Algorithm-Aided BIM

Harri Humppi1 , Toni Österlund2

1
Tampere University of Technology 2 University of Oulu
1
harri.humppi@gmail.com 2 toni.osterlund@oulu.fi

This paper investigates the relationship of Building Information Modeling (BIM),

Algorithm-Aided Design (AAD) and general Computer-Aided Design (CAD). As
a result of the developments in CAD, new tools have recently emerged that enable
designers to utilize some of the main aspects of BIM and AAD. With this new
modeling approach, called Algorithm-Aided Building Information Modeling
(AAB), designers can use algorithms to generate parametric object models. The
geometric objects contain embedded metadata that can be further utilized in the
design and construction processes. This paper investigates how the new
approach to modeling positions itself in the field CAD. The main result of the
investigation is that the new modeling approach can be seen as a part of larger
assembly that connects two design approaches of Object-Oriented Design and
Algorithm-Aided Design.

Keywords: Algorithm-Aided Design, Building Information Modeling, Digital

Design methodologies

INTRODUCTION defined scripts composed in either textual or graph-

New design methods have emerged through the
transition from analog to digital design. This tran-
sition has started only some decades ago and un-
doubtedly there are still many significant reforms to
come. At the moment, Building Information Model-
ing (BIM) is one of the most used digital design ap-
proaches within the building industry. In BIM ap-
proach, design commences by modeling geomet-
ric building components with their embedded meta-
data. The data contained in the objects can be
used during the design process but also through the
whole life cycle of a building. On the other hand,
the use of Algorithm-Aided Design (AAD) methods
are also becoming more common and integrated
into the workflows of design studios. In algorithmic
processes the form generation is controlled by user-
ical syntax. Scripts allow designers to generate and
control outcomes that would otherwise be too com-
plex to handle by manual modeling.
These two design approaches have been devel-
oping rather separately until recent years. Currently,
new tools have been developed that combine as-
pects of them both. They enable designers to gener-
ate and control object models through scripting and
exchange them with BIM tools (e.g. Mirtschin 2011).
These new tools affirm that advantages of BIM and
AAD can be used in the same design and modeling
processes.
At the moment, there are only few investigations
in to the integration of BIM and AAD on the theo-
retical level. Most of the research done in this area
focuses only on a certain narrow field related to the

