Category: Architecture

MARINA BAY SANDS Unique Design An Engineering Marvel

CADDZOOM

The Marina Bay Sands in Singapore is one of the most eye-catching buildings in Asia. The building is identified and looked upon for its unique design- a set of three towers that supports a ship like structure. The amazing structure is designed by the architect Moshe Safdie who was inspired by a deck of cards.

This amazing building was completed in the year 2010. The Marina Bay Sands (MBS) hotel has a total of 2,500 rooms. The most distinctive feature of the building is not its size, or shape of the three towers, or even the 2.5-acre park developed at its top, but its three infinity pools located on the 57th storey.

Hotels located at top destinations are very well aware of the fact that having multiple pools is one of the prominent factors that draws people. Infinity pools have become the top fashion statement for luxury hotels these days. These pools have a sheet of water constantly flowing over the edge creating a no-edge illusion. This needs a perfectly leveled wall on which the water flows as a thin unbroken sheet. For this, the engineers had to take care of a lot of things.

The MBS Construction Story

  • Most of the hotels install the pools on or close to the ground to support the weight of the water, but the MBS wanted it to be different.
  • The engineers were well aware of the possibility that the three pillars might sink to disturb the perfect balance for the pools.
  • To attain the perfect balance, the firm called Specialist from Natare Corp. These were the pool manufacturers from Indiana.
  • The company used a set of hydraulic jacks to level the pools to maintain balance even if the towers moved from their place.

On completion of the project, the MBS became one of the most popular buildings in the world. Its design and construction have made it one of the most expensive buildings in the world.

Transparent Wood: Revolutions Ahead in Architecture and Electronics

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Research groups from the University of Maryland and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology introduced some chemical solutions that could make the wood completely transparent. This resulted in a glass-like wood you can see through. Wood is always a preferable material as compared to its existing transparent rivals such as plastic and glass. This transparent wood will soon revolutionize electronics and architecture as:

· Wood seems to possess some benefits over glass and plastic for architectural use.

· Its lower thermal conductivity keeps the buildings at a more consistent temperature making it reach higher energy efficiency levels.

· In the electronic world, the transparent wood might be used to manufacture solar cells.

· These low-cost cells will be readily available and can be a potential solution to build solar panels for large surfaces.

The transparent wood laser is another interesting application that is created by embedding an organic dye into the wood. These organic lasers have unique optical properties that can further enhance biophysics. The researchers believe that soon we will witness this technology.

Choreographed Construction: The Evolution of Architectural Design

CADD CENTRE

Technology is continuously evolving, and so are the architectural trends. Initially, all the designs were created using pencil and paper approach. Nevertheless, soon inventions of AutoCAD replaced the manual method and revolutionized the design industry. However, soon this technology also becomes obsolete. This technology was not capable of meeting the customer’s demands. Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) mainly focused on geometry and lacked collaboration. So there was a need to bring in more advanced technology which was able to curate more intricate designs. This need led to the discovery of the wonder-tool Building Information Modeling, which began the era of choreographed construction.

 

Building Information Modeling

This tool was an extended version of the CADD tool and was able to manage dynamic and 3D building designs and models. It is a more realistic and utilitarian product for developing enhanced architectural drawings. Given below are its salient features.

  • The software uses the intelligence and information stored in the objects to group, address, attribute, schedule, and quantify them. As a result, it helps in delivering data-rich, smart, and functional representation of the building.
  • BIM technology has the capability to enhance the design deliverables as well as construction practices.
  • It is possible to transfer the real coordinates of the model to the physical sites using a specialized application such as Architectural Navigation and Robotic Total Station. These applications assist in mapping the model coordinates to the physical ground.
  • Other functions involving earthworks, excavations, lifting, and shifting, gets managed using Field-CNC and on-board GPS control.
  • The computerized material delivery system works in close coordination with the BIM technology to move the Radio-frequency Identification tagged building components to the destinations on their own.
  • BIM applications are capable of automating the construction tasks such as building walls, plastering surfaces, fixing roofs, laying floors, and much more.

GLASS -The Next Big Thing in Architectural Designs

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Glass elements in architectural designs are adding a touch to both emotional and environmental thing. It is seen as the most contemporary and stylish architectural facade. Not only the style is amazing but also gaining popularity due to the free flowing nature, prints, and colors that fit well into the architectural regulations. Below are outlined some biggest trends we expect to see in the near future:

 

Digital Printing Onto Glass

The recent trend for glass has arrived in printing and technology and is viewed in the face of digital print onto glass windows and partitions. This technology is dominantly seen at public spaces; recreate historic scenes that define the atmosphere of the place. Earlier it was restricted due to image size and quality but is now simple as taking a picture with a smartphone and resizing it.

 

 

 

Smoked Glass

Smoked Glass was popular design in the sixties and seventies for adding the element of drama and mystery to architectural designs. Due to it dark texture, it can be used across tables, bath enclosure, kitchen cabinets and more.

 

 

 

Sliding Glass Walls

The feature of sliding glass walls is becoming famous in modern homes and offices. It benefits the area for experiencing natural light and fully open up the door when weather conditions are favorable.

 

 

 

 

Stained Glass

Stained Glass is one of the oldest art forms in existence. Prominently used in mosques, temples, and churches and its use were considered old fashioned by the designers at one time. Now, the designers and architects have started showing interest towards the stained glass and are treated across windows, wall hanging, glass lanterns, etc.

 

 

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AECOsim Vs Revit Architecture

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Many organizations have been using Building Information Software (BIM Tools) across teams of engineers, project managers as well as cost consultants in designing infrastructures. Revit and AECOsim are two renowned BIM tools in the market. Choosing one among the two is a difficult task.

 

Why Revit? Why AECOsim?
  • Revit is easy to use and thus to master it takes a short time.
  • The “seamless” interaction has made Revit an industry standard.
  • With a good customer support, Revit is often ahead of AECOsim.
  • Being an industry standard, Revit holds more employment opportunities.
  • AECOsim is more robust and has more capabilities compared to Revit.
  • Coordination with navigator becomes easier with AECOsim.
  • The software and training expense are cheaper than Revit.
  • Unlike Revit, AECOsim is more interoperable and scalable.

 

Both the products have been designed to offer supreme designing capabilities. However, when it comes to market reach, they have their own strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, the selection of the right tool depends on the field of work and the requirements.