What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?
The advantages are that you can think about space and form as a whole instead of creating it through individual floorplans. Especially for larger buildings composed of many floors, this is an important design advantage. It enables you to test different massing options, and run analyses on them to understand their environmental impact. It also makes it easier to build based on rough floor area estimates. Finally, if your design has complicated elements such as curved facades or angled planes that don’t map neatly to walls or roofs, mass modeling helps you sculpt freely.
Should all buildings be modeled first using conceptual masses?
It is not always smart to model buildings using conceptual masses first. If your building has a simple shape and you’re interested in focusing on construction level modeling, using a conceptual mass will not help your process much. Another moment when it is better to work directly is if you are doing interiors, small additions, or a simple house. Here, the precision afforded by working with construction in mind will be best.