BIM | Concepts - Volume 2 - eCAADe 34 | 601

 topic. A large portion of the current research fo-
cuses only on developing new software and toolsets.
There is a need to investigate the related theoreti-
cal aspects and ponder upon their implications, be-
yond the current tool development. On this basis,
this paper attempts to clarify the relationship be-
tween Algorithm-Aided Design and Building Infor-
mation Modeling and the views that they open to-
wards new methods of modeling and design.
This paper builds on the work of Humppi (2015),
which investigates the topic also from practical level.
The research methodology consists of literature re-
view, investigation to the state-of-art in design tools
and software, and case studies which help in building
the theoretical understanding on the subject.
CONCEPTS OF DESIGN PROCESS
Regarding the topic of the research, the meaning of
some basic terms are not yet settled (see Figure 1).
Here design is seen as an abstract concept con-
taining all aspects that are related to the design
event. Different design approaches are often com-
bined in the same design process. Design methods (or
methodologies) are different ways to design; they de-
scribe the interaction that happens between the de-
signer and the tool. The most essential digital design
methods regarding the research topic are modeling,
analysis, simulation and optimization.
Design tools are used to generate design solu-
tions. In the field of digital design, tools are usually
software, add-ons, plugins or custom scripts. All in
all, the design process is a series of methodological
steps that the designer takes in order to find a suffi-
cient design solution. In practice, the design process
is nonlinear, so repetition is needed to find the final
solution.
Three eras of CAD
Historical eras of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) are
shortly discussed through Figure 2. According to
Aish (2013) the history of practical CAD can be split
into three eras: the 2D Drafting era, the Building
Information Modeling era and the Design Computa-
602 | eCAADe 34 - BIM | Concepts - Volume 2
tion era. The diagram reveals an integrative path
of BIM and Algorithm-Aided Design, called here as
Algorithm-Aided Building Information Modeling (AAB).
All of these design approaches are shown as sub-
sets of Computer-Aided Design. The main data-flows
from design to construction are shown as separate
entities, but in reality the borders between eras and
data-flows are blurry and overlapping.
The 2D CAD era started in the 1980s, when com-
puters were adopted to present building designs as
multiple 2D drawings. The only essential change was
that computers partially replaced traditional draw-
ing on paper. Thus, the CAD era failed to utilize
the full creative potential of computers. (Aish 2013)
The development of BIM started also in the 1980s
(Aish 2013) and nowadays BIM is a commonly used
method for controlling building design processes. In
BIM designer can manually adjust parameters that
define the properties of each object. Thus, a BIM
model behaves like an assembly of rather indepen-
dent objects (Boeykens 2012). Parametric data of
these objects can be exchanged with other object-
oriented design software, where the structural com-
ponents are expressed as geometric objects with
properties. BIM provides the ability to digitally coor-
dinate often complex building processes from design
to actual construction (Garber 2014, 14). Nowadays,
BIM has reached a stable position in the field of build-
ing design and it has also overcome many limitations
of 2D CAD drawing.
Lastly, the Design Computing era introduced
the distinction between generative description of
the building and the generated model (Aish 2013).
Scripts and graphs are used to generate buildings,
forms and structures. The repetitive execution of a
script enables the exploration of many design alter-
natives. The main focus in the era has been the use
of algorithms to generate geometrical models that
do not contain any data except the geometry itself.
This approach can be called Algorithm-Aided Model-
ing (AAM). Thus, the parametric data and the geome-
try need to be exported and exchanged separately to
other design tools and eventually to fabrication and
Figure 1
Concepts of design
process. The grey
area refers to
design tools as also
in the following
circle diagrams.
construction.
BIM and AAD are digital design approaches
which have been used separately until recent years. A
comparison of BIM and AAD shows that both design
approaches have many advantages but also draw-
backs (e.g. Denis 2014, 14). For example, definition
of relations between objects is more challenging in
BIM than in AAM. On the other hand, BIM relies on
objects that can contain data facilitating the design
process.
Ambiguous terminology
The concept related to the design utilizing algorith-
mic logic and generative processes can be called
Algorithm-Aided Design (AAD) (e.g. Österlund 2013;
Tedeschi 2014) and is also often called Parametric De-
sign (e.g. Boeykens 2012; Harding 2014) or Genera-
tive Design (e.g. Ferreira and Leitao 2015; Feist et al.
2016).
There is no settled term for describing the new
modeling method that both utilizes algorithms for
generative modeling and generates objects with em-
bedded metadata. In research, it has been called
Algorithmic-based BIM (e.g. Feist et al. 2016), Gen-
erative BIM (e.g. Mirtschin 2011) and Parametric BIM
(e.g. Aish 2013). Combining aspects from BIM and
AAD, here the term Algorithm-Aided Building Infor-
mation Modeling (AAB) is proposed and used.
The terms Algorithm-Aided Design and
Algorithm-Aided Building Information Modeling de-
scribe well the main characters of these two design
approaches. These terms can be derived from the
abbreviation CAD, all of them containing the word
'aided', which refers to the aiding role of computers
and algorithms in design processes.
In addition, there is a difference between an ob-
ject and geometry. Geometry refers to an item that
does not contain any data other than the geometrical
representation itself. The term object is used to de-
scribe geometry that contains embedded metadata.
Data refers to knowledge that is presented or coded
in some form suitable for better usage or processing
BIM | Concepts - Volume 2 - eCAADe 34 | 603
 with computer.
Another important term related to research topic
is 'parametric modeling'. It can refer not only
to design through scripting but also to modeling
in BIM. For example, parametric modeling can be
divided into 'object modelling', 'associative mod-
elling', 'dataflow modelling', and 'procedural mod-
elling' (Janssen and Stouffs 2015; Janssen 2015).
Thus, parametric modeling can be used to describe
all modeling methods that use parameters to control
geometrical and object models, either through algo-
rithmic processes or object properties. AAB then de-
fines methodology, which combines the aspects of
parametric, algorithmic and object-oriented model-
ing.
The terms 'parameter' and 'attribute' are often
used in literature and in software interchangeably to
describe the data that is used to control and define
geometry or objects. No clear distinction exist be-
tween their uses, nor is there a settled definition that
604 | eCAADe 34 - BIM | Concepts - Volume 2
would make a difference between them (Weygant
2011, 25). Also, such terms as 'property' and 'feature'
can be used to describe the features of geometry.
Relation of BIM, AAD and AAB
The main starting point for the research has been
the awareness that Algorithm-Aided Building Infor-
mation Modeling (AAB) tools connect BIM and AAD.
This paper can be seen as a formal concept analysis
where the relationships between these concepts are
investigated.
One main notion has been that AAB is not an in-
