Case Study

Collecting, Archiving and Exhibiting Digital Design Data

Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

The Renzo Piano Addition to The Art Institute of Chicago, not yet constructed, is an interesting case study from a number of perspectives: The building will be of cultural and artistic significance. The lead architecture firm is the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Paris. This is the only case study where the lead firm is not U.S.-based. The architect of record, InterActive Design, Inc., is a Chicago firm and there are considerable differences between the two architectural firms in the level of adoption of digital design techniques. Renzo Piano Building Workshop and InterActive Design, Inc. both use digital design techniques in many areas. However, InterActive Design, Inc. reported that digital techniques were their predominant way of working in Data Gathering, Documentation and Collaboration and that they expected digital approaches to predominate within five years in Communication/Presentation, Design Exploration and Product Comparison/Cost Estimating. In contrast, the Renzo Piano Building Workshop indicated that digital techniques only predominated in Documentation and projected no other areas where they would predominate in the next five years. This compares to the overall survey response in which a majority indicates that digital techniques either are or will be predominant within five years in: Data Gathering Documentation Communication/Presentation Collaboration Design Exploration Design Analysis/Validation. Unlike the other case studies, the design decision making for this project could be well documented without reference to digital data. The Renzo Piano Building Workshop worked out design issues primarily in physical models, and then documented the decisions in CAD. Design decision-making took place at periodic workshops that brought together relevant team members for two to three days. Decisions taken at these meetings were documented in books of drawings that were distributed as hardcopy. Physical models were the primary medium used in design presentations. Occasionally, the firm used CAD data to produce components for models or mockups. An example is shown in the Illustrated Narrative of a model of the flying carpet light-diffusing lattice that was produced by laser cutters driven by CAD data. The team for this project consists of many geographically dispersed firms (see the Project Data Sheet for a listing.) Communication and collaboration among the members of this large design team were managed through the use of a Web-based system, Framework Technologies ActiveProject. This was deployed on a server managed by InterActive Design, Inc. and accessible to project participants worldwide via the Internet. Because this collaboration application was of particular interest, InterActive Designs computer environment is the one documented for this case study. The concept was for this server to be the main file for the project. Would this then create a readymade project archive that could be turned over to an archival institution, such as The Art Institutes Department of Architecture, at the end of the project? The Web site does provide a clear organization of project documentation and there are clearly tabbed sections for documents related to each major project milestone. (See the Illustrated Narrative). Documents managed include meeting minutes, requests for information, reports, comments, drawings, cost estimates and program information. The system links comments and markups to the correct drawings. Unfortunately, the two major design outputs that best indicate the design decisions taken and the architects design intent are the books of drawings produced at the end of each workshop and

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

the physical models. None of this information is stored on the ActiveProject site, even though the models were digitally photographed. The ActiveProject system was very effective in streamlining communications and eliminating lag time caused by the geographic separation of team members. This is discussed further in the Illustrated Narrative. It is interesting to note that the preferred format for documents to be output on printers or plotters in other offices was PDF. However, the fact that design documentation that is arguably most important from an archivists perspective was not included illustrates the point that design firms must be encouraged to include the long-term archival perspective when planning the management of their digital project documentation.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Use of Digital Design Tools: InterActive Design, Inc.

Computer Use During Design Predominant Way Firm Performs Design Will Be Predominant Way Within 5 Years

100% 100%
100%

100%100%

100% 100% 100% 100%

100% 100%

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
0%

0%

0%

0%
Collaboration

0%
Design Exploration

0% 0% 0%
Design Analysis / Validation

0% 0% 0%
Building Systems / Product Selection

0% 0%
Product Comparison / Cost Estimation

0% 0% 0%
Design Generation

0% 0% 0%
Rapid Prototyping

0% 0% 0%
Construction / Fabrication

Data Gathering

Documentation Communication / Presentation

Use of Digital Design Tools: All Respondents

Computer Use During Design Predominant Way Firm Performs Design Will Be Predominant Way Within 5 Years

