BE1024851B1 - Accredited building elements for computer-aided architectural design - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, a tangible non-transitory storage medium, and a computer program product for making a building plan. The invention provides for the management of a plurality of building elements for a computer-aided architectural design program, wherein for a building element also accreditation data concerning the conformity of the building element with at least one regulation are managed. This makes it possible to efficiently create a building plan comprising building elements, whereby the building plan complies with the regulations of a certain regulatory authority.

Description

(30) Priority data:

(73) Holder (s):

BONTINCK ARCHITECTURE and ENGINEERING NV

9000, GHENT

Belgium (72) Inventor (s):

BONTINCK John 9000 GHENT Belgium (54) Accredited building elements for computer-aided architectural design (57) The present invention concerns a method, a tangible non-transient storage medium, and a computer program product for making a building plan. The invention provides for the management of a plurality of building elements for a computer-aided architectural design program, whereby for a building element also accreditation data regarding the conformity of the building element with at least one regulation is managed. This makes it possible to efficiently create a building plan comprising building elements, whereby the building plan complies with the regulations of a certain regulatory authority.

BELGIAN INVENTION PATENT

FPS Economy, K.M.O., Self-employed & Energy

Intellectual Property Office

Publication number: 1024851 Filing number: BE2017 / 5441

International Classification: G06F 17/50 Date of Grant: 19/07/2018

The Minister of Economy,

Having regard to the Paris Convention of 20 March 1883 for the Protection of Industrial Property;

Having regard to the Law of March 28, 1984 on inventive patents, Article 22, for patent applications filed before September 22, 2014;

Having regard to Title 1 Invention Patents of Book XI of the Economic Law Code, Article XI.24, for patent applications filed from September 22, 2014;

Having regard to the Royal Decree of 2 December 1986 on the filing, granting and maintenance of inventive patents, Article 28;

Having regard to the application for an invention patent received by the Intellectual Property Office on 21/06/2017.

Whereas for patent applications that fall within the scope of Title 1, Book XI, of the Code of Economic Law (hereinafter WER), in accordance with Article XI.19, § 4, second paragraph, of the WER, the granted patent will be limited. to the patent claims for which the novelty search report was prepared, when the patent application is the subject of a novelty search report indicating a lack of unity of invention as referred to in paragraph 1, and when the applicant does not limit his filing and does not file a divisional application in accordance with the search report.

Decision:

Article 1

BONTINCK ARCHITECTURE and ENGINEERING NV, Ottergemsesteenweg Zuid 808 bus A31, 9000 GHENT Belgium;

represented by

BRANTS Johan Philippe Emile, Pauline Van Pottelsberghelaan 24, 9051, GHENT;

CRABBE Ellen, Pauline van Pottelsberghelaan 24, 9051, GHENT;

VAN CAUTEREN Tim, Pauline Van Pottelsberghelaan 24, 9051, GHENT;

a Belgian invention patent with a term of 20 years, subject to payment of the annual fees as referred to in Article XI.48, § 1 of the Economic Law Code, for: Accredited building elements for computer-aided architectural design.

INVENTOR (S):

BONTINCK John, Ottergemsesteenweg South 808 bus A31, 9000, GHENT;

PRIORITY:

BREAKDOWN:

Split from basic application: Filing date of the basic application:

Article 2. - This patent is granted without prior investigation into the patentability of the invention, without warranty of the Merit of the invention, nor of the accuracy of its description and at the risk of the applicant (s).

Brussels, 19/07/2018,

With special authorization:

BE2017 / 5441

ACCREDITED BUILDING ELEMENTS FOR COMPUTER AID ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

The invention relates to computer aided architecture design. More specifically, the invention relates to the conformity of a building plan drawn with a computer-aided design program with local regulations.

STATE OF THE ART

The term computer-aided design (English) refers to a wide variety of computer-based tools used by architects, engineers, and other construction and design professionals. CAD programs can be used to construct computer models of essentially any construction in the real world, such as construction projects. For example, a CAD program can be used to draw a 2D floor plan, a 2D cross-section or a 3D model of a house or office building. Such models can be used to generate architectural, construction, engineering, and other documentation related to the construction project.

US 4 964 060 describes a data processing system for checking a construction plan. The system includes an input for entering a building plan to be checked into the system in a form intelligible to the system. A memory includes standards for which the building plan must be checked, also in a form intelligible to the system. A program is used by a processor to evaluate the building plan according to the standards. An output receives results from the evaluation.

