Advances in technology are playing an increasing role in how we care for and manage historic structures. At Quinn Evans, we’ve taken a proactive approach to integrating cutting-edge design computation tools into our practice. These tools use data, algorithms, and logic to create, analyze, and optimize architectural designs and enhance our clients' stewardship and preservation efforts.
Technologies like Historic Building Information Management (HBIM) and digital twins increasingly allow our clients to manage information more efficiently, make informed decisions, and gain detailed insights into their historic assets. The use of advanced technology provides data that gives building stewards new ways to interpret and share a building's past while also supporting its relevance and integrity for future generations.
The Importance of HBIM
HBIM offers a significant step forward for clients caring for historic structures. Evolving from traditional Building Information Modeling (BIM), which is used to aid in the design new buildings, HBIM specifically caters to the complexities of heritage buildings.
HBIM provides a single source for building owners to store, organize, and retrieve all the information about the building they deem valuable, from architectural drawings and historic data to material specifications and maintenance records. The standout feature of HBIM is its ability to link comprehensive data and information to 3D models of historic structures, providing clients with an interactive visualization that can enable more informed restoration and preservation decisions.
While extremely detailed modeling is possible, the level of development (LOD) will vary depending on the client's needs and budget, with more intricate modeling reserved for preservation areas of higher importance. This flexibility ensures that any client can benefit from HBIM's data integration capabilities without being overwhelmed by complexity or cost.
HBIM’s ability to connect data and historic information with models can also help reduce the risks associated with restoration and preservation projects. HBIM is a collaborative platform where architects, preservationists, engineers, and clients can all access accurate historical and material data in the same place. This helps ensure that everyone on a project knows exactly what materials are where and their relative importance, increasing the likelihood of building work, renovations, and refits that don’t damage historic materials or affect the integrity of the building. This shared access to detailed information and models helps keep the whole team on the same page and contributing effectively to stewardship efforts.
Digital Twin Technology
Originating in industries like aerospace, where NASA used it for satellite management as early as the 1970s, digital twins have only recently made their way into architecture. A digital twin is a virtual representation of a built asset that serves as a living, evolving document. Unlike traditional records, a digital twin is continuously updated to reflect building modifications and ongoing projects in real time. This gives building stewards an accurate and up-to-date model that is a reliable foundation for decision-making and ongoing management.
One of the most exciting features of digital twin technology for us is its integration with Internet of Things (IoT) devices. By linking sensors and data points to the digital twin, building stewards can monitor environmental conditions within the building. For instance, in our work with the Michigan State Capitol, we connected the digital twin to the building management system (BMS). This allows building engineers to monitor factors like temperature and humidity in different parts of the building through a simple web interface from anywhere at any time.
Ensuring Accuracy Via Degree of Reliability
For stewards of historic buildings, the data accuracy can be a real challenge. Over time, documents and reports may become outdated or inaccurate, or may contain information once thought to be correct that they now know to be untrue. For instance, a Historic Structures Report (HSR) might have been accurate at the time of its creation, but changes to the building and its environment over the years can render some of its information obsolete while other parts may continue to be useful. The inconsistencies in data can complicate or slow down preservation efforts.
To address this issue, we’ve developed a metric we call “degree of reliability,” which lets us rank data sources on a scale from one to five (five being the more accurate):
5: This information is proven to be accurate and reflective of the current conditions.
4: The information is generally reliable but may require minor updates.
3: The information is somewhat outdated and should be verified against current. conditions
2: The information is largely outdated and should not be used without substantial verification.
1: The information has been proven to be false or significantly inaccurate.
This metric is not about the sophistication of our models or drawings but focuses solely on the source of information. Whether it's an HSR, architectural drawings, or other reports, the degree of reliability helps determines how much confidence we put in each document or drawing.
For example, during a recent project, we received a point cloud scan of a building in November. A follow-up site visit in late January revealed significant renovations had taken place in one section, making the initial point cloud data unreliable for that area. By applying our degree of reliability metric, we could accurately document which parts of the data were still valid and which needed to be updated. This approach ensures we always use the most current and accurate information in preservation efforts.
The degree of reliability is integrated seamlessly into the HBIM and digital twin. Clients and team members can click on any element within the model and review all related data, including the source and its reliability rating. This helps mitigate the risks associated with outdated or inaccurate information.
Supporting Post-Occupancy Evaluation
Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is a critical component of our approach to preservation architecture. This process involves assessing the performance of a building after it has been occupied, using building and user data to evaluate the success of design decisions. Using a digital twin allows us to create a baseline and compare expected outcomes against actual performance. This validation process helps clients us identify whether projects have met their objectives or if further adjustments are needed to achieve the desired results.
By conducting thorough POEs, we gather valuable feedback to inform future projects and any certification goals the client might have (for example, LEED).
Enhancing the Stewardship Experience
We recognize that while design computation offers us powerful data analysis capabilities, the true value of the technology lies in how it enhances our clients' day-to-day experience of stewarding a historic place. Each tool serves a specific purpose, from accurately documenting historic data to verifying project performance, all with the aim of tailoring design solutions to meet our clients’ goals. It’s not about technology for its own sake, but about offering responsive and data-driven solutions that help our clients preserve the past while embracing the future.
This piece is part of a series on design computation in which we explore the various software, techniques, and workflows that are shaping the future of architectural design. To learn more about how we’re leveraging data to enhance our understanding of historic places and build enduring new ones, check out the following posts:
Design Computation: Transforming the Future of Architecture with Data-Driven Insights
Optimizing the Visitor Experience with Pedestrian Flow Analysis
Balancing Heritage and Innovation with Historic Preservation Technology
