Position within the page tree

Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture (T3.0)
Research
Research Projects
RP 10-1 – Architectural, Historical and Social Science Perspectives

Architectural, Historical and Social Science Perspectives

Research Project 10-1 (RP 10-1)

CO-DESIGN FROM ARCHITECTURAL, HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVES

Our project focuses on the novel potentials and promises of co-design-based advances for multi-storey buildings and the social factors influencing their realization. We will characterize the specific new options they offer and the challenges they face by combining architectural, historical and social sciences perspectives.

Research has shown that innovations in architecture rarely fail due to poor technology, but rather because they do not sufficiently meet the needs and expectations of users, or do not align with changing social, cultural or economic contexts. Thus, mismatches between architectural approaches, stakeholder expectations, and given institutional frameworks may act as non-technical innovation barriers that can seriously hamper the chances of realizing the full potential of integrative computation for multi-storey building design and construction.

We will explore and enhance these chances by reconsidering historical shortcomings, failures and societal dynamics in the industrially produced architecture of the 1960-70s, through characterizing co-design-enabled novel building typologies and morphologies and their functional and aesthetic expressions, and by examining the interactions between the emerging paradigm of integrative design and construction in computational architecture, stakeholder concerns and expectations, competing narratives, and necessary organizational rearrangements.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Prof. Dr. Cordula Kropp
Institute for Social Sciences (SOWI), University of Stuttgart
Prof. Achim Menges
Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart
Prof. Dr. phil. Klaus Jan Philipp
Institute of Architectural History (IFAG), University of Stuttgart

TEAM

apl. Prof. Dr. Kathrin Braun (SOWI)
Dr. Yana Boeva (SOWI)
Dr. Christian Vöhringer (IFAG)
Alya Rapoport (IFAG)
Hana Svatos-Raznjevic (ICD)

