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?
With one model with the existing building already on file, you wouldn’t have to 1) reCAD the existing structure, 2) delete features unwanted features of the old building permanently, and 3) repeat actions across more than one file where the possibility that you forget something or make a mistake is significantly higher. Plus, you could see the old, the new, and both on the same file with just a couple clicks. This allows for easier comparison and workflow.
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?
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 played with four alternative features: the facade, level 1, level 2, and level 3. I chose to submit levels 2 and 3 as they were 1) more varied in the choices available across the entire floor and 2) I knew the glass facade was by far a better design than another brick wall. The biggest challenge was coordinating with which other options would pair well at the entire building level. For example, if the client decided level 2 should have more open spaces, then level 1 might be better off having more closed spaces.