The term “design phase” specifically refers to the detailed work involved in designing commercial complexes. To achieve the objectives of commercial complex design, it is essential to research various aspects such as form combination, facade modeling, building energy-saving simulations, and environmental simulations including sound, light, and wind. By reviewing relevant research and case studies, this article identifies nine key value points for evaluation: conceptual scheme design, construction drawing design, facade design, fire evacuation simulation, building energy efficiency analysis, light and wind environment simulation, interior space visualization, comprehensive mechanical and electrical pipeline design, and BIM forward design.
1. Conceptual Scheme Design: With the evolution of commercial complexes in China reaching the fourth generation of products, the design requirements have shifted from basic functions like shopping and dining to delivering comprehensive experiential services. This shift demands more sophisticated planning of floor functions and facade designs. Therefore, during the conceptual design stage, the integration of functional layouts and exterior facades becomes a critical focus.
2. Construction Drawing Design: This stage is crucial for transitioning the project from design to execution. As specialized drawings deepen, conflicts between disciplines often arise. BIM technology enables the full integration of design information across various fields, leveraging collaborative platforms to identify issues early and coordinate effective solutions.
3. Facade Design: Modern commercial complexes often serve as urban landmarks, prompting owners and planning authorities to set high standards for exterior aesthetics. Facade design utilizes material variations, curved lines, and virtual-real combinations to create visually rich effects, making it a vital component with significant application value in commercial complex design.
4. Fire Evacuation Simulation: Given the dense populations in commercial complexes, fire safety is a major design challenge. Traditional fire evacuation calculations rely on occupant numbers and conversion factors outlined in the “Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings” (GB50016-2014), often neglecting disorder and unpredictability. With advancements in BIM software and specialized plugins, it is now possible to simulate fire evacuation scenarios realistically by adjusting environmental and parameter settings to predict evacuation routes and timing more accurately.
5. Building Energy Efficiency Analysis: As large public buildings, commercial complexes face increasingly strict national energy-saving standards. Traditional energy analyses often fail to accurately capture energy consumption in complex and irregular spaces, sometimes resulting in either reduced usability or resource wastage. BIM technology addresses these issues by enabling precise modeling and accurate energy consumption assessments, thus providing a scientific basis for energy-efficient design.
6. Light and Wind Environment Simulation: High-quality commercial complexes today aim to create immersive social and leisure experiences rather than just fulfilling basic consumer needs. This experiential design emphasizes environmental factors like lighting, wind, and sound, which significantly influence the quality of the user experience. BIM technology plays a key role in accurately simulating these environmental conditions.
7. Interior Space Visualization: Unique interior spaces are often a hallmark of commercial complex designs. BIM technology assists by providing detailed visualizations of internal spatial relationships, enabling designers to analyze and refine spatial experiences effectively.
8. Comprehensive Mechanical and Electrical Pipeline Design: The diverse business formats within commercial complexes impose stringent demands on mechanical, electrical, and fire safety systems. Designing these complex pipelines is challenging due to height limitations and potential spatial conflicts. Construction errors can lead to costly rework. BIM technology mitigates these risks by allowing for comprehensive, integrated design that detects and resolves conflicts during the design phase, thereby supporting smoother on-site construction.
9. BIM Forward Design: Forward design represents the future of BIM in China, aiming to fully leverage BIM’s potential throughout the entire lifecycle of engineering design, construction, and operation. Currently, most BIM applications involve modeling followed by drawing, limiting its effectiveness. Forward design promises true three-dimensional, comprehensive designs without omissions, ensuring consistency between drawings and models, reducing errors, and enhancing overall design quality.
Song Wenqiang (Xinjiang University)
For educational and communication purposes only. If any infringement occurs, please contact us for removal.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up