100%
93%

94% 87% 88%

90% 80%

87%

76% 72%

70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

Data Gathering Documentation Communication / Presentation Collaboration Design Exploration Design Analysis / Building Systems Product Validation / Product Comparison / Selection Cost Estimation Design Generation Rapid Prototyping Construction / Fabrication

54% 51%

55%

44% 38% 35% 32% 27% 29% 25% 21% 17% 11% 5% 16% 15% 10% 10% 28% 31% 26% 24% 20% 29% 25% 31%

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Use of Digital Design Tools: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Computer Use During Design Predominant Way Firm Performs Design Will Be Predominant Way Within 5 Years

100%

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Collaboration

0% 0%
Design Exploration

0% 0% 0%
Design Analysis / Validation

0% 0% 0%
Building Systems / Product Selection

0% 0% 0%
Product Comparison / Cost Estimation

0% 0% 0%
Design Generation

0% 0% 0%
Rapid Prototyping

0% 0%
Construction / Fabrication

0%
Data Gathering Documentation Communication / Presentation

Use of Digital Design Tools: All Respondents

Computer Use During Design Predominant Way Firm Performs Design Will Be Predominant Way Within 5 Years

100%
93%

94% 87% 88%

90% 80%

87%

76% 72%

70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

Data Gathering Documentation Communication / Presentation Collaboration Design Exploration Design Analysis / Building Systems Product Validation / Product Comparison / Selection Cost Estimation Design Generation Rapid Prototyping Construction / Fabrication

54% 51%

55%

44% 38% 35% 32% 27% 29% 25% 21% 17% 11% 5% 16% 15% 10% 10% 28% 31% 26% 24% 20% 29% 25% 31%

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

The Department of Architecture of the Art Institute of Chicago is conducting a study to identify and address the emerging need to collect, archive and exhibit digital design data. The study is being conducted by Kristine Fallon Associates, Inc. This study is the first of its kind, and its ground-breaking findings will be presented in 2004 at international architectural and archival conferences. This survey will help the museum plan for incorporating digital design within its future exhibitions, programs and archives. Please take a moment to let us know how you use digital design tools. Many thanks for your cooperation!

About Your Practice

Firm Name: Interactive Design, Inc. Total firm staff (all locations) 9 Your Office Location: Chicago Total number of architects (including interns) 8 Project Manager Lead/ Senior Designer Design Team Member Drafter/ CAD Technician

Please select the title that best defines your role at your firm:
Sole Practitioner Managing Principal Design Principal CTO / IT Manager / CAD Manager

Please refer to the following definitions when answering the survey:

Data Gathering Documentation Communication / Presentation Collaboration Design Exploration Design Analysis / Validation Building Systems / Product Selection Product Comparison / Cost Estimation Design Generation Rapid Prototyping Construction / Fabrication Digital tools used to collect information that informs the design process: site survey, program, etc. Classic CAD using computers to create drawings in the manual tradition (plans, sections, elevations) Using more advanced computer graphics tools to improve ability to show the design concept: rendering, image montage, animation Using special-purpose applications (not email) to share information and manage shared work processes with remotely located team members or clients Developing a design concept on-screen: the software replaces or adds to traditional tools, such as physical model-making Quantitative analysis, excluding cost; from computer-generated solar penetration or shadow studies to engineering analysis Automated selection of products and components; not operator selection from electronic catalogs Automated generation of cost estimates from computer model of building; ability to substitute products or assemblies and compare results Using automated techniques to generate design or configure products / systems Data from computer model drives prototyping device Using design data to fabricate building components (full-scale) or to generate a list of specific manufactured components or products; using robotics in construction

How does your firm use digital design tools?