US 2008/0 059 220 describes a system for performing a computer aided verification of compliance with the applicable jurisdiction. The system allows a user to connect over the Internet with a compliance tool to upload a CAD file. The system extracts construction elements from the CAD file, compares each element with the construction code of a corresponding jurisdiction, determines whether the construction plan complies

BE2017 / 5441 is in conformity, and provides a certificate of conformity to the user. The system further analyzes building plans for targeted advertising, and allows sellers to bid to deliver goods and services based on the details of the construction plan.

In order to bring a construction plan into conformity with the corresponding jurisprudence based on the Systems described in documents US 4 964 060 and US 2008/0 059 220 above, the user must iteratively modify the construction plan and upload it until the system conforms to the construction plan. confirm. Although the user's experience with a specific case law can accelerate this iterative process, for new users or users who are not familiar with a specific regulation, this process can be a time-consuming task to bring the various building elements into conformity with case law.

US 6 236 409 describes a method and apparatus for producing a design document of a product, the product comprising elements organized hierarchically and stored in a relational database. A selection is received for at least one element. At least one performance value associated with the selected element is received. A text segment associated with each selected product is then retrieved from the database. Selected text segments are then used to create the design document. US 6 236 409 further describes that building codes may be added as regulatory requirements or may be added by reference in the requirements.

Although the method and apparatus described in US 6 236 409 allow for easy verification and / or inclusion of the regulations in a design document, it does not include means to check whether a construction plan or the construction elements that make up the construction plan are compliant to these regulations.

US 6 283 759 describes a system for demonstrating compliance with standards. Compliance with a standard is demonstrated by displaying a floor plan on a first computer. The floor plan includes designated areas. Each designated space includes a corresponding communication link, and the designated spaces are regulated by the standard. A message is sent to a second computer in response to a selection from one of the

BE2017 / 5441 designated spaces by a user on the first computer. The message depends on the communication link corresponding to the selected designated space and causes the download of compliance information from the second computer to the first computer. The compliance information is displayed on the first computer and shows that the selected designated areas comply with the standard.

The system described in US 6 283 759 is arranged to display plans and photographs of an existing structure for demonstrating conformity to a control body. The system is not designed to efficiently generate a building plan in accordance with the regulations.

US 2008/0 015 823 describes a building information model (BIM) system comprising a library platform that includes a toolbox with new functionality. System embodiments provide a library of products that can be used in a BIM and provide a virtual product set with improved functionality and more detailed information about the products. The library of products includes virtual products that can contain parametrically described data objects. The tool case includes an editor with which the virtual products can be edited and changed.

However, the library described in US 2008/0 015 823 does not include means to easily generate a building plan in accordance with local regulations.

The present invention aims to find a solution to at least some of the above-mentioned Problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method of making a building plan via a computer-aided architectural design program, according to claim 1.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a tangible non-transient storage medium comprising a plurality of building elements, according to claim 10.

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In a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions for performing the method according to the first aspect of the present invention; and storing and reading a building element on a tangible non-transient storage medium according to the second aspect of the present invention.

The present invention provides for making a building plan efficient in accordance with a certain regulation, by adding already accredited building elements. This is advantageous because it also allows users with little experience with these regulations to efficiently make a construction plan in accordance with these regulations. In addition, the present invention makes it possible to adjust the building elements once and to have them accredited for future use when the regulations change.

Tests carried out by the applicant have shown that, by this invention, the design time per Square meter of a construction plan has essentially halved on average. This can increase designers' productivity by essentially 100%.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures 1 and 2 show schematic two-dimensional representations of non-limiting examples of a building element. Figure 1 concerns a disabled toilet and Figure 2 a stairwell.

Figure 3 shows a schematic two-dimensional representation of a building element as well as a schematic representation of a list comprising accreditations per regulatory authority for the building element.

Figure 4 shows a schematic block diagram comprising a preferred embodiment of a process for obtaining an accredited building element.

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a non-exhaustive example according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprising geographical information per regulatory authority and the building elements accredited by the regulatory authority.

BE2017 / 5441

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a method, a tangible non-transient storage medium, and a computer program product for making a building plan. The invention has been summarized in the section provided for that purpose. In what follows, the invention is described in detail, preferred embodiments are illustrated, and the invention is illustrated by non-limiting examples.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art of the invention. For a better assessment of the description of the invention, the following terms are explicitly explained.