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

2024
1. Boeva, Y., & Kropp, C. (2024). Buildings in the Algorithmic Regime: Infrastructuring Processes in Computational Design. In J. Jarke, B. Prietl, S. Egbert, Y. Boeva, H. Heuer, & M. Arnold (Eds.), Algorithmic Regimes: Methods, Interactions, and Politics (pp. 141–162). Amsterdam University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.11895528.9
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @incollection{boeva2024buildings, author = {Boeva, Yana and Kropp, Cordula}, booktitle = {Algorithmic Regimes: Methods, Interactions, and Politics}, chapter = 7, doi = {10.2307/jj.11895528.9}, editor = {Jarke, Juliane and Prietl, Bianca and Egbert, Simon and Boeva, Yana and Heuer, Hendrik and Arnold, Maike}, isbn = {9789048556908}, pages = {141-162}, publisher = {Amsterdam University Press}, title = {Buildings in the Algorithmic Regime: Infrastructuring Processes in Computational Design}, url = {https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.11895528}, year = 2024 }
2023
1. Boeva, Y., Braun, K., & Kropp, C. (2023). Platformization in the built environment: the political techno-economy of building information modeling. Science as Culture, 1--28. https://doi.org/10.1080/09505431.2023.2237042
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{Boeva_2023, abstract = {The digital transformation of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) is being hailed as a panacea for the sectors’ problems, with major actors in government and business promoting it as a benevolent harbinger of greater efficiency, productivity, better quality, and environmental performance. However, advancing digitalization in AEC is intertwined with a distinct political-economic logic that involves new constraints, dependencies, and a reconfiguration of power relations. Specifically, Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a digital convergence of three-dimensional building models, databases, and interfaces for multidisciplinary collaboration operates as a runway technology for digitalization and an entry point for platformization impelled by global software giants, such as this article’s empirical case of software company Autodesk and its BIM product portfolio shows. BIM’s linkage of governmental policy strategies with the techno-economic platform logic of software subscription models, open application programming interfaces, and cloud-enabled collaboration ensures management and control of construction data and software interoperability. At the same time, BIM’s techno-economic and political configuration facilitates a near-monopolistic structure in the global architecture and construction software market. It thus grants one hegemonic company immense power to define what formats, standards, and data for building models and design processes are being used in creating the built environment. The expansive, intersecting logics of assetization, platformization, and datafication have been taking hold in the AEC sector, raising questions about their stratifying effects in the built environment and society.}, author = {Boeva, Yana and Braun, Kathrin and Kropp, Cordula}, doi = {10.1080/09505431.2023.2237042}, journal = {Science as Culture}, month = {07}, pages = {1--28}, publisher = {Informa {UK} Limited}, title = {Platformization in the built environment: the political techno-economy of building information modeling}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1080%2F09505431.2023.2237042}, year = 2023 }
2. Braun, K., & Kropp, C. (2023). Building a better world? Competing promises, visions, and imaginaries-in-the-making of the digitalization of architecture and construction. Futures, 154, 103262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2023.103262
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{Braun_2023, abstract = {The building sector is responsible for a huge share of global greenhouse gas emissions and waste production, is unable to meet the growing demand for housing and struggles with skills shortages. However, the digital transformation of architecture and construction promises new solutions for the sector's most urgent challenges. In this article, we use a discourse analytical approach to map the landscape of imaginaries in the making regarding the sociodigital future of construction in Germany. Examining a broad range of documents by professional associations, consulting firms, industry and business actors, governments, international organizations and other stakeholders, we have identified four main competing visions: industrialized automated construction that promises increased productivity, efficiency and competitiveness; data-based integration that promises partnership and collaboration; digitally-enabled, singularized architecture, where the logic of the unique is given precedence over the logic of the generic; and sustainable construction, where computer-based technologies ensure the reduction of waste, emissions and consumption of resources. Examining these competing visions and the claims they are making on the present allows us to open up a space for negotiating conflicting objectives and asses the potentials and limitations of the new sociodigital possibilities more reflexively.}, author = {Braun, Kathrin and Kropp, Cordula}, doi = {10.1016/j.futures.2023.103262}, journal = {Futures}, language = {engl}, month = {12}, pages = 103262, publisher = {Elsevier {BV}}, title = {Building a better world? Competing promises, visions, and imaginaries-in-the-making of the digitalization of architecture and construction}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.futures.2023.103262}, volume = 154, year = 2023 }
3. Kropp, C., Boeva, Y., & Braun, K. (2023). Automatisch nachhaltig? Architektonische Praxis im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung. Soziale Probleme, 34(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.3262/SP2302238
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{kropp2023automatisch, abstract = { Untersuchungen der architektonischen Entwurfspraxis haben gezeigt, dass in der Planung eines Bauprojekts menschliche Planende und technische Werkzeuge interagieren. Heute beeinflussen zwei Herausforderungen diese Interaktion, denen eine wechselseitige Verstärkung zugeschrieben wird: die Digitalisierung und die Notwendigkeit, die gebaute Umwelt nachhaltig zu gestalten. Vor diesem Hintergrund ist das Ziel des Beitrags in einer Fallstudie auszuloten, wie digitale Tools die Entwurfspraktiken verändern und welche Verbindung sie mit Nachhaltigkeitszielen eingehen. Mithilfe einer praxistheoretischen Perspektive, die das „soziodigitale Co-Design“ ins Zentrum rückt, zeigen wir, dass durch digitale Instrumente die notwendige Koordination reorganisiert, aber nicht übernommen wird: „Automatisch“ wird Nachhaltigkeit nicht eingeplant. }, author = {Kropp, Cordula and Boeva, Yana and Braun, Kathrin}, doi = {10.3262/SP2302238}, journal = {Soziale Probleme}, language = {German}, number = 2, pages = {238-255}, title = {Automatisch nachhaltig? Architektonische Praxis im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung}, url = {https://www.beltz.de/fachmedien/soziologie/zeitschriften/soziale_probleme.html?tx_beltz_journal[action]=article&tx_beltz_journal[article]=52093&tx_beltz_journal[controller]=Journal&cHash=af1cf9f7cc43b1c7e46b6cc26d6c8836}, volume = 34, year = 2023 }
4. Orozco, L., Krtschil, A., Wagner, H. J., Bechert, S., Amtsberg, F., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2023). Co-Design Methods for Non-Standard Multi-Storey Timber Buildings. Sustainability, 15(23), Article 23. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316178
