Automated Healthcare Block Sizing via Coordinate Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of planning and designing healthcare buildings to meet specific space programs efficiently is challenging due to the manual nature of conventional space planning and the need to balance function-specific block areas and workflows within various architectural partis.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a coordinate system to describe and adjust the relative locations and aspect ratios of function-specific blocks within a healthcare building, maintaining circulation patterns and workflow considerations while meeting area constraints, utilizing a constraint-based programming approach.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual space planning methods are used to design healthcare buildings, then flexibility in adjusting function-specific block areas and layouts is maintained, but the complexity and time required for planning increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in adjusting function-specific block areasVSAvoidcomplexity of planning process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical planning methods with an automated computational system. The system uses computer algorithms to automatically adjust function-specific block areas and layouts based on input parameters, eliminating the need for manual iteration while maintaining design flexibility. This substitution reduces planning complexity and time while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables dynamic parameter changes by allowing users to input desired area constraints and workflow requirements, then automatically adjusting the geometric parameters of function-specific blocks. The computational model iteratively modifies block areas, aspect ratios, and positions to meet specified criteria, providing flexible adaptation without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual space planning is used to balance function-specific block areas and workflows, then design flexibility is maintained, but the time required for planning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidtime required for planning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary computational analysis by pre-defining constraint models, workflow relationships, and adjustment algorithms before the actual planning task. Once configured, the system can rapidly evaluate multiple design scenarios and automatically optimize layouts, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual planning while maintaining design flexibility through parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Manual iterative adjustment processes are replaced with automated computational optimization. The system uses algorithms to rapidly evaluate design alternatives and converge on optimal solutions, reducing planning time from days or weeks to minutes or hours while preserving the ability to adjust design parameters as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional manual space planning methods are used, then detailed workflow considerations can be incorporated, but productivity and efficiency of the design process decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow consideration accuracyVSAvoiddesign process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual workflow analysis with automated computational evaluation. Users define workflow constraints and relationships, and the system automatically incorporates these into the optimization process, adjusting block layouts to satisfy workflow requirements. This maintains accurate workflow consideration while dramatically improving design process efficiency through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where workflow constraints and performance criteria are continuously evaluated during the optimization process. The computational model adjusts block configurations based on feedback from workflow analysis, ensuring that detailed workflow considerations are maintained while achieving rapid convergence to efficient designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10311168B2Method and system for right-sizing function-specific blocks in a healthcare building with a given architectural parti to support a specific space program

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 ADITAZZ INC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for right-sizing function-specific blocks in a healthcare building with a given architectural parti to support a specific space program is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method involves describing the relative locations of function-specific blocks using a coordinate system, wherein the function-specific blocks are placed in particular locations within the building relative to a circulation pattern, describing constraints related to the areas of the function-specific blocks, and adjusting the areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks to find a solution that maintains the relative locations of the function-specific blocks while meeting the area constraints.