One, de and the in this document refer to both the singular and the plural unless the context clearly assumes otherwise. For example, a segment means one or more than a segment.

The terms include, include, consist of, consist of, include, contain, contain, control, controlling, contents, containing are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence of what follows, and do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, features, elements, members, steps, known from or described in the prior art.

The term computer in this document refers to a device comprising at least one processor capable of executing instructions. A non-exhaustive list of examples of computers includes a desktop, a laptop, a smartphone and a tablet. In addition to the at least one processor, a computer suitable for drawing building elements or making a building plan as described in this document also includes at least one screen and at least one input device. A screen and an input device can be intertwined into a single device, such as a touchscreen.

The term input device in this document refers to a device suitable for providing input to a computer. This input is not limited to a particular modality and may include mechanical movement, sound, images, and the like. The input can be discrete and / or continuous. The input is also not limited by it

BE2017 / 5441 degrees of freedom. The input can be both direct and indirect input. When providing input related to a position or its change, such as an indicator on a screen, the input can be either absolute or relative. A non-exhaustive list of input device examples includes a keyboard, a computer mouse, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a camera, a scanner, a joystick, a microphone, a light pen, a trackball, a projected keyboard, and a game controller. Preferably, a computer suitable for drawing building elements or making a building plan comprises at least two input devices, the at least two input devices comprising a keyboard and a computer mouse.

The Internet provides a multitude of information channels and services according to a multitude of protocols. A non-exhaustive sample list of such information channels and services includes the worldwide web, electronic mail (email), telephony, music streaming, video streaming, file sharing, and file sharing. A non-exhaustive sample list of email protocols includes IMAP (English: Internet Message Access Protocol), POP3 (English: Post Office Protocol, version 3), SMTP (English: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), and HTTP (English: Hypertext Transfer Protocol) . The terms transmit over the Internet, receive over the Internet, or obtain over the Internet in this document refer to any file transfer over the Internet, and should not be interpreted as limiting with regard to a particular service or protocol. Accordingly, the term sending a file via the Internet includes several embodiments, such as, for example, uploading the file via a web page, and sending the file as an attachment in an e-mail. After all, different regulatory authorities may have different preferences regarding file exchange.

A non-exhaustive sample list of computer-aided design (CAD) programs includes 123D, ACIS, Advance Concrete, Advance Design, Advance Steel, AllyCAD, ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, BRL-CAD, C3D, Caddy , Cadwork, CATIA, Chief Architect, Cobalt, Creo, DataCAD, DesignSpark Mechanical, Digital Project, Drawing Express, FINE MEP, form * Z, FreeCAD, HiCAD, IDEA Architectural, Inventor, IRONCAD, ItelliCAD, KeyCreator, LibreCAD, MEDUSA, MicroStation , Modelur, NanoCAD, NX, OpenCASCADE, OpenSCAD, Parasolid, PTC Creo, PowerCADD, progeCAD, PunchCAD, QCad, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Revit Structure, Rhinoceros 3D, RoutCad, SALOME,

BE2017 / 5441

ShapeManager, SketchUp, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, SolveSpace, SpaceClaim, SpaceClaim Engineer, Tekla Structures, TopSolid, TransMagic, TurboCAD, VariCAD, VectorWorks and VisualARQ. This example list includes CAD programs suitable for making a two-dimensional building plan, i.e. a building plan comprising a two-dimensional representation such as, for example, a floor plan. This sample list also includes CAD programs suitable for making a building plan comprising a three-dimensional spatial representation, such as a building information model (BIM).

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method of making a building plan through a computer-aided architectural design program. The method consists of several steps. A building element is drawn using at least one input device from a first computer. Accreditation is obtained from a regulatory authority regarding the conformity of the building element with regulations. The accreditation is processed into accreditation data. The building element and the accreditation data are stored on a tangible non-transitional storage medium. The accredited building element is inserted into the building plan using the computer-aided architectural design program running on at least one processor of a second computer. The second computer can be the first computer. Preferably, the second computer is a different computer from the first computer.

A non-exhaustive example list of building elements includes a disabled toilet, a staircase, a driving ramp, an elevator shaft, and the like.

A regulatory authority is an official body competent to assess whether a construction plan complies with regulations. In Viaanderen, the regulatory authority can be a municipality, assisted or not by a fire service, whereby the municipality is authorized to issue planning permits.

