3 Features of integrated building systems.
The important
features of the systems that compose our field of interest, namely the
"integrated building systems", are reported here.
-
High variability in the design of the built space
Variability can be defined as the number of the designs
that both are compatible with the system and satisfy the specifications of a
building project. High variability provides many possible
architectural configurations, among which the most appropriate one for each
specific design problem can be selected. As a consequence, variability is closely related to the adaptability of the system in different architectural
demands.
-
Maintenance of high variability in different scales
The
distinction between designs which are compatible with the system, is determined
by scale-dependent criteria: designs having different small-scale features may
be considered as identical in a larger scale. As a consequence, variability tends to decrease with the scale.
The possibility to maintain high variability in different scales makes possible
for the system to respond to needs and specifications that concern these
scales.
The variability characterizing a design scale should not be
drastically reduced due to constraints posed in a larger scale. However, such
constraints are required if they represent design knowledge that increases the
system's effectiveness.
-
Integration of different systems of the building
Different
systems of the building (e.g. structural system, HVAC, plumbing, energy
management etc) should function in synergy: the function of each system should
be enhanced by the function of the others. In addition, the assembly of each
system should be supported—ideally emerge—from the assembly of the modules of
the overall integrated building system, so that the total
work time necessary for the production of the building should be smaller than
the total work time required for the production of the partial systems, each
one viewed in isolation.
The desired
properties of the building should emerge rather due to the building system
(see: "emergent
properties"), than due to the design of each project. This approach reduces the
time necessary for both the design and the construction of the building
project, as part of the necessary work is incorporated in the building system.
-
Developmental production procedures based on information reusability
The "developmental" paradigm includes a recursive bottom-up
creation process, where large-scale, complex, specialized structures are
composed by smaller scale, simpler and less specialized ones. During this
process information is reused, as different specialized structures inherit the
same information which has been produced in preceding compositional phases.
Regarding the
construction process, elements of the building product—in each construction
phase—can be used as production infrastructure. This reduces the external
infrastructure required, making the construction procedure both simpler and
less resource-consuming.
-
Reduction of the social cost of the building project
The reduction
of the social cost—including the cost of information—of the building project is consistent with
social demands, as well as with the natural tendency of the system to function
at the lowest "energy level" (here the term "energy level"
metaphorically denotes the level of resources' consumption).
-
Reduction of the consumption of both material and energy resources
Both the
production and the usage of the building project require consumption of
material, as well as energy resources. Reduction of the required consumption is
directly related to the reduction of both the social cost and the environmental decay.
Consequently it contributes to the adaptation of the building project in its
social, natural and technical environment.
-
Versatility of the built space
Built space should
be easily modified. This increases the system's adaptability in versatile conditions, while
makes possible the satisfaction of numerous different specialized needs.
- Exploitation of the potential of available production technology
The
implementation of the building system should be possible in the current
technological framework by a cost lower than the cost saved due to the system's
benefits. Ideally, the building system should make optimal use of available production
possibilities which otherwise would remain idle.
- Possibility of high-quality architectural space production
The quality of
the architectural space depends on the quality of the material resources
provided by the system, as well as on general space emergent properties derived from the system.