- 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?
Inevitably, the new design will have to adapt to features of the old design. For instance, we need to know where to demolish the old design to incorporate the new! This would be far more difficult if the new design were in a different model than the old.
- 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?
By marking your building phases as existing, new, addition, etc. you can guide construction through your model more efficiently than if all building elements were labeled the same. As the phases advance, there will be demolition at interfaces, of course. Complexities arise when demolished building elements are important for the existing structure, but need to be removed to accommodate the new elements.
- 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?
It's far easier to switch between design options in a single model than having entirely different models that must be shared and analysed separately. This way it is easier to include different views of the options in single sheets, for instance, for ready comparison.
- 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?
The top floor was the key feature of my design extension, as it incorporated some sweeping views of the surroundings along with some views of the interior technology for passers-by to marvel at. As such, the facade material at this level was a key design option I gave the client the decision to consider.