24
Interview with Joachim Clauss about design technology
push those boundaries to our current technological limits within the industry. This is COX at its best, trying always to be one step ahead. So is fair to assume that such specialized work would be carried out by a certain group of people at COX? You are quite right. We are talking about a core group of highly skilled individuals. They all form a team, devised from our various offices which we refer to as the COX AGU (Advanced Geometry Unit). It’s a very diverse group, some of them have an academic research background, but they are all obviously architects with an in depth understanding of not only design but also constructability issues and structure. What role do you think BIM (Building Lusail Indoor Arena concept model
“Parametric design has been around for some time, but I think we are one of the first practices to explore and use it in such depth.” Information Modeling) plays in the industry at the moment? BIM software creates a three-dimensional (3D) model full of smart objects embedded with information. BIM makes it easier to integrate architecture with other disciplines, avoid “clashes” of building elements; it can instantly output lists of materials and also be used to analyze numerous engineering factors, such as lighting, acoustics or energy usage. At its core, BIM can provide more building knowledge earlier in the life cycle, subsequently improving organizational performance and enabling construction to occur faster. How does this improve your business? Is this a great addition and is COX able to generate more business because of the use of this modern technology? The clients are very happy with the combination of BIM and parametric design. It gives the clients a lot
2012
more security regarding planning and costs. Because in a lot of ways this gives them the most realistic data about how their project will turn out. In addition to that they can test and play during the design process, so this has made everything more flexible and open to new ideas and suggestions. We are playing with different configurations of the seating bowl for example and we are able to generate new spaces within the stadium bowl which allows the client to generate more turnover – and everything is in 3D and in real time. With our parametric tools the client can immediately see the effect of the changes on the construction and operation costs. Something we could only have dreamt of back when I first began in this business! It truly has changed the nature of the game. So what you are saying is that the design methods and design technology has got a direct benefit to the client? Very much so. We are talking about reduced turn-around times for complex planning or geometrical issues. The outputs that are being generated through our design methods apart from the design itself include for example, spreadsheets that illustrate the number of
2013
Kaohsiung International Exhbition and Convention Centre
Southern Stand Redevelopment, Melbourne Cricket Ground
ARCHITECTURE
Adelaide Oval Redevelopment
Bradman and Noble Stands, Sydney Cricket Ground
NIB Stadium