Article Response_Probe 1

Chuck Eastman's article on BIM design looks into the future at the possibilities for the uses for machine readable data embedded in designs. While some of what he suggested has already been done, such as the development of many common parametric building objects, some of the future predictions he makes seem intimidating for the profession. The idea of knowledge capture in BIM, where professional knowledge and expertise continues to be pre-loaded into computer software, seems to challenge the future demand for architectural services. The author mentions examples such as corporations that are using standard object families in BIM for mass-produced designs. He mentions the possibility of design guides and programs for buildings being entered into a computer. This idea, taken to the farthest extremes, could lead to a future where buildings are standardized based on absolute efficiency and the creative role of the architect is diminished. The idea that design could become so standardized that a computer can simply output the floorplan of a building based on a set of data and constraints is frightening. Eastmans concludes with the point that architectural knowledge embedded in parametric objects should be controlled by the architectural profession, not software companies. This is very important, but it seems that with the development of parametric BIM technology, the value of architects is already under threat. For example, architects bring great value to a building project because of their knowledge of building codes. With the prospect of BIM software enabling building code checking, this important area of architectural knowledge may no longer be proprietary. It will be very important for the profession to stay one step ahead of software and technology to ensure that clients and the public continue to understand the value of architects in all phases of design.