Kinetic Architecture and BIM: The State of Art and Future Visions

Kinetic architecture is the design of buildings or building systems with transformative elements using mechanical components. Recent developments in construction technology, robotics, design computing and material science have increased the interest and demand for kinetic building systems and applications. This motivation relates to the growing need for functional flexibility, adaptability, sustainability and extended capabilities of structural performance. Although the concept of kinetic architecture is not new in architectural theory and practice for a few decades, it has not been sufficiently discussed in the context of Building Information Modeling (BIM) methods. Most studies in the related literature only focus on the parametric design and modeling of kinetic façade systems in a supportive parametric design tool and synchronous or nonsynchronous integration of these models into the BIM environment as 3D objects or families. Although these applications with BIM and parametric design tools have significant potentials, a large number of recent studies ignore the essential concepts of kinetic architecture and critical aspects of the kinetic design, simulation and analysis processes. In order to meet these deficiencies, this paper provides a comprehensive investigation of BIM methods in the milieu of kinetic design applications along with a suggestive object-oriented ontological framework and holistic integrative strategies. The arguments are based on the parametric modeling and simulation of kinetic systems, subsystems and components, as they are similar to parametric product models in other manufacturing engineering disciplines. The paper includes the following: (1) a critical review of the existing approaches of BIM methods and parametric applications for kinetic architecture (2) a thorough discussion of holistic BIM integration strategies for kinetic building systems with well-reasoned arguments along with theoretical and practical perspectives.