Aedas Global Design Principal Dr Andy Wen was invited to attend the 11th China Real Estate Science Development Forum in Shanghai. As the keynote speaker, Dr. Andy Wen shared his insights on “Digitalization and Future Living – Digital Design” and Aedas’ experience in digital design.
“In the process of urbanization, each city is supposed to have its own unique personality. There will be discrepancies between design intent and final product delivered when we try to show the characteristics of the city through architectural design. With the help of digital design tools, discrepancies can be minimized. Aedas’ unique architecture forms are mostly realized with flat glass panels. Digital tools are used for precise calculation, so as to reduce types and forms of glass panels which would result in easier construction and lower costs. He then took five Aedas projects as examples, including Lè Architecture in Taipei, Hengqin MCC Headquarters Complex (Phase II) and Hengqin International Financial Center in Zhuhai, Xinhua Bookstore Group Jiefangbei Book City Mixed-use Project in Chongqing and National Trade Center in Taichung, to demonstrate how digital tools could help to optimize the designs, rationalize construction, and realize the design concepts.
Taking Lè Architecture in Taipei as example – its design was inspired by the river pebbles along the Keelung River. The egg-like shape implies it is an incubator of knowledge and a metaphor of intellectual revival. Digital information system plays a crucial role in realizing the design. Digital modeling of exterior wall systems and structural systems reduces problems and unexpected situations in the construction process. Furthermore, digitalization of design also helps to optimize the curved façade surface, reducing the construction cost with flattened glass panel design.
Hengqin International Financial Center is another example for digitalization of design. Its design resembles a flood dragon bursting out from the sea and draws inspiration from the famous painting ‘Nine Dragons’ dating from the Southern Sung Dynasty. The four towers converging into one, just like a dragon bursting out from the sea. The transitional curve from the tower to the podium resembles the dragon’s tail. Digital tools were used in the design process to divide the façade into small basic units, realizing a smooth transition of the curve. The design intent can be delivered to the budget through panel optimization.
Dr Andy Wen mentioned that digitalization of design will play a crucial role in architecture design in the future. Architects should explore more approaches to minimize the discrepancy between design and implementation, making the construction easier with a shorter cycle and lower cost.
China Real Estate Science Development Forum is sponsored by the China Real Estate Association. With a focus on latest trends and cutting-edge technology, it is a platform for industry elites gathering to exchange experiences and insights and to jointly promote sustainable development of the Real Estate Science Development in China.
