Which types of structural framing systems and materials are most commonly used in the US for residences? For office buildings?
What factors determine why these are the most used materials?
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?
Before digital models, design coordination relied on manually overlaying physical drawings from each discipline on a light table to check for alignment and potential clashes. Teams used hand-drafted blueprints, which meant coordinating changes required re-drawing and re-distributing updated plans—a time-consuming and error-prone process. Digital coordination offers significant advantages: with BIM software, teams can detect clashes automatically, visualize the project in 3D, and make changes instantly across all related views and sheets. This efficiency reduces errors, speeds up the workflow, and allows for real-time collaboration across disciplines, which was much harder to achieve with manual methods. Digital models provide a clear, interactive view of the project, making it easier to coordinate complex designs accurately and efficiently.
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?
Design teams can use several strategies to find and avoid clashes before construction begins. One of the primary methods is clash detection with the coordination tools in revit, which identifies overlapping elements from different disciplines within the model. Regular model reviews and multi-discipline coordination meetings are also essential, where team members can discuss potential conflicts and align on solutions. Shared models in a centralized BIM environment ensure that all teams are working with the latest updates, minimizing discrepancies. Additionally, teams can employ 3D visualization and walk-throughs to spot spatial conflicts early and use collaboration platforms to document and track issues as they arise. Together, these strategies help identify clashes and enable proactive adjustments, saving time and reducing rework during construction.
At what point in the project development process should design coordination start?
Is it ever too early?
Design coordination should start as early as possible in the project development process, ideally during the conceptual or schematic design phases. Early coordination allows architects, structural engineers, and MEP teams to align their design intentions, identify potential clashes, and address conflicts before they become costly to fix in later stages. Starting early helps establish clear communication, set expectations for each discipline, and creates a shared understanding of design goals and constraints. It’s never too early for coordination, as even preliminary discussions can reveal alignment issues and streamline the workflow, ultimately leading to a smoother, more efficient design process.