how to use VSS tools

These tools are thought frameworks, but we hope they will also form the basis for research into the use of modeling, big data and AI in making sustainable design decisions.

To be effective, they must be complemented by robust research into appropriate data inputs.

We hope these tools support and encourage exploration by both practitioners and academics.

An example: use of the ARC Model

In considering a site’s vernacular (5% of the ARC Model), there is more history and information available today than one could reasonably process, or process well. (This is the idea of big data.) Instead, decisions are made at surface-level, often resulting in the loss of an area’s true vernacular in favour of new development.

One might consider:

• What data would be appropriate?

• What data is available? Planning records would be one example.

• Could a model be used to process this data and determine what is relevant?

• Could a model be used to make decisions based on this data?

• If yes, are the outcomes desirable?

• Can data be identified for all elements of the ARC Model?

• If not, what can be done by the public, semi-state or private sector to make data available?

• Would we trust an unsupervised model to make architectural decisions?

• Who is the model’s client?

• Does the model build in order to have clients, or have clients in order to build?

• Could the model’s client be another model?