the impact of 3D digital information tools on surveyor-architect-planner workflows

287 Pages·2017·21.86 MB·English

by  Simon Cookes

Neighbourhood Information Models:

the impact of
3D digital information tools on
surveyor-architect-planner
workflows

Simon Cookes

Submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Philosophy
October 2017

Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

The University of Melbourne
Neighbourhood Information Models: the impact of 3D digital information tools on surveyor-architect-planner workflows

This is to certify that: the thesis hereafter comprises the original work of Simon Cookes only;
due acknowledgement has been made to all other material used; and that the thesis is fewer
than the 50,000 maximum word limit in length (exclusive of tables, figures, bibliographies and
appendices).

Simon Cookes

October 2017

Degree: Master of Philosophy

Field of research: 120104 Architectural Science and Technology

The University of Melbourne; Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

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Neighbourhood Information Models: the impact of 3D digital information tools on surveyor-architect-planner workflows

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research would not have been possible without the valuable contribution of the following:

Dr Peter Raisbeck (supervisor)
Prof Bharat Dave (past supervisor)
Dr Dominik Holzer (advisory committee)
Dr Jack Barton (advisory committee)
Dr Ajibade Aibinu (advisory committee / presentation chair)
Dr Sue Wilks (advisor)
D B Architecture, Melbourne
Elenberg Fraser, Melbourne
Urban Circus
Lester Franks, Melbourne
Landair
Bosco Johnson
Michael Haines
ARM, Melbourne
Autodesk, Australia
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)
The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, Research Office
The University of Melbourne, Statistical Consulting Centre
The University of Melbourne, Upskills
Urban Inc
Hassell, Melbourne
Mills Gorman
VTT, Finland
CORENET, Singapore
Christina Canters
Kendra Reid
Prof Andrew Chesterman
Andrew Cookes
Marilyn Cookes
Victorian registered land surveyor survey respondents
Victorian registered architect survey respondents

And many others that have contributed along the way. Thank-you all.

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Neighbourhood Information Models: the impact of 3D digital information tools on surveyor-architect-planner workflows

ABSTRACT
Land surveyors, architects and statutory planners perform information discovery, design and
planning assessments with outdated tools. Meanwhile, Melbourne, Australia is rapidly growing
and struggling to meet housing demand. Sophisticate tools and processes can aid the housing
supply effort. What would be the impact of integrating disciplinary technologies of surveyors,
architects and planners into a 3D virtual place called a Neighbourhood Information Model
(NIM) to assist their work leading to planning permit approval?

This research is a high-level exploration of the impact of 3D digital tools and associated
processes for addressing high-density housing supply: quantity, quality, and complexities. Its
objectives are to explore 3D tools regarding: user engagement, efficiency gains, adoption
drivers, and limiting factors. Then suggestions are made for NIM-type tools and processes.

Literature reviewed discusses information technology in terms of: Knowledge Management;
human impacts; tool capacity; interoperability; and barriers to adoption.

This research uses mixed methods – qualitative and quantitative. A case study shows ‘best-
practice’ and gives context to interviews. A cross-section of 20 stakeholders including land
surveyors, architects, planners, and industry experts were interviewed. Online surveys yielded
responses from 31 registered land surveyors and 51 architect respondents.

Results show a strong and growing engagement with 3D digital tools. 3D tools could handle
most planning compliance requirements. However, stakeholders mainly communicated in 2D.
Respondents believed 3D processes require effort earlier in the project where decisions are
more impactful and less expensive. Overall efficiency was improved when using shared 3D
digital information. There remain legitimate tool adoption limitations to be addressed.

NIM-type tools and associated Neighbourhood Knowledge Management process models are
suggested to make surveyor-architect-planner workflows more efficient, effective and
integrated.

