From Electronic Design Automation to Building Design Automation: Challenges and Opportunities

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential and challenges of applying design automation techniques from electronics to building design, highlighting differences, similarities, and opportunities for innovation in the construction industry.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of design processes in electronics and building industries and discusses the challenges and opportunities in adopting automation in building design.

Findings

Electronics design automation has significantly advanced product development.

Building design automation remains limited despite research efforts.

Identifies key challenges and opportunities for cross-industry automation adoption.

Abstract

Design automation, which involves the use of software tools and technologies to streamline the design process, has been widely adopted in the electronics industry, resulting in significant advancements in product development and manufacturing. However, building design, which involves the creation of complex structures and systems, has traditionally lagged behind in leveraging design automation technologies. Despite extensive research on design automation in the building industry, its application in the current design of buildings is limited. This paper aims to (1) compare the design processes between electronics and building design, (2) highlight similarities and differences in their approaches, and (3) examine challenges and opportunities associated with bringing the concept of design automation from electronics to building design.