What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?
The conceptual design model provides a computer-generated version of a working sketch, and lets you easily play around with the shape and scale of your building before you work on finer details. It lets you explore structures that might be really hard to make in Revit by drawing individual walls and floors. I also thought it was useful to consider the mass of your building in relation to the surrounding topography and neighboring buildings, so you can see what makes sense for your site.
Should all buildings be modeled first using conceptual masses?
When is it needed/appropriate? And when not?
For example, should you create a conceptual mass model of a small house?
I don’t think it’s necessary to make a conceptual mass model of all buildings, especially not those that rely heavily on historical precedent. When a building is very clearly supposed to serve its purpose, and that purpose is legible from the outside (for example a craftsman house or a classical courthouse), I don’t think it would be worth it to model it this way. But for big skyscrapers or buildings that serve as monuments or sculptures in and of themselves, I think it’s a really useful step in the process.
Can you think of any examples of a real building around the world that most likely was created by exploring the form using conceptual mass models?
The Burj Khalifa was the first thing to come to mind, I can totally imagine the architect extruding each of its towers to create the pryamid-ish shape.
Also, the Aqua tower in Chicago could have been modeled like this as well, with the different floors creating a shape that overlays the glass structure.
