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Advances in digital design tools enable exploration and generation of dynamic building facades. However, some processes are formally prescribed and manually driven to only visualize the design concepts. The purpose of this paper is to present a proactive framework for integrating parametric design thinking, paying particular attention to building facade patterning.

This work developed the PatternGen^© add-on in Autodesk® Revit which utilizes an analytical image data (AID) overlay approach as a data source to dynamically pattern the building facade. The add-on was used to manipulate the placement rules of curtain panels on facade surface geometry. As means of validating this research model, a real-life design project has been chosen to illustrate the practical application of this approach. Feedback and observations from a short end-user questionnaire assessed qualitatively the facade patterning and panelization approach.

The proposed merge (or overlay) of AID images can be used as a parametric thinking method rather than just theory to generate and articulate dynamic facade design. The facade panelization responds to an AID that resembles design-performance data (e.g. solar exposure, interior privacy importance and aesthetics).

This work identifies a form of parametric thinking defined as the expression of geometrical relationships and its configuration dependent on the AID pixel Red Green Blue color source values. In this type of thinking, it explores the impact of the digital process and parametric thinking utility when driven by an AID overlay. The framework highlighted the practical application of AID pixel approach within a digital process to benefit both designers and computational tools developer on emerging design innovations.

The current uptake of 4D planning in industry is slow and there is a need to demonstrate its value over traditional planning technologies. The aim of this research study is to develop a novel approach to establish the value of a 4D tool in the construction industry.

The exploratory research strategy draws on several social science research methods to collect information from human subjects. This exploratory research work has used literature review, open‐ended questionnaire, surveys, semi‐structured interviews and historical site records. These have been analysed in order to identify, develop and quantify 4D‐based key performance indicators.

The paper identifies and quantifies 4D‐based key performance indicators. Analysis of the planning efficiency (hit rate percentages) measure on three projects shows that, on an average, a 17 per cent increase in the average industry hit rate was achieved by the use of 4D technology. Also the quantification of communication efficiency measure has shown that on average 30 per cent of meeting time was saved by the use of 4D planning.

The complexity and rapidly paced development of today's projects are challenging the industry to find new innovative approaches to deliver projects. 4D is emerging as a construction‐planning technology to address some of these challenges. 4D planning has the potential to improve visualisation of building design and construction, but its implementation in the industry has yet to reach maturity. This technology enables clients, contractors, planners and sub‐contractors to visualise and understand design and scheduling issues at the early stages of the project.

Despite its benefits, the uptake of 4D planning in the construction industry is slow and therefore there is a need to demonstrate its value over traditional planning technologies. The aim of this paper is to develop a novel approach that demonstrates the value of 4D tools to the construction industry.

The research strategy utilised draws on several social science research methods. The data collection methods employed included a literature review, an open‐ended questionnaire, surveys, semi‐structured interviews and the analysis of historical site records. The data collected were analysed using qualitative and quantitative techniques in order to identify, develop and quantify 4D‐based key performance indicators.

This paper identifies and quantifies 4D‐based key performance indicators using case study analysis. In the case studies it was found that, on average, a 17 per cent increase in planning efficiency were achieved by the use of 4D technology, while the communication efficiency measure illustrated that, on average, a 30 per cent reduction in the time used for meetings was achieved by the use of 4D planning.

The complexity and rapid pace of development in today's construction projects are challenging the industry to find new innovative approaches to delivering projects. 4D tools are emerging as a construction planning technology that addresses some of these challenges. 4D planning has the potential to improve the visualisation of building design and construction, but its implementation in the industry has yet to reach maturity.

The paper highlights technology that enables clients, contractors, planners and sub‐contractors to visualise and understand design and scheduling issues at the early stages of a project.