The early stage of design is characterized by iteration of divergent phases in which design alternatives are generated and convergent phases in which alternatives are assessed and selected. It is during or at the end of these phases that decision-making occurs under considerable uncertainty. Therefore, the methods and tools applied during these phases should account... Read more »
This chapter describes approaches to advancing knowledge through research at Perkins+Will. Some are practitioner-driven initiatives motivated by real project needs and constrained by project budget and schedule. Others are firm-wide initiatives responding to larger global and competitive issues. Research questions are wide-ranging, addressing issues related to advanced materials, building technologies, environmental and energy concerns, design... Read more »
Designers’ actions are high-level mechanisms based on heuristics and assumptions learned from professional experience. Significant research has been devoted to understanding these actions as well as finding ways to aid, automate, or augment them with computational support. However, representing and manipulating such tacit knowledge in computational environments remains an open area of research. In this... Read more »
Design exploration in architectural space planning is often constrained by tight deadlines and a need to apply necessary expertise at the right time. We hypothesize that a system that can computationally generate vast numbers of design options, respect project constraints, and analyze for client goals, can assist the design team and client to make better... Read more »
The “LA REDCAR SF” project was realized as a colloquium as part of the San Francisco Chapter of the AIA “Architecture and The City Festival 2010” which rook place September, 2010, under the theme of “Investigating Urban Metabolisms.” The colloquium, entitled “Rethinking Urban Transportation: New Strategies for Mobility,” was the first of its kind where a moderated discussion with... Read more »
Goals rHDS (Reactive Hygroscopic Design Simulation) is an experimental and theoretical design and simulation digital apparatus for the design of rough building massing form in context with climatic variables such as wind direction and speed, and water vapor from real world climate data. The system will develop a reactive environment for conceptual design and massing of building form for... Read more »
Goals Net Zero Site Energy Design and Incentives (NZSEDI) is a design performance modeling process for achieving net zero site energy projects using photovoltaic and solar thermal water heating systems with financial incentives. The system serves to inspire interest in early net-zero building design for architects. NZSEDI will collect data for renewables in the United States for federal... Read more »
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is a current client of the Boston office of Perkins+Will. In collaboration with the Chicago office we designed a new replacement facility scheduled which opened December 2012. Our firm is committed to helping clients find ways to be innovative and forward thinking, better positioning them for the future while maintaining focus on sustainable and Best Practice design... Read more »
According to an R&D Magazine study forecasting research trends for 2014, collaborative research partnerships with academia today are among the most common form of partnerships in the world. This trend is expected to continue to increase over the coming years as federal funding remains in question and universities and industry partners continue to see the... Read more »
Earth’s atmosphere reached a significant threshold of 400 ppm atmospheric carbon last year, swiftly moving upward, away from the historically more environmentally stable 350 ppm that many scientists believe is sustainable. Perkins+Will is working to address these issues nationally as a participant in the AIA 2030 Commitment and, locally here in Seattle, as member of the Seattle 2030... Read more »
Built upon theories of the built environment’s effect on public health outcome and addressing the importance of cultural sensitivity in urban design and planning, this article gives an introductory account of the urban context of contemporary Chinese cities in relationship to it current public health issues. It also reviews the recent healthcare reform in China... Read more »
