Which types of structural framing systems and materials are most commonly used in the US for residences? For office buildings?
Steel and hardened concrete are most commonly used in office buildings and larger structures due to their durability and support. For households, it depends on the place of course, but most old ones have wooden structures, whereas newer households are implementing steel and other durable resources.
Why do different teams of designers and subcontractors link and share their models during the design process?
What are the advantages of linking models?
Are there any disadvantages to linking models?
How do you think design coordination was done before we started using digital models?
What advantages does doing this coordination digitally have over previous methods?
I think it was done through hand drawing and experienced notation. This not only takes more work but it is also less reliable, as there is no check for errors or measurements. Digital models greatly help construction due to its reliability and consistency.
What strategies can design teams use to find and avoid clashes prior to the start of construction?
What can be done besides sharing the models digitally?
At what point in the project development process should design coordination start?
Is it ever too early?
I do not think that it is ever too early to begin coordination. It is an essential step that will need to be done eventually and sooner rather than later. However, I do not think that one should focus on design coordination INSTEAD of strict/creative design at the start. The architect should have freedom for that aspect.