The method according to the first aspect of the invention allows to draw a multitude of building elements. Each of the plurality of building elements can then be submitted for accreditation to one or more of a plurality of regulatory authorities. In this way, a portfolio of building elements is created, to quickly and efficiently create a building plan via a computer-aided

BE2017 / 5441 architectural design program by adding accredited building elements to the building plan. This also enables users with little knowledge of a specific regulation to efficiently make a construction plan in accordance with these regulations. In addition, the present invention makes it possible to adjust the building elements once and to have them accredited for future use when the regulations change.

Tests carried out by the applicant have shown that, by this invention, the design time per Square meter of a construction plan has essentially halved on average. This can increase the productivity of building plan designers by essentially 100%.

Obtaining accreditation from a regulatory authority can involve an iterative process. A block diagram of an example of such an iterative process is shown in Figure 4. A design of a building element (unit) is drawn using said at least one input device of said first computer (401). A digital file is created and stored on a tangible non-transient storage medium, the digital file containing information about the design of the building element (unit) (402). The digital file is sent to the regulatory authority (local authority) (403). Feedback (a report) is received (404). This feedback (the report) may include accreditation by the regulatory authority (local authority) or desired changes. Based on the feedback (405), accreditation (approval) also stores accreditation data on the non-transitional storage medium. This accreditation data may include feedback (the report) as well as a specification from the regulatory authority (local authority) (406). Based on the feedback (405), the design of the building element (unit) is modified or redrawn (401) in case of desired changes, until accreditation (approval) is obtained (406). The digital file is preferably sent via the Internet. Preferably, the feedback (and thus the accreditation) is obtained via the Internet. The iterative process may include the step of sending the digital file to each regulatory authority from a list of regulatory authorities. Preferably, the digital file is prepared in accordance with the Portable Document Format (PDF), i.e. the digital file is a PDF file.

BE2017 / 5441

In a preferred embodiment, a building element comprises a plurality of components, a geometric parameter related to at least two particular components of the plurality of components, and a limit value for the geometric parameter.

A non-exhaustive example list of geometric parameters includes a distance between two components; a volume bounded by surfaces; a ground surface bounded by walls; and a slope between two planes. A non-exhaustive example list of distances between two components includes a distance between an electrical outlet and a sink; a depth of a step, i.e. the distance between the front face of a step and the front face of the subsequent step; the height of a step, i.e. the distance between the support surface of a step and the support surface of the subsequent step; the percentage rise of a staircase; the width of a driving ramp, i.e. the distance between two side walls; and the slope of a driving slope, i.e. the slope between the driving slope and the horizontal plane.

This is advantageous because an accredited building element can then be adapted by a user after inserting the building element in a building plan. Accreditation can then be done for the limit value, eg a minimum distance such as the minimum width of a staircase. Depending on the environment in the building plan and the wishes of a customer or designer, the stairs can then be widened after insertion.

In one embodiment, the building element is configured to move at least one of the components of the building element, with a corresponding variation from the geometric parameter up to the limit value. This is advantageous because in this way, due to displacements of components, the building element always remains in conformity with the regulations for which the building element was accredited. In one embodiment, the limit value depends on a geographical location indicated in the computer-aided architectural design program. After all, regulations may vary according to the competent regulatory authority for the geographical location.

Figure 1 shows a schematic two-dimensional representation of an example of a building element. The construction element in this example is a disabled toilet. The disabled toilet is bounded by walls (1) and

BE2017 / 5441 an outward opening door (7). It includes a toilet (2) at a specified distance (4) from a side wall so that a wheelchair user can drive next to the toilet. Furthermore, the toilet (2) is also at a sufficient distance (4 ') from the opposite wall including the door (7). The disabled toilet also includes a handle (5) and a sink (3). The sink (3) is also at a prescribed distance (4) from the opposite side wall. After insertion into a building plan, a user can position the wall comprising the door (7) closer to the wall comprising the toilet (2), as long as the prescribed distance (4 '), i.e. the limit value, remains assured. For reference, the building element also includes a required turning circle (6) for a wheelchair.

Figure 2 shows a schematic two-dimensional representation of an example of a building element. The construction element in this example is a staircase. The stairwell in figure 2 is at least partially bounded by walls (1). The stairwell includes steps (5) and prescribed widths (4, 4 ', 4) for different Segments of the stairs. Furthermore, the staircase includes an indication of the direction of ascent (6).

