Frank Petzold

Bio: Frank Petzold is an academic researcher from Technische Universität München. The author has contributed to research in topics: Computer science & Building design. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 82 publications receiving 451 citations. Previous affiliations of Frank Petzold include Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich & Bauhaus University, Weimar.

Spatial Augmented Reality for Architecture – Designing and planning with and within existing buildings

Abstract: At present, more than half of all building activity in the German building sector is undertaken within existing built contexts. The development of a conceptual and technological basis for the digital support of design directly on site, within an existing building context is the focus of the research project "Spatial Augmented Reality for Architecture" (SAR). This paper describes the goals achieved in one aspect of the project: the sampling of colors and materials at a scale of 1:1 using Augmented Reality (AR) technologies. We present initial results from the project; the development of an ad-hoc visualization of interactive data on arbitrary surfaces in real-world indoor environments using a mobile hardware setup. With this, it was possible to project the color and material qualities of a design directly onto almost all surfaces within a geometrically corrected, existing building. Initially, a software prototype "Spatial Augmented Reality for Architecture-Colored Architecture" (SAR-CA) was developed and t...

a.SCatch: semantic structure for architectural floor plan retrieval

Abstract: Architects' daily routine involves working with drawings. They use either a pen or a computer to sketch out their ideas or to do a drawing to scale. We therefore propose the use of a sketch-based approach when using the floor plan repository for queries. This enables the user of the system to sketch a schematic abstraction of a floor plan and search for floor plans that are structurally similar. We also propose the use of a visual query language, and a semantic structure as put forward by Langenhan. An algorithm extracts the semantic structure sketched by the architect on DFKI's Touch& Write table and compares the structure of the sketch with that of those from the floor plan repository. The a.SCatch system enables the user to access knowledge from past projects easily. Based on CBR strategies and shape detection technologies, a sketch-based retrieval gives access to a semantic floor plan repository. Furthermore, details of a prototypical application which allows semantic structure to be extracted from image data and put into the repository semi-automatically are provided.

Thinking With Containers: A Multi-Agent Retrieval Approach for the Case-Based Semantic Search of Architectural Designs

Abstract: To provide the retrieval of information, that can be considered useful during the design conceptualization process, with advantages of distributed artificial knowledge, an approach, that distributes retrieval-related and knowledge maintaining tasks among autonomously working and case-based self-learning agents and agent groups, can be used. In this work we present the distributed retrieval system MetisCBR for the architectural design domain, where agents work in groups (containers) on resolving of user queries built with a semantic description model Semantic Fingerprint. The main aim of our approach is to carry out a basis for a considerable retrieval tool for architects, where the combination of case-based reasoning and multi-agent methods helps to achieve valuable and helpful search results in a comprehensive building design collection.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) uptake: Clear benefits, understanding its implementation, risks and challenges

Abstract: Rapid advancement of technology continues to leverage change and innovation in the construction industry. Continued digitization of the industry offers the opportunity to totally reinvent contemporary construction design and delivery practice for future development. Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the context of Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) has been developing since the early 2000s and is considered to be a key technology. Despite major technical advancements in BIM, it has not been fully adopted and its definitive benefits have not been fully capitalized upon by industry stakeholders. The lack of widespread uptake of BIM appears to be linked to the risks and challenges that are potentially impeding its effectiveness. This paper aims to discuss the reality of BIM, its widespread benefits and current level of uptake. The risks and challenges associated with the adoption of BIM, as well as recommendations regarding how future BIM adoption could be developed are also highlighted.