Module 5 - Points to Ponder

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?

• Why not create a separate model for the new proposed design?

Using the existing conditions helps one meld the new construction with the current surroundings. There may be unique grading or slope feature that could be addressed differently with existing construction than if they were no structure present. By creating a separate model, that feature would be missed.

What sort of complexities are introduced when you construct a building complex in phases?

• What happens at the interfaces between the buildings as the phases advance?
• How can you plan and prepare for these complexities as your create your initial building model?

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?

• Why not create a separate model for each of the design alternatives?

Using the existing conditions helps one fit the new construction in with the current surroundings. Then, each building design alternative in the new construction proposal can be seen relative to existing surroundings and perhaps one design will fit better than others. Having separate models makes the comparison more difficult.

In your project, which features of the proposed design did you choose to model as design alternatives?

• Why did you choose these building features? And what were the biggest challenges in modeling them as the design alternatives?