By Jonathan Steel

From ChatGPT to Gemini and everything in between, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the dizzying array of possibilities introduced by large language models (LLMs). Bombarded by clickbait that polarizes, oversimplifies, and misrepresents complex issues, forming an informed perspective can start to feel like more effort than it’s worth.

Arcadis helps clients navigate this landscape so they can benefit from these powerful tools in focused, practical ways tailored to their specific needs. This work is anchored within the firm’s computational design team. Capabilities in this area long predate the public launch of the first LLMs. Rather than starting from scratch, the team has expanded an existing toolkit for processing large volumes of data by integrating LLM capabilities that accelerate sorting, categorization, and pattern recognition.

Understanding Computational Design 

So what is computational design, and why does it matter today? Put simply, it is a process for developing and evaluating high-performing options against a set of predetermined criteria using a combination of tools and technologies.

A simple way to think about it is baking a loaf of bread with no prior experience. Variables to experiment with might include oven temperature, bake time, the amount of yeast or how long the dough is kneaded. A computational design process models many combinations of these variables using available data to identify the settings most likely to produce a desired outcome. For example, a loaf with a soft interior and crusty exterior requires a different mix of variables than one intended to be evenly dense throughout. Computational design allows these trade-offs to be explored systematically, making it easier to understand how different inputs shape the final result.

Computational design truly comes into its own when datasets grow massive and the number of variables becomes so large that testing options through trial and error is far beyond what the human brain can manage within a reasonable timeframe. Unlike baking bread, these challenges cannot be solved through simple experimentation.

Consider the placement of stations along a proposed light rail line in a city. Decision-making must account for factors such as land availability, parcel costs, walking distances to nearby homes, access to services, and more. A computational design process can rapidly generate hundreds of thousands of possible scenarios and evaluate them against defined criteria in minutes, surfacing the options that best align with the chosen priorities and weightings. 

Using Computational Design for Portland Public Schools

A clear example of how these capabilities have been applied to increase the value delivered to clients is the recently completed Portland Public Schools Security Camera Upgrades project. As part of the initial approach, a computational design process was used to optimize both the layout and selection of cameras across upgrades to 86 campuses districtwide. As demonstrated throughout this work, computational design excels at addressing complex, interrelated, multivariable challenges.

The challenge was clear from the outset: how to develop a process that could generate optimal camera placement designs across each campus while meeting two core objectives:

1. Maximize coverage of the perimeter wall of any building.
2. Maximize coverage of the parking lots on each site.

Three types of security cameras were considered for this application, each with its own focal range, field of view, and performance characteristics: wide-angle, varifocal, and multisensor. By modeling these camera types, applying them to accurately developed site drawings, and accounting for visual obstructions that affect coverage of building perimeters and parking areas, the team was able to use an evolutionary model to iteratively solve for optimal layouts. This approach delivered a solution that met the project schedule while coming in 40% under budget.

The $19 million project spanned 86 campuses and focused on achieving near-complete building perimeter camera coverage. Rather than applying a standard template, the team used parametric tools alongside practitioner insight to account for variations in building footprints, existing coverage, site conditions, and incident hotspots across the district. As districts continue to prioritize safety in capital planning, this work offers a grounded view of how large systems are approaching security upgrades in practice.

The Future of Computational Design in Academic Environments 

Many everyday challenges are complex, interrelated, multivariable problems that are often solved in ways that are good enough rather than truly optimal. In most cases, this approach works. However, for businesses and public entities responsible for allocating significant resources to achieve specific outcomes, optimization becomes critically important.

Questions quickly emerge: What are the optimal routes and bus sizes to transport students across a school district? How can scheduling of classes at high school level best be distributed to balance minimizing travel distances between periods, maximizing credit availability, and minimizing teacher workload?  How can food programs optimally meet student nutrition needs while minimizing food costs and preparation times, while maximizing appeal? 

These are just a few examples of challenges where computational design can drive meaningful impact and support better outcomes. The question is simple: what complex, interrelated, multivariable problems are being tackled today that could benefit from the application of computational design? The opportunities are endless. 

Jonathan Steel is a Principal and Business Unit Director, RIBA, ARB, for Arcadis.

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CORVALLIS, Ore.—Construction continues on the major renovation of Cheldelin Middle School project in Corvallis.

With a completion date slated for October 2021, the approximately $12 million project includes the renovation of classrooms to create a STEM lab; renovating the library/media center; renovating the cafeteria and restrooms; improving ADA accessibility; improving ADA access; replacing wooden bleachers in the gym; replacing kitchen flooring; upgrading mechanical infrastructure including electrical, heating and plumbing systems; and improving emergency lighting and seismic safety,

The project also included resurfacing the existing track, which is now completed. This involved enlarging the high jump area to accommodate two jumping areas and improving drainage around the long jump area.

