What are the primary goals of creating a building model? Who are the key stakeholders?
- What do they need?
The primary goals of creating a building model are to lift concepts off of paper and provide a visual of the desired outcome. Building models are helpful tools that help facilitate the design process as you are able to design and refine the model as necessary. In terms of this project specifically, the primary goal revolves around developing a field research station for researchers to conduct research within a small satellite facility. The research facility requires enough space for an ADA-compliant restroom, a storage, an 8 foot lab bench, as well as four designated desk areas.
- What do they care about most?
Presumably, researchers would care most about ensuring they are able to be productive within the small research facility. It is challenging to prioritize the optimization of space in such a small area; however, I believe my model reflects ample spaciousness.
How much detail should you include in your building model? How do you decide?
- As you develop your initial design?
Ultimately, I hope to incorporate as much detail as possible within my model to help facilitate the design and refinement process. My initial design will reflect simplicity and will focus on adherence to regulation standards, codes, ADA-compliance, and general structural requirements.
- As you continue to iterate and develop on your design?
As I further my design knowledge within the course, I will refine my model accordingly to reflect a more complex, intricate design.
- What are the key stages?
The key stages of the development of my building revolve around:
1) Solidifying the building layout and ensuring there is sufficient space within the walls for implementing MEP systems
2) Tampering with the design of interior components, such as: rooms, walls, and furniture selection as well as placement to optimize space
3) Installing MEP systems within the walls
4) Finalizing the solidified building design
- And how much detail should you include at each stage?
Each stage will require differing amounts of detail; however, I believe the initial design will reflect most detail and the latter stages will continue to add details to the existing design.
How much detail should you include about the composition (layers, materials, thicknesses) of your wall, floor, and roof assemblies at different stages of your design process?
- Conceptual design
The conceptual design is the preliminary stage of the process and the model will reflect basic details, such as: exterior and interior wall types, dimensions for rooms, and furniture.
- Preliminary design
The preliminary design stage will revolve around solidifying more complex details, such as: wall thickness, roof orientation, floor type, and space distribution.
- Design development
During the design development stage, I will prioritize the implementation of energy conservation measures through the selection of materials. For instance, I want to enhance insulation within the building and I have installed PV panels for increased sustainability measures.
- Construction documentation
The construction documentation process will solidify the building model. During this stage, the dimensions, structure, materials, and the overall space breakout will be solidified and ready for construction build.