Apr 2, 2018 — Clifton

Generative Design...

Nearly every time I demonstrate our product, TestFit, there is a designer that revolts to the very idea that an algorithm can place staircases, units, or fire walls in a building. Well, this technology is here, and it is here to stay.

The AEC world needs to get ready to be in the business of Design Optimization. You know those five phases of the design process we all hear about? PD, SD, DD, CD, CA? Well, in the future there will be a sixth phase. It will be done during every step of the process. DO — Design Optimization — is your newest product.

Optimize for every single thing under the sun: Cost, Energy, Water, Wastewater, Security Systems, Parking Systems, Views, Ease of Construction, Accessibility, Embodied Energy, Return on Investment, Community Impact. The list goes on. If LEED has your head hurting, just wait for design optimization credentials to roll out.

Five tools worth building on this
  1. Design optimization KPI builder — select what to optimize for, see which constraints conflict
  2. Phase-by-phase optimization opportunity map — where in PD, SD, DD, CD does each KPI matter?
  3. Constraint satisfaction score calculator — how many of your design requirements are actually met?
  4. Energy vs cost vs view tradeoff slider — move one, see the others move
  5. DO phase checklist — what optimization credentials would you even need?