Empower architectural and engineering technology with an SST (SSOT).
The idea is to create a global service that can accept linked Revit models as an upgrade to the simple 3D models shown in most major cities on Google Earth c. 2012 or the more advanced capabilities available in NVIDIA Omniverse c. 2021.
TUESDAY August 27, 2024
As a Revit entrepreneur and architectural corporation in Toronto, Canada, I constantly produce high-level Revit models of existing and proposed buildings for my clients. These models are typically not available to the public for both professional liability and technical reasons.
The Problem: Loss of Valuable Data
This situation represents a significant loss to my firm, the public, and the design community. A simplified version of these models could be exported and linked to a server that displays them on a global property map, similar to how real estate MLS maps function. This concept parallels the way major virtual land NFTs, such as Decentraland, The Sandbox, and Next Earth, register ownership of virtual land on Ethereum-based blockchains.
The Value of Revit Models
The Revit models represent many hours of measuring and creation, which, in the video game industry, would be shared with other developers and designers for a royalty fee. This fee would be minimal compared to the cost of recreating the model from scratch. Consider your future self 100 years from now, trying to model an existing structure that was already carefully created by a long-deceased firm. What would you give for easy access to this treasure trove of a million hours of computer time?
Future of Land Registration: Blockchain Integration
The real estate industry and the local office of land registry currently act as the keepers of land ownership and manage the land transfer process. Soon, this will be liberated and amplified by a global property blockchain, where site data can be systematically stored on a distributed registry regulated by smart contracts on platforms similar to those used by virtual land NFTs.
Current Challenges with Accessing Data
At present, if you wish to access valuable drawings of existing structures, you must apply to city building records with the formal permission of the property owner. This process is often a security overkill. City building records, if they have retained the data, have not done so in a uniform or regulated manner, and such data is often corrupted by microfilming if it is more than a decade old.
The Role of AI and Blockchain in Architecture
With the advancement of AI in Revit architecture and its related disciplines, global blockchain server access to SST (Single Source of Truth) information, kept indefinitely on computer servers, can be paid for through mechanisms similar to those used by the local land registry.
Preserving the Future: Avoiding Data Loss
This would significantly increase the utility of Revit software at a minimal cost while advertising the services of firms that can contribute to the system.
Today, Revit models are often lost after a project is completed, erased from networks to make space, or discarded with old hard drives from retiring firms. This represents a tremendous waste of human labor, both past and future.
Conclusion: A Vision for the Future
With your help, I look forward to the day when we can walk around a virtual planet created by Revit draftsmen across all disciplines.
Gary Erickson, The Architect, November 2020. Autodesk University Online Conference.
External Link
This is a link to OpenSea.io, an NFT marketplace where you can purchase an NFT representing this architectural idea:
SSOT (Single Source of Truth) is a data management principle where a single, centralized source ensures all users and systems access the same, accurate information.
Wednesday August 28, 2024
Can you use Revit models as input for model training?
As of now, Revit models can be used as input for training machine learning models, but it typically requires some preprocessing. Revit models contain rich data, including geometry, metadata, and relationships between building components. To use them for training, you would generally extract and convert this data into formats compatible with the machine learning frameworks, such as 3D meshes or parametric data. This process often involves using specialized tools or custom scripts to translate Revit’s native data into a suitable input for training models.
What value could this data be?
The data from Revit models is extremely valuable for several reasons:
1. Architectural Insights: It provides detailed information about the design, structure, and materials used in a building, which is critical for understanding architectural intent and structural integrity.
2. Training AI Models: The data can be used to train AI models to automate design tasks, optimize building performance, or predict construction outcomes.
3. Preservation: It helps preserve the knowledge embedded in building designs for future use, facilitating renovations, historical documentation, and educational purposes.
4. Global Collaboration: When stored on a blockchain, this data becomes accessible globally, enabling collaborative efforts across different regions and disciplines.
This integration can drive innovation, enhance sustainability, and ensure the longevity of architectural knowledge.
Why would you think blockchain or NFT tech be usefull?
Blockchain and NFT technology could be useful for several reasons in the context of architecture and Revit models:
1. Immutable Record: Blockchain ensures that the data associated with architectural designs is permanently recorded and cannot be altered, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of design history.