Product Comparison / Cost Estimation Design Exploration Design Generation Building Systems /Product Selection Rapid Prototyping Design Analysis / Validation Communication / Presentation Documentation Data Gathering Construction / Fabrication Collaboration

Please check all the ways your firm uses computers during design Please check if this is the predominant (most frequent) way your firm performs this activity If this is not currently the predominant method of working, check if you believe it will be within the next 5 years

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Please indicate which digital design products your firm is using, and in which ways. Check all that apply.
Product Comparison / Cost Estimation

Design Exploration

Building Systems /Product Selection

Design Generation

Rapid Prototyping

Design Analysis / Validation

Communication / Presentation

Documentation

Data Gathering

3ds Max AccuRender ActiveProject Adobe After Effects Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Alias Power Animator Alias Sketchbook Pro Alias/Wavefront alphagraphics AutoCAD Autodesk Architectural Desktop Autodesk Buzzsaw Autodesk Revit Autodesk VIZ Citadon CW Citadon ProjectNet Eudora formZ Graphisoft ArchiCAD Graphite IrfanView Lightwave 3D Macromedia Flash Maya Media 100 Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint MicroStation MicroStation TriForma NuGraf Pro/Engineer QuarkXPress Rhinoceros Others, please list

Please return your survey via email or fax no later than July 15, 2003:

Kristine Fallon Associates, Inc. 312 641 9337 (fax) survey@kfa-inc.com Thank you!
Click on the link above and attach the survey document

Construction / Fabrication

Collaboration

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

The Department of Architecture of the Art Institute of Chicago is conducting a study to identify and address the emerging need to collect, archive and exhibit digital design data. The study is being conducted by Kristine Fallon Associates, Inc. This study is the first of its kind, and its ground-breaking findings will be presented in 2004 at international architectural and archival conferences. This survey will help the museum plan for incorporating digital design within its future exhibitions, programs and archives. Please take a moment to let us know how you use digital design tools. Many thanks for your cooperation!

About Your Practice

Firm Name: Renzo Piano Building Workshop Total firm staff (all locations) +/-100 Sole Practitioner Managing Principal Design Principal CTO / IT Manager / CAD Manager Your Office Location: Paris , France Total number of architects (including interns) +/-75

Please select the title that best defines your role at your firm:
Project Manager Lead/ Senior Designer Design Team Member Drafter/ CAD Technician

Please refer to the following definitions when answering the survey:

Data Gathering Documentation Communication / Presentation Collaboration Design Exploration Design Analysis / Validation Building Systems / Product Selection Product Comparison / Cost Estimation Design Generation Rapid Prototyping Construction / Fabrication Digital tools used to collect information that informs the design process: site survey, program, etc. Classic CAD using computers to create drawings in the manual tradition (plans, sections, elevations) Using more advanced computer graphics tools to improve ability to show the design concept: rendering, image montage, animation Using special-purpose applications (not email) to share information and manage shared work processes with remotely located team members or clients Developing a design concept on-screen: the software replaces or adds to traditional tools, such as physical model-making Quantitative analysis, excluding cost; from computer-generated solar penetration or shadow studies to engineering analysis Automated selection of products and components; not operator selection from electronic catalogs Automated generation of cost estimates from computer model of building; ability to substitute products or assemblies and compare results Using automated techniques to generate design or configure products / systems Data from computer model drives prototyping device Using design data to fabricate building components (full-scale) or to generate a list of specific manufactured components or products; using robotics in construction

How does your firm use digital design tools?

