01.05.2008

Knowledge Management in Architecture and Construction Industry

Architectural design is a complex process involving numerous factors. Historically, designers have been researching and developing methods to aid the design process and to represent buildings as a three-dimensional objects occupying space by different means; words, models, drawings, perspectives and specifications. The complexity of projects and scales and the multi-disciplinary nature of buildings constructed today call for fundamental changes for the representation of designs, exchange of information, construction planning and knowledge management. This chapter discusses knowledge management (KM) in architecture and construction industry as it relates to the building design, agents, process, systems considerations and building representations. The beginning of the chapter presents the general concepts of information modeling, a brief history and past research, as well as the implementation in the construction industry. The design process, agents and factors are briefly described in order to understand the complexity of building design and how KM tools can aid the overall process. Previous work on applications in construction are discussed, specifically developed for construction planning, selection of structural systems and project management. The concept of integrated design is described as it relates to KM, in particular through ontological building representations. The chapter ends with the general picture of the knowledge management process, discussion of the ontologies and the benefits in architectural practice.

Aksamija, Ajla, 2008. "Knowledge Management in Architecture and Construction Industry", in Knowledge Management: Research and Applications, Alex Koohang, Keith Harman and Johannes Britz, eds. Santa Rosa, CA: Informing Science Press, pp. 213-252.

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