advanced building skins 14 | 15 June 2012 - lamp.tugraz.at - Graz ...

Prof. Dr.nat.techn. Oliver Englhardt
Institute of Building Construction
Graz University of Technology
Copyright © with the authors. All rights reserved.
An Instant Cost-Estimation Tool – Assistance to
Designers of Form-Active Structures
Mario Giraldo, Dipl.-Ing., PhD candidate
Institute of Interdisciplinary Construction Process Management, Vienna University of
Technology, Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Vienna, Austria, E: mario.giraldo@gmx.at
Robert Wehdorn-Roithmayr, Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Formfinder GmbH, Schlossgasse 22/2, 1050 Vienna, Austria, E: mail@formfinder.at
Summary
Architectural design is mainly driven by the available budget. So for the designers’ intentions and
ideas to be realized, it is crucial to have knowledge about the expected costs and the economic
influence of various design parameters already at the very beginning of a project.
A software tool that gives the designer an instant cost estimation of the current design could
provide valuable knowledge about how to optimize the costs and bring the original design
intention into reality. Surveying and quantifying the parameters within the designer’s sphere of
influence was the basis to create an interactive tool integrated into the “Formfinder” software
package – a design software for form-active structures [1].
Keywords: Membrane Architecture, Innovative Design, Formfinder Software Tool, Cost
Estimation, Value Finder
1 Introduction
In the context of membrane architecture, engineering and design are two disciplines which are
complementary to equal parts. In engineering, design is a component of the engineering process.
Engineering on the other hand assists design, with emphasis on function and the utilization of
mathematics and science.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines design as: "To conceive or fashion in the mind; To invent,"
and "To formulate a plan" [2], and defines engineering as: "The application of scientific and
mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient
and economical structures, machines, processes, and systems." [3]. Both are forms of problem-solving
with a defined distinction being the application of "scientific and mathematical principles". Scientists
at Xerox PARC [4], however, made the distinction of design versus engineering at "moving minds"
versus "moving atoms". [5]
These definitions are the base for understanding the importance of design and for making all parties of
a design team being aware of the integrated process of design at a membrane project. The foundations
for successful projects are designers with extensive knowledge in as many of the important disciplines
for realizing tensile structures as possible, such as design, engineering, installation, and costing.
Due to the fact cost estimation is often neglected in the design stage, time and money are spent
although the realization of a building project is not finally decided at this stage. In many cases
economic aspects are reason for cancelation of projects. Architectural design is often influenced by the
available budget. Therefore the knowledge about the parameters for cost optimization is beneficial for
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