What are the primary goals of creating a building model? Who are the key stakeholders?
The primary goal of creating a model is to create coordination for anyone related to that project. Its meant for all to check that the different systems fit together, check that material and quantities are correct, and used to create a schedule. Some stakeholders would be owner, MEP engineers, architects, and general contractors.
◦ What does each of them need from the model?
The Owner would want to see the overall design, confirm the size, appearance, model and will use the model for later facilities management.
The Architect uses the model to show intent and aesthetics and needs to coordinate with other engineers.
The MEP engineers need the models to run analysis of their systems such as loads, energy, and airflow to make sure their systems work and doesn’t clash with other systems.
The general contractor will needs quantities, sequencing information, and clash-free coordination to plan construction, procurement, and cost.
◦ What do they care about most, and where do those priorities conflict?
he architect wants design flexibility late into the process; the contractor wants the design locked early so they can order materials and sequence trades. Engineers want conservative, well-documented systems; the owner wants lower cost.
A drawing is a picture of a building. A model is a description of one.
◦ What questions can you ask a model that you cannot ask a drawing?
Can you zoom in or isolate something on floor x. Pictures can no into detail like a model could. Or asking it if this duct clashes with another duct.
◦ Are there things a drawing still communicates better? Give an example.
A hand-annotated detail drawing can emphasize exactly what matters. A model could be too complex if you don’t know what you are looking for.
This course splits the work across Forma, Revit and Forma Data Management.
◦ What is gained by using a different tool for concept, documentation and coordination?
Forma is used for a conceptual design. It has alot of high detail information, and used to do quick comparisons. Revit is high level and optimized for design, viewing, and clash detection all made for all types of construction use. Forma Data Management is like google drive, its meant to share files and keep files organized between a team.
◦ What tends to get lost in the handoffs between them?
Parameters, metadata, or analysis results computed upstream can drop or become stale when geometry is rebuilt in the next tool.
◦ Who on a real project team is responsible for making sure nothing is lost?
Usually a BIM or VDC engineer is the lead to own the model to oversee process, data, and standards.
Where should a building model actually live?
◦ What are the practical consequences of a model living on one person's laptop?
◦ What changes when the model lives in the cloud, for the designer and for everyone else?
You will make hundreds of modeling decisions this quarter.
◦ Which ones are worth being slow and careful about?
◦ Which are worth being fast about, accepting that you may redo them?
◦ How would you tell the difference before you have made the mistake?