Review of meetings

1

Introduction of the session

On July 1, 2025, the Digital Architecture Symposium titled "Building Information Modeling in the Digital Age —— Shenzhen University | Nippon Construction Design DDL Office" was successfully held at A103 of Shenzhen University's School of Urban Planning and Architecture. Organized by Associate Professor Zhang Ling from the School, the event featured Vice Dean Qi Yi as a guest speaker and dialogue observer. Key participants included: Daisuke Kato, Director of Nippon Construction Design DDL Office; Koji Hata, Research Supervisor; Koichi Nagahashi, Researcher; and Shuho Hayashi, Design Director at the Urban and Social Infrastructure Headquarters. Additionally, Associate Professors Yang Zhenyuan and Qu Fei from Shenzhen University's School of Urban Planning and Architecture, along with Assistant Professor Zeng Fanbo, shared insights during the symposium.

Seminar exchange site

2

Introduction of Jianshi Design DDL room project

Mr.Daisuke Kato, Director of the Design Development Laboratory at Nippon Construction Design & Research Co., Ltd., outlined the team's organizational structure, composition, and research focus. The laboratory currently explores virtual reality (VR), automated design, and environmental design. Director Kato further explained practical applications of VR technology in their work, such as using projection techniques to create scale models that allow designers to accurately experience spatial dimensions and material textures within virtual environments. This technology ensures precise spatial proportions through a grid system while enabling real-world object measurements via cameras.

Director General Okada Daisuke reported and shared

Mr.Kaku Hatakeyama, Director of Research at DDL Research Office, detailed his extensive experience with long-term projects in Japan and explained how to transform accumulated research into visualized outcomes for clients. He further analyzed practical applications of automated design in residential, commercial, and office spaces, while highlighting challenges including critical issues in digitalizing architectural drawings. The presentation also showcased the research office's latest advancements in automatic floor plan generation, demonstrating how algorithmic and data-driven technologies optimize design workflows.

Research director Hatakeyama Kaku reported and shared

Through the Osaka Expo landscape project in collaboration with landscape architects, researcher Chang Guojinwu from DDL Research Laboratory shared insights on automating landscape design using algorithms and design principles. Mr.Chang elaborated on applying algorithms to address tree transplantation and growth challenges, while demonstrating practical cases of integrating landscape design principles like tree arrangement and shadow projection into automated systems. Additionally, he introduced reversible connectors and their implementation across various projects.

Researcher Chang Guojinwu reported and shared

3

Introduction to the project of School of Architectural Planning, Shenzhen University

Vice Dean Qi Yi began by outlining the research directions he is guiding students in, along with the innovative applications of artificial intelligence in architectural design and teaching. He emphasized the importance of knowledge production and how cross-temporal research can inform future designs. Subsequently, Vice Dean Qi showcased their team's database designed to help architects efficiently retrieve hospital-related information, accompanied by several AI-generated demonstration videos featuring distinctive styles. Finally, he analyzed implementation pathways and methodologies for big data-driven architectural design, highlighting the strategic significance of AI application and investment analysis in the field under the digital and information age.

Vice President Qi Yi reported and shared

Associate Professor Yang Zhenyuan presented on digital design applications in architectural planning, highlighting a renovation case of a kindergarten in Shenzhen's Nanshan District. He emphasized the importance of incorporating natural elements into kindergarten designs and showcased how innovative solutions enhance building usability, particularly through sunshade canopy systems that feature mobility, safety, and environmental adaptability. The professor further explored BIM technology's applications in collision detection, design optimization, and construction preparation. Additionally, he analyzed the development trends of BIM technology in China and the promising prospects for domestic software solutions in this field.

Associate Professor Yang Zhenyuan reported and shared

Assistant Professor Zeng Fanbo presented a foundational research paper on the prerequisites for automated residential production. The study examines designers' methodologies under the functional bubble diagram mindset, aiming to reduce functional bubbles to their smallest units. By analyzing scholarly research and 35 fundamental residential behaviors, the concept of minimizing functional units through human behavioral scales was proposed. The research also addresses three key indicators: physical connectivity, spatial management, and sustained tension. Through questionnaire surveys and fuzzy clustering algorithms, numerous behaviors were decomposed into 15 closely interconnected modules. Ultimately, the study aims to provide guidance for residential design, emphasizing the dynamic and regional characteristics of its findings.

Assistant Professor Zeng Fanbo reported and shared

4

Discussion session

During the roundtable discussion, Vice President Qi emphasized that the digital generation of architectural information doesn't rely on a fixed framework but instead employs token-based data organization. This approach allows flexible retrieval of specific building types and styles to accommodate regional diversity and varied demands. Director Kawakami concurred, noting that architectural complexity makes flexible data organization crucial. Professor Zeng addressed questions from Chang Guojin, Wu, and Hata Nakagoro regarding optimizing landscape generation rules and implementing new regulations in residential floor plan design. Mr.Chang explained that while rules apply simultaneously, designers can manually adjust outcomes through intervention. Director Hata clarified that gradual comparison of minimum unit modules and boundary identification could meet diverse floor plan requirements.

Several guests spoke freely around the theme and achievements, and carried out in-depth exchanges. Thus, this academic conference came to a successful conclusion in a warm and fruitful atmosphere of communication.

Discussion session

Group photo of participants