What are the principal advantages of using a single building information model of the existing conditions as the foundation for modeling proposed additions or renovations?
The principal advantages of using a single building information model are unified coordination to ensure that all geometry, systems, and references remain coordinated. It avoids misalignment or duplication of the existing model, revisions are easier, allow for clear visualization of before and after conditions, and can pull from one consistent dataset. You can not create a separate model is at risk of misalignment, increases file management complexity, and can cause data redundancy, losing the ability to use Revit’s built-in phasing or design option.
What sort of complexities are introduced when you construct a building complex in phases?
Some complexities that you see when constructing a building is interface issues between completed and new phases (like structural and MEP), phase coordination, demolition and temporary works, and challenges between meeting the new and old structures. Planning for these challenges requires linking the models, having a shared coordinate system, and having clear elements that are required in each phase assignment.
What are the principal advantages of using a single building information model of the existing conditions as the foundation for modeling several proposed design alternatives for a portion of the building?
The principal advantages of using a single building information model of the existing conditions is centralized comparison, meaning you can evaluate multiple options in one model. As well as shared context, ensuring consistent reference levels, grid, and structural systems. Next, the efficiency in documentation, meaning common elements don’t need to be recreated in each version; lastly, an easily understandable visualization, you can click between the views without having to open up a lot of files. The reason for not separating models is it makes it harder to compare quantities and performance of the project, and requires updating every model manually.