What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?
Forma allows architects/engineers to understand how the overall structure of a building will fit into its site context and the basics of how it will perform without requiring labor-intensive modeling of details. If an option doesn’t work because it conflicts with a neighboring building, that is useful to know before detailed design begins!
Should all buildings be modeled first using conceptual masses?
When is it needed/appropriate? And when not?
For example, should you create a conceptual mass model of a small house?
Mass models are generally not needed for smaller structures with relatively simple contexts. For example, a house in a large lot in between two other small houses probably does not need to be modeled using conceptual masses. However, for a larger building in a city, it is useful to understand how a building might interact with its surroundings before deciding on a shape and structure – this is where conceptual masses are most useful.
Also, in a small house, details like windows and doors become relevant quickly, as it doesn’t take very long to draft the general structure, so it is useful to model the details early. By contrast, in a more complex building, developing the building envelope is a long process in and of itself, so a conceptual mass may be adequate for a long time.
Can you think of any examples of a real building around the world that most likely was created by exploring the form using conceptual mass models?
Please post and share images of these examples to this Notion page.
How would you abstract the essential form of these famous buildings using conceptual mass elements that you can create in Revit?
- One World Trade Center: https://www.archdaily.com/795277/one-world-trade-center-som
- CMG Headquarters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMG_Headquarters#/media/File:China_Central_Television_Headquarters_2.jpg
- Twisting torso: https://www.archdaily.com/771471/santiago-calatravas-turning-torso-wins-ctbuhs-10-year-award
- Apple campus: https://www.archdaily.com/804970/apple-campus-2-held-to-fantastical-standard-of-detail-new-report-reveals
- Salesforce tower: https://www.archdaily.com/889519/salesforce-tower-pelli-clarke-pelli-architects