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?
Using the existing conditions as the foundation for modeling could give clients a visual perception of how the proposed additions or renovations could be integrated into the existing building without abruptness. Furthermore, from the designers’ perspective, it is also easier for them to adjust the dimensions of new buildings/parts to fit the existing conditions or to make changes in the existing building. Creating a separate model for the new proposed design could waste time if there isn’t much to be changed in the existing building. For example, if we only want to change the furniture arrangement, it is unnecessary to create a new separate model.
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?
I made alternatives for the exterior of level 2 and the outdoor dining space. I like glazed glass walls, and I feel like making different walls for different levels will match my idea of a “hamburger” shape building. However, I decided to make an alternative for the exterior wall because I also thought this was supposed to be a student dining/cafe area for students to relax. Too much sunlight might disturb students who want to dine inside. For the outdoor dining, I was thinking from two perspectives: matching the color of all furniture or enlarging the dining spaces. The biggest challenge is after I put selected components or walls into the options, I can only edit them when I choose the corresponding option. It was a bit inefficient when I wanted to make a small change. But overall, making alternatives by using options is very useful.