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{su152316178, abstract = {To meet climate change goals and respond to increased global urbanisation, the building industry needs to improve both its building technology and its design methods. Constrained urban environments and building stock extensions are challenges for standard timber construction. Co-design promises to better integrate disciplines and processes, promising smaller feedback loops for design iteration and building verification. This article describes the integrated design, fabrication, and construction processes of a timber building prototype as a case study for the application of co-design methods. Emphasis is placed on the development of design and engineering methods, fabrication and construction processes, and materials and building systems. The development of the building prototype builds on previous research in robotic fabrication (including prefabrication, task distribution, and augmented reality integration), agent-based modelling (ABM) for the design and optimisation of structural components, and the systematisation of timber buildings and their components. The results presented in this article include a functional example of co-design from which best practises may be extrapolated as part of an inductive approach to design research. The prototype, with its co-designed process and resultant flat ceilings, integrated services, wide spans, and design adaptability for irregular column locations, has the potential to expand the design potential of multi-storey timber buildings.}, article-number = {16178}, author = {Orozco, Luis and Krtschil, Anna and Wagner, Hans Jakob and Bechert, Simon and Amtsberg, Felix and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.3390/su152316178}, issn = {2071-1050}, journal = {Sustainability}, number = 23, title = {Co-Design Methods for Non-Standard Multi-Storey Timber Buildings}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/23/16178}, volume = 15, year = 2023 }
5. Orozco, L., Svatoš-Ražnjević, H., Wagner, H. J., Abdelaal, M., Amtsberg, F., Weiskopf, D., & Menges, A. (2023). Advanced Timber Construction Industry: A Quantitative Review of 646 Global Design and Construction Stakeholders. Buildings, 13(9), Article 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13092287
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{buildings13092287, abstract = {There has been a multi-storey timber construction boom since the start of the millennium. While there is now a body of research on trends, benefits, and disadvantages of timber construction, there is not yet literature on the wider market or the impact of stakeholders on it. This research investigates the (i) architects, (ii) engineers, and (iii) manufacturers involved in the realization of 300 contemporary multi-storey timber buildings from an existing survey. The analysis is based on data sourced from stakeholder websites and the building survey. It evaluates the perceived level of timber expertise of stakeholders based on service categorization and stakeholder type and relates them to the buildings they worked on. The research uses quantitative methods to answer qualitative questions on the connection between architectural variety in timber construction and the stakeholders involved. Interconnectivity between stakeholders and projects is visualized in an interactive network graph. The study shows a segmented mass timber market with relatively few impactful design and construction stakeholders, mostly located in central and northern Europe. It also identifies fabricators as the largest group of innovators advancing the industry and enabling the construction of more complex projects. It reveals the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing for the industry’s growth.}, article-number = {2287}, author = {Orozco, Luis and Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana and Wagner, Hans Jakob and Abdelaal, Moataz and Amtsberg, Felix and Weiskopf, Daniel and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.3390/buildings13092287}, issn = {2075-5309}, journal = {Buildings}, number = 9, title = {Advanced Timber Construction Industry: A Quantitative Review of 646 Global Design and Construction Stakeholders}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/9/2287}, volume = 13, year = 2023 }
6. Pathmanathan, N., Öney, S., Becher, M., Sedlmair, M., Weiskopf, D., & Kurzhals, K. (2023). Been There, Seen That: Visualization of Movement and 3D Eye Tracking Data from Real-World Environments. Computer Graphics Forum, 42(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.14838
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{pathmanathan2023been, abstract = {Abstract The distribution of visual attention can be evaluated using eye tracking, providing valuable insights into usability issues and interaction patterns. However, when used in real, augmented, and collaborative environments, new challenges arise that go beyond desktop scenarios and purely virtual environments. Toward addressing these challenges, we present a visualization technique that provides complementary views on the movement and eye tracking data recorded from multiple people in real-world environments. Our method is based on a space-time cube visualization and a linked 3D replay of recorded data. We showcase our approach with an experiment that examines how people investigate an artwork collection. The visualization provides insights into how people moved and inspected individual pictures in their spatial context over time. In contrast to existing methods, this analysis is possible for multiple participants without extensive annotation of areas of interest. Our technique was evaluated with a think-aloud experiment to investigate analysis strategies and an interview with domain experts to examine the applicability in other research fields.}, author = {Pathmanathan, N. and Öney, S. and Becher, M. and Sedlmair, M. and Weiskopf, D. and Kurzhals, K.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.14838}, eprint = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/cgf.14838}, journal = {Computer Graphics Forum}, language = {eng}, number = 3, pages = {385-396}, title = {Been There, Seen That: Visualization of Movement and 3D Eye Tracking Data from Real-World Environments}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cgf.14838}, volume = 42, year = 2023 }
7. Öney, S., Pathmanathan, N., Becher, M., Sedlmair, M., Weiskopf, D., & Kurzhals, K. (2023). Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies. Computer Graphics Forum, 42(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.14837
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{oney2023visual, abstract = {Augmented Reality (AR) provides new ways for situated visualization and human-computer interaction in physical environments. Current evaluation procedures for AR applications rely primarily on questionnaires and interviews, providing qualitative means to assess usability and task solution strategies. Eye tracking extends these existing evaluation methodologies by providing indicators for visual attention to virtual and real elements in the environment. However, the analysis of viewing behavior, especially the comparison of multiple participants, is difficult to achieve in AR. Specifically, the definition of areas of interest (AOIs), which is often a prerequisite for such analysis, is cumbersome and tedious with existing approaches. To address this issue, we present a new visualization approach to define AOIs, label fixations, and investigate the resulting annotated scanpaths. Our approach utilizes automatic annotation of gaze on virtual objects and an image-based approach that also considers spatial context for the manual annotation of objects in the real world. Our results show, that with our approach, eye tracking data from AR scenes can be annotated and analyzed flexibly with respect to data aspects and annotation strategies.}, author = {Öney, S. and Pathmanathan, N. and Becher, M. and Sedlmair, M. and Weiskopf, D. and Kurzhals, K.}, doi = {10.1111/cgf.14837}, journal = {Computer Graphics Forum}, language = {eng}, month = {06}, number = 3, pages = {373--384}, publisher = {Wiley}, title = {Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies}, url = {/brokenurl# https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.14837}, volume = 42, year = 2023 }
