Robert Amor's Publications in 2013

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Prins, M., Amor, R., Owen, R., Egbu, C. and Khalfan, M.M.A. (ed.) (2013) Proceedings of AMIDDS - Architectural Management & IDDS, Brisbane, Australia, 5-9 May, CIB Publication 380, 417pp.

Abstract: For the CIB 2013 World Building Congress, Construction and Society, several groups decided to merge together under the title "Architectural Management & IDDS; Improving Societal Performance of Architectural Design through Better Collaboration and Integration with the Aid of Information Technology and Knowledge Management." This stream of the congress was organized on behalf of: CIB W078 - Information Technology for Construction CIB W096 - Architectural Management CIB W102 - Information & Knowledge Management in Building CIB's priority theme Integrated Design and Delivery Solutions (IDDS) New information, communication and knowledge management technologies are drastically influencing architectural design. The way architects collaborate with other parties, how they exchange information and share knowledge increasingly is changing traditional procedures and roles. This is enforced by a range of societal pressures directed at delivering buildings with proven and guaranteed quality and performance throughout the life span. This asks for better integration of knowledge in the process and better collaboration, whether or not forced by integrated procurement, resulting in better societal performance in its widest sense. In this special session of CIB's World Building Congress 2013 we explore the issue of improving societal performance of architectural design through better integration and collaboration by means of information, communication and knowledge management processes, techniques, and technologies. Abstracts were invited concerning improving societal performance of architectural design through better integration and collaboration by means of information communication and knowledge management processes, techniques, and technologies. Three main themes were set: . The integrated architectural design . Design process integration and collaboration . Improving societal performance Over ninety abstracts were received, from which more than thirty final papers were selected for presentation and publication.

Pileggi, S.F. and Amor, R. (2013) Addressing Semantic Geographic Information Systems, Editorial to special issue, Future Internet, 5, doi:10.3390/fi5040585, http://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/5/4/585/, pp. 585-590.

Abstract: The progressive consolidation of information technologies on a large scale has been facilitating and progressively increasing the production, collection, and diffusion of geographic data, as well as facilitating the integration of a large amount of external information into geographic information systems (GIS). Traditional GIS is transforming into a consolidated information infrastructure. This consolidated infrastructure is affecting more and more aspects of internet computing and services. Most popular systems (such as social networks, GPS, and decision support systems) involve complex GIS and significant amounts of information. As a web service, GIS is affected by exactly the same problems that affect the web as a whole. Therefore, next generation GIS solutions have to address further methodological and data engineering challenges in order to accommodate new applications' extended requirements (in terms of scale, interoperability, and complexity). The conceptual and semantic modeling of GIS, as well as the integration of semantics into current GIS, provide highly expressive environments that are capable of meeting the needs and requirements of a wide range of applications.

Bhatt, M., Borrmann, A., Amor, R. and Beetz, J. (2013) Architecture, computing, and design assistance, Editorial to special issue, Automation in Construction, 32, pp. 161-164.

Abstract: Design is one of the most complex of human endeavours requiring an enormous number of often conflicting criteria to be contemplated when identifying optimal solutions. Design is constrained by guidelines, codes, and standards applicable to the specific cultural and locational context that the design will be sited. Furthermore, a design has to be created within a collaborative team consisting of many professionals focused on specific subsystems and expert preferences that provide unique functionality to the overall design.

Pileggi, S.F., Calvo-Gellego, J. and Amor, R. (2013) Bringing Semantic Resources together in the Cloud: from Theory to Application, Proceedings of CIMSim2013, 5th International conference on Computational Intelligence, Modelling and Simulation, Seoul, South Korea, 24-26 September, pp. 113-118.

Abstract: This paper deals with the added value provided by Semantic Technologies in cloud environments. In these contexts, semantics are not understood as a massive technology but as a resource in order to improve cloud platforms' capabilities in terms of interoperability, knowledge building/representation and management. The proposed approach aims at the extension of the common middleware functional layer in complex architectures through semantics. This added capability should enable (active and passive) heterogeneous resources to work together as in a unique ecosystem, as well as supporting innovative interaction models involving these resources. The ideal application could be the Smart City.

Rahman, Md.A., Gonzalez, V.A. and Amor, R. (2013) Exploring the Synergies between BIM and Lean Construction to Deliver Highly Integrated Sustainable Projects, Proceedings of AUBEA, Auckland, New Zealand, 20-22 November, pp. 37:1-12.

