Module 5 - Points to Ponder

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?

What sort of complexities are introduced when you construct a building complex in phases?

• What happens at the interfaces between the buildings as the phases advance?
• How can you plan and prepare for these complexities as your create your initial building model?

What are the principal advantages of using a single building information model of the existing conditions as the foundation for modeling several proposed design alternatives for a portion of the building?

• Why not create a separate model for each of the design alternatives?

Creating design alternatives makes it faster to make quick changes to a building. Furthermore, it makes it easier to switch between two different options, overall making it easier to compare between multiple design options.

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?

For my proposed design, I offered two different design alternatives for the facade of the building. I chose to focus on the facade because I believed that it had the greatest impact on how one would experience the building. I wanted to provide an option where there were fewer windows because I anticipated the client wanting more privacy for students in the design.