Which types of structural framing systems and materials are most commonly used in the US for residences? For office buildings?
Wooden structural frames are the most common for US homes. Concrete frames are the most common for office buildings. Availability, cost and project location are the factors that go into making these the most commonly used.
Why do different teams of designers and subcontractors link and share their models during the design process?
Designers and contractors might link and share their models during the design process so that changes to the design can be immediately available to all parties, both contractors and designers.
What are the advantages of linking models?
The advantages of linking models is that changes are available in real time for all parties.
Are there any disadvantages to linking models?
A potential disadvantage of linking models is that designers and contractors may be tempted to communicate less about changes that they have already made or anticipate making, operating under the assumption that they will be available for other parties to view anyways.
How do you think design coordination was done before we started using digital models?
Coordination likely required a lot of in person meetings and work sessions before the era of digital models.
What advantages does doing this coordination digitally have over previous methods?
Digital coordination has the huge advantage of saving travel time and expenses for both designers and contractors to work with one another and effectively communicate. Even the process of acquiring and delivering RFIs between different parties can be reduced through digital models.
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?
At what point in the project development process should design coordination start?
Is it ever too early?