Building Performance Knowledge Community

TDBP has started research into the varied and disparate uses of terminology used to describe aspects of High Performance Design and Enclosure Technology as it is applied to building design. The moniker "High Performance" is itself ubiquitous, ambiguous, powerful and often misleading in the design and construction industry.  "Rainscreen" is another similar term.  While the application of the underlying principles about a rainscreen wall assembly can deliver a very high performing system, the term itself has been so completely overused and in-accurately applied that it often causes confusion rather than communicating clear ideas. 

Our goal is to identify clearly a full list of terms concerning high performance design and building enclosures, to research their beginnings and how they are used now and to finally develop industry standardized definitions.

We are currently identifying a methodology for collecting all of the terms and we intend to hire a researcher to help us execute the project.  Members of the TDBP Knowledge Community interested in knowing more details about this effort or participating are asked to respond to this post. 

-------------------------------------------
Pamela Sams AIA
SE Design Realization Leader
Gensler
Washington DC
-------------------------------------------

Dear Pam Sams,
this is a much needed effort.  Pls excuse me if you have already begun this, but can start with the several ISO/EN/DIN documents on terminology for building design and energy performance.  I am sure the ASTM/NIBS and the like over here, have some beginning on a systematization.  My own keyword searches in the ISO database turned up a very large mountain of docs that are relevant for the definitions and the inter relationships between such definitions.  Also, important for us here in America/Canada to coordinate our work with terminology definition going on abroad, if only for reality that many US architects design buildings in foreign countries.

Sincerely,

-------------------------------------------
David Benjamin, PhD, Assoc. AIA
partner
Photonica, Inc.
Fort Lauderdale FL
-------------------------------------------

I send you a reply many days ago, but I think was not approved to be publish.
If you give me your email I will talk about to you.
aburtoeugenioarch@hotmail.com

-------------------------------------------
Eugenio Aburto AIA
architect
Eugenio Aburto, AIA
Palm Desert CA
-------------------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2015 23:41
From: David Benjamin
Subject: Announcing - Definitions Research Project

Dear Pam Sams,
this is a much needed effort.  Pls excuse me if you have already begun this, but can start with the several ISO/EN/DIN documents on terminology for building design and energy performance.  I am sure the ASTM/NIBS and the like over here, have some beginning on a systematization.  My own keyword searches in the ISO database turned up a very large mountain of docs that are relevant for the definitions and the inter relationships between such definitions.  Also, important for us here in America/Canada to coordinate our work with terminology definition going on abroad, if only for reality that many US architects design buildings in foreign countries.

Sincerely,

-------------------------------------------
David Benjamin, PhD, Assoc. AIA
partner
Photonica, Inc.
Fort Lauderdale FL
-------------------------------------------

Great work Pam
Industry standard definitions are the key to communication globally. Using the ISO as a base to work from is the ideal solution. I look forward to seeing how you progress and ultimate direction the AIA takes. 

-------------------------------------------
Andrew Dwight
BIM manager
RubySketch
Sydney
-------------------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2015 23:41
From: David Benjamin
Subject: Announcing - Definitions Research Project

Dear Pam Sams,
this is a much needed effort.  Pls excuse me if you have already begun this, but can start with the several ISO/EN/DIN documents on terminology for building design and energy performance.  I am sure the ASTM/NIBS and the like over here, have some beginning on a systematization.  My own keyword searches in the ISO database turned up a very large mountain of docs that are relevant for the definitions and the inter relationships between such definitions.  Also, important for us here in America/Canada to coordinate our work with terminology definition going on abroad, if only for reality that many US architects design buildings in foreign countries.

Sincerely,

-------------------------------------------
David Benjamin, PhD, Assoc. AIA
partner
Photonica, Inc.
Fort Lauderdale FL
-------------------------------------------

Andrew,
Thank you for the encouragement and interest. We will be sure to post our progress as we move forward.


-------------------------------------------
Pamela Sams AIA
SE Design Realization Leader
Gensler
Washington DC
-------------------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2015 01:20
From: Andrew Dwight
Subject: Announcing - Definitions Research Project

Great work Pam
Industry standard definitions are the key to communication globally. Using the ISO as a base to work from is the ideal solution. I look forward to seeing how you progress and ultimate direction the AIA takes. 

-------------------------------------------
Andrew Dwight
BIM manager
RubySketch
Sydney
-------------------------------------------

Hi Pamela,

You would be surprised how many organizations are now figuring out how critical 'terminology' is to our work.  I saw your post, and wanted to make sure you were aware of a global movement to standardization of terminology - called buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD).

The bSDD is based on an ISO standard for object-oriented terminology databases (ISO 12006-3), and its intent is to use global unique IDs (GUIDS) to uniquely identify and define every concept.  The technology allows:
- unlimited languages, as well as synonyms within languages,
- semantic relationships to related concepts (such as specialization, composition, classification, etc).
- unlimited distinct 'contexts' (viewpoints), most are public, some can be private

To date, all of the IFC entities have been input, and more content is being added every day.  Please check out this technology by browsing the buildingsmart International web site (www.buildingsmart.org), or browse the bSDD itself at http://bsdd.buildingsmart.org.

-------------------------------------------
David Watson
Digicon Information Inc
Beaumont AB
-------------------------------------------

I'm also interested, and second David's comments staying under the ISO standard is an important global way of helping all of us to use the same term for the same term and limit misunderstanding!

PS

Hi David, long time no talk

-------------------------------------------
Marc Chavez AIA
Architect- Specifier
ZGF Architects LLP
Seattle WA
-------------------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 06-24-2015 13:43
From: David Watson
Subject: Announcing - Definitions Research Project

Hi Pamela,

You would be surprised how many organizations are now figuring out how critical 'terminology' is to our work.  I saw your post, and wanted to make sure you were aware of a global movement to standardization of terminology - called buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD).

The bSDD is based on an ISO standard for object-oriented terminology databases (ISO 12006-3), and its intent is to use global unique IDs (GUIDS) to uniquely identify and define every concept.  The technology allows:
- unlimited languages, as well as synonyms within languages,
- semantic relationships to related concepts (such as specialization, composition, classification, etc).
- unlimited distinct 'contexts' (viewpoints), most are public, some can be private

To date, all of the IFC entities have been input, and more content is being added every day.  Please check out this technology by browsing the buildingsmart International web site (www.buildingsmart.org), or browse the bSDD itself at http://bsdd.buildingsmart.org.

-------------------------------------------
David Watson
Digicon Information Inc
Beaumont AB
-------------------------------------------