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 a single building information model to display different versions of one building would allow different parties involved in the project to easily see changes and renovations that could be made. This is more efficient and easier to communicate plans than if additions were broken into different building models.

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?

By using the same BIM for different designs specific to one portion of the building, the aspects of the building that will be unchanged can be maintained and used as the foundation instead of needing to copy and create multiple models with the same base. Changes can then be made to the portions of the building that are being edited without needing to redo or ensure that the original building is being considered.

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?