2022
1. Braun, K., Kropp, C., & Boeva, Y. (2022). From Digital Design to Data-Assets: Competing Visions, Policy Projects,and Emerging Arrangements of Value Creation in the Digital Transformation of Construction. Historical Social Research (HSR), 47(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.12759/hsr.47.2022.27
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{braun2022digital, abstract = {The construction sector faces multiple challenges such as poor productivity, performance, and competitiveness and has a huge share in global waste production, CO2 emissions, and resource depletion. In this situation, a broad range of public and private stakeholders place their hopes on the digitalisation of construction, in particular, building information modelling (BIM). The article seeks to destabilise the notion of “the” digitalisation in a synchronic and a diachronic perspective. First, we map out the landscape of digital visions regarding the future of construction by examining pertinent academic, public, and professional discourses in recent years. We identify a vision of industrialised construction, a vision of data-based integration, a vision of singularised architecture, a vision of digital sustainability, and an emerging vision of the “twin green and digital transition.” In a diachronic perspective, we zoom in to UK “BIM-and-beyond” policy from 2011 to 2021 and show how BIM has evolved from a digital design tool into a critical component for building a national system of data-assets for data-based value creation. In both perspectives, we see a recurring storyline according to which the sector will solve all its problems if it only undertakes the digital transformation.}, author = {Braun, Kathrin and Kropp, Cordula and Boeva, Yana}, doi = {10.12759/hsr.47.2022.27}, ee = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S0129054193000109}, journal = {Historical social research (HSR)}, language = {engl}, month = {12}, number = 3, pages = {81-110}, title = {From Digital Design to Data-Assets: Competing Visions, Policy Projects,and Emerging Arrangements of Value Creation in the Digital Transformation of Construction}, url = {https://www.gesis.org/en/hsr/abstr/47-3/03braun-et-al}, volume = 47, year = 2022 }
2. Braun, K., Kropp, C., & Boeva, Y. (2022). Constructing platform capitalism: inspecting the political techno-economy of Building Information Modelling. Arq: Architectural Research Quarterly, 26(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1017/S135913552200046X
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{braun2022constructing, abstract = {In this article, we argue that in order to properly assess the potentials, challenges, and implications of the digital transformation in architecture and construction, we need to better understand the political-economic dynamics behind it and examine it in light of the current reorganisation of global capitalism. The focus of this article is therefore on the larger political-economic and techno-economic conditions that are shaping the implementation of digital technologies in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector. Based on document analysis on the digital turn in architecture and construction, along with interviews with AEC professionals, we argue that the logic of platform capitalism is beginning to transform the industry, with Building Information Modelling (BIM) acting as an obligatory passage point and government policies as gate-openers. The article, first, discusses concepts of platform and platform capitalism and indicates how these apply to recent reconfigurations of actor and power relations in the field. Second, it reviews some of the developments in digital architecture from 2D drawings to BIM and beyond. Third, it examines the role of government policies as driving forces in the digital transformation. Forth, it takes a closer look at the case of software producer Autodesk and their BIM product Revit, which illustrates how the logic of platform capitalism has gained traction in architecture and construction. Finally, it concludes that some expectations can be derived from these observations: In the realm of design software, we can expect a further concentration of economic power and a near-monopolistic structure of the market. Moreover, we can expect a shift of focus and investment from architectural design to socio-digital modes of construction and urban planning that benefit primarily real estate owners, investors, developers, and construction companies. Furthermore, we can expect large construction firms to secure themselves a comfortable starting position as early adopters, while SMEs are facing bigger challenges to benefit from the digital transformation. Lastly, we can expect a further encroachment of tech giants and domain outsiders such as Alphabet into architecture and construction, turning buildings and cities into machines for data extraction.}, author = {Braun, Kathrin and Kropp, Cordula and Boeva, Yana}, doi = {10.1017/S135913552200046X}, issn = {13591355}, journal = {arq: Architectural Research Quarterly}, number = 3, pages = {267-278}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, title = {Constructing platform capitalism: inspecting the political techno-economy of Building Information Modelling}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1017/S135913552200046X}, volume = 26, year = 2022 }
3. Kropp, C., Braun, K., & Boeva, Y. (2022). Echo Chambers of Urban Design: Platformisation in Architecture and Planning. In A. Strüver & S. Bauriedl (Eds.), Platformization of Urban Life. Towards a Technocapitalist Transformation of European Cities (pp. 239–257). transcript. https://www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-5964-1/platformization-of-urban-life/?number=978-3-8394-5964-5
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @incollection{kropp2022chambers, abstract = {Digital information and calculations are changing the world of urban planning. Cities and buildings are taking on a dual existence in analog and virtual spaces. What was once planned as a one-off construction project can now be stored, modified, recombined and reproduced again and again with the help of Building Information Modeling (BIM). If, however, urban planning and building designs are increasingly shaped by new forms of digitally mediated spatial production, echo chambers of digitally conceived and perceived cities could emerge. They could lead to an era of platform urbanism driven by large technology companies with access to planning data in BIM. So far, debates about digital capitalism have focused on citizens' use of cell phones and the World Wide Web, on individual clicks and ephemeral preferences, but not on fixed urban structures and the built environment. The next step, however, could be the digital transformation of structural urban development, an extremely robust business for decades to come. Such a variant of platform capitalism based on building data from urban planning, architecture, and construction would profoundly change cities. We therefore outline the role that digitization, platform capitalism and planning data could play in the future of urban design.}, address = {Bielefeld}, author = {Kropp, Cordula and Braun, Kathrin and Boeva, Yana}, booktitle = {Platformization of Urban Life. Towards a Technocapitalist Transformation of European Cities}, editor = {Strüver, Anke and Bauriedl, Sybille}, isbn = {978-3-8394-5964-5}, language = {engl}, month = {09}, pages = {239-257}, preprinturl = {https://www.transcript-open.de/doi/10.14361/9783839459645-015}, publisher = {transcript}, series = {Urban Studies}, title = {Echo Chambers of Urban Design: Platformisation in Architecture and Planning}, url = {https://www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-5964-1/platformization-of-urban-life/?number=978-3-8394-5964-5}, year = 2022 }