dependent field of modeling. Instead, it is a combi-
nation of BIM and AAD. The second notion has been
that BIM refers to modeling and AAD refers to design
approach, so these concepts are not equal. On these
basis, there exists a need to form a more comprehen-
sive theoretical framework of concepts that are re-
lated to this new modeling method.
Figure 2
Three eras of CAD.
Adapted from (Aish
2013). Sizes of the
grey arrows refer to
current usage of
each modeling
method.
AAB TOOLS AND INTEROPERABILITY
One of the main challenges in digital design pro-
cesses is to ensure that the data flows fluently
through the whole design and construction pro-
cesses. Practically, how to ensure that all needed data
can be exchanged repeatedly through the process.
Interoperability refers to the ability to exchange data
between software, thus eliminating the need to repli-
cate data (Eastman et al. 2008, 66). A single com-
puter software cannot support all of the tasks that are
needed in the design of a project, so interoperabil-
ity is needed to enable fluent and automated design
processes.
In algorithmic modeling workflows the interop-
erability between tools is often lacking because pa-
rameters and geometry are exchanged separately.
Thus modeling methods combining algorithmic pa-
rameter control and object creation can potentially
foster these processes. They offer a possibility for
linking parameters to geometry. As Figure 3 shows,
here AAB tools are seen as a connection between
Object-Oriented Design tools and Algorithm-Aided
Design tools. On both sides of the figure, these tools
can be divided to parametric modeling tools and per-
formance evaluation tools.
Data-exchange between designs tools are
needed in the design process, so the main data-
exchange related to research topic are also presented
in the figure. Data-exchange between tools can be
split to direct and indirect file translations (Janssen et
al. 2015). AAB tools produce objects that can also be
exchanged directly or indirectly with object-oriented
design tools.
Figure 3 shows that AAB enables designers to
take advantage of both algorithmic and object-
oriented modeling tools. For example, designer
can use a Graphical Algorithm Editor (GAE) (e.g.
Grasshopper, Dynamo) to define the reference ge-
ometry for objects. Then AAB tools (e.g. Geome-
try Gym, Grevit, Grasshopper-Archicad Live connec-
tion) can be used for object creation in GAE. Per-
formance evaluation plugins can be used simultane-
ously with these modeling tools. Alternatively, ob-
jects can be exchanged with external object-oriented
performance evaluation software.
AAB and performance evaluation
As the previous section focused on design tools, this
section investigates design methods. Figure 4 shows
that AAB tools enable designer to combine two para-
metric modeling methods in the same modeling
workflow. Therefore, designer can proceed from al-
gorithmic modeling tool to object-oriented model-
ing tool or do the opposite. On this basis, there are
two perceived main directions for modeling work-
flows.
Maybe more obvious is the modeling workflow
where the designer generates new objects in GAE
and exchanges them to object-oriented tools. In the
opposite workflow the designer defines objects man-
ually in object-oriented modeling tools and then ex-
changes them to GAE. Then parameters of objects
can be modified algorithmically. Both of the pre-
sented workflows can be combined in the same mod-
eling workflow. Shortly, one of the main advantages
of AAB is that the designer can simultaneously cre-
ate or modify large amounts of objects through al-
gorithms defined in the script.
Algorithms can be used to generate object mod-
els on three levels; on model level, object level and ob-
ject joint level. On the model level algorithms can be
used to define reference geometry for objects. Then
the script can be used to control the shape and the
relations of the model. On the object level parame-
ters of objects can be controlled algorithmically. On
the object joint level algorithms can be used to de-
fine joints between objects. All in all, algorithms can
make modeling faster and more open for repetitive
parametric changes.
In Figure 4 are also presented performance eval-
uation methods that can be categorized to analysis,
simulation and optimization. The main aim of the
performance evaluation workflow is to find an opti-
mal result for a design problem. The most optimal re-
sults can be found by using iterative design process,
where the evaluation of a current design proposal, a
BIM | Concepts - Volume 2 - eCAADe 34 | 605
 proposition for alternatives, solving problems in col-
laboration and determination of the basis for next the
loop (Mirtschin 2011). This process can be manual
or handled automatically through optimization pro-
cesses.
AAB also facilitates double-iterative perfor-
mance evaluation processes. This means that these
processes can be managed in two stages. The pro-
cess consists of two loops, which are utilized sequen-
tially. In practice, this means that preliminary eval-
uations can be done in GAEs. These evaluations are
relatively fast, so the process can contain multiple
iterations. Designer can manage these simulations
606 | eCAADe 34 - BIM | Concepts - Volume 2
independently. When the sufficient precision level
of performance is achieved, the process can be con-
tinued in external performance evaluation software.
AAB tools generate objects, so secondary simulations
can be handled in external object-oriented software.
All in all, AAB can make external simulation processes
faster and facilitate iterative workflows because all
parameters related to simulation and objects can be
defined in GAE.
AAB as a part of digital design
Previous sections have focused on design tools and
methods. Here the main focus is in digital design ap-
Figure 3
Parametric tools
and AAB
data-exchange.
Figure 4
The relation of
Building
Information
Modeling (BIM) and
Algorithm-Aided
Modeling (AAM).
proaches. Figure 5 presents the main diagram, which
shows the discussed concepts together. The figure
affirms that AAB is not only connecting design tools
and design methods but also connecting two sepa-
rate digital design approaches called Object-Oriented
Design (OOD) and Algorithm-Aided Design (AAD). This
connection opens many new possibilities to CAD by
enabling many design processes that have not been
possible before. AAB tools enable designers to use
object-oriented and algorithm-aided design meth-
ods in the same design process. In other words, script
based design methods, such as modeling, analysis,
simulation and optimization, can be combined with
manual object-oriented design methods. This opens
new possibilities for collaborative design.
These two digital design approaches have been
rather separate until recent tool developments. Both
of these sides focus on different aspects of digital de-
sign and construction. OOD focuses on standardiza-
tion of design, fabrication and assembly, as AAD en-
ables non-standard procedures in them.
As a consequence of industrial revolution, in-
dustrial processes are commonly based on mass-
production, on which the OOD approach relies on.
Logics of form-making have been derived from in-
dustrial construction standards (Denari 2012). Even
current BIM software are based on these standards.
AAD relies on mass-customization, where the effi-
ciency can emerge in structures and construction
even if all building objects are singular (ibid). Cus-
tomization was challenging before because there
were no tools to fabricate custom objects. However,
technological enhancements in building component
production have enabled many fabrication processes
that were not possible before.
BIM | Concepts - Volume 2 - eCAADe 34 | 607

