Which types of structural framing systems and materials are most commonly used in the US for residences? For office buildings?
What factors determine why these are the most used materials?
Why do different teams of designers and subcontractors link and share their models during the design process?
What are the advantages of linking models?
Are there any disadvantages to linking models?
Linking models allows different disciplines to coordinate efficiently while keeping file sizes smaller and performance higher. It also ensures that updates made in one model automatically appear in all linked models, improving overall accuracy. However, linked models require strict coordination of shared coordinates and naming to prevent misalignment. They can also create challenges if file paths change or when users need to control visibility or edit elements that exist only in the linked model.
How do you think design coordination was done before we started using digital models?
What advantages does doing this coordination digitally have over previous methods?
Before digital models, design coordination was done through hand-drawn plans, physical blueprints, overlays, and frequent in-person meetings to compare drawings. This process was slow and prone to errors because inconsistencies were harder to spot. Digital coordination allows real-time updates, automatic clash detection, and far more precise alignment between disciplines. It also speeds up communication and reduces rework by giving everyone a shared, accurate source of truth.
What strategies can design teams use to find and avoid clashes prior to the start of construction?
What can be done besides sharing the models digitally?
Design teams can avoid clashes by holding regular interdisciplinary coordination meetings, reviewing drawings together, and comparing plans, sections, and elevations across all disciplines. They can also use standardized grids, levels, and naming conventions so that spatial relationships stay consistent even before digital coordination begins. Besides sharing models digitally, teams can overlay printed drawings, use transparency sheets, or conduct physical mock-ups of complex areas to spot conflicts early. Clear communication, early involvement of all disciplines, and strict adherence to coordination standards are just as important as the digital tools themselves.
At what point in the project development process should design coordination start?
Is it ever too early?