4. Mast, H. S. (2022). Conflicting sociotechnical imaginaries of the future built environment: An analysis of current discourses on timber construction in France and Germany. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 31(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/doi:10.14512/gaia.31.3.5
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{Mast:2022:0940-5550:151, abstract = {Building with timber promises many things at the same time: sustainability, economic efficiency, as well as innovative forms and building processes. However, it is disputable to what extent, and under which conditions, timber construction can be considered sustainable. The societal discourse in Germany and France is shaped by four competing visions that favor either 1. a positive CO2 balance, 2. a particularly time- and cost-efficient construction process, 3. the use of regional resources, or 4. the creation of uniquely designed buildings as the guiding principle of future timber construction.The construction industry is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. In view of resource scarcity, climate change, and rapid global population growth, the industry faces the urgent challenge of a sustainable transition. The renaissance of timber as a renewable, carbon-neutral construction material could pave the way for more sustainable modes of building. Taking France and Germany as examples, and based on a sociological discourse analysis, this paper reveals four different and conflicting sociotechnical imaginaries of the future built environment. The four imaginaries show specific characteristics depending on the respective national, political, and cultural contexts. Moreover, they include partially incompatible objectives and compete for discursive hegemony, and thus implementation. Scrutinizing the four competing visions and their approach to conflicts and scarcities raises profound questions about their political, technological, ecological, and social implications.}, author = {Mast, Hanna Sophie}, doi = {doi:10.14512/gaia.31.3.5}, eissn = {2625-5413}, issn = {0940-5550}, itemtype = {ARTICLE}, journal = {GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society}, keyword = {Germany, construction industry, discourse analysis, France, timber, sustainable transition of industries, sociotechnical imaginaries, discourse coalitions}, number = 3, pages = {151-157}, parent_itemid = {infobike://oekom/gaia}, publicationdate = {2022-10-20T00:00:00}, publishercode = {oekom}, title = {Conflicting sociotechnical imaginaries of the future built environment: An analysis of current discourses on timber construction in France and Germany}, url = {https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/oekom/gaia/2022/00000031/00000003/art00007}, volume = 31, year = 2022 }
5. Svatoš-Ražnjević, H., Orozco, L., & Menges, A. (2022). Advanced Timber Construction Industry: A Review of 350 Multi-Storey Timber Projects from 2000–2021. Buildings, 12(4), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12040404
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{buildings12040404, abstract = {Throughout the last two decades the timber building sector has experienced a steady growth in multi-storey construction. Although there has been a growing number of research focused on trends, benefits, and disadvantages in timber construction from various technical perspectives, so far there is no extensive literature on the trajectory of emerging architectural typologies. This paper presents an examination of architectural variety and spatial possibilities in current serial and modular multi-storey timber construction. It aims to draw a parallel between architectural characteristics and their relation to structural systems in timber. The research draws from a collection of 350 contemporary multi-storey timber building projects between 2000 and 2021. It consists of 300 built projects, 12 projects currently in construction, and 38 design proposals. The survey consists of quantitative and qualitative project data, as well as classification of the structural system, material, program, massing, and spatial organization of the projects. It then compares the different structural and design aspects to achieve a comprehensive overview of possibilities in timber construction. The outcome is an identification of the range of morphologies and a better understanding of the design space in current serial and modular multi-storey mass timber construction.}, article-number = {404}, author = {Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana and Orozco, Luis and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.3390/buildings12040404}, issn = {2075-5309}, journal = {Buildings}, number = 4, title = {Advanced Timber Construction Industry: A Review of 350 Multi-Storey Timber Projects from 2000–2021}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/4/404}, volume = 12, year = 2022 }
2021
1. Kropp, C. (2021). Künstliche Intelligenz. Universaler Alleskönner oder digitales „Weiter so“? Informationen zur Raumentwicklung IzR, 2021(3), Article 3. https://elibrary.steiner-verlag.de/journal/izr/48/3
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{kropp2021knstliche, abstract = {Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) verwandelt die Art und Weise, wie die Gesellschaft Problemlösungen gesellschaftlich und technisch konzipiert. In der Stadt- und Raumentwicklung sowie im Bauwesen waren lange Zeit Gebietskategorien, politische Planungsziele und Fachwissen handlungsleitend. Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien haben in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten raumbezogenen Daten, Karten und Modellen ähnliche Relevanz verliehen. Künstliche Intelligenz verschiebt als soziotechnischer Transformationsprozess den Fokus nun auf Big Data, Automatisierung und Vernetzung. Der Artikel zeigt, dass KI nicht als universale Lösungsformel zu begreifen ist, sondern bestehende Entwicklungen vertieft, und die Entscheidung über Planungsziele weiterhin in der Gesellschaft getroffen werden muss. }, author = {Kropp, Cordula}, issn = {https://elibrary.steiner-verlag.de/journal/izr/48/3}, journal = {Informationen zur Raumentwicklung IzR}, language = {german}, month = {09}, number = 3, pages = {72-29}, title = {Künstliche Intelligenz. Universaler Alleskönner oder digitales „Weiter so“? }, url = {https://elibrary.steiner-verlag.de/journal/izr/48/3}, volume = 2021, year = 2021 }
2. Noel, V., Boeva, Y., & Dortdivangliou, H. (2021). The question of access: Toward an equitable future of computational design. International Journal of Architectural Computing.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{noel2021question, author = {Noel, Vernelle and Boeva, Yana and Dortdivangliou, Hayri}, journal = {International Journal of Architectural Computing}, title = {The question of access: Toward an equitable future of computational design}, year = 2021 }

