Module 4 - Points to Ponder

What types of building information are best portrayed in 3D views?

• 3D views are best at portraying how users and clients with experience a space holistically. 3D views are able to accurately model information related to perception of depth and volumes. The also help to provide a sense of scale that is more comparable to the real-world.
• Which stakeholders require 2D views, and why?
• 2D views are necessary for architects to understand how spaces related to one another, especially during the design phase. 2D views are also necessary for the client to understand the entirety of the project in logically segmented pieces. 2D views are also necessary for general contractors and constructors to provide a clear manner for spatial and dimension reading and organization.

Give examples of how the building information for a specific location in the project needs to be filtered for different audiences and purposes?

• Architects/Interior Designers/Clients:
• architects and clients care about holistic understandings of interior spaces in a project, particularly in terms of how the specific spatial forms relate to the furniture and other decorative elements. As such, building information related to interior spaces should be filtered so that all interior elements and built elements are visible, with exterior elements such as planting only really necessary to include for the clients. This filtering helps to showcase how specific locations within a project will be used.
• General Contractors/Constructors:
• GCs and constructors are primarily focused on the structural elements of a building, the materials, and how the different components related to one another. As such, building information should be filtered so that only the building shell is visible, which provides the GCs and constructors with clear understandings of the walls, doors, windows, roofs, flooring, and stair elements.

Should your design ideas always be conveyed through photorealistic renders?

• Photorealistic renders are a great tool to concretely visualize design ideas in a manner that maximizes immersion and realism. However, given the large computational and data effort required by computer programs to produce rendered images, photorealistic renders should be reserved for conveying nearly and completed realized design ideas. Renders are best used for marketing and advertising a design to stakeholders, and are not necessary to use during the iterative phases of the design process.
• How does the level of detail in the rendering and its presentation affect the perception of stakeholders reviewing your design?
• The level of detail and image quality in a render are critical elements that influence stakeholder perceptions of a design. Lack of detail can make a spatial understandings of a design too ambiguous and hinder stakeholder abilities to properly visual and read the function and qualities of a space as desired or intended by the design. This ambiguity can lead to confusion, particularly in executing a given design. Poor image quality can also hinder understanding minute details.

Name some applications where viewing the building and model information in virtual reality or augmented reality would be most beneficial?

• Using virtual reality or augmented reality to view buildings is beneficial in cases where the interior design of a space is incredibly complex and the given complexities do not translate well to traditional 2D or 3D representations.
• Are there advantages to using a C.A.V.E as a virtual environment versus VR headsets?
• One advantage with using C.A.V.E as a virtual environment is it offers complete freedom of movement compared to the limited or restricted mobility of VR headsets.

How can schedule views be used to assist with procurement and model-based estimating?

• Schedule views help to deconstruct entire building models into fundamental components such as walls, doors, windows, etc. This helps to provide a concrete understanding of the type and amount of materials required to realize a given project. With scheduling, one can categorize each individual component, track dimensions, and calculate critical metrics such as square footage or window glazing area. This information can help assist with procurement the right amount of each material required to produce the given components. Moreover, with metrics such as square footage and window glazing area, for example, estimates regarding construction costs or building energy efficiency are able to be conducted during the modeling process. With scheduling, designers are able to concretely evaluate their designs form material and costs based perspectives which allows them to make the necessary design changes and adjustments before procurement even begins. This simplifies the procurement process and reduces the risk for mistakes or delays due to post-modeling design modifications.