Overview
Topics include:
- Establishing a project site and generating conceptual proposals from real site context
- Analysis-driven concept design (area, daylight, microclimate, noise, sun hours, wind, operational energy)
- Massing, façade automation, and AI-assisted interior layouts
- Moving conceptual designs into Revit and refining them as building elements
- Building science fundamentals behind each system (heat transfer, egress, load paths, thermal comfort, lighting)
- System design and simulation for envelope, structure, HVAC, plumbing, and power/lighting
- Documentation, schedules, view templates, and model publishing/versioning
- Model linking, shared coordinates, and clash detection with Model Coordination in Forma Data Management
- Using AI assistants for modeling and documentation tasks
Class Components
No Lecture Sessions
For this online class, there will not be any regularly-scheduled lecture sessions to present new materials. All of the learning materials are available as modules in Canvas, so you can view the class materials online and work at your convenience.
Design Projects
Each class module has a design project that gives you an opportunity to use your building modeling skills to develop and share a proposed design to meet the requirements of a realistic project.
Weekly Module Kickoff & Check-In Sessions
We’ll have weekly live module kickoff and check-in sessions - Fridays 1:00 to 2:30 PM. These sessions will be recorded and available to view later if you cannot attend the live session. Location: CIFE Rm 292A (in-person) and using this Zoom link:
Design Projects
There will be 8 design projects – each requiring about 8 to 12 hours of design and building modeling work.
Design projects are to be turned in by 11:59pm PDT on their due dates. As in industry, getting your project turned in on-time counts. Late submissions will be accepted for up to one week, but points will be deducted for late submissions.
Testing and Grading
There will be no mid-term exam or final exam. All design projects will be individually scored, and your class grade will be determined by those scores.
Class Schedule
WEEK 1 | Module 1
Course Introduction | • Why BIM?
• Course Roadmap & Project Brief
• The Forma, Revit, and Forma Data Management Toolchain
• Software Setup & Tools Testing
• Sharing a Building Model |
Week 2 | Module 2
Conceptual Modeling: Site Design | • Establishing the Project Site
• Creating Conceptual Proposals
• Line, Basic & 3D Sketch Buildings
• Analysis Tools in Forma: Area Metrics, Daylight Potential, Microclimate, Noise, Rapid Operational Energy, Sun Hours, Wind
• Evaluating Passive Design Opportunities |
WEEK 3 | Module 3
Conceptual Modeling: Building Design | • Modeling Building Massing: Solid Mass Editor, Floor Plan Metrics, Views & Sections
• Façade Automations: Window-to-Wall Ratios, Modular & Custom Distributions
• AI-Assisted Interior Layouts, Line Diagrams, Unit Types, Stairs & Elevators
• Performance of Building Elements: Sun, Daylight, Carbon
• Comparing & Refining Design Options
• Sharing via Forma Board & AI Renders |
WEEK 4 | Module 4
Modeling Building Elements: Shell & Core | • Forma to Revit Interoperability & the Revit Add-In
• Revit Project Environment: Levels, Location, Orientation, Units & Cloud Models
• Envelope Systems: Walls, Doors & Windows, Curtain Walls, Floors, Roofs, Green Roofs
• Building Science: Heat Transfer, Daylighting, Green Materials
• Multi-Story Elements, Stairs & Ramps
• Building Cores, Egress & Circulation Systems
• Energy, Solar & Daylighting Analysis with Insight• Using the AI Assistant for Revit |
WEEK 5 | Module 5
Interiors, Documentation & Publishing | • Railings, Ceilings, Rooms & Room Line Diagrams
• Components, Families & Materials
• Creating Plan, Elevation, Section, 3D & Perspective Views
• View Properties, Graphic Overrides & View Templates
• Annotating Model Views
• Door, Window & Room Schedules; Filters, Sorting & Calculated Fields
• AI Assistant for Documentation
• Publishing to Forma Data Management, Versioning & Comparing Changes |
WEEK 6 | Module 6
Structural Systems | • Model Linking & Shared Coordinates
• Discipline-Specific Views
• Structural Strategy: Concrete, Steel & Wood Frame Systems
• Grids, Columns, Beams, Beam Systems, Structural Floors, Walls & Foundations
• Cantilevers, Floor Openings & Podium Transfers
• Preliminary Member Sizing by Judgment
• Tagging Structural Elements
• First Clash Check in Model Coordination |
WEEK 7 | Module 7
Mechanical Systems | • MEP Systems Overview
• Heating, Cooling & Ventilation Strategies
• Building Science: User Comfort & Thermal Loads
• Creating a Linked Mechanical/HVAC Model
• Calculating HVAC Loads with Spaces, Zones & Space Schedules
• Revit Heating & Cooling Loads vs. EnergyPlus Workflows
• Climate Analysis• Air Transport Systems: Air Handlers, Ducts, Zone Controllers & Air Terminals
• Fluid & Self-Contained Systems
• System Inspector, System Browser & Duct Sizing |
WEEK 8 | Module 8
Plumbing, Power & Electrical Systems | • Creating a Linked Plumbing Model
• Water Supply & Sanitary Systems for Typical Restrooms
• Greywater Reuse & Fire Protection Systems
• Types of Power Systems & System Components
• Building Science: Efficient Lighting and Controls• Electrical Analytical Models & Estimating Power Demand
• Placing Panels, Devices & Circuits
• Lighting Fixtures, Switches & Switch Systems |
WEEK 9 | Module 9
3D Coordination | • Publishing Models to Forma Data Management
• Using Model Coordination to Find Clashes
• Classifying Clashes as Issues or Not Issues
• Resolving & Re-Coordinating Across Disciplines
• Reviewing 220B Final Presentations |
WEEK 10 | Module 10
Presentation & Course Wrap-Up | • Presenting the Whole-Building Model
• Individual & Shared Class Boards
• Transformative Power of BIM
• What's Next? |