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

2023
1. Boeva, Y., & Noel, V. A. A. (2023). Critical computational relations in design, architecture and the built environment: editorial. Digital Creativity, 34(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.1080/14626268.2023.2228296
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{Boeva_2023, abstract = {Computation in design, architecture and the built environment, and its practices, methods, and tools frequently offer ‘neutral’ and ‘optimized’ techno-solutions to (social) design problems. Such a portrayal of these computational infrastructures as neutral solutions that open participation in design hides the social, political, and environmental entanglements involved in their creation and expansion. This special issue spotlights power relations between computational practices, technology infrastructures, knowledge, and their reproductions of bias at multiple scales.}, author = {Boeva, Yana and Noel, Vernelle A. A.}, doi = {10.1080/14626268.2023.2228296}, journal = {Digital Creativity}, month = {04}, number = 2, pages = {79--87}, publisher = {Informa {UK} Limited}, title = {Critical computational relations in design, architecture and the built environment: editorial}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1080%2F14626268.2023.2228296}, volume = 34, year = 2023 }
2. Öney, S., Pathmanathan, N., Becher, M., Sedlmair, M., Weiskopf, D., & Kurzhals, K. (2023). Replication Data for: Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies. DaRUS. https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-3384
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{oney2023replication, abstract = {This .zip file contains the Unity project of the visualization tool described in the paper "Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies" which was accepted at EuroVis 2023 Conference. This tool can be used to annotate gaze data from Augmented Reality (AR) scenarios to perform AOI based eye-tracking analysis. The visualization tool consists of a gaze replay and timeline visualization - linked together to provide spatial and image-based annotation. The project includes a dataset that we collected from an AR pilot study.Please install Unity 2020.3.24 to run the visualization tool. The Unity project contains two scenes (located in Assets/Scenes):TimelineVisualizationGazeReplayFirst, drag both scenes into the hierarchy window, then unload GazeReplay. In File/Build Settings, the order of the Scenes in Build should be as follows: TimelineVisualization 0, GazeReplay 1. When you start the active scene (TimelineVisualization), the GazeReplay scene will be loaded as well. You can work with the visualization tool in the game view.The project consists of an Assets, Packages and ProjectSettings folder. Please check the GitHub page for the latest version. }, affiliation = {Öney, Seyda/Universität Stuttgart, Pathmanathan, Nelusa/Universität Stuttgart, Becher, Michael/Universität Stuttgart, Sedlmair, Michael/Universität Stuttgart, Weiskopf, Daniel/Universität Stuttgart, Kurzhals, Kuno/Universität Stuttgart}, author = {Öney, Seyda and Pathmanathan, Nelusa and Becher, Michael and Sedlmair, Michael and Weiskopf, Daniel and Kurzhals, Kuno}, doi = {10.18419/darus-3384}, howpublished = {Software}, note = {Related to: Öney, Seyda, et al. "Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies." Computer Graphics Forum. Vol. 42. No. 3. 2023. doi: 10.1111/cgf.14837}, orcid-numbers = {Öney, Seyda/0000-0002-5785-6788, Pathmanathan, Nelusa/0000-0002-6848-8554, Becher, Michael/0000-0002-0072-1655, Sedlmair, Michael/0000-0001-7048-9292, Weiskopf, Daniel/0000-0003-1174-1026, Kurzhals, Kuno/0000-0003-4919-4582}, publisher = {DaRUS}, title = {Replication Data for: Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies}, year = 2023 }
2022
1. Boeva, Y. (2022). Timber Takes Command: Digitaler Holzbau als urbaner Datenkapitalismus. manege für architektur, 2, 18–22. https://mfa.one/manege-2/
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{boeva2022timber, author = {Boeva, Yana}, journal = {manege für architektur}, language = {German}, pages = {18-22}, title = {Timber Takes Command: Digitaler Holzbau als urbaner Datenkapitalismus}, url = {https://mfa.one/manege-2/}, volume = 2, year = 2022 }
2. Boeva, Y., Wortmann, T., Kropp, C., & Menges, A. (2022). Architectural Computing and Design Optimization for Healthful Ecotopian Built Environments? In M. Kanaani (Ed.), The Routledge Companion to Ecological Design Thinking (pp. 367--379). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003183181-33
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @incollection{Boeva_2022, author = {Boeva, Yana and Wortmann, Thomas and Kropp, Cordula and Menges, Achim}, booktitle = {The Routledge Companion to Ecological Design Thinking}, doi = {10.4324/9781003183181-33}, editor = {Kanaani, Mitra}, month = {07}, pages = {367--379}, publisher = {Routledge}, title = {Architectural Computing and Design Optimization for Healthful Ecotopian Built Environments?}, url = {https://doi.org/10.4324%2F9781003183181-33}, year = 2022 }
3. Orozco, L., Svatoš-Ražnjević, H., & Menges, A. (2022). Stakeholders in Multi-storey Timber Data: 540 Design and Construction Players of 300 Mass-Timber Projects from 2000-2021. DaRUS. https://doi.org/10.18419/DARUS-2740
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{orozco2022stakeholders, author = {Orozco, Luis and Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.18419/DARUS-2740}, publisher = {DaRUS}, title = {Stakeholders in Multi-storey Timber Data: 540 Design and Construction Players of 300 Mass-Timber Projects from 2000-2021}, url = {https://darus.uni-stuttgart.de/citation?persistentId=doi:10.18419/darus-2740}, year = 2022 }
4. Svatoš-Ražnjević, H., & Menges, A. (2022). Multi-storey Timber Buildings Data: Architectural and Structural Data on 350 Mass-Timber Projects from 2000-2021. https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-2733
