Building Design Software With Automatic Code-Compliant 3D Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing architectural and engineering software is complex and inaccessible to home buyers, fails to automatically consider neighborhood covenants and building codes, and lacks visual representation of design selections, limiting user customization and feasibility.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and product allowing users to incrementally select building parameters with automatic adjustments to ensure compliance with user preferences, neighborhood covenants, and building codes, while providing three-dimensional visualizations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional architectural software is used to enable professional design capabilities, then design functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates making it inaccessible to home buyers
Solution Approach 1:
The software interface is segmented into simplified, task-oriented modules that guide users through the design process step-by-step. Each module handles a specific aspect (e.g., selecting exterior features, interior finishes, or lot options) independently, reducing cognitive load while maintaining comprehensive design capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary layer of automated processing translates simple user selections into complex design configurations. The system acts as a mediator between the user's high-level preferences and the detailed architectural parameters, automatically handling the complexity of code compliance, cost calculations, and design integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users are allowed to freely select building features, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to violations of covenants and building codes
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively applies regulatory constraints before users can make non-compliant selections. Building codes, neighborhood covenants, and site-specific restrictions are pre-loaded into the software, automatically limiting the available options to only those that comply with applicable regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors user selections against regulatory requirements and provides immediate feedback. When a selection would violate a covenant or building code, the software notifies the user and either blocks the selection or suggests alternative compliant options, ensuring reliability while maintaining user autonomy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive design options are provided to users, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases making the software harder to use
Solution Approach 1:
The software dynamically adapts its complexity based on the user's progress and preferences. As users make selections, the system automatically adjusts the available options and parameters, revealing only the relevant design choices at each stage rather than presenting all possible options simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations and pre-configures design parameters based on early user selections. When users choose a home model or exterior style, the software automatically pre-configures compatible interior layouts, material palettes, and cost estimates, reducing the number of decisions users must make later.
4Measurement precision
If manual review of covenant documents and building codes is required, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to repeated reference checks
Solution Approach 1:
All applicable building codes, covenants, and regulatory requirements are pre-loaded and integrated into the software database before the design process begins. The system automatically identifies which regulations apply to each specific project based on location and property characteristics, eliminating the need for manual document retrieval during design.
Solution Approach 2:
The software automatically performs compliance checking and enforcement without requiring manual intervention. The system self-monitors all design parameters against regulatory constraints, automatically adjusting configurations and notifying users of compliance issues, thereby maintaining precision while eliminating time-consuming manual review cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes a computer implemented method that provides an incremental process for a user to design a structure such as a building. Another preferred embodiment includes a computer product with computer coded instructions executed by a computer that allows the user to visualize features of the design as the user makes various selections for the design in a software program. The software provides multiple user interfaces for a user to visualize interior, exterior, and landscape components of the design. The software further provides two and three-dimensional images of the selected components as they may appear in a final design. Functionality in the software allows for the user to make incremental adjustments to the components and design parameters are automatically adjusted to account for the adjustments so that no selected adjustment results in an unresolvable conflict with design parameters originally selected.