The Real Estate Products Configurator: a cutting-edge tool to design building solutions

Our primary objective is to significantly streamline the site feasibility study and planning phase. Tasks that previously took weeks or even months of manual design effort can now be completed in less than thirty minutes using the Configurator. This powerful tool generates multiple configurations, compares variants and automatically calculates building performance and costs - effectively reducing risk for developers during the site evaluation process. The Configurator achieves what is impossible using manual methods at an early design stage. The current desktop version has been extensively tested on a number of hotel projects and we see considerable potential in this tool, with ideas continually being incorporated for features that can enhance investor and client confidence in the decision-making process. Our confidence comes from the ability to accelerate building design, enabling us to bring our innovative Green Hospitality product to market more efficiently.

Beyond the Basics: Algorithmic Evaluation

Meticulously designed from the ground up, this groundbreaking innovation is the result of a successful collaboration between Implenia's Real Estate Product team and Arturo Tedeschi Computational Design. Together, we've implemented a powerful tool that can quickly model features such as the size and shape of the building, its optimal position on a given plot of land, the mix and type of rooms in the building, noise levels, the amount of sunlight/shading and the quality of the view for each room.

To initiate the design configuration, the user only needs to provide inputs such as the required total number of rooms, number of floors, room mix (standard, premium, accessible, etc.) and number of basement levels, together with information on the exact location of the site, surrounding landmarks and site boundaries. Environmental factors such as sunlight, shading, noise and view quality are incorporated and assessed according to specific requirements. Hundreds of variations are then automatically explored using genetic algorithms to identify the optimal configuration based on criteria such as compactness, standardised design ratios and site efficiency. Multiple layouts can be generated and compared in sequence, allowing options to be explored and real-time testing of how building layouts adapt as model and environmental parameters vary.

Other valuable information such as the percentage of prefabricated components versus site work, the circularity index and embodied carbon of the building, and a full overview of the materials used in the construction are provided. The user can estimate the cost of the building and of the pre-designed kit of parts with high accuracy and a BIM model can be exported to Autodesk Revit for further discussion and validation.

Arturo Tedeschi: "Given the high level of interconnectivity and consequent ramifications within the Green Hospitality system, it was critical from the outset to develop a bespoke algorithm from scratch, avoiding the idea of using pre-existing software or solutions. The decision was made to use Grasshopper, an algorithm editor embedded in Rhinoceros 3D modelling software. This solution allowed the development of comprehensive and easily editable visual scripts within a highly compatible platform. This made it possible to simultaneously manage territorial data (OSM), weather files (EPW) and information from Implenia's databases. At the same time, a complex form-finding process based on genetic algorithms was carried out using a large list of parameters and optimisation criteria, ensuring precision and geometric control. In addition, a bespoke user interface was developed to ensure ease of use while still allowing advanced users to interact with parameters and adjustments. The use of a Grasshopper algorithm also ensures seamless migration to cloud systems using the Rhino-compute infrastructure, potentially allowing remote use of the configurator".

What is the Hotel Configurator mainly used for?

The Hotel Configurator is used to analyse, design and collaborate on high quality proposals. It can be used for comprehensive feasibility studies and concept development in the early stages of hotel planning.

How does the Configurator exactly work? What data are you using?

The desktop solution is based on Rhinoceros 3D modelling software and Grasshopper visual programming software. It uploads site and environmental data from publicly available free databases. Based on the input received, it automatically generates a 3D matrix that integrates the environmental performance of the site (topography, noise, shading, sunlight, etc.). This is the basis for finding the best location and layout for your hotel project.

Is this Configurator also used for manufacturing?

Design to Production is not currently covered by our Hotel Configurator. The current scope supports the early design phase as a planning tool for site feasibility studies, preliminary building design and cost estimation.

How can I test the Configurator? Is it available for purchase / subscription?

We are currently working with the desktop version of the Configurator. To assure we can showcase the full capabilities of the tool, we only offer in-person meetings for demonstrations, which take approximately 90 minutes. Unfortunately, this is not possible to use the tool independently since it is not available to the public as we are taking measures to ensure the accuracy of inserted project data. For the same reasons, the Configurator is not currently available for purchase. As Implenia’s in-house tool, it has been specifically designed and tailored to access pre-engineered prefabricated building components designed to high sustainability standards and is not intended for public distribution.

Which countries is the Hotel Configurator available in? Is the cost estimation possible for any country across the globe?

As the prefabricated modular system is designed to meet the requirements of the DACH region (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), the cost estimate is currently based on these three countries. Variations and adaptations for other countries will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

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