Abstracts – Browse Results

Search or browse again.

Click on the titles below to expand the information about each abstract.
Viewing 1 results ...

Beemsterboer, S and Koch, C (2016) Building Information Standards: Big Data Technologies Prevented From Becoming Big in Building. In: Chan, P W and Neilson, C J (Eds.), Proceedings 32nd Annual ARCOM Conference, 5-7 September 2016, Manchester UK. Association of Researchers in Construction Management, 83–92.

  • Type: Conference Proceedings
  • Keywords: big data, classification, performativity, standardisation, STS.
  • ISBN/ISSN: 978-0-9955463-0-1
  • URL: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/2c06d41e97a522dbd00726af39977d82.pdf
  • Abstract:

    The increased use of BIM in the building sector have led certain actors to commence riding on the Big Data hype. Big Data techniques allow the use of unstructured data alongside structured data to an extent that was previously impossible.  We use STS approaches to conceptualise and criticise the potential of Big Data applications in building. Crucially, opportunities are strongly guided by the data that is collected about buildings, and thus by the understanding of what a building is. Building information standards are viewed as performative, as sociomaterial and its becoming as a process of power, politics and emerging interests. The empirical material stems from a study of hospital projects in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

    Concentrating on a Danish classification standard, our analysis shows several performative aspects. The empirical material reflects three particular ways in which a building can be understood:  First, there is a focus on the internal structure of a building as a product and less on the process that leads to making a product. This can be interpreted as a reconstitution of the architect and engineering firm regime in the Danish building industry at the expense of contractors’ interests among others. Second, a systems theory approach to building structure understands building components as having “functions”. This approach aligns well with the installation part of the building, but does not always apply easily to other building components. Third, delimitations within which information standards propose to collect data implies a focus on building component as material over components being economical entities. Furthermore, it disregards understandings of a building at a more aggregate level as part an agglomeration of buildings.

    On this background we discuss whether the building information standard, meant to be a Big Data technology enabler, might become a barrier for Big Data.