Instructions

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?

• Why not create a separate model for the new proposed design?

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?

When building in phases, some parts of the existing work will need to be tied into the new work, and that integration step may involve demolition as well as lining up new work to existing work dimensions.

• How can you plan and prepare for these complexities as you create your initial building model?

These complexities can be modeled as phases in construction that track the state in time when each group of elements will be constructed. This time dimension allows all these interfacing considerations to be precisely and holistically covered.

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?

• Why not create a separate model for each of the design alternatives?

Most of the design remains the same when multiple alternatives are considered. When other elements of the design change, some alternatives less preferable before may become optimal. To keep the alternatives in the updating context of the building design, using a single building model is really useful.

In your project, which features of the proposed design did you choose to model as design alternatives? 

• Why did you choose these building features?
• And what were the biggest challenges in modeling them as the design alternatives?