Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the field of evidence-based design used in architectural design practice to be able to propose a method using the software application Rhinoceros 3D with plugin Grasshopper to 1) enhance the integration of evidence based design knowledge in the early sketching phase and 2) to assess fulfilment of evidence based design criterion regarding patient safety in a design proposal. The study was based on both quantitative and qualitative methods. Throughout this study qualitative interviews with architectural employees and healthcare personnel were conducted. This to examine the relations between evidence-based design concepts in the design proposal, with the output performance of the built facilities. Scenario models were designed in correlation with architects to specify potentials, needs and demands regarding the development of the method. The study used parametric 2D/3D CAD modelling to create tool prototypes to exemplify the operations and functions that a future method might hold. To evaluate the prototype potentials, surveys with the architects were conducted with focus on a cognitive walkthrough of the tools. To retrieve specific information of evaluative character, quantitative questionnaires have been administered and used in development of the tools. The project has used results from 2 surveys with 9 individual respondents. A total of 18 questionnaires have been sent out where 10 questionnaires were answered. The results of the study were that the potentials of a software based design tool are significant and that architects recon the project prototypes as a meaningful and valuable approach for 1) integrating and using evidence-based information and 2) optimising design processes and health care facility performances. It was found that future development of this project should focus on information structuring as foundation of parametric design. The results further indicated that prototype tool design should be integrated in Building Information Modelling systems.

Formålet med dette projekt var at undersøge en arkitektvirksomheds praktiske anvendelse af evidensbaseret design for herigennem at kunne opstille en metode ved brug af programmet Rhinoceros 3D med plugin Grasshopper for 1) at styrke integreringen af evidensbaseret design viden i de tidlige skitsefaser og 2) at bedømme graden af opfyldelsen af de nedsatte evidensbaserede design kriterier med fokus på patientsikkerhed i et design forslag. Studierne var baserede på både kvantitative og kvalitative metoder. I projektet blev kvalitative interviews med ansatte arkitekter samt personale inden for sundhedsvæsenet gennemført. Dette for at analysere relationerne mellem evidensbaserede design koncepter i et designforslag, og den registrerede effekt af dele af det færdige byggeri. For at identificere potentialer, behov og krav til en mulig metode blev scenariemodeller opstillet i samarbejde med arkitekterne. Projektet anvendte parametrisk 2D/3D CAD modellering til at skabe metode- og værktøjsprototyper, som eksemplificering af de operationer og funktioner metoden skulle indeholde. For at evaluere prototypernes potentialer blev undersøgelser med fokus på kognitiv gennemgang af værktøjerne udført med arkitekterne. For at uddrage bedømmelsesinformationer blev kvantitative spørgeskemaer udarbejdet og brugt til den videre udvikling af prototyperne. Projektet har anvendt 2 separate undersøgelser med 9 individuelle respondenter. I alt er 18 spørgeskemaer blevet anvendt hvoraf 10 spørgeskemaer er blevet besvaret og brugt. Resultaterne af studierne var, at et softwarebaseret designværktøj besidder signifikante potentialer, og at arkitekterne bifalder projektets prototyper som bud på en brugbar og værdifuld tilgang til 1) at integrere og bruge evidensbaseret information og 2) at optimere designprocesser og sundhedsfaciliteters umiddelbare effekt. Resultaterne viste at en videre udvikling af dette projekt bør fokusere på informationsstrukturering som fundament for parametrisk design. Endvidere indikerede resultaterne, at prototypedesign bør udvikles til implementering i Building Information Modelling systemer.

A master thesis from Aalborg University

Designing a evidence-based design tool: Challenging the practice of health care architecture and exploring it through the development of a parametric design tool