Abstract: Sustainable Construction has been acknowledged as a driver for societal transformation. However the practice of Sustainable Construction has not flourished yet as expected due to the discipline fragmentation over the entire project life cycle. Current research exhibits adversarial and non-collaborative behaviours in the different Sustainable Construction approaches adopted for delivering Sustainable projects. As a result it is claimed that an "Integrated approach" is imperative to eliminate the current limitations for delivering Sustainable projects. It is argued that Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Lean Construction have the potential to achieve Sustainable goals in a highly integrated fashion. Thus, their integration with Sustainability can be explicitly considered. BIM has comprehensively covered different Sustainability issues such as energy efficiency, optimum resource consumption, process visualization in an integrated way through collaboration with different stakeholders. On the other hand, Lean Construction is a production management philosophy that seems to suit Sustainability principles in terms of waste minimisation, resource optimisation, continuous improvement, resource end- user satisfaction, target costing and so forth. Moreover different research contended that the action of BIM, Lean and Sustainable Construction are mutually supportive and synergistic. In this regard, this study explores an integrated approach at conceptual level that links BIM and Lean Construction to uphold Sustainable principles over the entire life cycle of a project.

McMeel, D. and Amor, R. (2013) Fabricate it, paint it - and don't wait up: Separating fact from fiction in digitally sponsored fabrication, Proceedings of CAADFutures, Shanghai, China, 3-5 July, pp. 149-158.

Abstract: This paper offers perspectives on emerging trends in digital fabrication. We explore effects on communication practices and investigate how the associated changing materiality of data is impacting collaboration and interoperability within design and making. Computer numerical controlled (CNC) routing and laser-cutting services are available in most major cities. Affordable 3D printer kits, CNC routers and DIY KUKA robot kits are available across the Internet. A considerable part of the attraction of these tools is the ability to fabricate physical goods without fabrication expertise. We look at this phenomenon more closely through making furniture with CNC techniques and the use of 3D printing for making robots as well as tangibles for a Microsoft Surface. In our examples it appears materiality remains an important factor throughout the design and making processes. We aim to unpick these examples to shed light on how these technologies actually impact design and making practices.

McMeel, D. and Amor, R. (2013) Ecosystem Information Models : Visualising complex data to support collaborative decision-making, Proceedings of ConVR, London, UK, 30-31 October, pp. 516-523.

Abstract: There is considerable interest in 'open data' with many administrations launching, or involved in, programmes to make government data open and available. From geographical information systems (GIS) to infrastructure data and building information models (BIMs), it is believed that access to this data will contribute to productivity and efficiency gains. Yet there remains uncertainty surrounding how stakeholders involved in design, construction and maintenance of the built environment might benefit from this unlocked information. We begin this paper by looking at a specific government initiative providing access to built environment datasets; we investigate and compare the different approaches for accessing this information-base. With speculation that open access will lead to huge benefits in productivity, particularly through interoperability, the second part of our paper implements a system to explore the federation of this data and the results of its interoperation in a collaborative visual environment. While prediction models continue to be problematic when simulating multiple complex and interdependent factors of the built environment concurrently, here we appropriate data and exploit it within decision-support systems. A Systems that provides a qualitative virtual 3D rendering of what is otherwise prosaic or opaque technical information, providing the potential to federate, align and compare otherwise disparate sources of data. Arguably access to open data has not revolutionised consumer computing, but it has played an important part in combination with the emergence of other technologies such as mobile devices, wifi and location aware computing. Here we critique 'open data' initiatives for design and construction, and ask what part they might play-in combination with other technologies-to help deliver on the promise of productivity.

Miller, G., Sharma, S., Donald, C. and Amor, R. (2013) Developing a Building Information Modelling Educational Framework for the Tertiary Sector in New Zealand, Proceedings of Product Lifecycle Management conference, Nantes, France, 8-10 July, pp. 606-618.

Abstract: Whilst Building Information Modelling (BIM) is rapidly being acknowledged as a driver for change in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction sector across the globe, the introduction of BIM into graduate and postgraduate teaching programmes in the tertiary sector in New Zealand has been minimal to date. New Zealand has an advanced albeit small economy, and whilst BIM is being deployed increasingly with effect in industry, there is no national BIM education framework and only one tertiary sector institution offers any BIM teaching in New Zealand (NZ). This paper reviews the current approaches to incorporating BIM into degree and certificate programmes in 25 leading international universities, pedagogical approaches and BIM critical success factors. A draft of a BIM educational framework for NZ is proposed based on this review. An approach for further design, development and deployment of the framework is also offered. This paper is intended to initiate debate and to start to build consensus between the academic community and industry on a national BIM educational framework for New Zealand.

Lee, C., Kang, J., Wuensche, B. and Amor, R. (2013) myInterior: AR Supporting Interior Design, Proceedings of CIB W78, Beijing, China, 9-11 October, pp. 574-583.