Keywords:
3D, information models, land surveying, architecture, statutory planning, integration.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................. 3
ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................................... 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... 5
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................ 8
ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 11
Chapter 1 – Thesis Introduction .................................................................................................. 12
1.1 Chapter Introduction ................................................................................................... 12
1.2 Background.................................................................................................................. 13
1.3 Aim and Objectives ..................................................................................................... 15
1.4 Methodology ............................................................................................................... 15
1.5 NIM and NKM .............................................................................................................. 16
1.5.1 Neighbourhood Information Model (NIM) Defined ............................................ 16
1.5.2 Neighbourhood Knowledge Management (NKM) Defined ................................. 19
1.6 Thesis Outline .............................................................................................................. 20
1.7 Chapter Summary........................................................................................................ 20
Chapter 2 - Background ............................................................................................................... 21
2.1 Chapter Introduction ................................................................................................... 21
2.2 Population and Economic Indicators........................................................................... 22
2.3 Problem 1: Melbourne Housing Quantity and Affordability ....................................... 23
2.4 Problem 2: Housing Diversity and Quality .................................................................. 24
2.5 Problem 3: Complexities of Professional Processes for Cities .................................... 27
2.6 Physical Scope ............................................................................................................. 28
2.7 Surveyors’ Role ............................................................................................................ 31
2.8 Architects’ Role ........................................................................................................... 36
2.9 Planners’ Role .............................................................................................................. 39
2.10 Surveyor-architect-planner workflow ......................................................................... 48
2.11 Chapter Summary........................................................................................................ 51
Chapter 3 - Literature Review ..................................................................................................... 53
3.1 Chapter Introduction ................................................................................................... 53
3.2 Knowledge Management ............................................................................................ 54
3.3 People .......................................................................................................................... 64
3.4 Technology .................................................................................................................. 68
3.4.1 Virtual Globes ...................................................................................................... 69
3.4.2 Survey Information Models (SIM) ....................................................................... 72
3.4.3 Building Information Models (BIM) ..................................................................... 73
3.4.4 Planning Support Systems (PSS) .......................................................................... 77
3.4.5 Interoperability, Integration and Automation .................................................... 80
3.5 Barriers to Adoption .................................................................................................... 85
3.6 Gaps in Literature ........................................................................................................ 90
3.7 Chapter Summary........................................................................................................ 92
Chapter 4 - Methodology ............................................................................................................ 94
4.1 Chapter Introduction ................................................................................................... 94

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4.2 Philosophy ................................................................................................................... 94
4.3 Approach ..................................................................................................................... 96
4.3.1 Cross-sectional .................................................................................................... 99
4.4 Mixed-methods ........................................................................................................... 99
4.4.1 Case study ......................................................................................................... 100
4.4.2 Interviews .......................................................................................................... 101
4.4.3 Surveys .............................................................................................................. 102
4.5 Selection Criteria ....................................................................................................... 105
4.6 Chapter Summary...................................................................................................... 108
Chapter 5 - Results .................................................................................................................... 109
5.1 Chapter Introduction ................................................................................................. 109
5.2 Case study - 127 A’Beckett Street ............................................................................. 109
5.2.1 Project Details ................................................................................................... 110
5.2.2 Stakeholders ...................................................................................................... 112
5.2.3 Processes ........................................................................................................... 113
5.2.4 Software ............................................................................................................ 116
5.3 Interviews .................................................................................................................. 124
5.3.1 Identification ..................................................................................................... 124
5.3.2 Capacity ............................................................................................................. 126
5.3.3 Efficiency ........................................................................................................... 130
5.3.4 Validity ............................................................................................................... 133
5.3.5 Limitations ......................................................................................................... 139
5.3.6 Future ................................................................................................................ 148
5.4 Surveys ...................................................................................................................... 153
5.4.1 Qualitative ......................................................................................................... 153
5.4.2 Quantitative - Land Surveyors ........................................................................... 155
5.4.3 Quantitative - Architects ................................................................................... 162
5.4.4 Quantitative – land surveyors versus architects ............................................... 168
5.5 Chapter Summary...................................................................................................... 173
Chapter 6 - Discussion ............................................................................................................... 175
6.1 Chapter Introduction ................................................................................................. 175
6.2 Objectives Addressed ................................................................................................ 176
6.3 Industry Recommendations ...................................................................................... 184
6.3.1 Overcoming Barriers.......................................................................................... 185
6.3.2 Future Tools and Processes ............................................................................... 189
6.4 Significance of NIM.................................................................................................... 200
6.5 Further Research ....................................................................................................... 203
6.6 Chapter Summary...................................................................................................... 205
Chapter 7 - Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 207
7.1 Chapter Introduction ................................................................................................. 207
7.2 Research need ........................................................................................................... 207
7.3 Previous research ...................................................................................................... 208
7.4 Research topic ........................................................................................................... 208

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7.5 Research approach .................................................................................................... 209
7.6 Major results ............................................................................................................. 209
7.7 Industry recommendations ....................................................................................... 211
7.8 Further research ........................................................................................................ 211
7.9 Chapter Summary...................................................................................................... 212
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES ............................................................................................. 213
RELEVANT WEBSITES ............................................................................................................. 224
APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................. 225
Appendix I – Background ...................................................................................................... 226
Appendix II – Literature ......................................................................................................... 230
Appendix II – Case study ....................................................................................................... 239
Appendix III – Interviews ....................................................................................................... 255
Appendix IV – Surveys – Qualitative ..................................................................................... 258
Land Surveyors .................................................................................................................. 259
Architects .......................................................................................................................... 261
Appendix V – Surveys – Quantitative .................................................................................... 263
Land Surveyors .................................................................................................................. 264
Architects .......................................................................................................................... 276

