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?
Some advantages of using a single BIM instead of one just for the proposed design include that it is possible to see how the new proposed design will interact with the current state of the structure being altered. With a single BIM, it is possible to see what is being demolished, added, and how the additions will be part of the current building.
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?
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?
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?
I chose to model two alternatives for the furniture layout of my building’s student collaborative space on the first floor. I chose to model this because I myself wondered if it would be better to have booths or movable tables and chairs. Through modeling, I was able to figure out that it is probably better to have movable tables and chairs to allow more collaboration among students, rather than stationary booths.
Similarly, I modeled the outdoor dining area on the first floor to have two options: an uncovered option with two trees, and an option with a roof but no trees. This allowed me to see what I liked better: a covered dining area, or an uncovered one. I decided I liked an uncovered area with trees, and it was beneficial to be able to see this through a design alternative.