STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

technology into the mainstream construction marketplace. A prototype website has been
developed as part of this thesis and is described in Chapter 7. The following items will also
be developed in Chapter 7.
5.2.2.1 Design Methodology
A design methodology is inextricably linked with the project delivery method, especially when
utilizing innovative building technology. As a fundamental principle, design must always be
informed and shaped by the entire building process, ranging from feasibility through
procurement, fabrication, assembly, erection, and lifecycle maintenance. The delivery
method determines who does what when. A project delivery method for projects
incorporating innovative technology is explored in Chapter 3.3 and will be used as the basis
for developing a simplified design methodology for structural glass facades.
5.2.2.2 A Conceptual Design Tool
As discussed previously, the architect is the key player, the target user who must achieve a
reasonable level of competency before adopting a new technology.
In this context, this thesis proposes that the most effective way to accomplish this is to
develop tools to facilitate the conceptual design process that typically involves schematic
design and design development. A simplified project delivery method is defined, a simplified
design methodology is developed in response to this delivery method, and now tools can
potentially embody and facilitate this simplified design methodology.
The tool proposed here is a software program created with Microsoft Visual Basic that
facilitates glass selection and structure type selection, and performs structure analysis on a
simplified model to provide preliminary information required to inform ongoing design and
budgeting. The tool can provide comparative analysis on different structure types to assist
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