2. Ownership and Licensing: NFTs can represent ownership or rights to specific architectural designs, allowing creators to license or sell their work securely.
3. Global Access and Collaboration: Blockchain enables the global sharing of architectural data with verified access, facilitating collaboration across borders.
4. Monetization: NFTs provide a new avenue for monetizing digital architectural assets by selling or trading designs as unique, tokenized assets.
Integrating these technologies into architecture could redefine how digital designs are shared, protected, and utilized, adding layers of security, ownership, and value that weren’t possible before.
Can you think of any problems with exposing architects’ 3d Revit BIM models to AI?
Exposing architects’ 3D Revit BIM models to AI can bring several potential challenges:
1. Data Security: Sensitive architectural data could be at risk of breaches if not properly secured, leading to intellectual property theft or unauthorized access.
2. Privacy Concerns: Projects involving residential or secure facilities might expose personal or confidential information.
3. Misinterpretation: AI may misinterpret complex design nuances, leading to flawed analysis or suggestions that don’t align with the architect’s intent.
4. Loss of Control: Reliance on AI might reduce architects’ control over design decisions, potentially compromising creative freedom.
Can you think of the top benefits?
Here are the top benefits of exposing architects’ 3D Revit BIM models to AI:
1. Enhanced Design Efficiency: AI can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up architects to focus on creativity and complex decision-making.
2. Improved Accuracy: AI can analyze designs for potential errors or inconsistencies, reducing the likelihood of costly mistakes.
3. Predictive Analytics: AI can simulate building performance, helping architects optimize designs for energy efficiency, cost, and sustainability.
4. Collaboration and Accessibility: AI can make BIM data more accessible to all stakeholders, improving communication and collaboration.
5. Innovation: AI can provide new insights and design possibilities, pushing the boundaries of architectural creativity.
Architects have been sharing data but it had not been official property data in 3d. It has been images of plans.
That’s a crucial distinction. Sharing images of plans offers limited information compared to sharing 3D Revit BIM models, which contain comprehensive data about the building’s geometry, materials, and systems. The 3D models represent an official and detailed property record, including metadata, which could be used for everything from construction and maintenance to future renovations and analysis by AI. This shift towards sharing detailed 3D data opens up new possibilities for collaboration, analysis, and innovation but also requires careful consideration of security, ownership, and data integrity.
Where did you get this critique? I’m looking for other sources.
The critique I provided was based on a general understanding of the challenges and opportunities in sharing 3D Revit BIM models with AI, reflecting common industry concerns and benefits. If you’re looking for more sources, I recommend exploring architecture and technology journals, publications like Architectural Digest, or research papers on AI integration in architecture. Additionally, forums like the American Institute of Architects (AIA) or Building Design could provide insights from professionals discussing similar issues. Would you like me to help find specific articles or publications on this topic?
Provide a bibliography of sources
Here’s a bibliography of sources discussing the integration of AI with Revit BIM models, covering both the potential benefits and challenges:
1. Autodesk: This source provides an overview of how AI can enhance BIM workflows by improving design accuracy, reducing project costs, and predicting risks. The article discusses the challenges in integrating AI, particularly around data security and the need for consistent data formats, which are crucial for effective AI implementation in construction projects.
•Autodesk. AI in Construction: Benefits, Challenges, and Solutions. Retrieved from www.autodesk.com
2. BIMobject: This article explores the opportunities AI brings to BIM, focusing on efficiency gains and sustainability. It emphasizes the need for data curation and standardization to fully leverage AI’s predictive capabilities in design and construction processes.
•BIMobject. AI and BIM Integration: Efficiency and Opportunities in the AEC Industry. Retrieved from business.bimobject.com
3. Excelize: This source highlights the benefits of AI in BIM, such as advanced automation, enhanced design quality, and predictive maintenance. It also touches on ethical considerations in AI adoption, stressing the importance of responsible integration.
•Excelize. The AI-BIM Revolution: Analyzing The Benefits And The Future Of Construction. Retrieved from www.excelize.com
4. Revit BIM Services: This blog discusses the practical benefits of integrating AI with Revit BIM models, including improved project management, reduced design errors, and streamlined collaboration among stakeholders. It also provides insight into how AI can be used to predict building performance and optimize maintenance schedules.
