What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?
Creating a conceptual design model using masses before detailed modeling allows the creator to focus on the overall shape and proportion of the building without being fully engulfed by materials, walls, or details. It helps visualize the big idea and experiment with how the building sits on the site, light and sun study, and how the space reacts with its environment through analysis. It also allows quick adjustments when exploring different design options. Once the form is finalized, the mass can be turned into walls, roofs, and floors, which makes the transition into detailed design smoother and more detailed.
Should all buildings be modeled first using conceptual masses?
Not every building needs to start as a conceptual mass. I believe it depends on the scale and purpose of the project. I want to ay that this tool is most helpful for large or complex buildings like towers, museums, and campuses where the shape of the actual spaces drive the design. It is also useful when studying sunlight, shading, or airflow patterns before committing to a design. For smaller projects such as a single family home or a small office, I can see it as probably unnecessary because the design is pretty straightforward and based on function rather than looking into mass form. In those cases, it is faster and more practical to start directly with walls, floors, and roofs rather than building a conceptual shape first.