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{svatosraznjevic2022multistorey, abstract = {This repository contains a collection of data on 350 contemporary multi-storey timber building projects. The dataset consists of information on 300 projects built between 2000 and 2021, 12 projects in construction, and 38 design proposals. The dataset consists of quantitative and qualitative project data including classification of projects based on structural systems, material (timber-concrete-steel), program, massing, and internal spatial organization. Building project information includes general information on building height (number of stories), location, status (completed, under construction, or planned), architect and year of construction. Projects include both low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings starting at three stories. Links to sources used to gather the data are included.}, affiliation = {Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana/Universität Stuttgart, Menges, Achim/Universität Stuttgart}, author = {Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.18419/darus-2733}, howpublished = {Dataset}, orcid-numbers = {Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana/0000-0002-4622-5403, Menges, Achim/0000-0001-9055-4039}, title = {Multi-storey Timber Buildings Data: Architectural and Structural Data on 350 Mass-Timber Projects from 2000-2021}, year = 2022 }
2021
1. In digitaler Gesellschaft. Neukonfigurationen zwischen Robotern, Algorithmen und Usern. (2021). In K. Braun & C. Kropp (Eds.), Politik in der digitalen Gesellschaft. transcript.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @book{braun2021digitaler, address = {Bielefeld}, editor = {Braun, Kathrin and Kropp, Cordula}, publisher = {transcript}, series = {Politik in der digitalen Gesellschaft}, title = {In digitaler Gesellschaft. Neukonfigurationen zwischen Robotern, Algorithmen und Usern}, year = 2021 }
2. Braun, K., & Kropp, C. (2021). Schöne neue Bauwelt? Versprechen, Visionen und Wege des digitalen Planens und Bauens. In K. Braun & C. Kropp (Eds.), In digitaler Gesellschaft. Neukonfigurationen zwischen Robotern, Algorithmen und Usern (pp. 135–165). transcript. https://www.degruyter.com/document/isbn/9783839454534/html
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @incollection{braun2021schne, author = {Braun, Kathrin and Kropp, Cordula}, booktitle = {In digitaler Gesellschaft. Neukonfigurationen zwischen Robotern, Algorithmen und Usern}, editor = {Braun, Kathrin and Kropp, Cordula}, isbn = {9783839454534}, language = {Deutsch}, month = {10}, pages = {135-165}, publisher = {transcript}, title = {Schöne neue Bauwelt? Versprechen, Visionen und Wege des digitalen Planens und Bauens}, url = {https://www.degruyter.com/document/isbn/9783839454534/html}, year = 2021 }
3. Kropp, C., & Boeva, Y. (2021). Die Übersetzung des Bauwissens und ihre versteckten Konflikte. In B. Blättel-Mink (Ed.), Gesellschaft unter Spannung. Verhandlungen des 40. Kongresses der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie 2020. https://publikationen.soziologie.de/index.php/kongressband_2020/article/view/1429/1688
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @conference{kropp2021bersetzung, author = {Kropp, Cordula and Boeva, Yana}, booktitle = {Gesellschaft unter Spannung. Verhandlungen des 40. Kongresses der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie 2020}, editor = {Blättel-Mink, Birgit}, language = {Deutsch}, month = {09}, title = {Die Übersetzung des Bauwissens und ihre versteckten Konflikte}, url = {https://publikationen.soziologie.de/index.php/kongressband_2020/article/view/1429/1688 }, year = 2021 }
4. Kropp, C., Ley, A., Ufer, U., & Ottenburger, S. (2021). Making intelligent cities in Europe climate-neutral. About the necessity to integrate technical and socio-cultural innovations. TATuP Zeitschrift Für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie Und Praxis, 30(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.14512/tatup.30.1.11
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{kropp2021making, abstract = {Smart urban futures are currently being tested and promoted in Europe usinginnovativeandintelligenturbantechnologiesatdifferentspatial scales, in individual sectors such as energy or transport, or by using specific technological innovations. However, the great transformation, though often called for and widely advocated, is yet to come. This pa- per discusses the necessity of promoting integrative approaches that go beyond technology-centered solutions with the aim of opening up paths towards urban climate neutrality: Precisely because urban fu- tures are hardly predictable due to diverse and partly still hidden in- fluencing factors, it is important to include especially socio-cultural in- novations, as well as resilient technical solutions. The considerations developed in this regard conclude with a presentation of the contribu- tions in this TATuP special topic.}, author = {Kropp, Cordula and Ley, Astrid and Ufer, Ulrich and Ottenburger, Sadeeb}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.14512/tatup.30.1.11}, journal = {TATuP Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis }, language = {english}, month = {März}, number = 1, pages = {11-16}, title = {Making intelligent cities in Europe climate-neutral. About the necessity to integrate technical and socio-cultural innovations}, url = {https://www.tatup.de/index.php/tatup/article/view/6854/11570}, volume = 30, year = 2021 }
5. Mast, H. S., & Kropp, C. (2021). Bauen mit Holz als Lösung aller Probleme? Was Zukunftsdiskurse, wie die Vorstellungen zum Seriellen oder Frugalen Holzbau, über Ziel- und Nutzungskonflikte verraten. Holz-Zentralblatt, 147(35), Article 35.
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @article{mast2021bauen, author = {Mast, Hanna Sophie and Kropp, Cordula}, issn = {0018-3792}, journal = {Holz-Zentralblatt}, language = {Deutsch}, month = {09}, number = 35, pages = {619-620}, title = {Bauen mit Holz als Lösung aller Probleme? Was Zukunftsdiskurse, wie die Vorstellungen zum Seriellen oder Frugalen Holzbau, über Ziel- und Nutzungskonflikte verraten}, volume = 147, year = 2021 }