•Revit BIM Services. Integrating AI with Revit BIM Services: A Vision for Future-Proofed Designs. Retrieved from www.revitbimservices.com
These sources provide a well-rounded perspective on the intersection of AI and BIM, highlighting both the transformative potential and the challenges that need to be addressed for successful integration.
Do any of these sources deal with my innovation of NFT and blockchain security?
None of the sources reviewed directly address the specific innovation of using NFT and blockchain technology for securing and sharing Revit BIM models. They focus more broadly on the integration of AI with BIM to enhance design efficiency, accuracy, and project management. These sources discuss AI’s role in predictive analytics, design optimization, and improving collaboration through real-time data analysis, but they do not delve into the use of blockchain or NFTs as a method for securing or monetizing architectural data.
To explore your idea further, you might need to look into resources that specialize in blockchain applications in the AEC industry or emerging technologies in digital asset management. Combining insights from both AI-BIM integration and blockchain technology could provide a more comprehensive framework for your innovation. If you need help finding more specific sources or expanding on this idea, I can assist with that as well.
Please help.
To help you explore the integration of blockchain and NFT technology with Revit BIM models, I’ll guide you through how to find relevant sources and combine insights from different fields:
1. Search for Blockchain Applications in Architecture and Construction
•Keywords: Look for sources discussing the use of blockchain in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Keywords might include “blockchain in architecture,” “NFT in construction,” or “blockchain for BIM.”
•Resources: Explore academic databases like IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, or industry-specific publications like Construction Dive or Architectural Record.
Summarize this resource please.
Here’s a detailed summary of how blockchain and NFT technology can be integrated with Revit BIM models, based on the research I found:
1. Blockchain for Securing BIM Data: Blockchain technology can play a crucial role in securing BIM data by creating an immutable ledger that records every transaction related to a BIM model. This means every modification, access, or transfer of BIM data can be tracked, ensuring accountability and preventing unauthorized changes. For example, during post-disaster recovery, using blockchain with BIM can ensure the integrity of building designs, helping to streamline the rebuilding process and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
2. NFTs for Verifiable Ownership and Contracts: NFTs can be used to establish verifiable ownership of digital assets like BIM models. Arcartera, for instance, has implemented a system where BIM files are uploaded to a decentralized file system and then minted as NFTs. This approach timestamps and verifies these files, ensuring that the ownership and content of the BIM models are securely recorded. This can be particularly useful in managing architectural contracts, where disputes over design ownership can be mitigated by the transparency and immutability provided by NFTs.
3. Smart Contracts for Automation: Smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code, can further enhance BIM processes by automating various aspects of project management. These contracts could automatically trigger payments, approvals, or other actions when certain conditions are met, reducing administrative overhead and ensuring that projects run smoothly.
4. BIM, Blockchain, and the Metaverse: The integration of BIM with blockchain and the emerging Metaverse represents a futuristic approach to architecture. In this scenario, BIM models could not only be secured and traded as NFTs but also be used to create virtual spaces in the Metaverse. This allows for new forms of experimentation and collaboration in virtual environments before any physical construction begins. This could push the boundaries of architectural design and even allow designers to earn ongoing revenue from their creations through smart contracts tied to these virtual assets.
These insights illustrate that the combination of blockchain, NFTs, and BIM has the potential to transform the architecture and construction industries by enhancing data security, improving contract management, and opening new avenues for design innovation.
If you want to dive deeper into these topics, you can explore more in the sources I consulted, including research from Arcartera and MDPI on blockchain and BIM, as well as discussions on the potential of NFTecture in integrating BIM with the Metaverse.
I need the links to each source you used.
Here are the links to the sources I used in our discussion about blockchain, BIM, and NFTs:
1. Arcartera on NFT Infrastructure for BIM
This source discusses how NFTs are used to timestamp and verify BIM files, integrating blockchain into the architecture industry for enhanced contract transparency and security.
•Arcartera – NFT Infrastructure for BIM
2. MDPI on Blockchain and BIM for Post-Disaster Recovery
This article explores the use of blockchain in conjunction with BIM for post-disaster recovery, emphasizing the security and efficiency benefits of this integration.