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure on title page: Screenshot in Urban Circus’s Urban Engine software showing planning
approved but not built buildings in the City of Melbourne
Figure 1: Photo of recent tower developments in central Melbourne ....................................... 25
Figure 2: City of Melbourne housing quality chart ..................................................................... 26
Figure 3: BIM, NIM, PIM, CIM scope comparison diagram ......................................................... 29
Figure 4: Statistical Area 1 of 2112202 ....................................................................................... 30
Figure 5: Statistical Area 2 of Melbourne.................................................................................... 31
Figure 6: Royal Hobart Hospital point cloud ............................................................................... 33
Figure 7: 3D laser scanner ........................................................................................................... 34
Figure 8: Earthmine, TerraExplorer, and Aerometrix Aero3Dpro integration screenshot ......... 35
Figure 9: Google Earth screenshot of 127 A’Beckett St and surrounds ...................................... 36
Figure 10: Architectural digital tool ecology ............................................................................... 38
Figure 11: BIM implementation pathway called “Towards Integration…” ................................. 39
Figure 12: Planning permit assessment processes flowchart ..................................................... 41
Figure 13: Planning permit assessment decisions flowchart ...................................................... 43
Figure 14: SPEAR planning permit eDA municipality uptake map .............................................. 45
Figure 15: Screenshot of AAM’s K2Vi software for City of Melbourne ....................................... 47
Figure 16: Research scope compared to RIBA & RAIA. ............................................................... 49
Figure 17: 3D enrichment and 2D degradation diagram ............................................................ 51
Figure 18: Distinctions between information and knowledge .................................................... 55
Figure 19: Diagram of aspects of KM. ......................................................................................... 57
Figure 20: Knowledge perspectives and their implications for KMS .......................................... 58
Figure 21: Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom-Enlightenment taxonomy ........................... 59
Figure 22: The SECI model of knowledge creation...................................................................... 60
Figure 23: Fuzzy job boundaries as enabler of knowledge ......................................................... 61
Figure 24: Circular and recursive decision making ...................................................................... 62
Figure 25: Screenshot from Sketchup’s 3D Warehouse homepage ........................................... 70
Figure 26: Screenshot from 3D Warehouse of geo-referenced building .................................... 70
Figure 27: Screenshot of OSM 3D showing Heidelberg .............................................................. 71
Figure 28: Views of City of Melbourne 3D city model by AAM ................................................... 72
Figure 29: BIM IPD vs. traditional (MacLeamy Curve) ................................................................ 75
Figure 30: Technology adoption stages ...................................................................................... 77
Figure 31: Screenshot of manipulating masses in Urban Circus Urban Engine .......................... 79
Figure 32: Different modelling paradigms .................................................................................. 81
Figure 33: Framework for nD Integrated Design Platform.......................................................... 82
Figure 34: UrbanIT system design ............................................................................................... 83
Figure 35: Level of Detail examples ............................................................................................ 84
Figure 36: Technology Adoption Curve with Chasm ................................................................... 85
Figure 37: The ‘wicked circle’ of BIM implementation ............................................................... 89
Figure 38: Selected modes from the research onion .................................................................. 96
Figure 39: Deduction vs induction vs abduction ......................................................................... 97
Figure 40: Mixed-methods data collection program ................................................................ 100
Figure 41: Planning criteria table .............................................................................................. 106
Figure 42: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St exterior west .................................................................. 110
Figure 43: 127 A'Beckett St rendering and aerial photo ........................................................... 111
Figure 44: Process diagram for case study ................................................................................ 115
Figure 45: Screenshot of Google Earth showing 127 A’Beckett St, Melbourne ........................ 117
Figure 46: Screenshot from land surveyor’s LISCAD software .................................................. 118