Abstract: Interior design is the study of designing and arranging living space in an aesthetically pleasing way. Sometimes interior design may involve furnishing a brand new, empty home; but in most cases, interior design implies adding new components to an already furnished living space, such as adding a new sofa in the living room, or changing the wallpaper of the kitchen. Interior design includes the choice and arrangement of furniture, color schemes, lighting, etc.; but our interest is in the choice of furniture. People have traditionally used tools such as color wheels and furniture catalogues to help them develop their interior design. Recently, developments in technology, and a demand for more intuitive and visual tools, have seen the rise of 3D interior design tools. However, such tools do not give users a better idea of how the new interior design will look in relation to their current living space. Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that maps a real environment and allows placement of virtual objects within this environment. It creates a cognitive and perceptual overlap of senses between a virtual and real environment. This quality of AR is perfectly suited for interior design tools; using AR could allow people to create interior designs that are truly related to their own environment; it is also a highly visual and intuitive form of interaction, providing a "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" interface. This project explored the use of AR technology to improve upon the limitations of existing interior design tools, by accurately mapping a given interior space and allowing accurate placement and arrangement of virtual furniture within this interior space, resulting in an interior design tool that is truly in relation to the real environment.

Dimyadi, J. and Amor, R. (2013) Regulatory Knowledge Representation for Automated Compliance Audit of BIM-based models, Proceedings of CIB W78, Beijing, China, 9-11 October, pp. 68-78.

Abstract: There has been significant research in the area of automated and semi-automated regulatory compliance checking in the AEC domain over the past four decades. In order to computerise the regulatory compliance checking process, we first need to have computer representations of both the building model and the regulations. We now have Building Information Modelling (BIM) as the industry standard representation for buildings, but the challenge remains to find an efficient and practical digital representation of the regulatory knowledge. One common approach to represent regulatory knowledge for architectural and building engineering designs is to extract rules from the regulatory texts, which has proven to be quite challenging. There have been several initiatives in recent years in the legal informatics domain, e.g. CEN MetaLex, LKIF, RuleML, and LegalRuleM, to provide a means of sharing digital legislative documents and regulatory structure. This approach together with defeasible reasoning techniques available from legal informatics can be adapted for compliance auditing purposes in the AEC domain. This paper outlines a practical approach to represent regulatory knowledge in terms of industry's accepted compliant design procedures using a business process modelling technique with visual editing capabilities. The corresponding regulatory constraints, thresholds and parameters are simply treated as lookup data. Each design procedure and its associated regulatory data would then represent the regulatory knowledge required for a particular type of compliance check. This paper also briefly outlines a compliance checking framework that could bring in any library of regulatory knowledge representations that are defined and maintained externally. Both prescriptive and performance-based criteria of the New Zealand Building Code are being investigated.

Dimyadi, J. and Amor, R. (2013) Computer-assisted Regulatory Compliance Checking, Proceedings of NZCSRSC 2013, Hamilton, New Zealand, 15-19 April.

Abstract: The Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) domain, the fifth largest industry in New Zealand, has suffered from a decline in productivity over the years due to its highly diversified and fragmented nature, reluctance to adopt new technologies, and the lack of interoperability. The emergence of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) data model specification in recent years has addressed some of these issues by providing a method to represent and exchange building information efficiently. An incentive for BIM uptake in the AEC industry is the potential of automating the regulatory compliance checking, which has traditionally been a manual process. Apart from the need to have a building representation, another key ingredient for this to happen is a digital representation of the regulations or standards. However, current regulatory texts are written for human interpretation and are poorly structured, which makes automation a challenge. In the absence of any official digital representation of regulations, researchers in the AEC industry have been proactively developing a range of interim solutions in the past four decades, and the quest for an ideal representation still continues today. This paper examines the impact and applications of BIM in the industry, reviews common approaches in representing regulations for compliance checking, and also investigates the possibility and the advantages of adopting an open standard regulatory data exchange model as a way forward.

Dimyadi, J. and Amor, R. (2013) Automated Building Code Compliance Checking - Where is it at?, Proceedings of CIB WBC 2013, Brisbane, Australia, 6-8 May, pp. 172-185.