DATA SETS

2023
1. Öney, S., Pathmanathan, N., Becher, M., Sedlmair, M., Weiskopf, D., & Kurzhals, K. (2023). Replication Data for: Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies. DaRUS. https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-3384
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{oney2023replication, abstract = {This .zip file contains the Unity project of the visualization tool described in the paper "Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies" which was accepted at EuroVis 2023 Conference. This tool can be used to annotate gaze data from Augmented Reality (AR) scenarios to perform AOI based eye-tracking analysis. The visualization tool consists of a gaze replay and timeline visualization - linked together to provide spatial and image-based annotation. The project includes a dataset that we collected from an AR pilot study.Please install Unity 2020.3.24 to run the visualization tool. The Unity project contains two scenes (located in Assets/Scenes):TimelineVisualizationGazeReplayFirst, drag both scenes into the hierarchy window, then unload GazeReplay. In File/Build Settings, the order of the Scenes in Build should be as follows: TimelineVisualization 0, GazeReplay 1. When you start the active scene (TimelineVisualization), the GazeReplay scene will be loaded as well. You can work with the visualization tool in the game view.The project consists of an Assets, Packages and ProjectSettings folder. Please check the GitHub page for the latest version. }, affiliation = {Öney, Seyda/Universität Stuttgart, Pathmanathan, Nelusa/Universität Stuttgart, Becher, Michael/Universität Stuttgart, Sedlmair, Michael/Universität Stuttgart, Weiskopf, Daniel/Universität Stuttgart, Kurzhals, Kuno/Universität Stuttgart}, author = {Öney, Seyda and Pathmanathan, Nelusa and Becher, Michael and Sedlmair, Michael and Weiskopf, Daniel and Kurzhals, Kuno}, doi = {10.18419/darus-3384}, howpublished = {Software}, note = {Related to: Öney, Seyda, et al. "Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies." Computer Graphics Forum. Vol. 42. No. 3. 2023. doi: 10.1111/cgf.14837}, orcid-numbers = {Öney, Seyda/0000-0002-5785-6788, Pathmanathan, Nelusa/0000-0002-6848-8554, Becher, Michael/0000-0002-0072-1655, Sedlmair, Michael/0000-0001-7048-9292, Weiskopf, Daniel/0000-0003-1174-1026, Kurzhals, Kuno/0000-0003-4919-4582}, publisher = {DaRUS}, title = {Replication Data for: Visual Gaze Labeling for Augmented Reality Studies}, year = 2023 }
2022
1. Orozco, L., Svatoš-Ražnjević, H., & Menges, A. (2022). Stakeholders in Multi-storey Timber Data: 540 Design and Construction Players of 300 Mass-Timber Projects from 2000-2021. DaRUS. https://doi.org/10.18419/DARUS-2740
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{orozco2022stakeholders, author = {Orozco, Luis and Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.18419/DARUS-2740}, publisher = {DaRUS}, title = {Stakeholders in Multi-storey Timber Data: 540 Design and Construction Players of 300 Mass-Timber Projects from 2000-2021}, url = {https://darus.uni-stuttgart.de/citation?persistentId=doi:10.18419/darus-2740}, year = 2022 }
2. Svatoš-Ražnjević, H., & Menges, A. (2022). Multi-storey Timber Buildings Data: Architectural and Structural Data on 350 Mass-Timber Projects from 2000-2021. https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-2733
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @dataset{svatosraznjevic2022multistorey, abstract = {This repository contains a collection of data on 350 contemporary multi-storey timber building projects. The dataset consists of information on 300 projects built between 2000 and 2021, 12 projects in construction, and 38 design proposals. The dataset consists of quantitative and qualitative project data including classification of projects based on structural systems, material (timber-concrete-steel), program, massing, and internal spatial organization. Building project information includes general information on building height (number of stories), location, status (completed, under construction, or planned), architect and year of construction. Projects include both low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings starting at three stories. Links to sources used to gather the data are included.}, affiliation = {Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana/Universität Stuttgart, Menges, Achim/Universität Stuttgart}, author = {Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana and Menges, Achim}, doi = {10.18419/darus-2733}, howpublished = {Dataset}, orcid-numbers = {Svatoš-Ražnjević, Hana/0000-0002-4622-5403, Menges, Achim/0000-0001-9055-4039}, title = {Multi-storey Timber Buildings Data: Architectural and Structural Data on 350 Mass-Timber Projects from 2000-2021}, year = 2022 }

Prof. Dr. Cordula Kropp

Board of Directors

Phone: +49 711 685 83971

E-Mail

Prof. Achim Menges

Director

Phone: +49 711 685 82786

E-Mail

Prof. Dr. phil. habil Klaus Jan Philipp

Principal Investigator

Phone: +49 711 685 83290

E-Mail

Architectural, Historical and Social Science Perspectives

CO-DESIGN FROM ARCHITECTURAL, HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVES

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

TEAM

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

2024

BibTeX

2023

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

2022

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

2021

BibTeX

BibTeX

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

2023

BibTeX

BibTeX

2022

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

2021

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

BibTeX

DATA SETS

2023

BibTeX

2022

BibTeX

BibTeX

Prof. Dr. Cordula Kropp

Prof. Achim Menges

Prof. Dr. phil. habil Klaus Jan Philipp

Here you can reach us

Audience

Formalities

Services

Organization