Workflow Recipes

Recipe 1: From Brief to Concept Design (2 hours)

Goal: Go from a written brief to a committed concept layout in the graph.

1. Journey → Start project, paste brief, advance to Feasibility
2. GIS → Run Site Analysis for the address
3. GIS → Run Solar & Orientation for building orientation
4. Tools → Room Programme — generate area schedule
5. LAD → ⌘K — describe layout intent including orientation and rooms
6. LAD → Review 3 ghost layouts, commit the best
7. Journey → Advance to Concept Design
8. Algorithms → Run Space Syntax on committed layout
9. Chat → "Summarise the concept design and suggest structural approaches"

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Recipe 2: Importing an IFC Model and Running Compliance

Goal: Validate an existing IFC model against UK Building Regulations.

1. Journey → Create project for the existing building
2. DocIntel → Upload IFC file, set Project ID
3. Wait for pipeline status to show DONE (~2-5 mins for large files)
4. Graph → Verify elements have appeared in the tree
5. Graph → Click Compliance tab → Run compliance checks
6. Review results — note any Part B (fire) or Part M (accessibility) failures
7. Chat → Paste compliance failures: "Fix these compliance issues: [paste]"
8. LAD → Apply recommended changes using natural language

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Recipe 3: Sustainability Assessment

Goal: Comprehensive sustainability analysis of a proposed scheme.

1. GIS → Site Analysis — get climate zone and solar data
2. GIS → Solar & Orientation — confirm optimal orientation
3. GIS → Landscape & Ecology — BNG baseline
4. Algorithms → Solar & Daylight — run on committed model
5. Algorithms → Landscape & Ecology — run on committed model
6. Algorithms → Façade Optimisation — optimise U-values and glazing ratio
7. Algorithms → MEP Systems — system efficiency analysis
8. Chat → "Summarise sustainability performance and BREEAM/EPC implications"

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Recipe 4: Cost Plan at RIBA Stage 2

Goal: Generate a feasibility-level cost plan for a scheme.

1. Tools → Room Programme — finalise room schedule with areas
2. Graph → Confirm all spaces are modelled with area properties
3. Algorithms → Cost Database — run against project graph
4. Tools → Cost Estimate — cross-reference with regional benchmarks
5. Graph → BOM tab — detailed elemental cost breakdown
6. Chat → "Is this cost estimate consistent with London residential benchmarks for 2025? Identify top 3 cost risks."

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Recipe 5: Planning Application Pack

Goal: Assemble information for a planning application.

1. Journey → Ensure at stage Schematic Design or later
2. GIS → Urban Context — planning policy, conservation areas, PTAL
3. GIS → Site Analysis — constraints summary
4. Graph → Compliance — run to confirm no planning conflicts
5. DocIntel → Upload any existing planning documents (PRE apps, pre-application feedback)
6. Chat → "Prepare a planning statement for a [use class] development at [address]. Key constraints: [paste GIS results]"
7. Chat → "What is the likely planning determination period and key planning risks?"

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