Design process visualization system intergrating BIM data and performance-oriented design information

The essential role of design process visualization is to capture and represent design information as well as the change of design objects to keep track of reasons behind decision-making activities. The most prominent benefit of BIM, among its wide-spectrum potentials, would be that it made possible to consider simulated building performances such as energy efficiency for critical decision-making criteria even during the early stages of design project. Advanced design process visualization centered around BIM calls for reflecting performance-oriented design information generated from the various simulation tools from the early stages of building project. This will certainly demand a different approach in terms of process modeling and representation strategies. This paper introduces a visualization tool addressing these issues. It is on the top of an Open BIM Server to manage evolving IFC data model in a systematic way, integrating quantitative design data generated from performance evaluation tools. A data model was developed to represent the design process composed of evolving versions and alternatives interwoven with decision-making factors. The system, with its timeline-based interactive user interface, will give a better insight into the design process and easy access to the reasons behind decision-makings in an intuitive way.