Indicate
This project, led by researchers from the University Institute of Architecture and Construction Sciences of the University of Seville and the Green Building Council Spain GBCe, aims to contribute to accelerating decarbonization in the construction sector.
INDICATE is an innovative research project funded by the Laudes Foundation involving WGBC, KU Leuven, BPIE, and Smith Innovation, which seeks to generate crucial data to support policy formulation and strategic decision-making in the building sector. The project aims to establish a range of carbon emission values throughout the lifecycle of newly constructed residential and office buildings in Spain. Through a co-creation approach, this project brings together various stakeholders from the building sector, ensuring that all involved parties can act upon the methodology, data, and results obtained.
Problem
The problem is obtaining measurements from virtual models based on an unlimited number of construction configurations, known as "archetypes."
Initially, seven models, known as "types", represent different architectural typologies (these models range from a single-family home to a residential tower to an office building). Each type encompasses a series of construction categories to which dimensions and specifications are assigned.
From these models, at least 18 measurements need to be obtained. Each measurement entails reading approximately 60 parameters.
Solution
A Dynamo script containing various Python nodes is developed to accomplish this task and automate the measurement exportation based on a database with unlimited construction configurations. The different configurations ("archetypes") stored in an Excel database are associated with a Revit model of a specific architectural typology ("types").
A specific Excel file ("INI") is required to load an archetype into a model, which will serve as input data when the script is executed. During execution, the geometric elements of the model will vary in thickness based on the data from the "INI" file. Before completion of execution, the measurements will be exported to another Excel template called "BoQ" (bill of quantities)
Dynamo Script
When the script is executed through Dynamo Player, a window will open, prompting the selection of an "INI" file. From there, you can choose between loading the archetype into the model or loading the archetype into the model and exporting the measurement.
Conclusions
The automation in updating virtual models and the efficient data reading for precise measurements have significantly expanded the capacity of the INDICATE team to explore various scenarios. This improvement has enabled the research project to obtain more detailed results, thus paving the way towards a more sustainable future in the construction industry.