1,721,078 research outputs found
Decentralised Autonomous Organisations for the AEC and Design Industries
Get PDFThe chapter presents the concept of Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO) and discusses what the current and possible applications are in relation to the AEC, design and design-linked industries. The chapter first introduces theoretical aspects of traditional organisations and then develops the ones behind the creation of automated, computer-based ones. Consensus mechanisms and smart-contracts integration are also presented in conjunction with diffused systems of DAOs’ regulation. Scenarios are presented where DAOs are applied as a coordination tool for competitive and collaborative use within the design field. A comparison table of Ethereum-based DAOs as well as reflections on the pros and cons of DAOs applications are provided to better frame what the current boundaries are of a technology that is also expanding its range of utilisation thanks to the interest of town councils and institutions
Blockchain technologies in construction.
Get PDFThe purpose of this volume is to inform the reader on the state of affairs of a new subset of construction informatics, Blockchain (B) and Decentralized Ledger Technologies (DLT)s. The initial motivation for writing and editing this volume was that we noticed the emergence of a range of ideas as a loose "body of work", produced from a variety of lenses and research stances in the informatics of construction. This is the introductory chapter for the volume
Collective digital factories for buildings: stigmergic collaboration through cryptoeconomics.
No full textThe chapter describes conceptually how a blockchain (BC), through smart contracts (SC) and tokenisation, can act as a stigmergic information layer for the creation of collective digital factories in construction. The chapter focuses on the orchestration of a series of design agents and tools in the design of buildings; however, the presented framework can be extended to the whole lifecycle of the AEC industry. Furthermore, a cryptoeconomics-like strategy for the AEC industry is explored, based on smart contracts, having the potential to operationalise the stigmergic coordination via token incentive mechanisms. We expect that stigmergic coordination through cryptoeconomic incentives on the blockchain is a better fit for the fragmented nature of the construction industry, compared to current modes of organisation; consequently, the scope for presenting this strategy is threefold: the incentives mechanism can lead to an increase in productivity, a reduction in both whole-lifecycle carbon and waste, and a decentralised governance through smart contracts. While blockchain and decentralised ledger technologies have proven to have the potential to be embedded deeply as an information governance layer in many industries, the scope within the paper is limited to the digital aspects of the AEC industry, forming what we call "collective digital factories". An engagement strategy of the manufacturing sector of the AEC industry is presented with arising open questions discussed at the end
The promise of blockchain for the construction industry: a governance lens.
No full textThis chapter outlines the promise of blockchain for the construction industry. Blockchain is an opportunity to create novel forms of economic coordination toward better collaboration within and across the built asset life cycle phases. Ongoing research tends to focus on blockchain to increase trust in existing processes. Instead, we argue blockchain’s disruptive potential is the creation of novel economic coordination. Therefore, we intend to advance the thinking around the promise of blockchain as an institutional innovation in the construction industry. First, we explain how the underlying cryptoeconomic governance mechanisms of blockchain can facilitate new decentralized coordination mechanisms between both humans and machines. Next, we provide an alternative vision for the governance of construction 4.0 to explain how cryptoeconomic coordination can address long-standing problems in the construction industry. Finally, we propose an adoption framework that can guide researchers and practitioners to explore the promise of blockchain and cryptoeconomics for the construction industry
Smart contracts and payment in UK construction: the legal framework.
Get PDFThis chapter critically evaluates the way in which the existing United Kingdom (UK) construction payment regime will function with – and assist – payment mechanisms which utilise smart contracts. Blockchain is one of several new developments in the increasingly technologically-developing UK construction industry. Whilst the law translates real world actions into legal obligations to pay and then assists in turning those obligations into payment, the blockchain with smart contract will automate that process, providing security and removing any intermediation which could stop or slow the process down illegitimately. Coupled with the use of smart contracts, therefore, blockchain technology has the potential to facilitate a solution to the payment and cash flow issue in UK. To achieve the added functionality described and thereby make it a useful tool for payment in construction, however, the developments would need to coexist with the existing legal framework. There are important points in the detail of that which should be more fully understood by users of the blockchain/smart contract systems, and which are explored in this chapter
Modern Architectural Influences of Western Construction Companies in China. The Crédit Foncier d’Extrême-Orient, 1907-1959
No full textstatus: Publishe
Blockchain for construction.
Get PDFThis book highlights the design, use and structure of blockchain systems and decentralized ledger technologies (B/DLT) for use in the construction industry. Construction remains a fragmented change-resistant industry with chronic problems of underproductivity and a very low digitization factor compared to other fields. In parallel, the convergence, embedding and coordination of digital technologies in the physical world provides a unique opportunity for the construction industry to leap ahead and adopt fourth industrial revolution technologies. Within this context, B/DLT are an excellent fit for the digitization of the construction industry. B/DLT are effective in this as they organize and align digital and physical supply chains, produce stigmergic coordination out of decentralization, enable the governance of complex projects for multiple stakeholders, while enabling the creation of a new class of business models and legal instruments for construction
Animation as a computational framework for architectural design composition.
Get PDFThe paper develops computation, through dynamic grammars, as a third equivalent to syntactical and typological understanding of architectural design. Within theory of architectural design, syntactical and typological understanding of architecture are the two main scientific paradigms that explain how architecture is formed and conducted. As such the premise of the paper is to connect computational design as an equivalent understanding of architecture, one which has parity with the classical theoretical canon of the architectural design theories of the 20th century. To accomplish this, Dynamic grammars, i.e. shape grammars developed through animation are presented and analysed along with their mechanisms. Shape Grammars have been selected as a vehicle for this as they provide an excellent model of architectural composition with computational design, using simple mechanisms. A case study of constructivist design is analysed using dynamic grammars, showcasing the elegance and efficiency of the system in describing variants of design, maintaining parity in a syntactical and a typological understanding of design. The paper concludes with the characteristics that a computational understanding of architectural design has
Bioluminescent pavilion: temporary architecture provides lighting.
No full textThe present study will evolve around the design of a pavilion located at key points in the Aberdeen city. The structure will provide low intensity lighting using bioluminescent organisms on its inner and outer surface. For the creation of the design, computational design techniques will be employed, based on mesh sphere geometries, honeycomb patterns and organic forms of root system. By defining parameters and relations, we can design in a flexible environment that allows us to test several form options in a fraction of time compared to the traditional design approach
Digital creativity in urban interventions: using technology as an engagement and idea inducing tool.
Get PDFThe urban planning discipline is increasingly turning to specialized technologies to better understand the multiple and complex processes within cities. Automation is already reshaping infrastructure and urban ecosystems. This study seeks to reconciliate technological agency and creative research methods by utilising laser scanning technology to increase community participation in planning and speculate about urban possibilities of using walking and pedestrian viewpoints as drivers for urban design. This research employs hybrid methods, on the one hand the simple act of walking and on the other hand visualising the urban space using a 3D laser scanner. This mixed technique makes it possible to increase the perception of individuals with respect to urban space, becoming more aware of it and coming into greater contact with it generating ideas about spaces encountered on the route
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