The digital twin is used for simulation and experimentation, while the real-world thing provides feedback that can be used to affect the digital world.
Nothing is in isolation..Flexibility through standardisation.
In the case of new build projects, our Platforms approach to design and construction will usually inform the concept design.The principle of Platforms is to design to the commonalities between spaces both within and across sectors, with the result that construction can make use of a standard ‘kit of parts’.This brings a wide variety of benefits, not least flexibility.. By recognising that the space required for a treatment room can be the same as for an office, say, designing on that principle means that, should the need arise, it is easy to convert an office into a treatment room, or vice versa.
This is a rational, logical approach.. Our hospital for Circle Health in Birmingham was designed to a grid of four and eight metre spaces.While the reason for this rationalisation was to allow for flexibility and future expansion, a change in business planning meant we had to bring this requirement forward, and expand the hospital while construction was underway, but also while keeping the lower floors operational.. Rationalisation of the internal grid does not limit the options for the external appearance or the aesthetic design of the building.
A Platforms approach places no constraint on the architect’s freedom to create a uniquely beautiful building that responds to its environment..
Resilience, future-proofing and sustainability.What we need now is for organisations, clients and engineers to do the calculations to find out what the embodied carbon is within their building designs — both at the design stage and post completion.
We need to be monitoring what is actually going into buildings, compared to what we think should be going in.This means that contractors need to get on board as well.
Ultimately, we’ll have to collate the data together as an industry, but benchmarks will help us learn, and guide us at the design stage..Creating a sustainable future — alignment of standards and guidance.