The construction plan can include a two-dimensional representation. Examples of two-dimensional representations of building elements are given in Figures 1 and 2. However, the building plan may also include a building information model. The building information model can include three spatial dimensions.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the tangible non-transient storage medium comprises a plurality of building elements and for each building element of the plurality of building elements accreditation data. The accreditation data comprise a list comprising, per accreditation of the building element by a regulatory authority, an item comprising geographical information. In this preferred embodiment, a geographical location is indicated using at least one input device of the second computer. At least one screen of the second computer shows an overview of building elements for which the tangible non-transitional storage medium comprises accreditation data comprising geographical information in accordance with the indicated geographical location. A construction element in accordance with the indicated geographic location, i.e. from the aforementioned overview, is then inserted into the construction plan.

BE2017 / 5441

This is advantageous because it allows a user to start from building elements that are accredited for the geographical location, eg a particular residential area in the center of a city. The user no longer has to check building element per building element whether the building element is suitable for the said geographical location.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the tactile non-transient storage medium comprises a plurality of building elements. In this preferred embodiment, each building element of the plurality of building elements comprises category data comprising a category from a category list. Preferably, this category list comprises a disabled toilet, a staircase, a driving ramp and an elevator shaft. In this preferred embodiment, a category from the category list is indicated using at least one input device of the second computer. At least one screen of the second computer shows an overview of building elements comprising the indicated category. A building element comprising the indicated category is then inserted into the building plan.

This is advantageous because it allows a user to filter out a suitable building element comprising a certain desired category from the plurality of building elements. Preferably, it is possible to filter simultaneously by category and geographical location.

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a non-limitative example of such filtering. Based on the geographical location (34, 34 ', 34) indicated by the user, e.g. a specific city or municipality, an overview of building elements (30, 50, 51, 52) is displayed, with the building elements of the overview accredited are competent for the geographical location by a regulatory authority. The building elements can vary with geographical location, since the regulations and the regulatory authority vary with geographical location.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a tangible non-transient storage medium comprising a plurality of building elements each suitable for insertion into a building plan using a computer-aided architectural design program executed on at least one processor of a computer. The tangible non-transient storage medium further comprises for a building element of the

BE2017 / 5441 multitude of building elements accreditation data concerning at least one accreditation by a regulatory authority of the conformity of the building element with regulations.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the embodiments, preferred embodiments, and examples cited above for the first aspect of the invention also relate to the second aspect. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the embodiments, preferred embodiments, and examples described below for the second aspect of the invention also relate to the first aspect. More specifically, the tactile non-transient storage medium according to the second aspect concerns the tactile non-transient storage medium used in the method according to the first aspect.

In a preferred embodiment, the building element stored on the tangible non-transient storage medium according to the second aspect of the invention comprises a plurality of components, a geometric parameter related to at least two particular components of the plurality of components, and a limit value for the geometric parameter . The geometric parameter can include eg a distance and the limit value eg a minimum distance, as mentioned earlier in this document.

In a preferred embodiment, the tangible non-transient storage medium comprises a database comprising the plurality of building elements. The database further comprises for said accredited building element category data, the accreditation data concerning the at least one accreditation, and per accreditation of the at least one accreditation geographical information. The accreditation data may include a date, a reference to a regulatory authority, and a reference to a regulation. The category information, as described earlier in this document, may include a category from a category list. The category list preferably comprises a disabled toilet, a stairwell, a driving ramp and an elevator shaft.

This is advantageous because a database allows easy filtering on one or more characteristics. Filtering was discussed above in the first aspect.

BE2017 / 5441

In a preferred embodiment, a building element is accredited by a number of a plurality of regulatory authorities. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the building element (30). In the database, the building element (30) is linked to various accreditation files (31, 31 ', 31). Each accreditation file (31, 31 ', 31) includes geographic information (34, 34', 34), feedback obtained from the regulatory authority (33, 33 ', 33), and accreditation status (32, 32', 32).

In a third aspect, the present invention pertains to a computer program product comprising instructions for performing the method according to the first aspect of the present invention; and storing and reading a building element on a tangible non-transient storage medium according to the second aspect of the present invention. The computer program product may comprise a tangible non-transient instruction storage medium comprising said instructions. The tangible non-transient instructional storage medium can be the tangible non-transient storage medium according to the second aspect of the invention or a storage medium disjoint from the tangible non-transient storage medium.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the benefits associated with the first aspect of the invention also hold true for the second and third aspects of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, each building element includes vector data suitable for displaying a vector representation of the building element, as well as calculating dimensions of the building element in the real world.

