Which types of structural framing systems and materials are most commonly used in the US for residences? For office buildings?
Often wood framing is used in US residences because it is lightweight and relatively inexpensive, and because residences are usually not very tall/heavy compared to high-rises. In larger commercial buildings, steel and concrete are more likely to be used because they can hold more weight and can support tall buildings.
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?
How do you think design coordination was done before we started using digital models?
Before digital models, design coordination was most likely done by overlaying blueprints and using tracing paper to layout structural elements by hand. The advantages of doing coordination digitally is that changes to the architectural and structural aspects can be easily made and shared. Additionally, digital models give all parties a better understanding of the structure in 3D.
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?
Design coordination should begin once the majority of the architectural designing is complete. Architects should brainstorm and ideate on their own before beginning to collaborate, and once they have a semi-finalized design coordination should begin to ensure the architect’s vision is feasible and so both parties have time to collaborate and work out any possible structural issues that will arise.