What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?
A large advantage to using conceptual design models before diving into the detailed design is getting a feel and understanding for the scale of the project. Conceptual models allow us to see how large a building is relative to the surrounding areas and how a building may fit into a small area to fit a specific need. Conceptual models also allows us to quickly determine any design flaws in the exterior look of a building before creating any details, which makes it easy to change the building design without worrying about its affects on other aspects.
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?
Can you think of any examples of a real building around the world that most likely was created by exploring the form using conceptual mass models?
Please post and share images of these examples to this Notion page.
One building that was likely created using conceptual mass models is the palace of fine arts in San Francisco. This building has very unique exterior features, which makes it a San Francisco landmark and tourist attraction. There is not as much interior detail or furniture detailing, but is more so focused on the overall look. Additionally, this structure utilizes organic shapes. Therefore, this building is better created through the use of conceptual mass models.
Perhaps the space needle in Seattle was also designed through the use of conceptual masses. Similar to the palace of fine arts, it has very unique exterior features and does not require too much focus on the extra details. It also utilizes organic shapes and is quite tall, which will be helpful to gauge the height of the structure through conceptual masses. Additionally, the space needle was developed in a bustling city and overall does not take up a lot of land, so conceptual masses would come in handy to determine how wide the structure can be without having to interfere with the current buildings and landscaping surrounding the area.
How would you abstract the essential form of these famous buildings using conceptual mass elements that you can create in Revit?
- One World Trade Center: https://www.archdaily.com/795277/one-world-trade-center-som
- CMG Headquarters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMG_Headquarters#/media/File:China_Central_Television_Headquarters_2.jpg
- Twisting torso: https://www.archdaily.com/771471/santiago-calatravas-turning-torso-wins-ctbuhs-10-year-award
- Apple campus: https://www.archdaily.com/804970/apple-campus-2-held-to-fantastical-standard-of-detail-new-report-reveals
- Salesforce tower: https://www.archdaily.com/889519/salesforce-tower-pelli-clarke-pelli-architects