Intergrate Electrical Design Capabilities for Architects in the MEP addon.

[Botonis]

I am still trying to understand  what exactly does the letter E stand for between M and P.

The most direct workflow that an Architect can intergrate the MEP would probably be to design the electrical grid in matters of functionality within a space.

Switches, sockets etc. in connection with lighting fixtures is the simplest design process that an architect can do.

Inserting those electrical elements in an architectural floorplan is a common thing.

The decision of  sockets and switches is mainly an architectural process because it is related to the distribution of lighting and electrical devices around the house taking in consideration the room distribution, the room functionality, the furnitures, the devices etc.

The architect decides about the height, the type, the colour etc. 

For the moment this need is covered only with certain addons or certain library objects.   

Why is to hard to optimize this basic function of a basic electrical installation around a simple house via the MEP addon?

MEP addon should first cover the basic needs of an Architect and then move forward to a more engineering functionality.........

[thesleepofreason]

I totally agree with the sentiment here - and would say that goes for plumbing as well. Seeing GS spend development recourses on duct sizing and industry standard elements before we as architects have access to a schematic plug and play kind of tool for systems most likely to fall in within our purview is beyond belief. Especially as they now have DDScad to offer MEP engineers 🤔

[Space_Agency]

Totally agree. While I can understand Graphisoft's desire to make more money by expanding its offerings to engineers, and I also see the value of that proposition to aid architect engineer teamwork, the product is not Engineericad, it's Archicad and needs to focus on how architects use the software. The MEP module should be focused on helping architects work better with engineers and not the other way around.

[davdelven]

It would be nice to receive a survey from Graphisoft where they ask architects which features from the MEP and the Structural domains they need on each of the different workflow that Architects perform throughout the whole planet (country laws, legal responsibilities and job scopes, etc...). The opinionated implementation that historically Graphisoft brings to this development has a negative impact on end user feedback depending on which market they sell the product.

I can give you the Spain example: architects there, by law analyze/calculate, design and sign also MEP within their Architectural projects. The same applies for electrical and the rest of subdisciplines, included structure. This is regardless the choice of The Chief architectural firm to outsource or not the MEP or Structural engineering. If they decided not to do it and afford the whole package of work, they need Archicad, at least, to perform as an advanced MEP and Structural modeler. They will not buy another DDS or whatever or specific and expensive software.

[Gerard Santos]

You're completely right. The ability to efficiently execute basic electrical design is fundamental for any MEP design workflow that an architect might integrate. Without this foundation, any more advanced MEP design functionality becomes difficult to manage.

Specifically:

• Basic Workflow:
  • As you rightly point out, having tools that facilitate the placement of switches, sockets, and lighting fixtures makes the architect's workflow more efficient and avoids later errors.
• Design Foundation:
  • This basic process is the foundation upon which more complex electrical design is built. Without a well-defined basic design, it is impossible to carry out an advanced electrical design that is precise and functional.
• Architect's Need:
  • This capability is essential for architects to effectively integrate MEP design into their projects.
• Evolving Role of Architects:
  • It's also important to acknowledge that architects are increasingly involved in areas that were traditionally the domain of engineers. Architects now have the competency to handle a broader scope of technical design, and therefore, MEP software needs to reflect this expanded role.

In summary, optimizing tools for basic electrical design is an essential step toward making MEP addons more useful and accessible to architects, especially given their expanding responsibilities.