What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?
Time efficiency first and foremost. You don’t have the worry about all the intricate details when modeling using masses and that allows for the process to be quicker. Additionally, if you are building a uniform structure, like a warehouse, a basic block is essentially all you need. It is good for those beginning stages when you are just trying to understand how the building will fit into the environment.
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?
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
For the World Trade Center, I would start with a square base high rise. After that is established, I would create points at the top and bottom of the structure that would be dragged inwards to create the triangles that comprise the sides of the building.