What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?
Some advantages to creating a conceptual design model using masses is that it gives the architect an opportunity to play with more complex shapes and forms for the building. Rather than starting from scratch, the conceptual mass model provides a starting point that the architect can work off from. Once the overall shape is decided, the design can then work to refine and define any specific elements in the building. Overall, conceptual mass design models allow for more creativity and flexibility in building forms.
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?
The Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan could be an example of a building designed using conceptual mass models. In order to capture the flows within the building form, a mass modeling software must have been utilized. Understanding the form of such a unique building would be extremely hard to do without a conceptual mass model, and understanding the structural behavior would be an even harder endeavor.