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 massing model allows designers to explore overall form, scale, and spatial relationships quickly without being constrained by detailed components. It also helps identify major design drivers such as daylight access, circulation flow, and site interactions before committing to specific assemblies or materials. Finally, massing provides a clear, high-level framework that guides coordinated decisions across disciplines, reducing rework once detailed modeling begins.
Should all buildings be modeled first using conceptual masses?
Not all buildings need to be modeled using conceptual masses, but massing is appropriate whenever overall form, volume, and site relationships must be understood before detailing. It is most useful for larger, more complex projects such as multifamily buildings, campuses, or structures with challenging sites where early big-picture decisions drive the rest of the design. For a small house with a straightforward program, massing may be unnecessary unless there are specific constraints or form-driven goals, in which case simple masses can still help clarify proportions and site fit.
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.
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