Product Comparison / Cost Estimation Design Exploration Design Generation Building Systems /Product Selection Rapid Prototyping Design Analysis / Validation Communication / Presentation Documentation Data Gathering Construction / Fabrication Collaboration

Please check all the ways your firm uses computers during design Please check if this is the predominant (most frequent) way your firm performs this activity If this is not currently the predominant method of working, check if you believe it will be within the next 5 years

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Please indicate which digital design products your firm is using, and in which ways. Check all that apply.
Product Comparison / Cost Estimation

Design Exploration

Building Systems /Product Selection

Design Generation

Rapid Prototyping

Design Analysis / Validation

Communication / Presentation

Documentation

Data Gathering

3ds max AccuRender ActiveProject Adobe After Effects Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Alias Power Animator Alias Sketchbook Pro Alias|wavefront AlphaGraphics AutoCAD Autodesk Architectural Desktop Autodesk Buzzsaw Autodesk Revit Autodesk VIZ Citadon CW Citadon ProjectNet Eudora formZ Graphisoft ArchiCAD Graphite IrfanView Lightwave 3D Macromedia Flash Maya Media 100 Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint MicroStation MicroStation TriForma NuGraf Pro/ENGINEER QuarkXPress Rhinoceros Others, please list

Please return your survey via email or fax no later than July 15, 2003:

Kristine Fallon Associates, Inc. 312 641 9337 (fax) survey@kfa-inc.com Thank you!
Click on the link above and attach the survey document

Construction / Fabrication

Collaboration

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Project Data Sheet

Project name:
Renzo Piano Addition

Location:
Columbus Drive and Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois

Client:
The Art Institute of Chicago

Date completed / occupied:

2007 projected

Project / facility type:

Art Gallery; project includes galleries, educational facilities, trustee / board facilities, restaurant / caf, retail store and support areas.

Size:
230,000 gross square feet

Lead design firm, office:

Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Paris, France

Consultants:
InterActive Design, Inc. (Associate Architects) Ove Arup & Partners, London (Structural, Mechanical, Lighting) Lord Cultural Associates, Toronto (Program) Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd. (Landscape) Sebesta Blomberg & Associates (Mechanical Upgrade) Jose DeAvila & Associates (Mechanical Upgrade) Patrick Engineering Associates (Civil, Site Utilities, Railroad, Traffic) Wiss Janney Elstner Associates Inc. (Structural) Morgan Construction Associates (Quantity Surveys, Cost Estimating) W.E. ONeil Construction (Preconstruction Services, Constructibility, Logistics) Dept. of Design & Construction, Art Institute (Owners Representative)

Major design issues:

Creating a 21st century architectural identity for a cultural institution known for its Beaux-Arts building; Transparencycreating views to the city and greater legibility of the complex; Creating a spatial and formal relationship to Millennium Park; Redefinition of the flow of visitors to the museum, with a new entrance for visitors arriving by car; Supporting the educational mission of The Art Institute; Creating gallery space to enable more cohesive presentation of The Art Institutes collections.

Your role on the project:

Project Director

What was the most important digital tool used on the project?
ActiveProject collaboration Web site; digital photography

What image or object was the most important or effective communication medium?
Physical models produced by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Renzo Piano Building Workshop:

The Art Institute of Chicago Addition

The initial program for this addition to The Art Institute of Chicago was developed internally at The Art Institute and envisioned only 60,000 square feet of primarily gallery space on the air rights over the railroad tracks. A second part of the program was the revamping of the mechanical systems for the entire campus.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Robert A. Jones

In the program validation phase, after the selection of the Renzo Piano Building Workshop as design architects for the gallery addition, it became clear that building on grade would be much less expensive than developing the air rights and that the program needed to be expanded to better accommodate the educational mission of The Art Institute. In addition, the emerging presence of Millennium Park, with 8,000 parking spaces, suggested a re-orientation of the east side entrance to welcome patrons arriving by car. Lord Cultural Associates of Toronto were engaged to develop the expanded program, which was validated with the user groups by InterActive Design, Inc. The revised program includes 53,000 square feet of new galleries, a major new education center, a new garden and sidewalk caf, plus below grade storage and other back-of-house space.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Michel Denanc, Photographer