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Figure 47: Screenshot from land surveyor’s AutoCAD software .............................................. 119
Figure 48: Screenshot from architect’s Grasshopper plug-in software .................................... 120
Figure 49: Screenshot from architect’s 3DSMax software........................................................ 121
Figure 50: Screenshot from planner’s Urban Engine software of the neighbourhood ............ 122
Figure 51: Screenshot from planner’s Urban Engine software of building ............................... 122
Figure 52: Screenshot from planner’s Urban Engine software showing podium ..................... 123
Figure 53: Land surveyor 3D engagement ................................................................................ 155
Figure 54: Type of 3D data collection by land surveyors .......................................................... 157
Figure 55: 3D information transferred from land surveyor to architect................................... 158
Figure 56: Efficiency of types of terrain generation by land surveyors .................................... 159
Figure 57: Efficiency of types of building generation by land surveyors .................................. 160
Figure 58: Forecast near future tool adoption by land surveyors ............................................ 161
Figure 59: Architect 3D engagement ........................................................................................ 162
Figure 60: Type of 3D information transferred from land surveyors to architects .................. 164
Figure 61: Purposes of 3D modelling done by architects ......................................................... 165
Figure 62: Efficiencies for architects’ output types ................................................................... 166
Figure 63: Forecast near future tool adoption by architects .................................................... 168
Figure 64: 3D projects - land surveyors vs architects................................................................ 169
Figure 65: 3D Experience - land surveyors vs architects ........................................................... 169
Figure 66: 3D Expertise - land surveyors vs architects .............................................................. 170
Figure 67: Existing buildings as object-oriented - land surveyors vs architects ........................ 171
Figure 68: Existing buildings as point cloud - land surveyors vs architects ............................... 171
Figure 69: File formats transferred - land surveyors vs architects ............................................ 172
Figure 70: Object-oriented future adoption - land surveyors vs architects .............................. 172
Figure 71: Point cloud future adoption - land surveyors vs architects ..................................... 173
Figure 72: Case study’s information modelling maturity .......................................................... 176
Figure 73: Improved process that could be implemented immediately ................................... 179
Figure 74: Detail of “Towards Integration” showing next stage of BIM implementation ........ 186
Figure 75: Levels of Accuracy versus Levels of Usability ........................................................... 189
Figure 76: City of Melbourne’s detailed 3D GIS model ............................................................. 192
Figure 77: Discretion vs. originality graph to establish human vs computer roles ................... 193
Figure 78: Urban Circus’ Dr Ben Guy showing 3D planning controls ........................................ 194
Figure 79: Ideal Information Model and Knowledge Management system ............................. 196
Figure 80: Traditional vs. BIM vs. NIM ...................................................................................... 199
Figure 81: Traditional vs. NIM multi-project long time scale comparison ................................ 200
Figure 82: Summary of NIM benefits ........................................................................................ 201
Figure 83: Division of labour ..................................................................................................... 231
Figure 84: Integration of work .................................................................................................. 232
Figure 85: Four key elements for an e-readiness organisation ................................................. 232
Figure 86: Content discussed across disciplines ....................................................................... 233
Figure 87: BIM model server implementation using the decision framework ......................... 234
Figure 88: Enabling factors for technology for construction SMEs in Australia. ....................... 235
Figure 89: Virtual environment tools chart ............................................................................... 237
Figure 90: Sketchup’s different presentation styles ................................................................. 238
Figure 91: Integrated software ................................................................................................. 239
Figure 92: Rendering of 127 A’Beckett Street tower. Source: Elenberg Fraser ........................ 240
Figure 93: Google Maps showing 127 A’Beckett site. ............................................................... 241
Figure 94: 127 A’Beckett Deliverables Timeline Summary. ...................................................... 242
Figure 95: Skyscraper elevational study from planning report. ................................................ 243
Figure 96: Tower to tower setback study from planning report. .............................................. 244

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Figure 97: Tower floor plate and façade studies from planning report. ................................... 244
Figure 98: Proposed in context of neighbouring buildings ....................................................... 245
Figure 99: Onsite external amenities design from planning report. ......................................... 245
Figure 100: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St exterior south-west ...................................................... 246
Figure 101: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St exterior north-west, main entry .................................. 247
Figure 102: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St exterior east ................................................................. 248
Figure 103: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St interior, main lobby on the ground level ..................... 249
Figure 104: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St exterior, carpark entry ................................................. 250
Figure 105: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St exterior, Level 9, pool on top of the podium ............... 251
Figure 106: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St interior, upper level lift lobby ...................................... 251
Figure 107: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St interior, Level 9 Podium, shared lounge ...................... 252
Figure 108: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St interior, Level 62 two bedroom apartment ................. 252
Figure 109: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St interior, Level 62 apartment wintergarden ................. 253
Figure 110: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St interior, Level 62 rubbish chutes ................................. 254
Figure 111: Photo of 127 A'Beckett St, Level 62 evacuation diagram ...................................... 254
Figure 112: Existing vs proposed technology to address planning criteria ............................... 257
Figure 113: Questionnaire - Land Surveyor’s Project Example ................................................. 270
Figure 114: Questionnaire - Architect's Project Example ......................................................... 277
Figure 115: Questionnaire - Architect's Project Example - 2.5D ............................................... 282
Figure 116: Questionnaire - Architect's Project Example - Floor Plans ..................................... 283

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