What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?
The main advantages are speed and flexibility. We can quickly test different building shapes, orientations, and massing options without getting bogged down in details like wall types or window specifications. It's way easier to rotate a mass, adjust its height, or try a completely different form than to modify a detailed model full of walls, floors, and components. We also get early analysis capabilities - solar studies, rough floor areas, building volumes - that help we make big decisions before we've invested time in detailed modeling. And if the client or team wants to explore alternatives, we're not redoing hours of detailed work.
Should all buildings be modeled first using conceptual masses?
When is it needed/appropriate? And when not?
For example, should you create a conceptual mass model of a small house?
Not every project needs conceptual massing. For a simple house or straightforward rectangular building, it's often overkill - you'd spend time creating masses just to recreate the same thing with actual walls.
Masses make sense when
- The building has complex geometry or multiple volumes
- You're exploring different design options with the client
- You need early energy or daylighting analysis
- The project is large or has unusual shapes
- Site constraints mean you need to test different configurations
We should skip the masses for
- Simple residential projects like typical houses
- Buildings with straightforward rectangular forms
- Projects where the design is already decided
- Small renovations or additions
Basically, if you can picture the building clearly and it's not complicated, just model it directly. Save massing for when you genuinely need to explore and test ideas.