RPBW

This program, as realized by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, will add a 21st century presence on Monroe to a museum known for its Beaux Arts Michigan Avenue faade. The addition will transform internal circulation, reorient the east side entrance and provide natural light and greater transparency, with views out to Millennium Park and the Chicago skyline.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Images Courtesy of AIC

The full design team for the 230,000 square foot major addition is geographically dispersed. The Renzo Piano Building Workshop in Paris (design architects) works continuously with the London-based structural and building systems consultant, Ove Arup & Partners, from the earliest conceptual design phase to fully integrate building systems. Also, the Renzo Piano Building Workshop does not hand off design to the associate architects (InterActive Design, Inc. of Chicago), but requires ongoing collaboration on issues of code compliance, local construction methods and so forth. The landscape consultant is based in Seattle. Considering how to handle project communications, the Project Director from The Art Institutes Department of Design & Construction pursued a Webbased production control system. The product chosen was Framework Technologies ActiveProject. This is deployed on a server managed by InterActive Design, Inc. and is accessible to project participants worldwide via the Internet.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Images Courtesy of AIC

Because there is a seven-hour time difference between Paris and Chicago, this system allows the associate architects to review drawings posted by the design architects and return markups and comments before the next days start of business in Paris. The Art Institute required all participants to use AutoCAD for documentation in order to facilitate data sharing.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Robert A. Jones

The Web-based system is not used for design decision-making, however. Several times a year there is a workshop in either Chicago or Paris. This brings together the owner, the design architects and the appropriate consultants. These are typically two-day, intensive workshops followed by a third day, which is a wrap up of the discussions, the decisions and the direction going forward. This conversation continues subsequently via the Web site.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Images Courtesy of AIC

At the end of every workshop Pianos office produces a book that documents the output of the workshop. This is primarily graphic documentation. These drawings are not shared on the Web site. Each consultant attending produces additional documentation.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Robert A. Jones

RPBW

Robert A. Jones, AIA Architect

The Renzo Piano Building Workshop designs primarily in physical models.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Michel Denanc, Photographer

The office has a master carpenter on staff for this purpose. Approximately 300 models were produced during the schematic design and design development phases of this project. Once design issues are worked out in model, they are documented in CAD.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Images Courtesy of Robert A. Jones / AIC

During design development, full-scale mockups were constructed, especially of the gallery space and the flying carpet roof to visualize how much light would enter the space.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

ARUP

There were also computer simulations performed to understand solar penetration through the light-diffusing lattice. In this animation the viewers eye follows the path of the sun. If the viewer can see through the lattice, then the sun is directly penetrating into the gallery. Click image above to play animation.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Robert A. Jones

The design development set comprised 250 drawings, but the primary materials used for the presentation were models.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Robert A. Jones

Some model components were produced by laser cutters working from CAD data. An example is this model of the flying carpet light diffusing lattice.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Images Courtesy of AIC

With the exception of the books documenting the design workshops and photographs of models, the Web site serves as a shared project main file. Documents managed include meeting minutes, requests for information, reports, comments, drawings, cost estimates and program information. There is a separately tabbed section for documents related to each major project milestone. The PDF format is used extensively. Instead of faxing information, it is captured in PDF format and transmitted via the Web site. This reduces telecommunications costs. PDF was chosen because it was more universal than TIFF.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

RPBW

The team also plots drawings to PDF format. Any large format or color AutoCAD drawings create output problems otherwise. The Renzo Piano Workshop maintains an archive warehouse in Italy, where they store models and other project documentation.