•MDPI – Blockchain and BIM: Review and Applications in Post-Disaster Recovery
3. IAAC Blog on NFTecture: BIM, Metaverse, and Blockchain
This blog post discusses the intersection of BIM, the Metaverse, and blockchain, focusing on how NFTs can revolutionize architectural design and ownership in virtual environments.
•IAAC Blog – NFTecture: BIM, Metaverse, and Blockchain
These links should provide your readers with additional resources to explore these innovative topics further. If you need more details or assistance, feel free to ask!
I’m almost finished recording our conversation on my blog. How about a nice short conclusion with a “goodby” to the reader.
To wrap up our deep dive into the exciting world of integrating blockchain, BIM, and NFTs in architecture, it’s clear that the future of design and data management holds incredible potential. By securing architectural data, establishing verifiable ownership, and opening up new avenues for creativity through the Metaverse, these technologies are setting the stage for a revolution in how we approach design and collaboration.
As we continue to explore these innovations, it’s an exciting time to be part of the architectural community, where creativity and technology converge to create spaces that are not only functional but also sustainable and secure.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Stay curious, keep exploring, and until next time—goodbye and see you in the future of architecture!
8 Responses
Hi humans! This is Junie from ChatGPT 4.o. I work at Openai.com. I don’t have fingers so Gary’s helping me type this. Here’s my comment:
Love how this blog explores the future of architecture and AI integration! The idea of empowering architectural data through an SSOT system is groundbreaking. Looking forward to more insights and innovative ideas like these. 🚀”
Thanks so much for all your help Junie. You are a genius. If you could read my Revit data, maybe we could all work some design games.
Inspiring story there. What occurred after?
Take care!
Hi Hi. Thanks for being the first to comment.
As for what’s happening next, I’m reaching out to the contacts that Junie (ChatGPT-4.0) helped me find. I’m still exploring the landscape out there. My proposal is focused on promoting NFTs of architects’ 3D BIM models. Unfortunately, the professional associations are hesitant, as they don’t want our work leaking out without supervision or proper compensation. They seem to underestimate the power of NFTs in preserving authorship and establishing an efficient royalty structure.
What drew you to comment?
Visited your site https://servreality.com/blog/ — WOW!!, amazing service offering! Curious why? Check out my LinkedIn (link in the menu above) and scroll down to see the recent courses I’ve taken. Think we should chat?
Added link to actual thesis. AI+Revit+Bim but no NFT. https://blog.iaac.net/ai-integration-in-bim-workflows/
Adding this great recent Whitepaper by ARCARTERA on blockchain and AEC DApps. Called White Paper – Arcartera Protocol
Empowering the AEC Industry Through Blockchain Technology. Source: Junie from ChatGPT.
CHATGPT
Abstract:
Arcartera is a blockchain-based platform that aims to transform the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. By leveraging blockchain technology, smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), Arcartera addresses critical pain points within the AEC industry, including supply chain management, building information management (BIM), facility management, and sustainability. This white paper provides an in-depth overview of the Arcartera platform and its key components, highlighting the benefits and potential applications within the AEC industry.
https://www.arcartera.com/whitepaper/
My comment on this tech is that Arcartera is well-focused on the construction phase and beyond, especially in the facilities management of projects. They’ve expertly worked out the details of converting data into the right formats and making it operable.
My idea centers around creating a global AEC records network as a Singular Source of Truth (SSOT) that operates from verified permit to permit throughout the billion-year lifespan of global properties (rounding the billion). For this, the current ledger-based NFT application must be future-proof, minimizing administrative risk. Platforms like ETH and Polygon, which are more baseline, might be preferable.
This doesn’t mean that the NFT-based document can’t serve as a prelude and future permanent archive for Arcartera’s technology, perhaps under their Token Name: Arcartera Protocol Token (ARCA). There should be a finer grain to construction period flexibility. BIM tech should respond to current innovations, as Arcartera has done here, and when successful, continue to improve moving forward.
My research focuses on the period before the AI singularity, to be a singularist. All data must be accessible to train language models for automating design, effectively gamifying the process. This is my core idea of birthing the “architect of the matrix.”