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?
In a single model, you can have the existing building and the proposed renovations/design options. It is more practical than sending around multiple models to clients, contractors, engineers, architects, etc. It also easily allows you to see what has been changed between phases and compare them to quickly.
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?
Being able to easily switch between different design options makes it easier to present those options to a client. It also allows you to provide different options on the same sheet, from the same view, which makes it very easy to compare them. Sorting building elements into different options allows you as the architect to keep track of which specific components are different between the options very easily, and keeps you from accidentally changing pieces you don’t want to.
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?