HYBRID DESIGN PROCESS
The use of AAB in design do not exclude other
computer-aided modeling methods or craft-based
methods such as drawing and physical model mak-
ing. For example, both AAM and BIM have some
advantages compared to each other, so designers
should be able to combine them in the same model-
ing workflow. One design tool can rarely respond to
all the needs of designers. Consequently AAB tools
can not correspond to all the needs either, so AAB
should be seen as a part of Hybrid Process.
608 | eCAADe 34 - BIM | Concepts - Volume 2
Figure 5
The relation of
Object-Oriented
Design (OOD) and
Algorithm-Aided
Design (AAD).
Hybrid Process refers to design processes that
combine a wide range of design methods, strategies
and tools (Sevaldson 2005, 318). This approach is
commonly used in architectural design. Then each
design method, including AAB, can be used cre-
atively and effectively.
AAB facilitates Hybrid Process by connecting two
digital design approaches that have been separate
before. The development of AAB could possibly lead
to situation where the relation between OOD and
AAD is even more integrated than currently. Maybe
then BIM, AAM and AAB could be used simulta-
neously to control the same model and workflow.
For example, the same object model that is defined
through scripting could be simultaneously manually
modified in BIM software.
Developing AAB
This paper introduced AAB by proceeding from digi-
tal design tools to digital design approaches. In prac-
tice, a design process of a building has the opposite
order. Firstly, there is a need to know why we are de-
signing before we can know how to design and what
we are designing. In order to develop AAB methods
and tools we need to know why we are developing
them. Design methods and design tools can only be
developed if the objectives of the design are known.
On this basis, here is suggested that the research and
development of AAB should also proceed from the-
ory to practice. As the Figure 5 showed, this paper in-
troduced a theoretical framework that positions AAB
in the field of digital design and CAD. This result can
be seen as a starting point for further theoretical re-
search.
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