standards to risk‐informed performance‐based building regulation mechanisms (Meacham & van Straalen, 2017). A deep understanding of how design sits within technological, social and economic contexts is key to navigating legal minimum requirements. As a discipline, Architectural Technology is able to crucially influence design in relation to construction processes throughout a building’s lifecycle. This ensures that buildings remain economical, efficient and effective: desirable outcomes which are fundamental to new buildings and also the retrofit of design to existing buildings. Environmental concerns calling for carbon emission reduction (UNEP, 2009) underpin a renewed interest in the repurposing of existing obsolete buildings (Wilkinson, 2014). These concerns have generated the need to develop new approaches to evaluate existing structures through knowledge of building diagnostics and pathology to ensure that design solutions are compatible with the existing Architectural Technology 805 structure. Architectural Technology is exceptionally well placed to enable better project and design management process of the building life cycle through the integration of technology and the use of ICT, including modelling and enabling furthering collaborative practice to aid production, performance, efficiency and effectiveness. Established in 1965, the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) is the professional Institute representing and supporting over 10,000 professionals working and studying in the field of Architectural Technology in the UK and overseas (Allwinkle 2008). Although CIAT began in the UK, CIAT has seven centres internationally and is actively developing international partnerships with universities and aligned professional bodies (CIAT, n.d.). CIAT is a Principal member of the AEEBC, (Association d’Experts Européennes du Bâtiment et de la Construction) and has Memorandum of Agreements with: Association of Architectural Technologists, (AATO) in Ontario, Canada; and Danish Association of Building Experts, Managers and Surveyors, known as Konstruktørforeningen (KF). However, one barrier to this is a lack of a wider recognition of Architectural Technology as a distinct profession, for example in countries such as UAE, Australia and New Zealand. Historically, UK has been a driver to the professionalisation and formalisation of distinct roles within the built environment, such as the Quantity Surveyor and Building Surveyor (CIQS, n.d.; AIBS, 2016). 3. Career pathway of Architectural Technologists Historically architectural technology was a subject within other built environment courses e.g.: architecture and surveying. However, over the last 3 decades, Architectural Technology has emerged as a distinct academic course (or programme) which stands as a discrete and increasing well‐respected career pathway. In the UK, there are currently 34 higher education institutions offering CIAT accredited Architectural Technology courses, as an undergraduate degree or masters program. In addition to CIAT accreditation requirements, these courses are governed by an established national system of quality standards that have been specifically developed for each course and provide national consistency and a recognised standard of education. Subject benchmark statements form part of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education (QAA, 2014b) which sets out the expectations that all providers of