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

WHO
Internal / external participants in the process

WHAT
Design activity (process) or decision

HOW
What tools - digital or other - are used

OUTPUT
Manifestation / communication medium - digital or physical

Create program

Owner

Select Design Consultant

Mass models

Program validation
Design Architect Owner

Study program

Revise program

Develop / validate new program

Program

Consultant

Schematic Design studies

Sketches

Study models

Design Team, with Consultants

Schematic Design

Collaboration via Web site

Plot to PDF

AutoCAD drawings

Review comments

Scan to PDF

Design decisions / revisions

Book of drawings

Design Team, Owner with Consultants

Workshop

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

WHO
Internal / external participants in the process

WHAT
Design activity (process) or decision

HOW
What tools - digital or other - are used

OUTPUT
Manifestation / communication medium - digital or physical

Models

Approve Schematic Design

Schematic Design Presentation

Drawings

Design Team, with Consultants

Owner

Book

Study models
Design Development
Simulations / renderings

Design Team, with Consultants

Engineering analyses

Fullscale mockups

Design Development

Collaboration via Web site

Review comments

Plot to PDF

AutoCAD drawings

Design decisions / revisions

Book of drawings
Workshop

Design Team, with Consultants

Owner

Models

Approve

Drawings

Design Team, with Consultants

Owner

Design Development presentation

Construction Documents

Book

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Computing Environment
Firm, office location: InterActive Design, Inc., Chicago, Illinois Definition of Terms Data Gathering Documentation Communication / Presentation Collaboration

Design Exploration Design Analysis / Validation Building Systems / Product Selection Product Comparison / Cost Estimation Design Generation Rapid Prototyping Construction / Fabrication

Digital tools used to collect information that informs the design process: site survey, program, etc. Classic CAD using computers to create drawings in the manual tradition (plans, sections, elevations) Using more advanced computer graphics tools to improve ability to show the design concept: rendering, image montage, animation Using special-purpose applications (not email) to share information and manage shared work processes with remotely located team members or clients Developing a design concept on-screen: the software replaces or adds to traditional tools, such as physical model-making Quantitative analysis, excluding cost; from computer-generated solar penetration or shadow studies to engineering analysis Automated selection of products and components; not operator selection from electronic catalogs Automated generation of cost estimates from computer model of building; ability to substitute products or assemblies and compare results Using automated techniques to generate design or configure products / systems Data from computer model drives prototyping device Using design data to fabricate building components (full-scale) or to generate a list of specific manufactured components or products; using robotics in construction

General Product / Version Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Office Professional Edition Microsoft Windows 2000, XP Professional Primary Design Tools Product / Version ActiveProject, Version 10 Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional Adobe Photoshop 7.0

Category Email System Office Applications Operating System(s)

Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3.3

eCopy SpecLink Microstation SE

Use (see above) Collaboration Documentation Documentation Communication / Presentation Design Exploration Documentation Communication / Presentation Design Exploration Documentation Documentation Documentation Communication / Presentation Design Exploration

Case Study: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Flow and Aggregating Tools (translators, etc) Product / Version Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional Custom Applications Purpose

Used to: large format PDF conversion

Internal Development?

InterActive Designs Computer Environment

InterActive Designs Network consists of two servers; one for project files and the other for Web hosting. Each server is running on Windows 2000 Server. Two of the ten PCs in the office are running on Windows 2000, the rest use Windows XP Professional. Each PC, except one, is loaded with Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3.3, Adobe Photoshop 7.0, Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional (to be used for large format PDF conversion), eCopy and SpecLink specifications software, in addition to Microsoft Office Professional Edition. Three users also produce drawings in Microstation SE. The bulk of computer use is on Autodesk Architectural Desktop for producing design and construction documents; Microsoft Word for transmittals, minutes, reports, proposals and brochures, etc.; Microsoft Excel for invoicing, timesheets, submittal and RFI logs; and eCopy, a scanning software that allows digital mark-up and conversion (JPG, PDF, TIF, etc.) of any sheet that can be scanned in-house. The office hosts and administers ActiveProject v. 10, a Web-based project management software, for the Art Institute of Chicago, which relies solely on email for notification of changes to the site (drawing publication, comments, mark-ups, posting of meeting minutes, RFIs, etc.) The software coordinates with Microsoft Outlook for email synchronization and delivery (delivery is also possible on the Web via the software).