It is believed that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and that some modifications or changes to the described examples can be added without revaluating the added claims.

1C

Claims (15)

CONCLUSIONS BE2017 / 5441 Method for creating a building plan through a computer-aided architectural design program, the method comprising the steps of: - drawing a building element using at least one input device of a first computer, the building element comprising vector data suitable for displaying a vector representation of the building element as well as for calculating dimensions of the building element in the real world: - the creation and storage on a tangible non-transitory storage medium of a PDF file containing information about the design of the building element: - sending the PDF file to an implementing authority: - obtaining accreditation from a regulatory authority regarding the conformity of the building element with regulations; - processing the accreditation into accreditation data; - storing on the tangible non-transient storage medium of the building element and the accreditation data; and - inserting the accredited building element into the building plan using the computer-aided architectural design program executed on at least one processor of a second computer. Method according to the preceding claim 1, wherein obtaining the accreditation of the regulatory authority regarding the conformity of the building element with the regulations comprises the following steps: - sending a digital PDF file on the basis of the construction element to the regulatory authority via the Internet; and - obtaining the accreditation via the Internet. A method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the building element comprises a plurality of components, a geometric parameter related to at least two particular components of the plurality of components, and a limit value for the geometric parameter. BE2017 / 5441 Method according to the preceding claim 3, wherein the geometric parameter comprises a distance and the limit value comprises a minimum distance. Method according to one of the preceding claims 3 and 4, wherein the components of the building element are movable with corresponding variation of the geometric parameter up to the limit value. Method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the construction plan comprises a two-dimensional representation. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the building plan comprises a building information model. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, wherein the tangible non-transient storage medium comprises a plurality of building elements, the tangible non-transient storage medium comprising for each building element the plurality of building elements accreditation data, comprising the accreditation data comprising a list per accreditation of the construction element by a regulatory authority an item comprising geographical information, the method comprising the steps of: - indicating a geographical location using at least one input device of the second computer; - displaying on at least one screen of the second computer an overview of building elements for which the tangible non-transitional storage medium comprises accreditation data comprising geographical information in accordance with the indicated geographical location; and - inserting a building element in accordance with the indicated geographical location in the building plan. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, wherein the tangible non-transitional storage medium comprises a plurality of building elements, each building element of the plurality of building elements comprising category data comprising a category from a category list, the category list comprising a disabled toilet, a stairwell, a ramp and a lift tube, the method comprising the steps of: BE2017 / 5441 - indicating a category from the category list using at least one input device of the second computer; - displaying on at least one screen of the second computer an overview of building elements comprising the indicated category; and - the insertion of a building element comprising the indicated category in the building plan. A tactile non-transient storage medium comprising a plurality of building elements each suitable for insertion into a building plan using a computer-aided architectural design program executed on at least one processor of a computer, a building element further comprising vector data suitable for displaying a vector representation of the building element as well as for calculating dimensions of the building element in the real world. the tangible non-transitory storage medium further comprising for the building element a PDF file containing information about the design of the building element and accreditation details regarding at least one accreditation based on the PDF file by a regulatory authority of the conformity of the building element with regulations. The tactile non-transient storage medium according to the preceding claim 10, wherein said building element comprises a plurality of components, a geometric parameter related to at least two particular components of the plurality of components, and a limit value for the geometric parameter. The tactile non-transient storage medium according to the preceding claim 11, wherein the geometric parameter comprises a distance and the limit value comprises a minimum distance. The tactile non-transient storage medium according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 12, wherein the tactile non-transient storage medium comprises a database comprising the plurality of building elements, further comprising the database for said building element category data, the accreditation data concerning the at least one accreditation. , and per accreditation of at least one geographical information accreditation. BE2017 / 5441 A tactile non-transient storage medium according to the preceding claim 13, wherein: - the accreditation details a date, a reference to a regulatory authority, and a reference to a regulation 5 include; and - the category data comprises a category from a category list, the category list comprising a disabled toilet, a staircase, a driving ramp and a lift shaft. 10 15. Computer program product containing instructions for: - performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9; - storing and reading a building element on a tangible non-transitional storage medium according to any one of claims 10 to 15 with 14.