What are the principal advantages of using a single building information model of the existing conditions as the foundation for modeling proposed additions or renovations?
By modeling the existing and proposed building on the same model, you can simultaneously see the new and the old, which gives you the most robust understanding of what needs to be modified inorder to create an addition. Additionally, when they are modeled on the same model you can create views that demonstrate to the client the entire picture, rather than just the addition/renovation. If you were to model the addition on a different model, you may miss something about the original structure, and the concept may be confusing to explain to others.
What sort of complexities are introduced when you construct a building complex in phases?
- What happens at the interfaces between the buildings as the phases advance?
- How can you plan and prepare for these complexities as your create your initial building model?
What are the principal advantages of using a single building information model of the existing conditions as the foundation for modeling several proposed design alternatives for a portion of the building?
By using a single model to show several design alternatives, you can easily switch between the proposals, and you don’t have to spend time reconstructing the aspects of your building that don’t change between proposals. Additionally, because you can choose each design element that needs to be altered to switch from one proposal to the other, it is easy to save the elements that remain the same between your proposals which creates less work for you.
In your project, which features of the proposed design did you choose to model as design alternatives?
I chose to model two different room configurations as my design alternatives. On the third floor, I gave the option of offices or a classroom space, and on the second floor I gave the option of a board room and study space, or an additional entertainment space. I chose these building features because I felt they would allow the client the most customization. The biggest challenge I faced was figuring out how to set up sheets that displayed each design alternative, and correctly annotating these sheets.