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?
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?
Phased construction adds complexity because each stage must function both independently and also as a further development of the structure. If timing and sequencing aren’t well managed, then you can get missteps that lead to issues relating to structural or envelope performance qualities.
In BIM, visualizing how future phases connect can help minimize errors and rework. Designers can model temporary conditions and create reference geometry to allow subsequent phases to align properly, minimizing errors and rework.
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?
A single model enables consistent comparison between design options. By maintaining a shared base, all alternatives reference the same geometry, systems, and constraints, which makes it easier to evaluate different performance aspects (daylighting, floor plan layout, facades, etc.). This helps avoid redundant modelling work (remaking the project from scratch). If separate models were used, when the base building changes, every separate model must be manually revised.
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?