What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?

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?

Not all building need to modeled using conceptual masses. Sometime the buildings are simple that you already have an idea of what it looks like and can complete it. It's appropriate when you want to do large scale designs like a business building or complex designs. When you're dealing with the size, it can be helpful to think of them in simple masses. But if you're designing a small building, you do not need conceptual masses. It could be helpful but you could be wasting time when you could already be building the walls, floors, etc.

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?

Walt Disney Concert Hall (USA)

The Interlace (Singapore)

CCTV Headquarter (China)

How would you abstract the essential form of these famous buildings using conceptual mass elements that you can create in Revit?

1. One World Trade Center: https://www.archdaily.com/795277/one-world-trade-center-som
2. CMG Headquarters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMG_Headquarters#/media/File:China_Central_Television_Headquarters_2.jpg
3. Twisting torso: https://www.archdaily.com/771471/santiago-calatravas-turning-torso-wins-ctbuhs-10-year-award
4. Apple campus: https://www.archdaily.com/804970/apple-campus-2-held-to-fantastical-standard-of-detail-new-report-reveals
5. Salesforce tower: https://www.archdaily.com/889519/salesforce-tower-pelli-clarke-pelli-architects