Module 5 - Points to Ponder

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?

• Firstly, it would be easier to visualize the proposed demolitions, additions to our project. If we created a new project altogether it would be more difficult to differentiate what already existed and what is being modified. It also allows for time efficiency and improving the accuracy of the modeling (you don’t have to re-do what has been left unchanged for the new project).

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?
• My main changes were to the facade of the building (and subsequently to the floor plan and furniture arrangement). For my main option, the extended buildings futures a glass-panel structure that gives the illusion to be floating in the air. However, for my alternative design I decided to extend the arcades and eliminate the glass second floor so that the appearance of the extension was more seamless with the existing building. I chose this design features because if this was a real client, maybe they wouldn’t want a building extension that was too strikingly different from the original facade. And some of the biggest challenges was probably having to rethink of thee interior of the building as I am modifying the exterior (and giving up on some of my preferred designs as well)