Abstract: There has been an extensive amount of research conducted internationally over the last four decades in the area of automated and semi-automated regulatory compliance checking for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. This paper summarises the earlier research initiatives, explores common themes and different approaches used, as well as comparing the strengths and limitations of a number of major code compliance checking tools. Some of these tools have been implemented commercially and others are beginning to be adopted or are in their final stages of development. The paper also examines how readily these tools can be applied in the context of a performance-based code as found in New Zealand. Due to a recent push for innovation and productivity improvement in the AEC industry, there is an increased uptake of building information modelling (BIM) and the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) open standard data model for interoperability. The availability of high performance personal computers, efficient web-based technology, and new initiatives in legal knowledge representation modelling should make the development of commercial compliance checking systems more viable than ever. However, the quest for an industry agreed unified approach seems to be far from over. Research is being conducted to develop a computer interpretable representation of New Zealand's performance-based codes using an open standard legal data exchange protocol. This is to be integrated into a web-based BIM compliance checking framework. The fire safety clauses of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) are used in the case study.

Chen, X., Hosking, J., Grundy, J. and Amor, R. (2013) Development of Robust Traceability Benchmarks, Proceedings of ASWEC 2013, Melbourne, Australia, 4-7 June, pp. 145-154.

Abstract: Traceability benchmarks are essential for the evaluation of traceability recovery techniques. This includes the validation of an individual traceability technique itself and the objective comparison of the technique with other traceability techniques. However, it is generally acknowledged that it is a real challenge for researchers to obtain or build meaningful and robust benchmarks. This is because of the difficulty of obtaining or creating suitable benchmarks. In this paper, we describe an approach to enable researchers to establish affordable and robust benchmarks. We have designed rigorous manual identification and verification strategies to determine whether or not a link is correct. We have developed a formula to calculate the probability of errors in benchmarks. Analysis of error probability results shows that our approach can produce high quality benchmarks, and our strategies significantly reduce error probability in them.

Chow, J., Amor, R. and Wuensche, B.C. (2013) Music Education using Augmented Reality with a Head Mounted Display, Proceedings of AUIC 2013, Adelaide, Australia, 30-31 January, pp. 73-79.

Abstract: Traditional music education places a large emphasis on individual practice. Studies have shown that indi- vidual practice is frequently not very productive due to limited feedback and students lacking interest and motivation. In this paper we explore the use of aug- mented reality to create an immersive experience to improve the efficiency of learning of beginner piano students. The objective is to stimulate development in notation literacy and to create motivation through presenting as a game the task that was perceived as a chore. This is done by identifying successful concepts from existing systems and merging them into a new system designed to be used with a head mounted dis- play. The student is able to visually see their practice and have fun while doing so. An informal user study indicates that the system initially puts some pressure on users, but that participants find it helpful and be- lieve that it improves learning.

Owen, R., Amor, R., Dickinson, J., Prins, M. and Kiviniemi, A. (2013) Research Roadmap Report: Integrated Design & Delivery Solutions (IDDS), CIB Publication 370, CIB, The Netherlands, 37pp.

Abstract: Changes in the construction sector are creating opportunities in research to maximise the benefits of those changes and to continue the exciting developments in improved people skills, new processes and developing technologies. There are many research centres around the world investigating aspects of the current changes to drive their particular expertise forward. However, the CIB Integrated Design and Delivery Solutions (IDDS) priority research theme takes a higher-level view of the changes and then focuses down on a prioritised set of research targets. These targets have been investigated, re-focussed and validated over a period of four years through many workshops, conferences and meetings by a wide ranging group of representatives from approximately 90 industry and research organisations. This roadmap prioritises and details the research to be performed, why and by whom. In particular, some 25 CIB Working Commissions and Task Groups are explained as having potential roles in the delivery of this research theme. The outcomes of such research, once put into practice should be significantly shortened timespans from conception of need to occupation of new or revised structures. As time is money, the owners will get their investments into productive use sooner, which means a shorter payback time. In addition, there will inevitably be a reduction in construction costs as productivity increases. The improvements in reliable delivery and improved quality currently being seen in relatively simplistic use of Building information Modelling (BIM) (compared to full IDDS) will inevitably continue its on-going trajectory of improvement. We should also consider the wider economic contribution to society that will stem from such improvements and, finally, and by no means unimportantly, the reliable modelling and delivery of sustainability at both the building and estate/ area scale will significantly improve carbon footprints and other sustainable outcomes. Whilst there are huge opportunities for early adopters, the primary risk will be the expansion of the gap between those working in this way and those who are not so advanced or who even refuse to progress . However, a similar issue arises between industry, clients, educators and trainers; the latter have particular challenges, having existed for many years in a sector that has had relatively few technological changes. However, the opportunities to address the significant and widely varying wastes within the structure of the construction sector and within and across projects are huge and timely. Whilst this Roadmap is specifically targeted at the Standing Commissions and Task Groups of the CIB, it is hoped that there are elements for research and applied research across academia and industry.