The Wenaha Group is managing this project for the Corvallis School District. Gerding Builders is the construction manager/general contractor, and Field Turf USA is the track contractor. Pivot Architecture is the architect.

At present, the project is in the design and permitting stage. According to a Corvallis School District report, the district has contracted with Lancaster Logistics to provide move coordination services. This will help alleviate staff concerns about moving classrooms and to ensure a smooth transition. Given the current load of school projects, the district does not have enough staff to move and set up all of the classrooms that will be impacted.

Pivot Architecture is continuing to work with the site team on the design and construction phasing. Most recently, discussions have included the design of modifications to the existing entry to improve ADA access and provide a secure vestibule.

Pivot Architecture is also working with district staff on the final construction document details and plans on submitting it to the City for a permit in late February.

Additionally, Pivot’s team is working on the design for seismic improvements as part of the process for applying for a $2.5 million State Seismic Grant this month.

Gerding Builders has also completed a 75 percent design development cost estimate. The team is working to refine the designs to in order to complete the project within budget.

Construction is set to begin in June on the extensive renovation.

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CORVALLIS, Ore.—Numerous projects in Oregon are scheduled to begin in 2020 as part of the Corvallis School District’s $200 million facilities bond.

According to an article in the , voters approved the bond in May 2018 that includes funding for projects including upgrading schools to modern seismic standards; building new secure entrances at some schools; adding dedicated cafeterias at most elementary schools that didn’t already have them; adding career and technical education spaces at secondary schools; and adding permanent classrooms to district elementary schools to eliminate the need for modular classrooms.

Garfield Elementary School is just one of the schools that will soon undergo a major renovation. Work on this approximately $25 million project is scheduled to begin before students are let out for summer vacation.

The Wenaha Group is the District’s Bond Program Manager, and Fortis Construction is the construction manager/general contractor on this project. DLR Group is the architect.

Kim Patten, director of facilities and transportation for the Corvallis School District, said in a statement that contractors will be doing site preparation on the school’s field so that crews can move three existing modular classrooms, and place eight additional modulars there to house students during construction, which will continue through the 2020-21 school year.

“Half the school will be in modulars,” she said.

The Garfield Elementary School project involves the addition of six classrooms; creating collaborative and small group learning areas; expanding the library/media center; renovation of existing classroom spaces; adding covered play shelter; improving ADA accessibility; renovating restrooms; repairing the concrete floor foundation; replacing the kitchen flooring; upgrading finishes in shared spaces with floors, paint and ceiling; securing the front entry; office modifications; improving site circulation and parking; repairing and replacing the sidewalk; seismic upgrades; fuel tank decommissioning and upgrades to mechanical, electrical and plumbing.

Temporary walls will be erected to keep students away from construction, in addition to a temporary main entrance and office in a vacant classroom, a construction fence on one side of the school’s blacktop, and modular classrooms two rows deep on the field.

“It’s going to feel a lot different here come September,” Patten told the Gazette-Times during a tour in December of the planned construction.

The cafeteria and gym will not be affected by construction, and most of the school’s blacktop and playground will be available.

When completed in fall 2021, students have a school that contains remodeled and expanded dedicated rooms for music and science and art, plus collaboration spaces for specialists to work with students outside of class, and a full-size library instead of a small library in a converted classroom.

“This coming year is going to have some challenges, but we are going to come together through it and it’s going to be exciting to see that transition happen,” added Patten. “I think students are going to feel appreciative of their new building.”

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Cannady was editor of the Advocate, Oregon’s largest African American newspaper and co-founded the Oregon chapter of the NAACP. Throughout her career, she lectured high school and college students about the importance of improved race relations.

In 2017, North Clackamas Schools (NCSD) made a $230,000 acquisition of nearly 2.5 acres required for the elementary school property following an 8-acre purchase a decade ago $1.58 million. The $36.9 million elementary school project is expected to commence this month and be completed in August 2019.

Meanwhile, the school board was also tasked with naming a high school project for which the naming committee proposed Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson, though many have stated a preference for the more alliterative “Happy Valley High,” including the entire city council of the city. The council prevailed upon the board to respect its wishes in a letter written by Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer to the NCSD. A point of concern for some officials is the notion that a high school named after their city would seem to exclude students from unincorporated areas outside of the city limits.

“We do not want this to be a moment that divides our community, but one where we celebrate together. Schools are often some of a community’s best landmarks, and we are honored that two new facilities, whose benefits will be appreciated by people inside and outside the school district, are being added to our area,” officials said in a statement issued by the city of Happy Valley.

For the time being the School Naming Committee has been retired and the school board has not yet devised a mechanism to find a name for the high school. “We’ve reached out to the school district and offered our assistance in finding a solution. As the school district continues to grow, we look forward to a continued partnership serving the community together,” read a .

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