What are the primary goals of creating a building model? Who are the key stakeholders?

A building model is a visual representation that integrates the requests of the client with the vision of the designer. At its core, this process of creation is guided by the role that the building must fulfill. Whether the architect is designing a workplace, a commercial space, or a residence, they must keep the inhabitants’ needs in mind. A quality model is one that not only holds aesthetic value, but also prioritizes the human experience with accessibility, comfort, and sustainable practices.

How much detail should you include about the composition (layers, materials, thicknesses) of your wall, floor, and roof assemblies at different stages of your design process?

During the preliminary stages of development, a design should be centered around its conceptual elements. Once the structural arrangement of wall, floor, and roofs is formed, the designer can move on to the technical details required for construction. The final plans should include specific measurements for the parameters and positioning of the components, as well as the type of material to be implemented.

Many door and window manufacturers provide Revit families for doors and windows that you can specify for your building design.

Manufacturers use Revit families to advertise their products. They promote their products directly to their targeted customer base by creating access to their designs through a widely-used software platform. Users can see how a specific type of door or a window fits into the rest of their design, which allows for a more accurate modeling process.